Book Perfume

Excuse me while I cry my face off.

With the Jacobite rebellion in full effect and only three more episodes left in the season, we’re starting to say goodbye to some of our favorite Outlander characters and I just canna deal. Episode 210,”Prestonpans,” brought our Frasers and Mackenzies into their first real battle of the ’45 Rising, showed us an even darker side of Dougal, and gave us something like 300,000 “mark me”s from Bonnie Prince Charlie. Before we get into the sadness in our Outlander Superlatives, here’s a picture of Murtaugh, because he always makes things a little better.

Okay, I’m ready now.

(It goes without saying, but there are episode spoilers ahead!)

Episode MVP: Angus

Angusssssss! Throughout this episode, I kept thinking to myself, “I’m so glad Angus is back. This guy is the best!” Between his giddiness over talking to the prince to his offer to leave Scarlett the part-time whooore/part-time barmaid to Rupert in case anything should happen to him, this episode was full of all the types of Angusisms we’ve come to know and love over the past two years.

And now he’s gone!

Angus’s death brought to life the sudden, brutal realities of mortality and war—even in victory—but I still canna picture this band of highlanders without his wisecracks and willingness to pull out his dagger whenever necessary. (Or, sometimes, whenever unnecessary.) At least he got that kiss from Claire, though, ye ken?

The Real Star of the Show: Bromances

You know that Jamie and Murtaugh’s  bromance is one of my favorite things about Outlander, and it was on full display this week as usual with their heart-to-heart talks, sidelong glances and shoulder patting, and Murtaugh promising Claire that he’ll always watch over Jamie. (Aw! #bestiesforlife)

But Jamurtaugh wasn’t the only bromance featured this week. Angus and Rupert gave us all the feels, as did those other two guys whose names I still don’t know, so I’ll just call them Matt and Ben. In their grief, even Rupert and Ben formed a quasi bromance, leaving Dougal as the only one without a buddy. Maybe that’s part of his problem, but something tells me Dougal isn’t much of a people person.

Best Special Guest Star: Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Fancy Outfit

No explanation needed. Even the back was super fancy.

Did you also notice how he was totally trying to stand like JAMMF? But no one can stand like JAMMF, BPC! I realize you want to have a bromance with him, but he’s taken.

Best Awkward Fangirl Moment: Dougal and BPC

You know when you meet your idol and he gives you a huge hug and it’s super awkward because all you can think about is how you just pooped your pants?

No? Dougal does.

Biggest Awwwww Moment: Claire and Fergus

She’s such a good mom. I want all scenes with these two together all the time. Except maybe not always after something tragic has happened.

Hottest Jamie: Pee in the Jar Jamie

Only JAMMF can make wagering how far he can “take aim” attractive, but there are a lot of things only JAMMF can do. Men had died, Rupert’s life was hanging in the balance, the whole infirmary was filled with somber faces—what else could a JAMMF do to lighten the mood other than turn pee into a sport and joke with an English soldier? Too bad that wet blanket BPC had to strut in and break the magic.

**Runner-up: Bossing Around the Prince Jamie

Mark me. When JAMMF tells BPC what to do, whether it’s an order to stay behind the lines or a demand to stop saying “mark me” (oh, that didn’t happen?), I get all hot and bothered. JAMMF has no qualms telling it like it is, even to royalty. Just one of the many reasons why we love him.

Best Brazen Claire Moment: Head Nurse Claire

We’ve seen Claire nursing the sick and injured before—from Castle Leoch to L’Hopital des Anges—but at the infirmary in Prestonpans, we got to see Claire put her own nerves and fears in check and lead her team with kindness and authority. Maybe this isn’t the typical “brazen” Claire who tells people off and shakes people down (all in the name of justice!), but it takes more guts than anything to let your man go off into battle, and then to go on with the show by stitching up the wounded.

(Full disclosure: If it were me, I would have been clinging to Jamie’s kilt dragging him all the way back to Lallybroch. But that’s why I have no business being on a highland battlefield.)

 

So, friends, what do you think? Are you ready for “Vengeance is Mine?” Have you stopped crying over Angus? Have you started crying over the fact that the season is nearing its end? (We know that we have seasons 3 and 4 to look forward to, though!) Share your thoughts!