**This is not a spoiler-free review of this episode. This review is also from a non-reader, and any comments revealing spoilers from the books will be deleted.**
Your honor, I love them.
Episode 804: “Muskets, Liberty, and Sauerkraut”
Written by Evan McGahey, Directed by Metin Hüseyin
Y’all, I swear to high heaven if anything happens to Fergus (César Domboy) and Marsali (Lauren Lyle) before the season ends, I will COMMIT TREASON AGAINST THE CROWN like the good little American I am.
But I digress.
Speaking of good little Americans, Brianna (Sophie Skelton) had a lovely reunion with Sad Boy William (Charles Vandervaart) in this episode. I still hate Amaranthus (Carla Woodcock). Girl, didn’t you JUST lose your husband? Why are you acting all hot and bothered over William?
It was annoying. I cringed when William completely spilled his family lore to her. It was so odd when she was like, “WELL, if we could get married, you could just like, RENOUNCE your title and give it to our firstborn, tee HEE I’m just a girl.”
I don’t know if they’re having to rush their romance or if she’s genuinely nefarious. The whole storyline with them just feels weird. William’s interactions with Brianna felt more genuine.
Y’all better be subscribing to the Fergus Times.
Speaking of genuine, one of my favorite parts of season eight? Fergus and Marsali. I thought it was sadly ironic when Marsali explained that they actually get more hate for printing an unbiased paper.
Everyone’s a critic in every century, apparently.
Poor Fergus gets a huge, “LUKE, I AM YOUR FATHER,” reveal that he didn’t ask for. Apparently, he’s related to an evil Comte (whom I had to Google because I completely forgot about that moment from season two).
I’m not sure why they’re introducing that storyline, but I want to have faith that they’ll pull it off. Regardless, I loved it when Fergus noted that he was already the son of a great man.
They’d better all get him a Father’s Day card.
Roger (Richard Rankin) and Bri traveled to see Fergus and Marsali with gold and whiskey smuggled in sauerkraut.
I do appreciate that the show constantly reminds us that the characters are living in the midst of wartime. Or if you’ll indulge me in my silly humor for one moment (don’t you always by reading this column?) — one man’s sauerkraut is another man’s treasure.
I am worried for Roger now that he’s agreed to fight with the colonials. I get that he’s probably doing so out of honor, and a risky attempt to win the commanding officer over, so he’ll agree to give up the GUNS.
It’s a rock and a hard place for poor Roger. I find it hard to believe that they’d kill him off, but who knows? There are only six episodes left after this.
On the next episode of “The Colonial Bachelor.”
Claire (Caitriona Balfe) didn’t have much to do this episode besides setting Elspeth Cunningham’s (Frances Tomelty) shoulder. I liked how Claire refused to give in to Cunningham’s (Kieran Bew) snide remarks about her safety on the Ridge when Jamie was away.
I feel like this group of episodes is dedicated to the oddly morally ambiguous characters who are clearly not good, but they act in a way that makes you question your sanity. Cunningham and Amaranthus are a bit unsettling because they’re not technically doing anything evil, but you know they’re up to no good.
I guess you could argue that Cunningham is doing evil things, but the thing about wartime is that both sides are convinced they’re in the right.
I still don’t like him, though.
Ok, but if Jamie actually dies, will Bri and the crew return to the future?? I have no idea.
I really loved that Bri told William that she knew it wasn’t her place to tell him the truth about their family. Sophie’s doing so well in this season! She’s been a quiet MVP in my opinion. I just wish there wasn’t so much to wrap up with everyone in such a short time so that we could focus more on the core crew.
Also, Jamie could never make me hate Lord John (David Berry). He’s just a wholesome British man doing his best. I’d love to see a spinoff of him and Brianna just going around the Colonies offering to paint portraits and offer sage Lord John advice.
Extreme Colonial Home Makeover with John and Bri.
Everything the light touches is yours, Simba.
Lest we forget, Young Ian (John Bell) has also departed on his own quest with Rachel (Izzy Meilke-Small). Keen Rachel, the reader actually is the only one who reads the paper in Outlander, apparently. Unfortunately, the issue she picks up declares that a Native American tribe was attacked.
Naturally, Rachel and Young Ian assume the worst. Could Young Ian’s former wife and child have been killed? He has to know. Rachel’s melancholy during these scenes left me sad. She wants to support him, but as Claire says, it’s perfectly natural for her to worry that Young Ian may not come home if she doesn’t go with him.
Buck (Diarmaid Murtagh) returns to his right time, I think? I forgot what timeline he was actually from.
Don’t judge me too hard! I kind of missed Frank (Tobias Menzies) popping in with a menacing voiceover. I’m sure Jamie disagrees.
Until next time!
Six episodes left!!!!
NEXT WEEK ON FRIDAY, APRIL 3RD, AT 8 PM ET: EPISODE 805: “SEND FOR THE DEVIL.”
Synopsis: “With the Siege of Savannah raging outside the city walls, Brianna and Roger find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict; Jamie confronts his demons at Lodge Night.”
