Welcome back to Lallybroch, Sassenachs! And we mean that for real this time. After several months in Paris attempting to stop Charles Stuart from regaining the throne and change history, the Frasers return home in the hopes that they can be more effective there. What they find is a changed Scotland, and both new and old enemies ready to serve their own interests.
Let’s go hunting in “The Fox’s Lair” and see what we find.
It should also be noted that Outlander is very much an 18+ series, with graphic violence and sexuality throughout. As well, there may be spoilers within for both the tv show and the novel series.
1. Homecoming
With the change in locale back to Scotland, the opening credits also change back to show scenes of the Highlands and the Skye Boat Song in English. But there’s one difference: we see more images of war. The Frasers will try as they might to change history, but war is not far behind. How much war will Scottish soil see, that’s yet to be seen.
For now, we have a happy homecoming amongst the flora and fauna of Scotland. The Frasers find solace in planning their future, enjoying the fruits of their potato crop (and all the ways you can make a potato), French literature and poetry from Louise, and Jenny and Ian’s newest child. To see Claire and Jamie happy, in love, and relaxed amongst dear family. It’s almost too happy to be true.
The post, however, brings storm clouds to the happy home. A letter reveals Charles is in Scotland and gathering an army – – and Jamie’s name is on a letter of support for the cause. Someone has forged his signature.
2. Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
The Frasers have yet another tough decision: stay in Scotland or flee yet again. Claire’s experiences in Paris taught her that try as they might, they cannot change the course of history, so she would rather leave for Ireland or the colonies. (Note: the latter does in fact happen – – we will see Frasers in America!) But Jamie’s experiences in France taught him something different: the significance of family, the desire to want to fight for something. Thus, it’s time for him to fight for Scotland and join the Jacobite cause. Perhaps to borrow from Hamilton, he realizes if he stands for nothing, he will fall for nothing.
And Jamie reminds his wife that her actions have made changes, perhaps small. They saved Paris from smallpox. They ensure Charles Stuart will have an heir. Claire may not be stopping the entire war, but the wheels are in place to slow things down, to buy time to change the outcome. Reluctantly, Claire agrees with her husband, but it’s not wholeheartedly. Paris taught her that too much can go wrong, and she knows this will not end well for her husband. The look on her face as they embrace says it all.
3. Lord Lovat and Laoghaire
It’s time to meet another member of the Fraser clan, Lord Lovat! The Lord is Jamie and Jenny’s grandfather, and Jamie makes plans to visit him at Beaufort Castle in order to gain support. Lovat was a bit of a scoundrel, and not a relative that Jamie and Jenny see all that often. In fact, the Lord impregnated a kitchen maid, and that child grew up to be Jamie’s father!
Lord Lovat is an actual historical figure. Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat was in fact a English and Stuart supporter who was eventually tried and convicted of treason in 1747 about two years after the events of this episode, something his seer has in her visions.
Someone else is also in town to see Lord Lovat as well: Colum MacKenzie. As he says, war makes strange bedfellows. Neither Claire nor Jamie are happy to see Colum – – the memories of the witch trial and Laoghaire MacKenzie’s part in it are fresh in Claire’s mind. All that gets pushed aside when Lord Lovat (Clive Russell) – – looking like a mix of the Sean Connery of SNL’s “Celebrity Jeopardy” and Fabio – – joins the party. Clive Russell’s filmography isn’t heavy on comedy, but he handles the comedic chops of the horny old Lord Lovat beautifully.
Continued belowAnd then there’s Laoghaire. She’s traveled with Colum to Lovat’s home, and the two ladies meet on the estate. While Laoghaire begs for forgiveness from Claire, Claire isn’t in the place to give it. But yet, she doesn’t hold hate in her heart for the young girl, just pity. Pity for whatever took a hold of Laoghaire’s soul that drove her to such desperation. When Claire was in France, Mother Hildegarde counseled her on finding forgiveness in the toughest of hours, and perhaps this admission of pity is an admission of forgiveness without saying so. It does make her feel better, after all.
But has Laoghaire learned her lesson? As the Frasers and Simon leave Beaufort Castle, Jamie (at Claire’s request) thanks her presumably for her role in helping Simon’s confidence. Laoghaire does express hope that she can earn Jamie’s forgiveness . . . but after he is out of earshot adds “and your love.” She won’t give up now, will she? (I imagine those of you who are further along in this series have a sly smile on your face . . . but this time I’m keeping my mouth shut.)
4. A Changed Jamie
One thing I noticed in this episode about Jamie: an air of confidence. In France, while Jamie played the part of French businessman quite well, you got the feeling he was just cosplaying, trying on a costume. In Scotland, in his home, he shows how to command a room, making the case for the Jacobite rebellion. He’s more decisive in decision making, not wavering when he stakes himself to the Jacobite cause, and coming up with effective strategies for getting Lovat’s support. And perhaps something he learned in his time in France: the art of politics. He detects quickly that his grandfather wants something in return. But what?
He wants Jamie’s fealty, since he knows he hasn’t given it to Colum. And he wants Lallybroch in exchange. If not Lallybroch, a night with Claire. Jamie gets the best zinger in that not only defends his wife’s honor but compliments her sexuality and strength: “Go ahead, try to ravish my wife. After she’s done with you, I’ll send in the maid to sweep up your remains.”
MIC DROP.
Not going to lie, that confidence is sexy as hell, and if Claire doesn’t see it she needs to get her eyes checked.
5. Simon Says and Simon Saves
The key to winning over Lovat lies in his son Simon, a young lad very much the opposite of his father in toxic masculinity. Get Simon to stand up to his father, and Lovat’s heart and mind can be won. But how to build that confidence? Nothing like a little bit of womanly wiles to make a man feel like . . . a man, and Claire’s got the perfect one in mind to not only seduce Simon, but get her away from Jamie. Guess who.
In the annals of Bad Dates Throughout History, Simon and Laoghaire’s afternoon in the forest is one of them, complete with bad poetry, weak conversation, and a peek at a boob that scares him away. Back to square one . . . which is, give Lovat what he wants (Lallybroch) in order for Jamie to get what he wants (troops for the cause).
Someone isn’t ready to give up the fight for Lallybroch so quickly, and that’s La Dame Blanche herself. Borrowing from a vision that Lovat’s seer shared earlier, Claire proclaims a vision of Lovat’s execution. This angers Lovat who lunges for Claire . . . only to be saved at the hands of Simon! It did take a woman to get Simon to grow a spine after all, just not with the art of seduction.
The bravery convinces Lord Lovat to sign the neutrality document, but as a means to cover himself should the Jacobites lose. He will provide troops, including his own son Simon, for the cause.
The drums of war grow louder with each passing day.
The Lost Papers of Black Jack Randall (Our Afterthoughts Section)
- The title of this episode comes from Chapter 40 of the Dragonfly in Amber novel. It also comes from the nickname of the real life Lord Lovat, “The Old Fox.” Continued below
- If the Great Hall of Beaufort Castle looks a little familiar . . . it’s the Lallybroch parlor, just altered and redressed.
- This episode may be the first mention of Jamie’s Aunt Jocasta, who plays a key role in seasons 5 and 6 (and whose face will look familiar if you are a fan of Downton Abbey).
We’ll see you next week for “Je Suis Pret” and let us know what you thought of the episode in the comments.
As of this writing, the first five seasons of Outlander is available for viewing on Netflix in the US and Amazon Prime Video in the UK. All six seasons of the show are also available with a subscription to the Starz network in the United States. The seventh season of Outlander is currently in production.
