Outlander 7X12: Carnal Knowledge

I don't know how I feel. It's not that I don't believe Jamie has every right to be upset about what happened. I absolutely do. But, I just cannot get over the fact that he basically sent John off to die. I guess you can argue that he didn't know what the outcome of John going with the rebels would be, but it seemed pretty obvious nothing good was going to come of it.

So, Jamie grabs John and pushes him through the streets, trying to avoid soldiers. They grab some horses and head off into a forest so they won't be seen. Once they are alone, John tells Jamie what happened with Claire (the sex, not the wedding), and Jamie first reaction is, 'why?' Like, he feels like there must have been some reasoning behind it because neither of them would do that (for different reasons). John refuses to give details, and Jamie goes off on him. The only reason he stops beating him is because some rebels show up and when Jamie can't prove who he is, he let's them take John. Which hurts. I know Jamie is pissed about what happened, but this guy is one of your closest friends. If he ends up dead, you're never going to forgive yourself.

So, they take him and it turns out they think he's both a spy and related to a guy who ended up massacring a bunch of their men. However, when John assures him he has information that can help they, they promise not to kill him. But that's a lie. Denzell (I finally remembered his name, so he'll probably be dead soon) tells him the truth and helps him escape. However, it doesn't get much of a head start. As soon as he's free they realize he's missing and they start shooting at him. I think he'll probably make it, but we'll see.

After leaving John to the rebels, Jamie's heads over to deliver a letter of sorts to George Washington. And George Washington is so impressed with his initiative (plus everything he's heard about him, and what's not to like) that he offers him a high level post in the war effort. I have no idea what it is, but Jamie seems honored and accepts.

On the way back, he runs into Ian who has been arrested. Turns out William is super pissed about being Jamie's bastard son, and after finding out that Ian and Rachel (who he definitely has feelings for) are engaged, loses his cool and punches Ian. (And says a bunch of disparaging things about Jamie that you know Ian is not gonna take lying down). The two fight and William demands they arrest him.

Rachel is pissed and demands he let him go. He refuses. William then decides to kiss Rachel (um, hello, did you miss the part where she and Ian are engaged?!) and she yanks herself away and spits, and wipes her mouth in disgust. Good girl.

Thankfully, Jamie shows up, tells William that if he doesn't have Ian released, he'll tell everyone that he's his father. William hates this, but he hates the idea of anyone thinking he's a bastard more. So, Ian is free to go. He hops on the horse with Rachel and off they go.

And then we get Jamie who returns to Claire. She's thrilled to see him but he's cold and sort of freezing her out. But finally, we get the conversation that we've been building to all episode. He tells her what John said, and she doesn't deny it. She tries to explain that they'd both had a lot to drink and were grieving. Neither of them was thinking of the other, they were both picturing Jamie.

It takes quite a while, but eventually, Jamie seems to hear what Claire is saying and understands how stricken she was when she thought he was dead. Then he asks her the all important question: is she still his wife? And she responds with the affirmative, but I don't know what the legality of the situation is here. I know they both consider themselves still married, but is her marriage to John going to screw any of them over?

Jamie tells her that this conversation is not over. There will be more to say about it in the future, but right now, they both really need some life affirming, yes, my husband is not dead sex.

I was so happy that we stayed in this timeline the entire episode. But, now I'm nervous that we're gonna get a ton of the other two next time. You guys know I'd rather just watch Claire and Jamie be Claire and Jamie. Even if all they are doing is chores. Or drinking brandy. Or, I don't know, sleeping. I'd still be happy.