Sunday's episode of Outlander could arguably be re-named "In Which Jamie Does Literally Everything Wrong," because your favorite Scottish Highlander was a full-blown mess throughout. Almost as much as a mess as poor Roger, who is still somehow wearing the same long-suffering culottes he wore to travel to the 18th century literally weeks ago.
Anyway, there's plenty to discuss about this week's episode, including the fact that Roger maybe ditched Brianna and time-traveled back to the future, so let's jump right in.
Jamie Helps Brianna Stop Blaming Herself for Being Raped
Outlander continues to deftly handle the aftermath of Brianna's rape, and this week we see her and Jamie have a frank discussion about the fact that they were both victims of assault. Jamie helps Brianna realize that there was truly nothing she could have done to prevent Stephen Bonnet's attack, and she asks him some candid questions about being raped by Jack Randall. Ultimately, Jamie tells Brianna that killing Jack isn't what helped him move on, and that while she'll never forget what happened to her, time will help her heal. (For the record, this is the one good thing Jamie does in this episode.)
Claire Offers to Give Brianna an Abortion
It's important to see Brianna and Claire talking through this very legitimate option, so props to Outlander for going there. But while ending her pregnancy is taken into consideration, Brianna ultimately realizes that there's a small chance Roger could be the father, and she decides to keep the baby. She also makes it clear that she'll love her child no matter what.
Brianna Finds Out That Jamie Beat Up the Wrong Man
Annnnnd she's not happy. Basically, Brianna realizes there's been a huge misunderstanding thanks to poor malaria-ridden Lizzie spilling the beans, and she confronts Jamie in front of Claire and Young Ian. This leads to yet ANOTHER misunderstanding thanks to Jamie mistakenly thinking Brianna lied about her rape, and she ends up furiously calling him a "self-righteous bastard." But wait, there's more. When Jamie refers to himself as her dad, Brianna shoots back, "my father would never have said the things you said to me. He was a good man. You’re nothing but a savage."
^Jamie after that exchange.
Clearly, everyone is deeply upset—but no one more so than Brianna, who insists that the entire family go on a road trip to save Roger. Which could be an issue because...
Roger's Been Sold to the Mohawk People
Yup, Young Ian went ahead and traded Roger for a necklace, and now this poor dude and his culottes are being dragged to upstate New York. Oh, and if you need ever more reason to side-eye Ian, he seems to think incest is totally chill because he up and proposes to Brianna. Fortunately she stares him down until he scampers away, but, like, buddy. No.
Brianna Moves in with Aunt Jocasta
While Claire, Jamie, and Ian head north, Brianna and Murtagh head South to stay with Aunt Jocasta—who, FYI, Murtagh seems to be majorly vibing with. This seems like a pretty decent plan, so naturally Jamie last-minute ruins it by privately asking Murtagh to find Stephen Bonnet and bring him back so they can kill him. Great! Way to respect your daughter's wishes, Jamie! You're doing amazing!
Um, Roger Is Maybe Back in the Future?
So, shocking news: Roger manages to escape. Also shocking: he books it up a hill and comes across a buzzing time travel rock! After weeping openly and then staring despondently at some gems in his hand, Sunday's episode ends with Roger seemingly touching the stone. And while I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he'll change his mind and find Brianna, I don't have high hopes based on his terrible decision-making thus far. Honestly, his choice in mustard yellow turtlenecks alone calls everything else into question, am I right? (I am right.)
