It’s been some time since we did catch-up with all things Outlander and we have a lot of developments to cover. The cast and crew are currently working on Season 7 production, and not announcing where they are due to COVID Protocols again.
Yes, Starz and Outlander Producers announced Matthew B Roberts as showrunner of the new Prequel Outlander: Blood of My Blood. This series follows the story of Jamie’s parents Ellen MacKenzie, and Brian Fraser. This no doubt means we will also see younger versions of Dougal and Callum MacKenzie, Mrs. Fitz, Murtagh FitzGibbons, and many more characters we miss so much. The series will be executively produced by Matthew B Roberts, Ronald D. Moore, and Maril Davis.
Diana Gabaldon has been writing one of her bump-out stories as she calls them, about the days of youth gone by of Ellen, Brian, Murtagh, and the clan for a few years now. Some reports are that she is consulting on the new series, others say she officially has not been asked yet. There is also a book on Master Raymond in the works. Diana also announced on her website that she is working on Book X, the final Outlander book. Will we finally have the official Jamie’s Ghost explained? If you don’t know how that happened, yup, it’s a time loop. But how?
And happy belated World Outlander Day. Here’s a bit of mayhem on the new set, and a sneak peek at young Lord Ellesmere. Apparently, there will be Alpacas or Llamas on set? Strange. Shhhhh Roger.
It’s fair to say many fans weren’t sure of the direction Trisha Biggar would take Outlander in costume. However, since she has costumed a galaxy (Star Wars) in all shapes and sizes, it certainly helped in taking on a lead actress who was pregnant during filming, when she was supposed to be very ill and thin. Between Caitriona Balfe’s amazing work and Biggar’s adapted wardrobe, only a few times did we see angles we weren’t meant to. That aside, Claire Fraser is at another part of her journey in the colonies and Biggar wanted to show that a modern woman living in colonial times would have made some adjustments. Especially if she was a doctor/healer.
it’s a slightly modern twist on what women were wearing at the time, which I always feel is so important… that Claire would always find a way of retaining some of that comfort, some of that ease, some of the practicality from the future while also being able to kind of blend in. – Caitríona Balfe
However, the extravagant scenes at River Run, and meeting Flora MacDonald, meant some glam had to come back. Trisha Biggar and her team created a lovely blue frock that also cleverly hid things, as a woman in the era would have done up until confinement.
“For the party, I did a lot of experimenting with styles to make sure we had a dress that front-on she doesn’t look pregnant and from the back we can also shoot her quite easily. From the side it was covered or minimized by a shawl.” -Costume Designer Trisha Biggar
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Brianna had her own journey for Season 6, she was a working-at-home mom, experimenting with plumbing, firing pottery pipes, and matches. With another child on the way, Sophie Skelton’s character had a lot of adapting and work to do. Not to mention a husband who decided to follow a path to the clergy.
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Jamie was now becoming Laird of the Land again, being the landholder at Fraser’s Ridge. As the seasons 5 and 6 progressed, we see Sam Heughan wearing much richer, natural tones of color for the American Colonies, blending in his tartan hues of old with the new frontier.
“The Frasers are leaving the Ridge slightly more often than they did in Season 5 so we developed slightly different looks for them. They’re not always at the Ridge working and doing domestic things. They are meeting society and having to do business with people nearby.” -Trisha Biggar, Costume Designer
We have reached the end of the very short Outlander series 6, and it’s the battle for the Fraser’s, the darkness of vengeance, and the MacKenzie Family Road Trip all in this episode.
Mob Vengeance
Let’s talk about the one character in the series who had to wait two seasons for its lines. That’s right, the Big House. When one has to do battle for what they hold dear, The Frasers retreat to the house they have painstakingly built. Which becomes part of their night-long defense again the Browns Committee. We watch all that lovingly made woodwork shot up, which if you check out the Instagram account for Outlander Starz there’s some information on how they had to set up the sFX on the shots to look realistic and feel realistic to Catriona Balfe (Claire), and Sam Heughan (Jamie).
The battle takes up the first part of the episode, showing Claire and Jamie willing to go down with the house. The Brown’s take on Claire wonders if this is the right time, the newspaper article telling of the fire that kills the Frasers in four months. Jamie reminds Claire that printer dates aren’t always exact, having been one himself. Claire tells Jamie she would rather die than go with them. In the course of the long night, the couple reconfirms their love, even in desperate sex scenes( juztaposed with the MacKenzie’s joyful camping trip, in tents). So huzzah for the house, that many feared would be fired this season. Just wait.
Road Trip
While the MacKenzies are on their way to Edenton to see if Roger can get ordained or go into seminary training, they have a family road trip with a real wagon instead of the station wagon they would have had in the 1970s. Along the way that young rascal Jemmy picks up lice from the fisher folk kids, has his hair cut off (wait, there is a part of this that they didn’t follow up on. Just cutting hair doesn’t get rid of lice and Brianna should know this, turpentine?). She notices a weird scabby thing on his head and Roger states it’s a natural thing, sometimes hereditary, and starts talking about his…and the realization that Jemmy may really be his son makes everyone all smiles. Roger then asks Brianna to cut off his hair, too. It’s a father and son thing to do.
Surrender
Mr. Crombie comes to the big house with the fisher folk and tries to reason with the Frasers that they should go with the Committee and everyone can see justice before a judge. In the debate that heatedly follows, Tom Christie offers himself as surety to make sure that no harm comes to Mistress Fraser since he is the aggrieved party, he should have a say. So another long, unpleasant road trip reminiscent of Season 1 continues, where Claire is a prisoner and Jamie stays by her side. The Browns make sure that the countryside knows who they are taking to the goal, and they are pelted with rocks and physical assaults along the way. And seemingly the Revolutionary War is there to add to, or keep them from justice, as the towns they go through have had uprisings and destruction, and no real courts can be found. All along the way, Tom Christie rides behind them and sees for himself that there is justice, true justice. Jamie verbally jabs at him a few times. Claire is separated from Jamie, and Tom vows to protect her, to make sure that she is safe until trial.
Tom’s Infatuation With Claire
Since Malva’s death, we have watched Tom Christie realize that this is not true justice, and he questions the whole of the situation. He was hellfire and fury over Malva’s sins and refused to have a Christian burial for her. He has gone from an understanding and uneasy friendship and respect with Claire, which is if you had not picked on this by now, really he has a crush on the woman. When Allan vehemently accuses Claire of Murder, Tom sort of falls to the wayside, where you can see him questioning how someone who has pledged to do no harm, to treat the sick, and quite frankly put up with Tom’s self-righteousness to help heal his hand. He has respect for her. He also has feelings for her. And recognizes this is becoming another witch trial.
He seems to be under the burden of not wanting vigilante justice, but true justice. When he sees that the Brown’s Committee of Safety is encouraging violence and vengeance against the Frasers, which is really about how they have prospered and others have not. His common sense makes him more determined than ever to make sure that Claire isn’t harmed before coming before a judge. When finally they find a justice of the peace, Claire is thrown into the jail cells. Tom assures her he will stay in town until her husband comes. Good thing Jamie got his rescue from being taken back to Scotland.
All Hail The Production Crew and Actors
While many of you are perplexed, and some of us readers know a bit more, it was a rather choppy way to leave off the season. Now, let’s look at it from the productions view point. A massive worldwide shut-down and slow reopening of filming began. In the studios and local shoots, the production team had to have the parking lots turned into a Covid testing station, then deciding to cut down to 8 episodes from the 12 typical of Outlander production had great challenges. I believe that they did a remarkable job in getting the production completed at all. Filming is currently underway for Season 7, which they have promised to add on extra episodes to help make up for the shortened season. I say have a little faith.
If the filming was dire and not what you typically take for Outlander quality, let’s look at the fact that several of the original crew have left, and gone on to their next big project. The times are changing in the world and will be reflected in some of the production. Life during the 18th century was not all rosy and much of what we think of our 13 colonies was not grand and beautiful for some time. There were Loyalists and rebels. It was a revolution after all. One of several in the world at that time. And it dragged out for some years.
So what do we have to look forward to in Season 7?
Jamie has to meet his son, again, and be on opposing sides of a conflict again with someone he loves.
2. The Ridge needs to get over the petty anger and distrust if they are going to survive a revolution.
It will not be until Spring 2023 before we see Outlander Season 7, so reread An Echo in The Bones.
Welcome to the penultimate episode of Season 6, 607: Sticks and Stones. We left our last episode with Claire up to her elbows in Malva Christie’s blood after performing an emergency Cesarian to try and save Malva’s child. With Malva’s throat cut, and Claire holding a knife, we know where this is going.
Who Killed Malva Christie?
Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) know that Claire did not kill Malva. However, the burden of proof will come to be too much. Everyone begins to speculate, pointing the finger at the Frasers. The Frasers and their household, as well as the Mackenzies, help to prepare for Malva’s funeral despite Tom’s (Mark Lewis Jones) declaration that she will not have a proper Christian burial. Jamie asserts his authority, she will be buried properly.
Hiram Crombie, Obidiah Henderson, The Bugs, and the fisher folk all turn on the Fraser’s, regardless they would not have a home without being invited by Jamie to settle. They are all resentful of the Laird and the Big House. The Christies certainly have been doing their best to wreak havoc.
Know Your Enemies
Tom has been very forthright about everything so far, and of course, at his assistance, Malva was made to confess her sins in front of the congregation of the fisher folk. Malva, of course, turned this to her advantage, making it clear that she was the victim of Jamie Fraser and hoped that the congregation would look kindly upon her and her child.
Jamie, Claire, and the Mackenzies attend a small memorial for Malva where Roger (Richard Rankin) gives a sermon. While there are not enough men in the service to bear her coffin when Jamie offers to help, Allan Christie (Alexander Vlahos) says “Not you!”, and continues to blame Jamie, fiercely, for her death. Remember, he who casts…. When the coffin goes out, Claire notices no one has taken the child’s coffin and picks it up. Allan comes in and berates Claire, and grabs the coffin from her. If you haven’t guessed it by now, for a brother who was so mean to a sister, he sure is over-protective now. What’s really going on here?
Strange Relations
Oh, then there’s Lizzie (Caitlin O’Ryan). We should be used to her getting herself into predicaments if not everyone else to boot. Or should we just say that Lizzie is just ahead of her time? It certainly seems so when it’s found out that not only is the big scandal of Malva’s death weighing heavy on the Frasers, but Ian enlightens them to their maid Lizzie, who is really a part of the extended family, being with child. The thing is, she doesn’t know which of the Beardsley Twins, Jo or Kezzie (Paul Gorman), is the father. Claire takes on Lizzie while Jamie flies off to mite justice as only Jamie can.
Claire finds playing a psychiatrist a difficult role when Lizzie explains how she ended up in a Thruple with the lads. If it hadn’t been for the medicine that had to be coated all over her skin for malaria, and her chills, well once Lizzie starts telling her story and pure joy comes out of her, you start cheering all three on. But as Claire has to point out, society will not accept such a thing and Lizzie will have to wed one of the lads.
They are two people, but one soul
“You can’t save you from yourself.”
Jealousy, anger, revenge, and pure resentment of the people of Fraser’s Ridge are taken out on Claire and her strange witchcrafty ways. Claire’s haunting by Lionel Brown intensifies as she doubts her sanity, and whether or not she was the one who killed Malva. Lionel Brown will not leave Claire alone, or should I say that Claire’s ether addiction is blurring the lines between reality and the demons in her mind. Flashes of voices from her past of accusations from Dougal MacKenzie, Geillis, and Frank taunt her as well. It gets so bad that Jamie finally realizes there is definitely something wrong, as Claire sees Lionel clearly in her surgery and Jamie does not. Finally, Claire tells Jamie what she has been doing, using the ether to deal with the fact she can no long compartmentalize her traumas, as a physician should. Whether it’s whiskey or ether, Jamie tells Claire that she can count on him to help her through this dark part of herself. After all, she was there for him after Wentworth.
Caitriona Balfe pours so much of herself into this role, all while being pregnant during filming. A fantastic way to use all this emoting from future motherhood into a character. It could not have been an easy block to film.
Revenge Is Most Definitely Served Cold
Too late Lizzie, who is always late with a thing, tells Ian that it was she who knocked on the surgery door, not Malva, when Claire retreated to her ether avoidance. Claire begins to believe it was not her after all that could have harmed Malva.
When it seems that the Frasers had had just about enough, and they realize after Roger Mac tells them he wed Lizzie to Josiah after they had wed her to Kezzie, that they can finally have a moment of peace. Richard Brown (Chris Larkin) and The Brown’s Committee of Safety, you know the ones that are the colonial version of The Watch, turns up in full force. Richard Brown announces they have come for Claire Fraser for the murder of one Malva Christie. Of course, this all conveniently happens when Roger and Brianna have left The Ridge.
Are you ready for the battle of the Big House, as Jamie and Claire fight for their lives? Watch the season finale on an extended episode 608 I Am Not Alone on Starz® May 1, 2022 at 9pm CST.
All we have to say is it’s the battle for Frasers as they face down everyone they have helped who believes that Claire killed Malva. Watch the shoot-out at the Big House.
It’s been two weeks, are you ready for episode 607 Sticks and Stones? Tongues sharpened like knives are out as The Ridge turns on the Fraser’s, and anyone else they think could have killed Malva. Watch Sunday, April 24, 2022, at 9 PM central on Starz®.
A war is forming around Fraser’s Ridge, a slow-burn build-up to a revolution that Claire (Caitriona Balfe), Brianna (Sophie Skelton), Roger (Richard Rankin), and now Jamie (Sam Heughan) know is coming. But many of The Ridge have experienced conflict in their own country of Scotland, and suspicions and superstitions always are inflamed prior to a conflict. So begins episode 606 “The World Turned Upside Down”, with Roger Mac giving a sermon in which he tries to use the bible to illustrate how people should not allow fear and superstitions to cloud their good judgment. Of course, we know that this will be ignored for the most part, as especially the fisher-folk are very superstitious and look to Tom Christie as their leader.
After the sermon, Roger remarks ” Has anyone seen the MacNeill’s lately?” It’s not like them to miss a Sunday service. Claire remarks that she and Brianna can look in on them to see if a health issue is keeping them away. Brianna remarks that it shouldn’t be a problem getting Malva to come, she rarely leaves Claire’s side. Claire admits to missing Marsali as her assistant and hopes that her and Fergus’ new life in New Bern as printers is working out for them. Jamie is remorseful for not seeing the solution sooner, Fergus needed to provide for his family.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Lizzie, Claire, Brianna, and Malva arrive at the MacNeill’s cabin and see the yard in disarray. There are Corbies on the roof and as Lizzie remarks, ” There’s something dead nearby.” helpful as always, there is a stench of death on the wind. Claire whips her troops into action, barking out orders as they enter the fetid cabin and open all the windows to get the light in. They discover several children, Mr. and Mrs. MacNeill are all ill. Mr. MacNeill tells Claire it’s the Bloody Flux. Malva takes the baby out of the crib and tries to revive the baby (hint: very un- characteristic for her since she is never really seen with any of the children on the settlement), Claire orders the boiling of water. Mrs. MacNeill dies after Malva cries out that the baby is dead.
Later, Claire shows Malva an amoeba under the microscope that is the culprit. She is determined to find the source and how it got into the water supply for the cabin. Malva is all too eager to assist. Over the course of the next few weeks, there are many cases on The Ridge, and during a burial service, Claire, Jamie, Brianna, and Roger, who is comforting the families. Claire becomes weak and faints in Jamie’s arms.
Storm Clouds, My Heart, and a Snake
Claire falls very ill with all family members, and Malva never leaves her side, even refusing to go home when it is late and her brother comes to fetch her. In Claire’s delirium she sees Malva and Jamie together, in intimacy, visions of stormclouds, the amoeba under the microscope, holding her beating heart in her hand, and a snake (Eastern Kingsnake). We can guess much of the meaning. She finally awakens to Roger sitting by her and discovers that Malva and Mrs. Bug have cut her hair off, claiming it would help with the fever.
Claire recovers slowly, and after discussing her symptoms with Jamie, tells him that her illness was not the same amoebic dysentery that struck The Ridge. She learns that Tom Christie is still ill, and when no one is around, Claire sneaks off to check on her patient. Tom is shocked she is out of bed, and she sarcastically mentions that he should approve of her shorn head. They discuss their symptoms of severe headache, delirium, and disturbing dreams. Claire and Tom discuss how could they have gotten sick when neither has seen each other for weeks. Claire suspects poisoning, but who and how?
The She-Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
The Christies arrive in a wagon, full speed and anger. They arrive at the big house and Claire and Jamie meet with them. It is announced by Tom that Malva is with child. Allan tries to attack Jamie unsuccessfully and has just been awaiting his revenge for being publicly humiliated by Jamie in front of The Committee of Safety. Please keep that in mind. Malva puts on a fine performance as the innocent woman trying to comfort and care for a distraught Jamie, that she and Jamie had lain together more than a dozen times, and keeps imploring Jamie to admit to it. While Jamie knows that she has been seen with several men, as he had warned her to be careful of, he denies it is his child. Tom demands support for Malva.
Claire is furious, and while she doesn’t believe any of it, she is betrayed after taking Malva under her wing. She slaps Malva and stocks to the stables. Jamie finds her there and asks if she could possibly believe this. Claire admits that she doesn’t think it happened, but the rage and fear that has built up, and her recurring fears and hauntings by Lionel Brown’s ghost, bring to a head her feelings. She sacrificed everything to come back in time to find him. Brianna, Roger, and young Jemmy, shouldn’t be there.
Despite the rumors and accusations on Fraser’s Ridge over the next weeks, Jamie and Roger the historian, are off to the Continental Congress. It’s a historic event that Roger in his geekiness must see and hear, and Jamie hopes to become a part of The Sons of Liberty.
The Hand That Feeds
Claire walks unsteadily to the Christies to try to reason with Malva and find the true father of her child. She has already had Young Ian admit to having Malva once, and offer to marry her if it would take the heat off of uncle Jamie. Claire implores Malva, who she has taken under her wing and teaching her, to admit the truth about the baby. Malva seems on the verge of admitting what is going on when Allan rushes out of the cabin. Allan accuses Claire of being a witch. Malva then turns on Claire as well.
Cherry Bounce
Jamie and Roger return and Jamie tells Claire that the Provincial Congress did not pick him as a delegate to go to Philadelphia, it appears the rumors of his begetting Malva with a child even reached the Provincial Congress. Jamie is disappointed to not be part of the Continental Congress meeting.
After Claire has another ghostly encounter with Lionel, who haunts her surgery regularly, Claire sees Malva heading for the surgery through the window and grabs the leather ether mask. She retreats to hide with ether taking away the pain and frustration. In her groggy state, Malva confronts her and says how she is going to take away everything that belongs to Claire, especially Jamie. She threatens to kill Malva. When she wakes again, she is disturbed and staggering. She decides to go out for fresh air and goes to her garden to weed and gather. She comes to her senses and knows that something isn’t right. She looks past her garden, standing, then finds Malva with her throat cut lying just outside of the garden. Going into Claire the surgeon mode, she tries to remove the child that is near to term to rescue it. Alas, Claire finds herself cradling another dead child. We’ve been here before with Claire, and know where it leads.
Remember, the person who accuses the most, has to most to gain by the destruction of the other. Who really is the father of Malva’s baby? The rumors fly in the next episode.
The BTS on the accusation scene gives insight into betrayal and where all the characters and actors are coming from.
Thoughts on:
Malva and Mrs. Bug are co-conspirators in cutting off Claire’s hair. Why you may ask? Simply both women see Claire as being better than they are, one who covets her property, skills, and Jamie. The other, spoiler’s here, has another beef to settle with Jamie. Claire’s glory, and Jamie’s, was her curly hair, and cutting that hair was symbolic in taking Claire’s power away, think Biblical again, as she was also held suspicious for her medical practices.
Alas, it’s a two-week mini Droughtlander. Rumors abound on Fraser’s Ridge. Who killed Malva? The Committee of Safety come back, and guess who for? Catch Episode 607, Sticks and Stones on Starz® Sunday, April 24
Mark me, dear Flora, your kindness will not go unremembered
As always, this contains spoilers.
In Episode 605 “Give Me Liberty”, we step back in time to just after Culloden and a defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie (Andrew Gower Cameo), being rescued by Flora MacDonald (Shauna MacDonald), dressed as an elderly and simple woman. Flora uses her guile and is able to convince the army officers that the prince is an elderly woman of no consequence.
Is He Loyal?
Lord John Grey finds himself a guest of Governor Josiah Martin, who reads out the letter of resignation as Indian Agent from Jamie Fraser and asks Lord John bluntly, is it a letter of resignation or a declaration of a rebel. Lord John assures Martin that his good friend Jamie Fraser is loyal, and finds himself asked to attend the Flora MacDonald event to ascertain the loyalties of Jamie and other former Jacobites. This puts Lord john in a rather tight spot, as good friends they may be, but he is always loyal to The Crown.
This true recount, otherwise known as, where that Skye Boat Song came from, is what makes the celebrated Flora MacDonald of the Jacobites a big draw at Willmington, where Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie (Sam Heughan) have come to meet up with Aunt Jocasta (Maria Doyle Kennedy) and her 4th husband, Duncan Innes (Alistair Findley). The Crown, Governor Martin (Eugene O’Hare), and Major MacDonald (Robin Laing) have produced this gathering to use Flora to rally the Scots who were once rebels, to side with The Crown and keep their loyalty, lands, and business by not joining the rebels in the colonies.
Jamie and Claire must keep up appearances, however, they will find ways to keep their new allegiance to the new rebellion by walking a fine line. Here history repeats itself as Claire and Jamie begin another subterfuge of appearing to be on the side of The Crown while seeking out information about the rebellion. Claire, Brianna, and Roger have all told Jamie that the American Colonies will unite and win the war, but that is still in the future for Jamie. Jamie doesn’t wish to be on the losing side again.
To do right by my conscience, and right by my brothers.
While at the inn in Wilmington, Jamie tells Claire of an appointment in the Inn’s pub, where Cornelius Harnett ( James Weber Brown), a member of one of the Committees of Correspondence, wants to meet with him. Jamie meets with Cornelius and recognizes his Masonic ring. He gives him the Masonic handshake under the table and begins a discussion of brotherhood when asked why he is seeking to join The Sons of Liberty. Cornelius is suspicious, as it is all treasonous to meet. Can he trust Jamie? Jamie seeks to convince him that he is a brother of like mind, seeking a path that avoids conflict and uses reason. Jamie is invited to a Sons of Liberty meeting.
A Toast To Us
After Flora MacDonald’s speech, Aunt Jocasta takes a turn with her health and has a severe headache. Claire, who has long suspected that Jocasta is suffering from Glaucoma, asks if Jocasta would like some help with the pain, and takes Flora with them to the pergola. She produces a pipe and when asked, tells the ladies it is hemp flower. It is remarked that they are like a gentlemen’s society and as everyone gets a bit more philosophical, Claire points out that they should be toasting Flora, for she is brave to have rescued Prince Charlie, who she informs with her “powers of the future” is drinking himself to death in Italy. Mark me, was it 4:20?
Here’s that scene again
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Truth Be Told
While dining after the Flora MacDonald speech, Mary (Mercy Ojelade), Aunt Jocasta’s slave, comes to beg the assistance of the men, a printer down the street is being threatened by rebels for printing the Flora MacDonald broadsheets publicizing the Loyalist speech. Lord John and Jamie rush to aid the printer.
Jamie always has an affinity for printers and Lord John Grey for justice, quickly runs to the aid of the printer, with a mop of tar as a defense weapon. Lord John is a crafty one. While Jamie may or may not agree with the printer’s political views, he views mob violence as wrong. Lord John is conveniently somewhat convinced of Jamie’s loyalty until he sees that glint in Jamie’s eyes after reading the publication. Jamie mentions his conscience and how he cannot support the over-taxation and the might of The Government against the colonists. Lord John finally sees the truth and asks him if he will be at the meeting that the army will be raiding that night, a meeting of The Sons of Liberty. However, Ainsley Beeston (Freddie Stevenson) has seen Jamie with Lord John, the known Loyalist, rescuing the printer.
Lord John, out of friendship, tells Jamie he will delay the military as long as he can, giving Jamie time to worn Harnett and Beeston. However, they are not convinced Jamie is not a Loyalist, they have doubts. Jamie must quickly tell them he is there to warn them. The army arrives with torches. The men escape out the back of the inn.
Form Whom The Bell Must Toll
The MacKenzies have been left in charge of Fraser’s Ridge again in the absence of Jamie and Claire. When the parents are away, there always seems to be trouble brewing back home. If they only knew how much. While walking with Lizzie, Malva and Marsali, they come across a burnt-out space with bones by the path, that Marsali identifies as looking like a love charm.
Roger (Richard Rankin) has been helping Amy McCallum, again. This of course leads to trouble. While visiting Marsali and hearing about the preparations for moving to meet with Fergus, Marsali guesses that Brianna is “with child” again, and teases her for not telling her sister. Brianna tells her she hasn’t even told Roger yet. Later, after hearing of gossip on The Ridge about how much time Roger is spending with the young widow McCallum, Brianna calls Roger out on it.
Roger admits that he is trying to help her, as Amy views him as a minister of sorts, and he has a weakness for widows, having lost his own father in the war. Brianna understands that he loves her, and is trying to be kind, however, tongues are wagging. Roger admits that he feels a little useless at home, with brilliant Brianna plotting to bring indoor plumbing to the people of The Ridge, that he is helping someone less fortunate. Roger agrees that his place is with his own wife and child. He will look for a solution.
Brianna (Sophie Skelton) must also step in while Claire the healer is not in residence. While walking with Lizzie and some of the other women of the Ridge (Marsali, Lizzie, and Malva), Lizzie has a fainting spell. She quickly deduces that Lizzie is having trouble with malaria again. Okay, so if you are a fan of the books, you know about the malaria problems, in great detail, that Lizzie has. When did they ever mention this in the last two seasons?
Anyway, as quickly explained by Brianna, malaria must be causing the ailment. The Beardsley twins Josiah and Kezzie turn up very concerned over Lizzie’s health. Brianna hands them a jar of liniment and explains they must seek a plant to help with Lizzie’s ailment. While this is another dear moment from the book, it’s rather hurriedly thrown in.
Roger, accompanied by Tom and Allan Christie, hauls a large bell up the hill to the newly built meeting house. Tom tells Roger to go inside and get some rope and tackle to help lift the bell up to the belltower. He runs inside and finds Malva Christie going at it with Obidiah Henderson. He stops them and tells Malva her father is right outside. She rounds on Roger and threatens him, telling him if he breathes a word that she will tell everyone on The Ridge that he is doing more than mending Amy McCallum’s chimney. Quickly Roger brings Obidiah out with him to help put up the bell, while Malva sneaks out the back.
Roger comes to a solution with “the Amy McCallum situation”, and tells Obidiah to help with mending and fixing things at her place. This way an unmarried man is helping, and maybe staying away from Malva. Smells like more trouble is brewing.
What Was That?
Claire and Jamie are packing up to leave Willmington. While getting the wagon loaded and about to start off, Claire hears a faint tune she remembers, whistling on the wind. It’s not from the 18th century, it’s a tune from WWI. You may know it as The Bridge on the River Kwai March, however, it is Colonel Bogey March. This makes Claire jolt a bit. When Jamie asks, “What’s wrong, Sassanch?”, she infers it is nothing.
However, in the Willmington goal, a figure behind bars is whistling the tune. Windigo Donner is back.
Tune in tonight on the Starz® App at Midnight for Episode 606, “The World Turned Upside Down”, and Sunday at 9 PM CST on Starz®
It’s been some time since we did catch-up with all things Outlander and we have a lot of developments to cover. The cast and crew are currently working on Season 7 production, and not announcing where they are due to COVID Protocols again. 
Brianna had her own journey for Season 6, she was a working-at-home mom, experimenting with plumbing, firing pottery pipes, and matches. With another child on the way, Sophie Skelton’s character had a lot of adapting and work to do. Not to mention a husband who decided to follow a path to the clergy. 
Strange Relations
An Outlander Muse 