When the journey to save Ian comes to an end, Jamie and Claire find themselves on the cusp of a new journey. Full recap of “Eye of the Storm”, including new clips (first aired Sunday, December 10 at 8pm ET|PT on STARZ). Also, get a FIRST LOOK at Season 4!
The prelude for tonight’s season finale transitions seamlessly into the episode, as we see Claire, for some reason, adrift in the sea. She’s seems unconscious, sinking further and further, reflecting: “I was dead. Everything around me was a blinding white and there was a soft, rushing sound, like the wings of angels. I felt peaceful. And bodiless, free of terror, free of rage, filled with a quiet happiness.”
But then “Eye of the Storm” takes us back to where we leave off in “The Bakra,” with Claire in a carriage rushing to Rose Hall in order to save Ian from Geillis’ clutches. It’s a very bumpy ride, but Claire calls for the coachmen to hurry. At one point the carriage stops… Claire peeks out of the window to see a congregation of Black people carrying torches and humming as they cross the road to walk further into the forest. What are they up to?
Once they pass, the coach continues. They soon arrive outside Rose Hall and Claire decides to first go to the Slaves’ Quarters. She tells the coachmen to wait for her at the bottom of the road, but if she isn’t back by daybreak, they should inquire after her at the main house.
Claire makes her way quietly, calling for Ian. She comes upon a dog pawing at a piles of straw, but Claire notices a there are dead human bodies, one of them a White person. She shoos the dog away and shifts the bodies (with their throats slit)… and is relieved to see it’s not Ian. But then Claire is snatched up by a man who quickly covers her mouth to prevent her screaming aloud.
At the main house, Geillis asks Ian again about what he knows of the treasure. He confused about why Geillis is so interested in Auntie Claire. But Ian, bold as brass, tells Claire that the intent of taking the treasure was to pay a debt (to Laoghaire). Geillis doesn’t believe Ian and argues that, in fact Claire wants to sapphire because she has learned of the prophecy too. But Ian is DONE: “I’m tired of yer blathering. So leave me be, or get on with it, ye bitch! I swear, I’ll gut you!”
Ian lunges for Geillis, but her manservant is able to hold him back. One of Geillis’ other servants comes to tell her that Hercules (the man who grabbed Claire) is bringing a tresspasser to the main house. Geillis asks that Ian be taken away quickly.
When Claire arrives, Geillis puts on a show of being concerned about her friend’s wellbeing. Claire also gives a convincing performance about how she’s come for help after Jamie’s arrest and just got lost on the premises. Yet, as we are watching, we know that these two women don’t trust each other at all.
Anyway, Geillis invites Claire to sit down for tea and Claire tells her their story of travelling from Scotland to Jamaica. However, Geillis voices her suspicions about why Claire is really there. It seems that Claire is always dropping out of the sky and complicating Geillis’ plans. She did it 25 years ago in Scotland and now, again. Geillis speaks about the bond between she and Claire as fellow travellers, something that Claire doesn’t even share with Jamie. Because of that, Geillis sacrificed everything at Cranesmuir to save Claire, but now Claire would dare lie to her? In fact, Claire has been lying since they met. Geillis says that it was Claire who turned Colum against Dougal and the MacKenzies joining the Rising. Claire is still trying to thwart Geillis from ensuring the new Scottish king sits on the throne. Geillis accuses Claire of knowing about the Brahan Seer, the sapphires, and the prophecy of the new king.
When Claire tries to leave, Geillis has her manservant stop her. Geillis is determined to know why Claire has been after her all these years. Claire pushes back, saying that she’s only just returned to this time period. She tells Geillis about Jamie forcing her to go back to the 1940s during Culloden. Geillis is very skeptical because she knows Claire would never leave Jamie. But then Claire reveals everything–she tells Geillis about being pregnant and leaving through the Stones for her daughter’s sake. Geillis is still suspicious. How could Claire survive travelling through the Stones three times?! Then Claire shows Geillis the pictures of Bree that Jamie returned to her for safekeeping. Geillis recognizes Bree from their meeting in the 1960s at the university White Roses rally (“Dragonfly in Amber”). Claire says that she was also there the night Geillis went through the Stones. Geillis remember someone shouting her name and Claire says she wanted to warn her about the witch trial. And yes, Claire says she did see Geillis’ husband, burned alive. Geillis isn’t very apologetic because the sacrifice was necessary, but Claire says she’s never needed a sacrifice anytime she’s travelled through the Stones. WELPS.
“Then how did you do it?”
“I don’t know. I think it has something to do with who’s on the other side, drawing you to them.”
But more importantly, it all clicks for Geillis… Bree is that baby, conceived 200 years prior to her actual birth. LAWD. Geillis sneaks one of the photos into her nightgown.
Geillis returns the rest of the photos to Claire and apologizes for being so mean: “Things haven’t been easy for me. It’s hard to distinguish friend from foe. But I now see that we’ve been brought together by forces more powerful than ourselves.”
Geillis goes to bed (supposedly) and invites Claire to sleep in a guestroom.
We catch up with Captain Leonard as he’s leading Jamie to the Porpoise. Leonard has plans to quickly resupply the ship and acquire new crew so they can return to Scotland, where Jamie will be put on trial. But an contingent of soldiers arrive and put those plans to a halt. It seems the Governor of Jamaica has intervened.
So, by now you know that I’m not a Lord John Grey fan, but after witnessing the brilliance of this scene, I almost change my mind. David Berry is brilliant in portraying LJG’s haughty authority when dealing with Captain Leonard. Lord John gives Leonard an epic set-down!!!
LJG challenges the validity of Leonard’s promotion from lieutenant to captain–“You must excuse my unfamiliarity with the somewhat liberal practices of the naval services, insofar as conferring rank is concerned. I’m afraid the army takes a somewhat more traditional stance in these matters, preferring to grant a title of command only when it has been earned.”;
He challenges Leonard’s intellect for not having a warrant or sworn affidavit to confirm the charges against Jamie’s and relying on the unconfirmed word of a member of his crew;
And finally, he challenges Leonard’s very authority to act in this matter–“However, your authority ends at the water’s edge, which is precisely where my authority begins.”
THE GLORIOUS SHADE OF IT ALL! No, Lieutenant Leonard, you won’t be arresting Jamie Fraser today!
But then we see Lord John’s vulnerability as Jamie thanks him for his help saving his life…again! As they say their goodbyes, LJG watches with a longing that’s enough to break your heart. “Until the next time, then…”
Meanwhile Fergus and Marsali have returned to their rooms at the Black Cat Inn. They see that Claire has also been back to change and left them a not about Jamie’s arrest. At first, Marsali suggests they go back to the Artemis to get help, but Fergus has another plan. He wants Marsai to wait there for him, but she dismisses that idea right away. She is his wife and will go where he goes. Also… where is Yi Tien Cho?!
Back at Rose Hall, Claire is in the guestroom and trying to find an open door or window through which she can escape. When she pulls back the curtain from one window, she sees a couple of Gellis’ slaves carrying Ian (bound and gagged) away from the main house. Claire calls out for Ian, but no one hears her. She continues trying to find a way out, when one of the doors starts jostling, like someone outside is trying to force it in. Claire picks up a candlestick holder, preparing to hit the person over the head, but at the last minute realizes it’s Jamie! Apparently, Fergus got word to Lord John about Claire’s letter and plan, so Jamie knew exactly where to go. They’re both really glad to see one another, but time is of the essence. Claire and Jamie (with his dagger in hand) take off running into the forest, towards the drumming…
And in a brilliant full circle moment, we see Claire once again hiding behind some brush watching a ritual she has no business observing. Claire flashes back to that early morning at Craigh na Dun, where she and Frank hid out and watched those Druids dance around the Stones (Season 1, “Sassenach”). Now, she is here in Jamaica, hiding with Jamie, watching another Dance of the Druids. The escaped slaves/Maroons wear masks and carry torches as the chant and dance around a bonfire.
One of the men who notice Claire and Jamie hiding, drag them into the clearing and the ritual stops. Things are tense, but suddenly Yi Tien Cho joins them. WHAT?! Apparently, the Maroons heard of Margaret Campbell’s gifts and asked them to come for the ceremony. Yi Tien Cho vouches for Jamie and Claire and then explains how he and Margaret are in love. Afterwards, they have plans to go to Martinique to get married.
Jamie and Claire ask whether Yi Tien Cho has seen Ian and he hasn’t, but perhaps Margaret can help. Margaret immediately focuses her attention on Jamie and takes his hand:
“I see you in an orchard of death sown with blood. I see… the rabbit .”–Jamie on Culloden Moor (“The Battled Joined”).
Then Margaret takes Claire’s hand:
“I see a bird on a windowsill. He sings to you when you are sorrowful, but you hear him.”–Claire in Boston, pregnant with Bree and longing for Jamie.
Margaret holds both Jamie’s and Claire’s hands:
“I knew it was you, my father. I’ve been dreaming about you. I love you.” Margaret is channeling Bree! She kisses Claire and expresses her love for her “Mama” too.
Things quickly take a turn:
“Oh no, the monster, don’t let it take me! Help me! Help me!”
Margaret ends by calling out for Abandawe.
Before she can explain more, Archibald arrives to take Margaret back. He has no intention of leaving Mistress Abernathy in the lurch, especially when there’s a treasure up for grabs. Yi Tien Cho defends Margaret and Jamie joins in too. He demands to know when Gellis has taken Ian, but Archibald says he doesn’t know anything about it. His only concern is about the Brahan Seer and the 200 year old baby that Mistress Abernathy is looking for. Archibald tells them about the prophecy, where the 200 year old baby must die in order for the new king of Scotland to arise.
And this is where Claire realizes her mistake. She looks through the photos and sees that one is missing. Claire calls for Jamie who confirms that he doesn’t have it… Geillis does! And Bree is the baby that Geillis is looking for! Then Claire tells Jamie about Abandawe, a place on the island like Craigh na Dun. This is where Geillis will try to travel back to find Bree.
Archibald and Yi Tien Cho continue their fight over Margaret. Yi Tien Cho says that Archibald isn’t worthy of her. Archibald threatens to beat Margaret, but she’s had enough of all the deception. When Archibald lunges for Margaret, Yi Tien Cho grabs him in a chokehold and snaps his neck.
This whole time, the ritual has continued, the chanting, dancing, sacrificing of a chicken. Jamie and Claire come upon the Maroons as the leader is drinking the chicken’s blood and the others are beating Archibald Campbell’s dead body. Jamie and Claire ask one of the men to lead them to Abandawe. He points them in the direction, but won’t go himself. If they follow, they will die.
Before Jamie and Claire leave the clearing, they see Archibald’s body being lifted in the air. Yi Tien Cho comforts Margaret.
When Jamie and Claire arrive at Abandawe, she begins to hear the humming. Claire is scared because if the portal takes her, she may not be able to come back again. And Jamie says that if anything happens to him, she must for Gellis: “We lost Faith. We will not lose Brianna.” *WEEPING*
Claire and Jamie come upon Geillis is in the cave performing a ritual around Bree’s picture. She also has a precious stone and plans to make Ian the sacrifice. Jamie tries to run to Ian, but Geillis’ manservant Hercules pulls a pistol out. Jamie drops his dagger and Geillis starts to pour some sort of accelerant over Ian to light him on fire. Claire calls out for Geillis to stop. In the comotion, Jamie is able to knock the pistol out of Hercules’ hand and knock him to the side. They continue to fight,
Claire runs around to meet Geillis on the other side of the cave. According to Geillis, Claire owes her a life. She saved Claire at Cranesmuir and Bree’s life is what is needed to satisfy that debt, for the greater good. This is their responsibility to change history. When Claire realizes the pool of water in the cave is the portal, she knows she can’t let Geillis go through it. Claire pushes Geillis down and is able to grab a large knife she notices nearby. When Geillis gets back up, she sees that Jamie has his dagger to Hercules’s neck. His death can be the sacrifice. But when she tries to jump into the portal, Claire swings that knife and practically severs Geillis’ head clean off. What won’t a mother do for the sake of her child? DAMN.
Claire is in shock… Geillis dead body and the portal is calling to her. Jamie unbinds Ian and reaches for Claire to get her attention. Ian picks up the jewels Geillis was planning to use, while Jamie takes Bree’s picture. After one last look at Geillis, they leave.
Outside, it’s daytime, and Ian and Jamie embrace each other again: “I knew you’d come, Uncle Jamie. But ye left it a bit late, aye?”
But Claire is still in shock. She holds onto the knife she used to kill Geillis and flashes back to a conversation with Joe Abernathy about that skeleton found in a cave… “somebody tried to cut this lady’s head clean off” (“Freedom & Whisky”). And here we are.
Jamie forces Claire to drop the knife and hugs her as she cries. They must go back to the Artemis so they can set sail, and they will. But first, Jamie insists on holding both Claire and Ian in his arms.
Four days later, the Artemis has set sail from Kingston. Jamie and Claire are in the Captain’s quarters. Claire speaks of Lord John’s generosity in having the warrant for Jamie’s arrest withdrawn, so now they’re free to go home. The first order of business is to return Ian to Lallybroch. Claire says that after all this adventure, Ian might not want to go back, but Jamie shuts down that possibility.
As Jamie prepares to shave, Claire sits with him and tells him to leave the beard. She likes that it’s a little different, “when you kiss me against my skin…”
It seems that Jamie has been reflecting too:
“I’ve considered in great detail what I want to do to you should I have you naked and willing and no one hearing. With enough room to serve you… suitably.”
“Well…I’m willing. And there’s certainly enough room. As as for being naked…” YAS HONEY!!!
Jamie stops Claire from removing her shift and pulls her into his lap. He continues:
“I shall take you to some private spot in a heather of some rolling hill and begin by sitting… beside ye…As for what’s next, I shall take you on my knee and kiss ye…”
Jamie does exactly that.
“Then I shall lay you down, twist your hair up in my hand, taste your mouth, throat, and bosom with my lips. I shall do that until you start make squeaking noises.”
When Claire says she makes no such noises, he chuckles as he responds: “Oh, aye, you do.”
He asks Claire to hand him a towel, which she uses to wipe the soap on his face. Then Jamie wipes Claire’s face.
Jamie lifts Claire into his arms and takes her to the daybed:
“…And then, I shall lay you on your back. And you might moan a bit if ye like to encourage me.. Otherwise you just lay still. Next, I shall lie upon my back and have you stretched out at length upon me…”
Jamie flips them over and continues:
“So that I can take hold of your buttocks and fondle them properly. My God. You have the roundest ass I’ve ever seen! If you wish to kick your legs a bit, or make lewd motions with your hips and pant in my ear and make those wee noises at any point in the proceedings, I won’t have any great objection… Well, we shall spread open your thighs. Take down my breeks. And then we shall see what sort of noises ye dinna make then, Sassenach.”
Yes, my friends, Jamie Fraser just narrated foreplay and sexytimes for us and it was glorious! P.S. Here I am needing Sam Heughan to narrate my fave erotic romance books!!! 😉
Afterwards… Jamie notices a storm coming in and looks forward to the cool air.
But we soon see that it’s a very bad storm. The sailors work to keep the Artemis afloat as they’re knocked back and forth between massive waves. Claire, Ian, Fergus, Marsali, Lesley, and Hayes are down, ordered there by Jamie. When Ian says he would rather be above helping, Claire says it’s important to stay out of the way while the experienced sailors do their work. And then Claire, herself, leaves to go on deck. (WHATTTT??!!!)
When Claire comes above, Jamie and another sailor are trying to hold the steering wheel stiff and sail into the wind. Jamie goes to Claire and tell sher to get back below, but she still wants to help. One of the sailors has broken his leg and she helps to get him below. Meanwhile, the Artemis tosses and turns and the ship’s mast breaks right in half. Jamie decides to secure the wheel and have everyone get below. But before Jamie and Claire can go down, they’re hit by a massive wave. Jamie is still onboard, but Claire has been knocked out to see.
We flash to the beginning of the episode with Claire underwater and being dragged below:
“I was dead. Everything around me was a blinding white and there was a soft, rushing sound, like the wings of angels. I felt peaceful. And bodiless, free of terror, free of rage, filled with a quiet happiness.”
But this time, someone swims straight for Claire…. It’s Jamie! He uses his dagger to free her from the ropes dragging her down. Jamie kisses Claire (lawwwwwwwwwwwwwd) and swims them both to the top. He grabs for a large piece of driftwood they can use as a draft. But Claire is still unconscious and Jamie cries over her: “Claire! God damn you, Sassenach! If you die here now, I swear I’ll kill you!”
There they both are, floating alone in the literal eye of the storm.
Much later a young girl plays on the beach. She looks over and sees a man passed out and pokes him with her stick. When Jamie comes to, the little girl runs away.
Jamie looks over and sees Claire nearby. Is she dead? He calls out for his Sassenach and Claire starts coughing:
“Oh, thank Christ! I thought you were dead.”
“I told you I’d never leave you again.”
There’s still the issue of not knowing where they are or the fates of their family and friends on the Artemis.
The little has gone to call her parents, who make their way to Jamie and Claire. The girl’s father, Joseph Olivier, tells them that a ship (the Artemis?) is run aground four miles south of there. Everyone has survived! This is very good news for Jamie and Claire. Mr. Olivier introduces his wife (Patsy) and daughter and Jamie introduces himself and Claire.
And when Jamie and Claire ask which island they’re on, Mr. and Mrs. Olivier correct them. They’ve made it all the way up to the colony of Georgia in North America.
Jamie and Claire embrace one another and cry. They’re alive and they’re together. *SWOONY SIGH*
The episode ends with a sweeping scene of this new land that the Frasers will make their home.
So, now Claire and Jamie are in the American colonies… presumably, the intro song will change again to reflect this new location. I wonder what Bear McCreary has in the works for Season 4?!
Over the course of this season, we’ve taken several journeys with Jamie and Claire… actual traveling across time and space, as well as emotional journeys. Tonight’s finale is the culmination of this as the major journey to save Young Ian ends and we are left on the cusp of a new adventure in a new land. We talk about Geillis’ demise, my new fondness of Lord John Grey, how Sam Heughan should narrate all our fave historical romance stories (*cough* Devil in Winter *cough*) and much more!
Take a look at the first teaser from Season 4 where Jamie and Claire talk about claiming their own piece of the American Dream. Then share your Season 3 and 4 thoughts with us in comments!
If you missed tonight’s episode, you can watch (or rewatch) “Eye of the Storm” on STARZ Play online HERE or via the STARZ Play app.
