Season One Episode 5: Rent

Rent as it turns out is a rather transitional episode for Claire and the Outlander audience. We do see a lot of horses in this one which explains the opening credits. I simply love how they are always a hint of what is coming. 

Anyone need a good desktop or screensaver photo? Truly magnificent view of Scotland. This entire episode is full of picturesque scenes as the clan moves through the lands collecting rents. Claire is reciting poetry which is very much what I would probably be doing if I ever blessed enough to sit there! Alas someday. 

We meet Ned Gowan the laywer, a man of high intelligence and thirst for adventure. He previous worked for Jacob the father of Jamie's mother and Uncles. So he has been around a while. 

I love that Claire is always thinking medically first how to take care of people regardless of the cost. If she sees the sick or wounded, enemy or not, she comes to the aid. She hears Ned Couch and instantly has to help him. What a heart of gold. 

I do no need to understand a word of  Gaelic to know what those guys are talking about. And believe me it is better we probably only know what Claire does at this point. It is kind of fun to learn more from her point of view. 

At least our Jamie cares! Don't worry Claire, it is not that they hate you, they simply do not trust you. Great, thanks for the encouragement James. 

Now we get to see how the Mackenzie clan collects rent and a good deal on the side it seems. But more on that soon. It is interesting how everything from produce to animals is used as rent. Of course Claire gets bored and wanders off. The woman never stays put. 

A little fun with the village ladies as they do their chores. It truly takes a village and Claire gets a little side info on Craigh Na Dun which is about three days travel still. She clearly has her own time and Frank still fresh on her mind. 

Priceless smile!

So when we first saw this young man we thought he was another character who does not appear until the next book in the novel series. Quite the charmer. We do not know his identity till the end of this episode. I love how the Clansmen all put their hands to their weapons getting ready if necessary. 

Dougal is using the scares on Jamie's back to collect more money from the townspeople. He gets them all fired up about how much of a threat the British. Jamie does not appear pleased being used.

Indeed it will be a two centuries before women can practice law. I nearly forgot what these two were saying while staring off at yet another gorgeous scene! They sure scouted some excellent land. I love how Claire is slowly putting pieces together and making speculations. 

Jamie is definitely not happy! Kind of hating Dougal more and more each episode. 

We learn about the Watch real quickly here. They go around and try to literally smoke out traitors who do the bidding of the British army. 

Remember Jamie only calls our heroine Claire when he is most serious. She of course is acting out very judgmentally right now because she sees the clansmen as thieves feeding off the townspeople. At the moment she thinks Dougal is just lining his own pockets. Jamie warns her not to judge things she does not understand. Wise words Jamie. Remember them later brother.  

"Long live the Stuart." Here we get a view of a conversation she had with the Rev and Frank about the Scottish uprisings. Charlie, the young pretender to the throne of Britain, was gathering Stuart sympathizers called Jacobite's for a rebellion. Jacobite comes from Latin for James.

Scottish Flag! Claire now knows, and so do we, the true purpose for raising money. Dougal is raising the money for a Jacobite army. 

Dougal and Jamie are next seen arguing as you can tell Jamie is not too happy about his scares being used in such a way. He gave his word of obedience to Colum and Dougal is using that to his own advantage. Rather than hitting Dougal this time, Jamie takes out frustration on the tree. Trees may be safe Jamie, but that has to hurt. 

The thing is Dougal doubts Jamie really wants a Stuart on the throne. Jamie simply says it is none of his concern. Love it when he calls Claire sassenach. I am still trying to pronounce it correct myself. 

The clan comes along a couple men killed by Britsh soldiers as a warning to the Scots. Rather horrifying abut a way for Claire to see more of the Clans side to things. Later that night Dougal uses those men rather than Jamie's back. It seems as though even more money starts coming in for the cause. 

Jamie shows us how a true gentleman should be with a lady. He sits outside Claire's door to protect her from any drunk townsmen. This says a few things, first Claire needs a better weapon other than a candlestick, second Jamie thinks she is beautiful and worth guarding. 

Claire talks to Ned at breakfast and we see the pieces come together, the clan is not a group of thieves but rather brave patriots 

Meanwhile some of the guys at the other table are calling Claire names and Murtaugh here does not like it. Even still, it is Angus who is the first one up to go defend Claire's honor, not the one I would have guessed. Especially considering her encounter with him previously. 

The highlanders are doomed Ned! Claire clearly tells Ned what is to come and that there will never be another Stuart King. Interesting. 

"We were defending your honor."

This is smile Claire makes while Rupert makes gross jokes right before she makes one of her own. Love that shot though.

Three days till we cross Culloden Moor. Flash back or forward, whatever time travel people you understand, a conversation with Frank about the deadly battle. Over 2,000 Jacobites would love their lives. This is one of the things I love about this show, the history and story telling. Going back and forth to what happened to what has not happened yet is breathtaking. I love to think about all the people who were alive and what they did. 

1746 is three years away. Claire wonders how many of these men she has grown to know will die on that battlefield. Looking ahead at where the show goes will be interesting to see who dies on it, before it, after it, not there at all. Moving on now because the whole battle thing is making me need allergy meds. 

Dougal. The great Mackenzie. Who are you, he asks Claire. Still truly not trusting her. 

And of course we get interrupted by..... Red coats

Lieutenant Jeremy Foster of his majesty's army. I knew he was someone important. Or at least someone British. He asks Claire if she with the Clan by choice and it goes to end credits.... AH really?! Okay than on to the next show. 

Oíche mhaith