Two Takes: Outlander “Useful Occupations and Deceptions” 

Although not suited for a life of political intrigue or behind-the-scenes machinations, Jamie is surprisingly good at getting the information he needs. His friendship with Duverney allows Jamie to set up a meeting between the finance minster and Prince Charles, unofficially of course. And while Jamie assumed the Prince would ask France to finance the Jacobite cause, that isn’t what happens. It turns out Charles has already secured most of the funds he’ll need for the campaign, but if King Louis can provide some gap funding, Charles promises an alliance between France and Britain. Considering that alliance doesn’t actually happen for another century, it’s a big deal and something Duverney seems to think will appeal to the King.

Kara: Tina, there’s much to talk about, but interestingly enough I want to start with something innocuous. Have you ever been to Versailles? I visited the palace when I was quite young and my dad was stationed overseas. I have to say I am loving seeing it “restored” to it’s former glory in the show so far. I like to think about people living there and going about their business — namely Jamie and Claire doing their part to thwart the Jacobite rebellion. I know it’s random, but because of my personal history I’m really enjoying every moment they spend there.

Tina: I have been to Versailles. I have been to Paris. Like you, I went to Versailles as a kid so I don’t remember much other than it was beautiful and there were flowers everywhere. Someday I hope to go again. I love that this is the environment where Jamie and Claire are making friends, enemies and plans — as you mention — to thwart the Jacobite rebellion. Speaking of which, Kara, I have a confession to make. Remember how last week, I said I had to tune out the political portion of the episode? This week, I have changed my tune. I couldn’t get enough of all the politics. That Charles Stuart. He is so much smarter than I thought. I am not worthy.

Kara: Yes. I found all the talk of politics so fascinating in this episode. Thank God. I know it’s a huge part of this book and I was genuinely worried I wouldn’t be enjoying this season as much. I mean, I know I should’ve trusted EP Ronald Moore and his team because they do not disappoint.

Tina: I totally agree. Politics were such a huge part of Battlestar Galactica and it was so well done, I shouldn’t have worried either. Not to keep knocking on the book because I loved it — but everything getting condensed for TV is a good thing.

Kara: Speaking of which, Charles is much more savvy then we’ve been giving him credit for and the fact that he’s secured 40,000 pounds on his own is huge. I love that it’s Claire and her job at the hospital — the job Jamie doesn’t seem to approve of — that helps them break the code in Charles’ personal correspondence.

Tina: Did you notice how I used the word “tune” a couple of times a little earlier? Well, I did that on purpose. Because music is such a huge part of Jamie being able to verify the fact Charles is in bed with the British associates who ponied up the 40k. This is a group, by the way, that probably includes the Duke of Sandringham. We’re never going to shake this guy are we? Combining Claire’s quest for staying useful with Jamie’s need for extra help with his issues is pretty brilliant. Enter the tough-as-nails Mother Hildegarde, whom Claire meets when she volunteers at L’Hopital des Anges.

Kara: And I love how she’s not all that impressed by Bach. Yes, Johann Sebastian Bach. His music lacks heart? Is it wrong to threaten bodily harm on such a godly woman? Because I’m about to cut a bitch. I kid. I kid. I actually love Mother Hildegarde. She doesn’t suffer fools lightly and when Claire first presents herself at the hospital, the good nun is so unimpressed she has Claire on bedpan duty. It’s not until she sees Claire in action that she realizes how useful she can be to them. I think sometimes I forget Claire is a woman from another time (not often, but occasionally), so I like it when the show reminds us. Diabetes used to be called “sugar sickness” and it takes a moment for Claire to remember what it would’ve been called in the 18th century.

Tina: Before I talk more about Claire’s volunteering, I must point out that I absolutely adore the actress who’s playing Mother Hildegard. You know how this season there’s a character named Louise de la Tour? Well, Frances de la Tour plays Claire’s new boss. Apparently, she’s in one of the Harry Potter movies (I wouldn’t know because I haven’t seen any of them). What I do know de la Tour from is she stars alongside Sirs Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi on a Britcom that airs on PBS here in the States called Vicious. She’s SO GOOD on it.

Okay, back to Outlander. I love seeing Claire do something for herself. You can see her anguish when she hears Jamie talking all about what’s on his agenda for the day. Which is everything under the sun. She’s not a drink tea with the ladies kind of lady. She’s a do something kind of lady, know what I mean? I initially thought her angst had to do with the fact that — and I can’t believe we have not touched on this yet — she hasn’t yet told Jamie that Black Jack Randall is alive. That may have been part of it. But she also wants to do something with her day. She may be pregnant but she’s not an invalid. I think Claire and Jamie had a nice argument that was fascinating to watch.

Kara: Can you believe Claire called herself conventional? She will literally never, ever be conventional. EVER. But I do understand her need to do something. She has all this medical knowledge and there is so much suffering in the world. She’ll always do what she can to help people put an end to their pain. Is that a good enough segue back to Black Jack? Let’s do this.

Last week we both thought Claire should tell Jamie about Black Jack Randall and his not dead status at the first opportunity. Well, she had the perfect opening and Murtagh’s support and she didn’t do it. On the one hand, I get it. They’ve finally made progress with their plan and that night should be a celebration. I’m just so worried that Jamie will find out from someone other than Claire and if that happens, the tension we saw between the two of them in this episode will be nothing compared to how awful things will become if Jamie finds out Claire lied to him about something so huge.

Tina: I feel like Claire’s a strong, brave woman. And I know she hates to see Jamie in pain. I know she knows exactly how he’d react to finding out the man who did such a horrifying thing to him is actually alive. I get her reasoning. I get everything about this situation. She’s a protector. She wants to save her husband from feeling pain. She wants to save him from going into revenge mode. But she’s just delaying the pain and anguish. Although she now has extra incentive to keep their nemesis alive. What a doozy of a reveal that was. Her former/future/former — whatever you want to call Frank Randall — her other husband’s very existence depends on Black Jack staying alive. Dun dun dun!!!

Kara: The drama. I live for it. And the fact that poor little blushing virgin Mary Hawkins will be his wife? Yikes. She — and any woman ever — is so wholly unprepared to be Black Jack’s spouse. But what can Claire do? If she interferes Frank won’t exist in the future we’ve already seen her return to. But to keep silent and let Mary marry that monster? It’s a conundrum. Literally. Since we know Mary’s made a connection with Randall’s younger brother, Alex, I’m going to choose to believe she finds some way to be happy with him, even if she ends up married to Black Jack.

Tina: Such a juicy development. I don’t know about you but this show keeps getting better and better. Some other tidbits to discuss: Once again, Claire comes across Le Comte de St. Germain, who looked mighty friendly with Master Raymond. But we know better, don’t we? The other thing is the introduction of Fergus aka Claudel. Jamie hires the little grifter spy to help steal the letters from Charles Stuart. If I remember correctly, he sticks with the Frasers for a while. The kid’s had a bit of a rough childhood but now he’s working for Jamie, which is cool.

Kara: That kid needs Jamie and Claire’s influence in his life, so I’m happy to hear that. The only other thing we haven’t touched on is Murtagh and Suzette. The way Claire discovered their relationship was pretty funny and it ultimately led to a nice moment between them. Murtagh should know better than to cause Claire’s maid to be derelict in her duties, but at least someone’s getting some. Amirite?

Outlander airs Saturdays at 9/8c on Starz.

Want a sneak peek at next week’s episode? Here’s a clip from “La Dame Blanche”