‘Outlander’ Recap: ‘Faith’
Episode 7 is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. Unfortunately for viewers, it’s the kind of that starts at the top and each drop only goes lower and lower. While last episode was heavy on the sword side, “Faith” falls almost entirely into the skin category. It’s all about the relationships between the characters, and how even the smallest bump can send everything flying off the rails. Viewers better strap in for this one.
Skin score: 10/10. Following Jamie and Black Jack’s illegal duel in the woods, Claire is rushed to L’Hopital after going into preterm labor. She drifts in and out of a fog of medication, until she finally awakens and demands to see the baby. Mother Hildegard has the difficult task of telling her that the baby, a girl whom she named Faith, was stillborn. Before Claire can begin to process her grief, she develops Puerperal fever- a complication of childbirth. Master Raymond, still in hiding from the King, shows up and lays literal healing hands on her. Saved from death, Claire must now grieve the loss of her daughter, starting with the furious anger she feels towards Jamie and his betrayal. This episode is a magnificent display of all the stages of grief, and how it can color every part of a person’s world.
Sword score: 9/10. When Claire finally returns home after weeks in the hospital, it is at Fergus’s bequest. Jamie is still in the Bastille, awaiting trial and punishment for the duel, and Claire seems content to leave him there to rot. The revelation of what truly happened to Fergus at Maison Elise to cause the duel puts it into a new light for Claire and she goes to the King to plead for Jamie’s release. In true Kingly fashion, Louis demands a “small favor.” This favor turns out to be presiding over the trial of the Comte St. Germain and Master Raymond, both accused of practicing the dark arts. Claire’s reputation as La Dame Blanche has reached the King, and now she has to determine which of the men will die for their alleged crimes. Despite Claire’s attempt to save both me, the Comte ultimately falls, but not before delivering some truly epic last words. Claire then pays the price for her request to the King, but ultimately Louis offers up a pardon for Jamie in France and in England. Claire and Jamie are now free to return to Scotland, once they wrap up the rest of their storyline in Paris.
Skin score, part two: 9/10. With so much happening this episode, the skin score had to be broken into two parts. After Jamie’s release from the Bastille, he and Claire have a meeting in the parlor about where they now stand. Their daughter is dead, their plans to foil Bonny Prince Charles have failed, and the surviving family members are in emotional ruins. Claire has moved past her anger at Jamie, and it’s now herself that she blames for Faith’s death. She also confesses what she had to do with the King to secure Jamie’s release. Jamie doesn’t hesitate to forgive her, however. To him, they are the same. They are both at fault for losing Faith, and they have done what they did to save each other. He promises that they’ll carry the pain of what’s happened in Paris together, and all the way back to Scotland if needed.
Final score: 9/10. It’s a deeply emotional episode, and it leaves the characters at a major crossroads. As Jamie and Claire say their goodbyes to Paris, it’s unclear what the future holds for them in Scotland. A flash-forward to Boston in the 20th century at the beginning of the episode showed viewers another beautiful red-haired daughter of Claire’s. Is this the child that she is pregnant with when she returns to Frank? And what will become of Jamie to force such a return? There are just six episodes left in season 2 to answer all these questions and more.
Kade is often described as, “here just a minute ago” and can often be found just around the corner from where you’d expect. Approaching is not encouraged, unless you come with a strong wifi connection and a nice charcuterie board with gluten-free breads.
