This week on Starz hit series Outlander – Je Suis Prest we are back in the Scottish Highlands
Warning: This article contains spoilers from last night’s episode of Outlander. Read at your own risk.
Can I start off saying was there ever a JAMMFier (yes that’s a word), JAMMF (for those living under a rock James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser)? He really came into his own. Leader of men, strategist, husband, man of honor, warrior, and of course Highlander.
And was there ever a woman more equal and a true match to this kind of man, than Claire “fuckin” Fraser? 
This episode, Outlander – Je Suis Prest, is going down as one of if not my all time fave episodes ever. We had great flashbacks of Claire (Caitriona Balfe) on her days in the WWII dealing with issues she didn’t even have a name for (PTSD), Jamie (Sam Heughan) coming into his own as leader, Dougal MacKenzie (Graham McTavish) wanting to be the hero and finally heeling to Jamie’s command. Oh and let’s not forget the return of highlander men, Angus Mhor (Stephen Walters), Rupert MacKenzie (Grant O’Rourke) and of of course Murtagh Fraser (Duncan Lacroix). The scenery of the highlands has always been an integral part of the show and the uncredited cast member, but last night the music that was added, took center stage from the scenery and enhanced the episode like nothing ever before.
There have been some great training movies, Rocky, Creed, and Full Metal Jack come to mind. They are all great works that just so happen to come with training montages that show our determined heroes preparing for battle with every fiber of their being.
After last nights episode, you can add Outlander to that list. Jamie’s ragtag group of soldiers pretty much spent the entire episode fumbling with weaponry and having Murtagh scream at them.
If we are being honest, those kilt-clad “soldiers” had it coming. Jamie’s 100-strong crew has dwindled considerably, with Young Simon Fraser (James Parris) heading home to work on recovering more men. The troops make it to Crieff, where they’re reunited with Murtagh and Fergus, plus Dougal’s skeleton crew of just himself, Angus, and Rupert. The latter two are as rude and comical as ever, while Dougal’s been drinking the Jacobite lemonade, despite his brother’s insistence on neutrality.
Claire’s on edge, and not just because Dougal is around. As the men train, she begins to recall memories of World War II and two American soldiers she met during her time as a nurse. As the violence intensifies around her, so do the flashbacks. She nearly bites Angus’ head off when he makes light of his potential case of trench foot, but refrains from telling Jamie what’s really going on inside her head.
The visions come to a head as Claire hears gunfire. She collapses and retreats to her memories once again. Long story short, World War II Claire joined the mission to return the sweet American soldiers back to their unit. Their vehicle was shot at, everyone was killed by the Germans, and she was left to cower in a trench while listening to the dying boy from Texarkana beg for help. Americans rescued her the next morning.
Jamie finds her and she finally admits her PTSD. She’s not sure if she’s up to going through another war, but Jamie promises her she won’t be alone. Also, she’s kind of shit out of luck. Didn’t she see all the training montages?
Listen to me, if I go back then it’ll just be like lying that in that ditch again, helpless and powerless to move like a dragonfly in amber. Except this time it would be worse, because I’ll know that the people I out there dying alone are people I know, people I love. I can’t do that Jamie, I won’t lie in that ditch again. I can’t be helpless and alone ever again. Do you hear me?
I hear ya, I promise whatever happens you will never be alone again.
I’m going to hold you to that James Fraser.
You have my word, Claire Fraser.
Before we go on to more training and the drama of the episode can we just take this part in again and again? Jamie was always the total package, but for those non-believers this episode and this scene proves it tenfold.
Jamie, meanwhile, is also trying to keep a disruptive Dougal at bay. After rallying the troops with a speech that would do any leader proud, Jamie is surprised by a joke attack led by his shirtless uncle, who is lobbying for a leadership role close to Prince Charles. The two have a pissing contest of sorts about who should be in control, but Jamie pulls Fraser rank.
Dougal tries to manipulate Claire into persuading Jamie to give him more control, making it clear that he’s happy to play the “remember when you kinda said you’d marry me?” card. Claire isn’t buying it and rips him a new one. The words “narcissism” and “fuck yourself” are uttered.
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A plot by Dougal to bring in more troops also backfires, landing him and his men on sentry duty. Somehow, though, a 16-year-old boy(Little Lord John Grey) is able to slip into camp. He has a message addressed to a British officer. He recognizes Jamie, who has just broken the boy’s arm, as “Red Jamie, a traitorous rebel.” Claire pretends to be an English prisoner taken hostage by these unruly Scots. Jamie commits a bit too much to his role of a lusty Highlander, earning him a knee to the groin from his wife. Ultimately, the teen reveals the size and location of the enemy camp, but still vows to kill Jamie.
Having already lashed two guards for being careless on the job, Jamie takes full responsibility for accidentally alerting the teen to the camp’s presence. He takes off his shirt and lets Murtagh give his leathery, scarred back another six lashes. He then leads a successful commando raid that results in the sabotage of the Brits’ cannon carriages.
The plan now is to march on to Prince Charles’ camp. Finally, Dougal gets a bone: He can ride ahead and announce their arrival. Now, should he do that before or after he follows Claire’s careful instructions? “No turning back now, Sassenach,” Jamie says as they ride up to the castle. “I’d say not,” she replies. “Je suis prest.” Up until recently, Jamie and Claire were determined to prevent the battle that lies ahead; now, they seem to be rushing headlong into it.
What a full episode! We had love, lust, war, some shenanigans an all around perfect episode! We would love to hear your thoughts on the ninth episode of the Starz hit series Outlander – Je Suis Prest in the comments below. You can catch Outlander Saturday nights Starz 9pm.
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