Two Takes: Outlander “The Watch” 

We’re not sure Jamie knows how to keep himself out of trouble, not completely. He’s had to be careful about revealing his identity for so long that it’s easy to slip into the persona of Jamie McTavish but, even so, he has a hard time keeping this thoughts to himself. When “The Watch” arrives at Lallybroch expecting to be fed and sheltered, Jenny explains just who these men are. They keep the Redcoats away and if and when the solders make an (unwanted) appearance, The Watch protects them. Of course Jamie has thoughts about that, but as he’s reminded yet again: He’s been gone and this is the way things are now. But that’s not the biggest threat Jamie faces in this week’s episode.

Kara: Tina, last week I remember you saying that the power and importance of Ian and Jamie’s friendship — or really, brotherhood — didn’t come across. Well, this week that gets rectified.

Tina: Love that you bring this up first. Because I was thinking the same thing. We find out exactly how close Jamie and Ian are — they’re more than friends. They’re brothers. And this relationship strengthened after Jamie’s brother, Willie, died when Jamie was eight.

Kara: And we know family is important to Jamie, but perhaps we don’t truly understand the lengths Jamie will go to to protect his kin. When Horrocks reappears, we know he’s gonna be trouble. Horrocks can easily tell the men of The Watch who Jamie is and how much the price on his head is worth.

Tina: This is a tense episode for Jamie, isn’t it? Even before Horrocks shows up, he’s on edge thanks to The Watch. They are unpredictable, dangerous and Jamie can’t trust them. But they’re harmless compared to Horrocks. That guy is a manipulative, opportunistic ass. And I have no problem with Ian disposing of him after the traitor tries to extort even more money out of Jamie.

Kara: Can we talk about that scene for a minute? Horrocks, the smug bastard, has the nerve to ask for more money even though Jamie’s just given him everything he has. Horrocks assumes threatening Jamie’s family will be good for a few more pounds, but that’s what pushes Ian to run him through. Good riddance, but poor Ian. With the war long over, Ian thought he was done killing. But if he’s going to hell for murder, at least Jamie is going with him.

Tina: The whole time Horrocks blackmails Jamie I kept wishing he’d drop dead right then and there. I just hope Ian doesn’t experience too much angst over this murder. Bury the bastard and be on your way. Although seriously, there are other things to worry about. Jenny’s having the baby (most painfully since the baby’s breach). Plus the head of The Watch wants Jamie on his team. Jamie can’t say no to one mission. Ian volunteers to go along as well.

Kara: If I NEVER see another birth scene it’ll be too soon. I absolutely get that Jenny’s in danger, though. Her mother died in childbirth and, as you mentioned, the baby is breach, so there’s a good chance this birth will not go smoothly. With Claire there to help coax her through it, Jenny welcomes her bairn — a wee baby girl. Claire awaits Jamie’s return, but we know that Horrocks sprang one horrible, final surprise on Jamie and the men of The Watch. He set them up for a Redcoat ambush.

Tina: A roughed up Ian returns to Lallybroch sans Jamie. Claire wants to know where her husband is. And we all know. The Redcoats have him. Claire’s scared. Jenny’s scared. I know what lies ahead for Jamie. And so I don’t mind admitting that I’m very, very scared too.

Random Thoughts
There’s a lot of talk of family and children in this episode and we see it get to both Claire and Jamie. Claire is so cute with wee Jamie and when her husband talks about the children they’ll have, Claire knows it’s time to come clean. As she tells Jamie, she never expected to love him, so she didn’t think about telling him before they were married. But she can’t have children. She tried with Frank — did you notice how jealous Jamie got over that? — and she was never able to conceive. It’s a blow but, as always, they’ll work through it together.

Outlander airs Saturdays at 9/8c on Starz.