Michelle and Mandi on 'Outlander': By the Pricking of My Thumbs
Mandi: Before we even get into anything major that happens in this episode, for all the ladies who enjoy a little Jamie in the bedroom time ... the first minute or two of this episode is for you. I may have swooned off my couch. I think Jamie is fully forgiven for his punishment last episode.
When Jamie gets wind the Duke of Sandringham is coming to visit Colum, he gets excited that this could mean that with the duke's help, he could get pardoned for the murder charge hanging over his head. Poor Jamie is kind of stuck at Castle Leoch under the protection, yet also strict rules, of Colum MacKenzie. If he can get pardoned for his murder charge, he and Claire could finally leave and start their own life. Claire knows the duke can't be trusted from conversations with Frank in her future life, but Jamie won't hear anything of it. He is too excited for this chance. But is the duke a close ally of Black Jack, and how will this affect Jamie's petition of complaint?
The actor who plays the duke does an excellent job — he had me chuckling a few times, especially after the scene where he makes Jamie his second on the duel. And can we remark on how badass Jamie is during the duel scene? Swords were flying around and the kilt was, too. This all leads to getting him in trouble with Colum, and Colum forcing Jamie to accompany Dougal out of MacKenzie lands!! This leaves Claire unprotected and without a bed partner. I'm not sure what I'm more upset about. (I like my Outlander love scenes — I can't help myself!)
That naughty Dougal and Geillis Duncan have been up to no good, hence Dougal's banishment. I don't trust Geillis for one second, and while Claire doesn't listen to Jamie's warning to stay away from her, she is betrayed by another, and I can't wait to see how it all plays out in the next episode. What a fun start to the second half of the first season.
Michelle: The sexy, steamy beginning of this episode proves beyond a doubt why I could not be an actor. Nope. I'd be in big trouble. Maybe the cameraman hovering over Sam's/Jamie's shoulder would help maintain the cold hard fact that it's not as titillating as it seems. Because, let me tell you, from where I sat … or swooned like Mandi … I'm sure the heat index went up around me. So I second Mandi's declaration — I like my Outlander love scenes. And I want zero cure or intervention.
Jamie, the rock star, has a fangirl in Laoghaire MacKenzie. And fangirls should never be underestimated and mocked — not that I'm speaking from experience of my '80s heyday. They are delusional and will fight to the bitter end — I'm just sayin'.
So one of my fave characters, Geillis Duncan, has taken center stage with her sly smile and coded witticisms. She is beautiful, earthy, mysterious and then, ultimately, wickedly cunning. Love this woman! She is marching through her world to her own beat, for better or worse.
On the other hand, Dougal's march to his own beat got knocked the heck back to reality. Colum was ticked when Dougal had not only organized funding for the Jacobite rebellion, but during their argument, Dougal threw his role in Hamish's existence in Colum's face, with Jamie and Ned as the hapless witnesses (See The Reckoning episode). And they were going to pay dearly for their infractions, as Colum reminds Dougal that Hamish is his child before banishing his brother back to his home without a pregnant Geillis for wife or companion. And, as for dueling Jamie, he can't return to Lallybroch until he gets Colum's permission.
All matters aside, Dougal and Geillis win the acting awards for their evil bits. Who knew that Dougal had a heart?
And finally, *sigh* good grief, Claire! You are always one step from inserting your foot in some crap. I don't know why Jamie bothers to tell you to stay away from stuff. You nod and make promises and then go off leading with your proud chin into another hot mess.
Mandi Schreiner started romance review blog Smexy Books in 2009. She is obsessed with reading romance novels and collecting fictional boyfriends.
Michelle Monkou loves writing her sexy, complex heroes. Her website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.