**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.**
Episode 806: “Blessed are the Merciful”
Written by Danielle Berrow, Directed by Niall MacCormick
Guys, I thought this was the fifth episode. I thought we had more time left. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THIS WAS EPISODE 6?
This season has been a bit wonky for me in terms of pacing, but this episode definitely did a fabulous job of FINALLY TYING TOGETHER SOME PLOT POINTS THAT HAD ME QUESTIONING WHERE THIS SHOW WAS GOING.
I KNEW AMARANTHUS (Carla Woodcock) WAS A CONNIVING…
But let’s take a step back from that. So not only did Amaranthus know that Ben (Alex Bhat) was alive, IT WAS HER IDEA FOR HIM TO FAKE HIS DEATH?
My question is — why William (Charles Vandervaart)?
AND WHY DOES HE HAVE SUCH HORRIBLE TASTE IN WOMEN?
It’s obvious that Amaranthus’ choice to ride William’s horse was not part of her plan with Ben, given his rage when he realized what William was insinuating.
So what’s her deal?
Maybe it’s time for your single era, Wills?
OK — Logically, seducing William could’ve been a ploy to stay on the “Winning side,” so to speak for Amaranthus. After all, her husband is technically a traitor, and William is not. By keeping William on her roster, Amaranthus has a backup plan in case the Americans lose the war and she loses Ben for real.
OK FAIR.
You could say Amaranthus is more cunning than the MAN WHO LITERALLY HAS CUNNING IN HIS NAME.
Looking at you, Cunningham (Kieran Bew).
The irony of surviving a shot to the back only to lose his ability to walk was INSANE. It’s hard to feel sorry for him at all. After all, he would’ve killed Jamie and moved on without question. He never even thanks Claire (Caitriona Balfe) for KEEPING HIM ALIVE.
The only thing I didn’t like about this episode was the lack of Claire. OUTLANDER WAS HER STORY TO BEGIN WITH.
THIS IS HERSTORY.
Speaking of women, can we give a round of applause to Rachel (Izzy Meikle-Small)? It takes a truly loving woman to let her husband reunite with his first wife. Young Ian (John Bell) REALLY found a good one here.
Basically, Young Ian was desperate to know whether his first wife, Wahionhaweh, also known as Emily (Morgan Holmstrom), and his first son, Swiftest of Lizards, survived an attack by American troops. They meet up with Joseph Brant (Meegwun Fairbrother) and his wife, Catherine (Océane Kitura Bohémier-Tootoo), at a house so lavish it makes Fraser’s Ridge look like a sketchy Airbnb.
I honestly didn’t remember much about Joseph and Catherine — but they DO remember Young Ian. They accuse the latter of abandoning the Mohawk, just like how Jamie was accused of abandoning his post as a colonial officer. Young Ian defends himself, reminding them that he actually never wanted to leave.
Which does suck for Rachel, who naturally questions if Young Ian would return to Emily if he had the chance.
What I loved about her choices here was her refusal to let others take control of the awkward situation. She goes to Brant herself and demands that Young Ian be allowed to see Emily and his first son. It makes perfect sense — that way, she can have peace knowing how Young Ian really feels.
Rachel truly embodied the phrase, “If you love someone, set them free.”
The gamble pays off, AND THEY GET A CUTE PUPPY DESCENDANT OF ROLLO OUT OF IT.
Emily begs Young Ian and Rachel to take Swiftest of Lizards with them. She’s foreseen that he will die in battle if he stays with her. Emily can’t handle the thought of that after losing her second husband. I love that Emily and Rachel were the strong ones here —
And Young Ian was just kinda there.
Emily names Rachel and Ian’s child Hunter, and I STG EMILY AND RACHEL WROTE THE BOOK ON FEMINISM RIGHT THERE AND THEN. So now we’ve got that storyline wrapped up, let’s see what Jamie’s (Sam Heughan) is up to…
Turns out being a landlord does indeed suck.
I love that Jamie was READY to kick those traitorous bastards off the Ridge. These men were prepared to KILL HIM. It made perfect sense. In an episode all about women, Jamie relents on his original plan after the wives of the traitorous bastards beg for mercy.
Being the iconic man that he is, Jamie grants the wives sole ownership of the land. I’m curious to see if this backfires. It was super sweet seeing Claire look so proud of her feminist ally, landlord-laird husband, though.
I don’t understand why they’d introduce Cunningham and waste so much time on that storyline only to send him back to England. Jamie also notes that his departure doesn’t signal the end of their troubles.
ALSO, HENRI-CHRISTIAN WAS ADORABLE?
KEEP HIM SAFE, YOU HEAR ME?
Brianna (Sophie Skelton) and Roger (Richard Rankin) have a cute-and-sexy reunion, which I thought was downright hilarious given that they did the THING after Roger declared he wanted to be an ordained minister.
Speaking of another hilarious moment, did you catch that Rachel gave Young Ian the colonial version of, “IT’S FINE,” when he asked her what was wrong?
Some relationship dynamics never change, even across centuries.
It’s so tough being hot, tall, and French.
SO WE’VE ONLY GOT FOUR EPISODES LEFT.
What the HELL.
I do appreciate that we finally got some answers in this episode, but I do want to see as MUCH CLAIRE AND JAMIE AS POSSIBLE in the remainder of the season. While I do think the development for the side characters has been lovely, this STUPID SHOW has ALWAYS been about Claire and JAMIE, and I STG IF ONE OF THEM DIES I WILL RIP MY RED HAIR OUT.
Until next time, Outlander fans!
NEXT WEEK ON FRIDAY, APRIL 17TH AT 8 PM ET: EPISODE 807: “EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN”
