...and their final moment together in Season 2 is another gorgeous shot of their hands - this time entwined, united, joined for the last time as Jamie sends Claire back through time.

Two people who are together, yet far apart.

When Claire arrives in America with Jamie, he literally can’t move forward without her at his side.

They support each other. Comfort each other. Dream with each other.

Together, united, every step of the way.

The 25 Days of Outlander has returned! 

Day 7: Mrs. Graham and/or Fiona

Just some random observations on parallels/common aspects in the three Outlander premieres:

1. We see Claire in the 20th century - with Frank - trying to start over

2. Murtagh provides comic relief:

a. 01x01: “I’d stake my best shirt she’s not a hoor.”

b. 02x01: “France reeks of frogs...”

c. 03x01: *slays a redcoat, saving Jamie’s life for the 1,342,957 time* “Ye’re welcome!”

3. Scenes set at Craigh Na Dun:

a. 01x01 - Claire travels for the first time

b. 02x01 - Claire travels back

c. 03x01 - We see Jamie at the stones, right after sending Claire back

4. Claire and Frank talk about starting a family/building a family

5. Jamie is injured

a. 01x01 - Shoulder, gunshot

b. 02x01 - Hand and back healing from Wentworth

Hiya Hildy!

You’re right in that this is not in the Books at all - which makes it that much more interesting.

You may not remember that we have seen this flag before - on the wall of Reverend Wakefield’s manse in 02x01 (thanks to @bonnie-wee-swordsman for the sleuthing help!)

...as well as this gorgeous shot of the flag during a flashback (flashforward?) in 01x05:

Now, we know that the Reverend is an amateur historian - and has the best collection of Jacobite books in the Highlands.

So - what does it all mean?

Well - I did some research and turns out “Nemo me impune lacessit” was the Stuart motto.

(I’ll ignore how I don’t think this motto applies to Bonnie Prince Chuck in the slightest, or at least in the version of him portrayed in Outlander. Because he certainly harmed plenty of people...and didn’t quite get punished for it...)

But it’s also a motto for Jamie. Nobody can harm him, or those he loves, and get away with it. He exacts revenge - and enjoys himself while doing it. c.f. Claire’s rescue in ABOSAA, the duel with BJR in DiA, what he does for Claire at the end of MOBY, etc.

And of course it’s a motto for Claire. Nobody harms her and goes unpunished. Not Frank, for emotional unavailability. Not Jamie, for forcing her back through the stones and living as half a person for 20 years as a consequence. Not any of the men who make advances on her throughout the Books. Not time itself.

More than anything - it’s the motto of who Jamie and Claire are together. Scotland is such a core part of who they are as individuals, and who they are together. Moreover, they protect and defend each other. They do literally *anything* for each other: lie, cheat, steal, kill, give their bodies to others, starve, withstand unimaginable emotional anguish -- all for the sake of the other person. Nothing can harm their union - their love - and all things that try to damage it undergo severe consequences.

“I can accept that you had - that you had this experience with this man, and that leaving him broke your heart. I can accept it.”

– Frank Randall, 02x01 “Through A Glass, Darkly”

—–

“Well, I knew ye must be thinking of him. Ye could hardly not, under the circumstances. I do not want ye ever to feel as though ye canna talk of him to me. Even though I’m your husband now—that feels verra strange to say—it isna right that ye should forget him, or even try to. If ye loved him, he must ha’ been a good man.”  

      “Yes, he… was.” My voice trembled, and Jamie stroked the backs of my hands with his thumbs.  

      “Then I shall do my best to honor his spirit by serving his wife.” He raised my hands and kissed each one formally.

YES, exactly!

Just think…when Jamie was lying in that cottage begging to be shot, Claire was in the hospital in Inverness.

I can accept that you - that you did feel that way. That you had this - this experience with this man, and that leaving him broke your heart.

He was a man - a man who fucked my wife.

-- Frank Randall, 02x01 “Through A Glass, Darkly”

Frank’s cool, vulgar, dismissive words show his refusal to understand and empathize with Claire. To give credence to her feelings. To overcome his own overpowering jealousy and crushing helplessness.

He says he can accept her feelings - he does not ask her about the depth and sincerity of her feelings.

What Claire did with Jamie was to have an experience. To fuck. For to recognize their marriage - their love - as more than that, would be to validate it.

Claire withstands 20 years of detachment. 20 years of dismissal. Until she can’t anymore, and can finally claim and validate her feelings for herself, without apologies:

“What Jamie and I had was a hell of a lot more than fucking! He was the love of my life!!”