Back to Scotland.
Full spoilers for Outlander continue below.
War is coming to Scotland, and Claire and Jamie are getting more and more desperate to make sure the Highlanders come out on the right side of Culloden.
Outlander offered the Frasers a needed time jump after the tragedy in last week's "Faith." When we pick back up with Claire and Jamie in "The Fox's Lair," they've recovered from the trauma of losing their unborn child and seem to have healed their relationship upon their return to Lallybroch. One of the most impactful scenes in the episode involved the linger effect of their loss, with Claire looking on as Jamie cuddled and spoke to Jenny's newest child.
Sadly our happy times with Ian, Jenny and their growing flock of children is cut short when Jamie learns that Bonnie Prince Charlie forged his support, meaning Jamie is locked into fighting in the war. Guess all that time convincing Charles Stuart he was his loyal supporter worked too well.
The bulk of this episode was spent bringing familiar Scottish faces back into the mix while also introducing one key new one. Jamie and Claire head to Castle Beaufort to meet with his grandfather, Simon Fraser aka Lord Lovat aka the Old Fox (the fantastic Clive Russell), on Bonnie Prince Charlie's behalf. Here he comes face-to-face with his uncle, Colum MacKenzie, who is there to pitch for the Frasers to stay out of the Jacobite's rebellion. Also with Collum is Laoghaire, aka Outlander fans' most hated woman in Scotland.
There was a lot that was great about the trip to meet Lord Lovat. There's the nice contrast between the finery and sophistication of politics and Paris versus the down and dirty politicking in the Highlands. Meeting the Old Fox added much more depth to Jamie's character, as we learn more about where he came from. And beyond introducing Russell to the world of Outlander, it's always a treat to have Gary Lewis on the show. Colum was as complex and interesting as ever, and his reaction to finding out Laoghaire's involvement in Claire's witch trial was a nice moment.
Jamie vs. Colum duking it out to try to win Lord Lovat's favor was a high point of the episode, as was their farewell. It's hard to ignore the sinking suspicion that the MacKenzie was right in his argument with Jamie about lacking outside support, even if there's no way for the Frasers to get out of the Jacobite Rising at this time.
Claire knowing the power of leaning into rumors about her magic powers also was great payoff. I loved her fully embracing her La Dame Blanche persona to manipulate Simon Fraser; again, it's shown that her experience in Paris left a lasting effect on her. It also is welcome to see her and Jamie acting like a team again.
Most things worked, but not everything. As satisfying as Claire's takedown of Laoghaire was, part of the scene didn't ring true. Claire isn't a perfect person, but she came off as petty and manipulative when it seemed like the viewer was supposed to view her otherwise. Maybe Nell Hudson played Laoghaire too sincerely, but I bought that she was genuinely trying to make amends and reform. Claire's reaction felt a bit out of character for her, but hey, she is only human. But with that ominous promise hanging in the air that Laoghaire will one day try to win Jamie's love again, I can't help but feel that Claire has somewhat set herself up for anything bad that comes out of this.
So here we stand. The Frasers' best chance to save Lallybroch (and Scotland) is to help Charles Stuart win the Battle of Culloden. They head out to prepare the army that the Bonnie Prince is gathering. The battle to change the future rages on, with Claire musing at the end of the episode, "Maisri had said we could change the future. Perhaps we already had."
But Outlander has been repeatedly reminding its viewers that it's already confirmed the Frasers' failure. The question that remains isn't whether they're able to fix the past, but how do they survive in the future?
The Verdict
Another great episode of Outlander, and a strong return to Scotland. Simon Fraser makes a great addition to Jamie's family, and there's a lot of great set up for what's to come. There are still quite a few episodes left in Season 2, but it's hard to forget the foreshadowing from the beginning of the premiere episode as we get closer and closer to the Battle of Culloden.
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