This week’s episode of Outlander – La Dame Blanche had it all and more…
When our fave couple Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) are happy and very much in love, it gives us all hope.
There is not any Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix) hanky panky with Suzette, but he is thinking about her, and even goes as far as having a little talk with wee Fergus (Roman Berrux) who is wise beyond his years and quite observant.
Claire joins Jamie for his fun as he plays chess with Duverney (Marc Duret) and who is there with his sour smug face Comte St. Germain (Stanley Webber). After he spreads his version of joy, he just walks away, gazing about. This man is really creepy and starting to get to me, he has perfected resting bitch face for men. Claire takes a drink from one of the servants, and almost instantly is in agony. Who is gazing on unfazed by this screaming, the Comte himself. Claire is convinced he had done it, but no proof.
Jamie and Claire having a talk in bed of course, to which Jamie thinks having a dinner party and bringing all the powers together is a brilliant idea. Claire has no choice but to tell Jamie that Black Jack is alive. Jamie’s reaction is epic. He actually smiles, and is beaming from ear to ear. He is happy he is alive. This as not the reaction any of expected, including Murtagh when he sees Claire in the morning. “Jamie has a spring in his step today.” Claire just casually says well it’s because he knows Blackjack is alive. Now we know where Murtagh’s mind went.. We all would have gone there too. Spring is step had to mean Jamie got some, no such luck.
Claire goes to see her friend Master Raymond (Dominique Pinon). She knows he is the only one that sells things, that can cause the pain she had. She knew she was poisoned. He assures he that he hadn’t sold it to anyone he knew and didn’t know it was for her. The girl that works for him, tells him that they are being watched and he encourages Claire to follow him, and opens a door to another room. Inside are various things that are intriguing Claire; bones, skulls and what have you. Claire pics up a skull and just looks at it, as if she is seeing a different part of Master Raymond. Master Raymond says something quite curious to me.
“I AM FASCINATED BY THINGS NOT OF THIS TIME…” -MASTER RAYMOND
It was like he looked directly into Claire’s soul. He always seems quite concerned with “Madonna”, sensing something is wrong. Claire mentions Frank. To ease her, he shows her bones, in a cup, that stirs up memories from her childhood. Shaking the bones, Master Raymond reads them, to which he let’s Claire know that she will see Frank again. Ummm.. what? I don’t think so… Being concerned about Claire he gives her a necklace to wear, that will change color when poison is near.
Claire’s day isn’t over yet, she has to go see Louise (Claire Sermonne). She was summoned there, and not looking too happy either. Louise sends Mary (Rosie Day) off to do something so she can talk alone to Claire. Louise is pregnant, and wants to get rid of it, as it’s her lovers and she can’t pass off this baby as her husband’s as they haven’t had sex in months as not to annoying her lover. I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard when I watched this scene. She can’t have sex with her own husband as not to offend her lover. Claire tells her she can help, but it may kill her, it may be easier to convince her husband that it’s his.
Claire is sleeping and surprise surprise Jamie wakes her up. But this time seems different. He is happy, and frisky even. Claire is warming up to her husband when she sees bite marks on her husband’s upper thighs. Uncool Mr. Fraser, uncool. Jamie clearly not being able to form proper sentences, says it was a girl that got him hot and bothered, no that’s not it, its you, its the idea of Randall being alive still and I can look him in the eyes before I kill him. Yes it was a girl, but it wasn’t. Jamie getting no where fast, decides to sleep elsewhere after him and Claire yell and argue. Smart man. Claire, missing her husband gets up and meets him in his room, and they connect, like the loving happy couple we know and love.
We all know what happens when we get comfy with happiness, something stops it. Jamie hears a noise on the roof. Why oh why does Claire or any woman feel that they need to follow their man when there is danger around. Jamie armed, Claire lingering in the back, who comes crashing through the window, the Prince himself. Not too awkward at all postcoital Claire and Jamie lurking around the house with a prince in it and all. The loony prince, was making a getaway and was on rooftops in the rain, and came by because he knew James’ house was near by. Thank heavens Claire was awake to patch up his hand, which had a curious bite mark on it. After a little prodding from Claire, bombshell gets dropped.. it’s a monkey bite. We all know who has a monkey, Louise. Louise is carrying the Prince’s baby!
Now that Claire and Jamie have put two and two together the plan to have a party at their home and inviting everyone is a must. The prince is coming undone, and seeing Louise and her husband and the bombshell news of a baby would put him over the edge. Can you say winning?
The day of the party Claire gets called to the hospital, she brings Murtagh and Fergus with her, well 
Jamie insists she brings them, to make sure she gets back on time. Claire swears to it, but we all know how her words tends to turn out. Just when they are about to leave, her carriage’s wheel is broken and unable to get fixed. Claire declares they walk back, this time it’s Claire, Mary and Murtagh. Night falls and they three of them are jumped. Murtagh puts up a fight but it’s of no use against 4 masked assailants. Claire is being held, and only a spectator, and poor Mary is being held down and raped. Chaos ensues, and an unusual birthmark is seen on one of the masked men’s hands and Claire is aware, I believe, of who it is. When Claire breaks free one of the men screams out La Dame Blanche again and again.
La Dame Blanche translates to The White Lady. And to understand where the term comes from:
Jamie spreads the rumor that Claire is La Dame Blanche to explain his fidelity to her and this reputation prevents her from being raped in Paris (DIA, chapters 18, 20) La Dame Blanche means The White Lady. When Claire asks Magnus the butler if he has heard of La Dame Blanche, he explains that La Dame Blanche is a sorceress – “She is called a wise woman, a healer. And yet … she sees to the center of a man, and can turn his soul to ashes, if evil be found there.” (DIA, chapter 20).
They make it back to Claire’s home and do it as quietly as they can, as they guests including Mary’s uncle and fiancé have arrived. If anyone was to find out what happened and she was no longer a virgin a major scandal would happen, she would end up being a spinster for life. The fact that Alex Randall (Laurence Dobiesz) has a soft spot for the girl he says he will watch over her.
The dinner is off to a great start, Claire is sitting next to the Comte and his wife on her other side. She keeps side eyeing the man, the wife is oblivious. Jamie makes sure to keep the conversation humming with the right amount of politics and The Duke of Sandringham is happy to play his part in dropping names, and trying to kiss up to everyone all at once. Jamie drops the bomb congratulating Louise and her husband Jules on the baby. I thought the Prince was going to swallow his tongue. Claire and Comte have interesting words. Seems he knew about her necklace. He knew it was about poisons. Claire gives a few verbal jabs at him, and before more could be said a noise burst through the room.
Everyone naturally bursts into the other room to see Alex Randall on top of Mary Hawkins. Alex was only trying to calm the girl down, but with her screaming and writhing under him. In those days that was a scandal. Mary’s uncle and fiancé went wild accusing him of raping her and a fight naturally broke out. The Comte standing by and watching the barbarians do their thing had the ear of the Duke of course and they quietly made their way out.
Not as many twists and turns in this episode as in last weeks but so many more tipping points and laughs. But this episode was most enjoyable.
Take aways:
- Now that they think Mary was raped, what will become of her love of Alex?
- What will Mary’s uncle and fiancé think of all that happened and what will they do?
- When will Mary meet Blackjack
- What tides had turned now that the dinner happened and all the chaos that happened
- Did the dinner party help or hurt the cause of the rebellion
What did you think of this week’s Outlander –La Dame Blanche? We want to hear from you below in the comments!
Outlander is on Saturday nights 9PM/ET on Starz.
