Two Takes: Outlander “The Search” 

So much goodness to be had in “The Search” — except for one thing. No Jamie. Which makes us scared, to be honest. What we did get was some quality time with a couple of fierce females in Jenny and Claire. We also witnessed a singing and dancing Claire that was totally out of her comfort zone. But so completely in character because she would do anything in the name of love. Plus, Dougal returned and wouldn’t you know it, he immediately capitalized on Jamie’s absence. Not cool, Dougal. Not cool.

In the end, Jamie’s in the hands of the Redcoats and the dastardly Black Jack Randall; and Claire has organized a posse to go after her man. This episode perfectly sets up the final two episodes of season one. So for this time only — we’ll forgive the lack of one amazing man, James Fraser.

Tina: Not a single second of Jamie, Kara. But that’s okay. We did get a lot of Murtagh! And, more importantly, Claire and Jenny tracking down their husband/brother. They made an awesome team.

Kara: Sometimes I feel like Jenny would make the most amazing sister-in-law, but I would never take Jamie away from Claire (like I could. Should I stop talking about him like he’s a real person?! Nah). But back to Jenny. She’s fiercely loyal and I love that she won’t let Claire go in search of Jamie alone. And can we talk about her tracking skills?

Tina: Her tracking skills are baller. And I love how she takes care of her maternal duties right there in the middle of the woods. She can’t let excess milk slow her down. It’s time to pump and then dump. Love her.

Kara: When it comes time to get information out of that Redcoat, Jenny is all business. I have to say, her torture skills are quite impressive. And unlike Claire, Jenny knows what has to be done and whatever her feelings about the task, she does it.

Tina: Once they get the needed information out of him, Jenny’s right. They can’t let him go. It seems like Claire’s reluctant to do what’s necessary — kill the soldier. Thankfully, neither of them has to. Murtagh shows up just in the nick of time and does the job for them. I was so happy to see Murtagh. Weren’t you?

Kara: So happy and I don’t think I realized just how much I missed him until he showed up. Now that Murtagh’s on the case, so to speak, Jenny feels like she can return to her wee bairns Maggie and Jamie and her injured hubby Ian. Their parting scene was so touching and so emotional. And I loved that when Claire started talking about “the future,” Jenny went with it.

Tina: I made sure to write down this Jenny quote that I loved so much: “Love forces a person to choose. You do things you’d never imagine you could do before.” That pretty much sums up so much of Outlander it’s not even funny.

Kara: I love that quote. Tina. Don’t make me talk about the Sassenach shtick.

Tina: Do you mean the Claire and Murtagh Variety Hour? Okay, here’s what I’ll say about that. If I recall, they spent a lot of time on this part of the search in the book. I appreciate that with a TV show, all of that was going to be condensed into a tiny portion of one episode. But what I did enjoy is that their song-and-dance act threw Claire the Healer out of her comfort zone (like I said in the intro). Plus, Murtagh and Claire spend some of the time talking. Murtagh usually doesn’t say much and we got some much-needed backstory for him. You had to like that scene, right?

Kara: It was amazing. When Claire accuses him of not knowing what it feels like to lose someone, I may have gasped out loud. She doesn’t know what Murtagh’s been through. She doesn’t know his story.

So when he says, “You think you’re the only one who loves Jamie? He’s a son to me,” I was really happy for that insight. We learn that he loved Jamie’s mother and he’s the one who gave her the gift of those tusk bracelets. And apparently he loved her so much, he wasn’t able to find anyone else, even after she died.

Tina: Good stuff, one of my favorite moments of the entire episode. Later, Claire and Murtagh find themselves back in the presence of those gypsies and their sleazy leader, Seorise Ward (Martin Brody). He reluctantly relays a message. Claire presumes that she and Murtagh will be meeting up with Jamie. But that’s not what happens.

Kara: When they arrive at the glen, it’s Dougal — not Jamie — who greets them. I can’t even tell you how happy I was to see Dougal because it’s been a while. But as soon as he opens his mouth, I’m reminded of his agenda.

Tina: That dog. Of course, he takes advantage of Jamie’s absence. He’s pretty much written him off. Instead of thinking about how to save Jamie, he’s more concerned with providing “protection” to Claire. She’s not interested in his type of protection. And I don’t blame her.

Kara: I don’t love that Claire strikes that deal with him: if she fails she marries Dougal. It’s not that I think Claire’s already given up as well, it’s just that I want her to return to her time if she can’t have Jamie in this one.

Tina: Word. I don’t think he’s a good person.

Kara: Even Geillis knew about his wandering eye. But I do like that Dougal won’t stop Claire and Murtagh from recruiting people for what may end up being a suicide mission to save Jamie. Willie is quick to volunteer, Angus and Rupert more grudgingly. So the five of them set off to Wentworth prison with a very daunting task ahead of them.

Outlander airs Saturdays at 9/8c on Starz.