Michelle and Mandi on 'Outlander': To Ransom a Man's Soul
Mandi: I had a moment in the beginning minutes of this episode where I was so glad they rescued Jamie and I didn't have to sit through anymore of the torture Randall was inflicting on him. The previous episode was so harrowing, I was happy Jamie was away from Wentworth Prison. I should have known we weren't done yet.
Although Jamie is taken safely to shelter, the worst is far from over. Through a series of flashbacks, we see the continuing hell that Randall put Jamie through. Where in the last episode, the physical pain of nailing Jamie's hand to the table turned my stomach, a layer of emotional manipulation was added in this episode, throwing Jamie into a dark, dark place.
Randall repeatedly rapes Jamie. It's raw and devastating. Jamie is so beaten and beyond any recognition of the Scotsman that always puts up a fight. They portray Jamie's complete exhaustion and effects of torture so well. Randall not only rapes Jamie, but he manipulates an extremely weary Jamie with thoughts of Claire, making the rape infused with emotion. This, combined with being branded, puts Jamie in a place he can't stand. He wants his life to end.
Claire is beyond herself trying to help him. Sure, she can save his hand, but she doesn't know how to save his soul. How to make him see that no matter what Randall did, no matter how much shame Jamie feels, she isn't going anywhere.
The acting in these past two episodes has been incredible. Tobias Menzies, who plays Randall (and Frank), has blown me away. I'm not sure I've ever been so uncomfortable yet full of rage all at one time. Sam Heughan's portrayal of Jamie at his lowest point has made me squirm and cry and feel hopeless myself. Several times I had to look away, and I wanted to scream at the television to make it stop. But on the flip side, they hold nothing back — and I appreciated that the actors go there. Really, really go there.
Now we sail off to France, with a pregnant Claire. Jamie even cracked a joke toward the end of the episode so there is hope for the future. I'll be thinking of season one for a long time, but eagerly await what's in store for us in season two.
Michelle: Trauma of the body. Trauma of the soul. Tonight we delve into the aftermath of rape (I'm picking that bubble rather than the sadistic, mind-bending execution of the rape). Jamie's shame, humiliation and despair (brilliantly portrayed) are heartbreaking to watch, but his depression also challenges his array of caretakers on how to best treat him. While his broken bones have been set, the broken spirit sets on a path to self-destruction.
The recovery methods have that realistic and practical vantage point from the expected inward seeking of faith, to allowing and respecting Jamie's need to retreat, to volunteering to end his misery, if the time comes for that necessity.
Oh wise Murtagh. He dutifully serves his purpose with Jamie, as mentor, brother, comrade or stern elder. In this episode, he can don another cap as mind and soul consultant. With Claire's nursing skills and her experience with the battle-weary, she heeds Murtagh's advice to save her husband.
Claire's love has to be poured into Jamie's wounds with the tenacity, intensity and commitment that has always surrounded this couple. With that stubborn quality and determination, she ties a rope around her waist and climbs into the black well of depression and loss to pull out her husband. The journey into his nightmare is enlightening and heartbreaking. And Claire, with fresh purpose, refuses to allow Randall to claim her husband's soul.
This time there is a happy ending, as they sail into the unknown with a baby on the way and a hopeful plan for the future. But they must feel that dangerous times still exist, along with a possible Randall resurrection.
Here's to a wonderful first season of Outlander.
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.