Jamie and Claire take on an old alias when the arrival of The Watch and Mr. Horrocks at Lallybroch could mean being turned over to the Red Coats. Meanwhile, Baby Fraser-Murray plans to come into the world feet-first. Full recap (with gifs!) of Outlander episode “The Watch,” which first aired Saturday, May 2 at 9:00pm ET|PT on STARZ.
***SPOILER ALERT***
“The Watch” picked up right where we left last week: men were holding Jamie (Sam Heughan) at gunpoint while Claire (Caitriona Balfe) looked on. Jamie remained calm and actually issued a threat. If they misfired, he promised to jam the pistol down their throat. Claire rushed downstairs, but was held back. Then Jenny (Laura Donnelly) walked into the room and called the gun wielder by his name Taran MacQuarrie (Douglas Henshall). Apparently MacQuarrie believed Jamie to be some ne’er do well, but Jenny explained that he was her cousin, Jamie MacTavish. MacQuarrie apologized for his overreaction—he thought Jamie was intending to rob the home. As the conversation continued, Jenny expressed being surprised that her cousin randomly showed up at Lallybroch with a Sassenach wife in tow. But now that they’d gotten to know Claire, they didn’t mind her being English so much.
Ian (Steven Cree) eventually joined them, saying he wasn’t expecting MacQuarrie until the next month. He returned MacQuarrie’s sword, which he’d taken to the smithy for repair. Now that things were calm, MacQuarrie requested some of Jenny’s rabbit stew. When she went to the kitchen to get supper ready, Jamie followed. He was infuriated that Jenny would invite The Watch into their home. However, Jenny didn’t believe there was a choice. They’d been coming around every few months for the last two years. Moreover, they would only stay for a few days, and in exchange for those favors and money, MacQuarrie would protect Lallybroch from the Red Coats and other raiding clans. This wasn’t enough to placate Jaime…if they knew his true identity, The Watch would surely turn him over to the Red Coats in exchange for the reward.
As far as Jenny was concerned, Jamie had no room to complain. He hadn’t been there to protect the home-front and tenants, so this was the best she could do. It was important for Jamie MACTAVISH to shut up and keep his wits about him. Surprisingly, Ian spoke up as well and asked for Jamie to provide a better idea if he had one. Claire also cautioned Jamie not to provoke the men. This would be a tough pill for Jamie to swallow.
At dinner, MacQuarrie asked MacTavish to share more information about himself. Jamie mentioned that he was from Lesmahagow. Claire also added that Jamie had fought in France and Spain with Ian, which was likely why his accent didn’t reflect that of an Islander. MacQuarrie had fought with the French in Austria himself. They bonded over stories of battle (Jamais etre pris vivant!) and a mutual respect grew…until MacQuarrie grew curious about why Ian had never mentioned Jamie before. Ian tried to cover it up by saying they probably didn’t remember discussing MacTavish because of excessive drinking. MacQuarrie seemed mollified, offered a toast, and shared that they planned to stay a few days. More of his men would be joining them the next day. Jamie offered to take a look at one of the horses that needed a new shoe, and with that, dinner ended and the men left to sleep.
The next morning, Jamie was working with the horses and grew annoyed that some of the men were hanging about and had taken Ian’s fine tobacco. He commented that the tobacco was too good for the likes of them. Perhaps in retaliation, they set some hay on fire. Jamie and some hands were about to put it out, but the men from The Watch laughed.
Jamie was furious and yelled at them to show some gratitude. Then one of the men pulled a pistol out. Jamie, not being the kind of man to take threats, engaged them all in a fight, disarming them. MacQuarrie stormed in and admonished his men. But he was also impressed with Jamie’s skills and asked if he’d consider joining up. Jamie refused, saying he was now settled. Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of the rest of MacQuarrie’s men…and who was with them? HORROCKS (Lochlann O’Mearáin). Mr.Horrocks surely knew Jamie’s real identity, but when MacQuarrie asked, he denied it saying all Scots looked alike to him. Jamie looked a little nervous, but kept calm.
Inside, Jamie told Claire that Horrocks was around and she was worried. This man, a traitor to the British, had no problem robbing and killing Scots and wouldn’t keep quiet for long. Claire was surprised that Horrocks would keep quiet in the first place. What did he want? Jamie expressed regret that he came back to Lallybroch. He would never be safe anywhere; however, Claire encouraged him, saying they would handle it together, no matter the cost. Later, Jamie overheard Horrocks and The Watch men planning to ambush the Chisholm rent party.
Outside, Claire helped with the chores by washing clothes. She and Wee Jamie got into a little trouble when they were splashing around. After the housekeeper took Jamie inside, Claire and Jenny talked about her pregnancy. She was sure she was carrying a boy and believed it was good for a man to have a brother. Jenny and Jamie lost their brother Willy to smallpox when they were young, but Ian became like a sibling to Jamie. Especially in a fight, Ian would always guard his Chief’s weaker side. As she was reminiscing, Jenny’s pains started again…and her water broke. The baby was on the way!
Claire helped Jenny inside and examined her. The baby was breech, and had to be turned to come out head first. Claire tried to palpate Jenny’s belly, but the baby wouldn’t shift. The bairn would come out feet first (stubbornness being a genetic Fraser trait). Claire wanted to tell Ian what was going on, but Jenny didn’t want to worry her husband. As the labor continued, Claire tried to keep Jenny distracted by having her describe what it was like to be pregnant. She eventually likened the movement and throbbing to having her man inside her. Jenny thought that was why men enjoyed sex so much…they were trying to go back. (*SIDENOTE* The lighting in this scene was gorgeous…being able to see the shadow of Jenny’s round belly through her nightgown.)
While talking, they got word that the midwife couldn’t come because she was attending to a family member who was ill. But Claire assured Jenny that she could deliver the baby in breech…she’d just have to reach inside to guide it out. Jenny would clearly need a drink before they started. But didn’t this mean the baby would be drunk too? Jenny’s response: “then he’ll come into the world a true Scot.”
In another part of the house, Jamie confronted Horrocks, who was alone and making himself comfortable. Horrocks wanted to talk…he was really interested in Lallybroch, Jenny, and Claire. Clearly Jamie had all the luck. Horrocks wanted to to leave Scotland and go Boston and needed money for his venture. This was where Jamie came in…Horrocks would keep his mouth shut and leave in exchange for money for this voyage.
Later, Ian asked Jamie about why he was so upset about The Watch’s presence. He encouraged his brother-in-law to turn the other cheek. But how did Ian stay so calm? Well, he realized MacQuarrie could take a lot more from Lallybroch if he wanted. Ian also liked that MacQuarrie because he reminded him of Jamie—he was a soldier and followed through on his word to protect them from the Red Coats. Ian refused to allow what Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies) did to Jenny to happen again. One man couldn’t stand against BJR. It would take an army and The Watch was just that. Jamie also confessed that Horrocks knew about the price on his head and was blackmailing him. Ian suggested that Jamie use the money his father had buried in the broch for emergencies.
Jamie talked to Claire about it and shared his frustration…that money was meant for their children. To use that money or to have the Fraser name remain tarnished? Either way, Jamie had let Claire down. But she disagreed. It was she who had let him down. Claire then confessed that she didn’t think she could have children. She tried previously (with Frank) and it didn’t happen. Claire felt that she should have told Jamie before they married, but she never counted on loving him, much less wanting to have children with him. Claire apologized, and Jamie (being who he his) comforted her. Perhaps this was for the best. He didn’t want Claire to suffer any pain. (*SIDENOTE* ALL THE TEARS!)
Afterwards, Jamie met Horrocks secretly to give him the money. But now Horrocks didn’t just want money for his trip, he wanted money to make a living once he arrived in Boston. Since he was laird, Jamie could acquire more. And if he didn’t, Horrocks might develop a case of loose lips. Jamie couldn’t allow any threat against his kin…he approached Horrocks, gun in hand, as if he meant to attack. Horrocks pulled his gun first, but before an altercation could begin, Ian stabbed Horrocks with a sword through the chest. Ian’s hand shook in the aftermath (perhaps dealing with some PTSD), but he truly believed Horrocks deserved to die. He was a traitor, unworthy to be a man of The Watch or even a Red Coat. Jamie distracted Ian by reminding him of how they’d used to debate whether fornication or killing was the bigger sin (*LOL*). They both calmed down and buried Horrocks’ body.
At the house, Jenny’s labor continued. She was strong, but justifiably scared. After all, her mother died in childbirth. Claire was encouraging. Downstairs, the men of The Watch laughed and mocked Ian when Jenny’s screaming became audible. When Ian went upstairs to check on his wife, MacQuarrie commented that he hadn’t seen Horrocks since supper. They planned to leave the next day, so Horrocks needed to show up by then.
The next morning at breakfast, Ian shared that Jenny was still in labor. MacQuarrie then confronted Jamie and Ian, believing they killed Horrocks (who was still missing). At that point, Jamie admitted that there was a £10 price on his head and HE killed Horrocks to stop the threats. MacQuarrie’s reaction: “Good! I never liked the Irish bastard.” But now, he expected Jamie to join the Chisholm raid. Jamie agreed and Ian would also come along. As Ian said goodbye to Jenny, Jamie and Claire did the same. She gave him Willy’s carving that Jenny had been keeping (SAWNY) and bid him to come home safely and quickly…or else she’d follow and drag him back.
Jamie and Ian rode away with The Watch in the rain. MacQuarrie talked about the joy he derived from raiding and really encouraged Jamie to join him. They’d be so great people would write songs about them. Jamie rejected the offer again, saying that if it wasn’t for Claire he might have come along. Did the mean MacQuarrie would turn Jamie over to the Red Coats? MacQuarrie said no—he’d seen the inside of prison and wouldn’t wish it on another. He’d shoot Jamie first. When they arrived at the location Horrocks had told them to await the Chisholms, Jamie grew suspicious…and with good reason. Moments later, the Red Coats arrived.
At home, Jenny was sure she would die in labor, but Claire was able to assist and her daughter was born. Mama and little Margaret were well. But three days went by without any sign of Jamie or Ian. Claire was concerned, but now it was Jenny’s turn to assure her. Jamie would come home; he always did. Jenny also gave Claire her mother’s bangles…a wedding gift from an admirer. As they sat on the stoop, the dogs started barking…Ian had made it home, but the other men of The Watch were killed, and Jamie was now captured by the Red Coats. (*WEEPING*)
If you missed last night’s episode, you can watch “The Watch” on STARZ Play online HERE or via the STARZ Play app.
What did you think of this week’s Outlander? Share your thoughts in comments!
[Video/Gif Source: Outlander STARZ]
