Season One Episode 4: The Gathering
So we are supposed to think Claire is somehow escaping and these two guards are watching for her. It is rather funny because it looks like they are aiming at each other.
Looks like Claire is just out playing with the children, and leaving parts of her clothing behind to mark where she has been. Now that is rather clever, perhaps something she learned in military training, or nurse training I guess it would be. She goes back to the Castle following Rupert and Angus and we see the joy and simplicity of the MacKenzie clan preparing for their gathering celebration.
Every man for himself....... Aye. Just love these two, their like the naughty older brothers I never had.
Get the impression from Old Alec that Jamie should be left alone, but Claire does not seem to get the point. Red flags have shown up all over and she still seems to miss what is there. Maybe she needed some more training from Frank on how to spot what is not being said.
The whole conversation between Gellis and Claire makes me laugh every time I see it. Gellis clearly has more up her sleeve than she lefts on. In fact she kind of makes a point to tell Claire a little of her back story as a hint to what Claire should consider doing herself. Find a wealthy man who will let you do as you please with his money. Not a huge fan of Gellis comment about Claire being barren, just because she does not have children. It is a throwback to that time period and really several thousands of years until recently when men could be tested to be barren themselves.
No matter for now, Claire has learned a bit more as to what she needs in order to put people to sleep, and Gellis has a great deal of knowledge which only makes her even more mysterious. On to the great hall where lovely Miss Fitz gets Claire ready for the ceremony.
Always nice to see a cameo from the author if this wonderful series.
Love the port and of course Angus has more than his fair share as usual. And no 'sedative' is not Spanish. One sure way to get all the men preoccupied, offer them a drink heavily laced.
Pledging loyalty during the oath ceremony is truly one of the highlights and very common in this era Claire has found herself. Promises are a heavy thing in this culture as Gellis pointed out earlier. It says a lot about the man when he kneels before another and gives a symbol of commitment to another. I do wonder if that is where we get the modern engagement ring presentation.
I would say if there is an episode to get the men hooked on it would be this one, but more on that later. I smell a rat, oh its just Laoghaire.
Claire, Claire, Claire..... really? I know you are fixing to escape and at this point you are not even taking this girl seriously but still. You manage to open up a whole can of trouble when acting like you can give her a real love potion.
Look how excited this young lass is to get this so called love potion made of dry horse dung... because Jamie will never know?! Right, Jamie, the guy who works with horses all day long wont be able to tell what dry horse dung smells like... sure Claire, real smooth.
Drunken Dougal in the hallway is nothing but trouble and fortunately someone just happened to leave a small chair for Claire to smack him over the head.
Opps, didn't count on Jamie actually being in the stable where he always is did you Claire?! I love his charm and reaction to Claire's story about knocking Dougal out cold. But we quickly learn her plans of escape will fail as extra guards were put up around the castle.
Jamie has been calling Claire Sassenach for a while now in a positive way which is the opposite of how that word is used typically. He gets extra serious when he realizes she is upset and calls her Claire. When he is most serious he always uses her name like that.
Jamie and Claire get interrupted and now Jamie will be forced to stand before his uncles and pledge loyalty which could mean death.
Jamie knows he cannot stand under the motto of Clan MacKenzie which is "I will shine, not burn." Which is a rather interesting motto in light of the story as a whole. Je suis prest is the Fraser motto and it means "I am ready" I like this one too.
Up till now Jamie has been hiding under a false name in protection of the Castle walls. Tonight he makes it clear he cannot vow for it would betray who he is as James Fraser. But he does commit obedience to Colum MacKenzie. Colum would desire to make him his successor which of course Dougal would not approve. Jamie pledges commitment of his land and Fraser clan. Reminds us how important the power of a name can be.
I am not a real fan of the whole boar hunt but it does stand out in the book as a moment when Dougal begins to appreciate Claire more as a healer and woman of experience with death and battle.
This upside built up or revealed so much tension between Jamie and Dougal. This hockey match/out right brawl between the two of them is rather fun to watch. It speaks volumes for their feelings toward each other. The slight nod Jamie gives to Claire after knocking Dougal to the ground also says a lot for his feelings of honoring her. There is sort of an unspoken argument and agreement by the end that Dougal was wrong and we see that when he goes and apologizes, sort of, to Claire. Then he proceeds to ask her to go out on the road with them to collect rents.
As I said before if there was one episode so fat to get men hooked into Outlander it would be this one. You have everything from hunting, sportsmanship, brawling, partying, all manner of activities guys enjoy. There is also the overall themes of honor, commitment, pledging, and the importance of standing behind or with a name. Names represent so much as to promises. Indeed another amazing show.
More to come but for now....
Oíche mhaith (goodnight in gaelic).
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