#outlander 109

Day 2: Favorite Season 1 Quote

Source: @yellowfeather84

“I want ye, Claire. I want ye so much— I can scarcely breathe. Will ye have me?”

Holy smokes, kids...to this day I get all tingly whenever I watch this scene. The way Jaime’s voice catches when he says “breathe”... cue panty drop.

He held me hard against him then, without speaking, and I could feel the pulsebeat in his throat, hammering like my own. His hands went to my bare shoulders, and he held me slightly away, so that I was looking upward into his face. His hands were large and very warm, and I felt slightly dizzy.

“I want ye, Claire,” he said, sounding choked. He paused a moment, as though unsure what to say next. “I want ye so much— I can scarcely breathe. Will—” He swallowed, then cleared his throat. “Will ye have me?” 

By now I had found my voice. It squeaked and wobbled, but it worked.

“Yes,” I said. “Yes, I’ll have you.”

“I think …” he began, then stopped. He fumbled loose the buckle of his kilt, but then looked up at me, bunching his hands at his sides. He spoke with difficulty, controlling something so powerful that his hands shook with the effort. “I’ll not … I can’t … Claire, I canna be gentle about it.” 

I had time only to nod once, in acknowledgment or permission, before he bore me back before him, his weight pinning me to the bed. 

He did not pause to undress further. I could smell the road dust in his shirt, and taste the sun and sweat of travel on his skin. He held me, arms outstretched, wrists pinioned. One hand brushed the wall, and I felt the tiny scrape of one wedding ring chiming against the stone. One ring for each hand, one silver, one gold. And the thin metal suddenly heavy as the bonds of matrimony, as though the rings were tiny shackles, fastening me spread-eagled to the bed, stretched forever between two poles, held in bondage like Prometheus on his lonely rock, divided love the vulture that tore at my heart.

Happy Friday!

One more day and some of us will get to watch the meltdown on episode 308 (at midnight).

Today, I thought we’d revisit a somewhat controversial scene...

DAY 5: The Reckoning...Spanking

Even though Jaime and Claire of both apologized and forgiven each other, Jaime (and the lads) feel justice has yet been done. Due to danger she put the highlanders in when they sprung her from Black Jack’s grip, Jaime feels compelled to dole out punishment in the form of a spanking with a belt.

Needless to say, Claire was not going to submit without a fight.

I’ve heard some people say this scene is what made them stop watching Outlander as they felt it was showing domestic violence in a humorous light. 

Well, yet is sort of is. But by 18th century Highlander standards, punishing a misbehaving wife was what was expected (Jaime later tries to explain this to Claire). Jaime has a good sense of humor and often uses quips and wisecracks to cope with stressful situations.

Of course, Claire is not about to forgive and forget after this violation. She makes it clear that her trust in her husband has been broken. This is later remedied when he pledges (by knife point) to never raise a hand to her (or suffer dyer consequences). 

I personally never was offended by this scene. I don’t always find it helpful to apply my 21st century morals to historical dramas or events. 

I will not say much. And if you want zero spoilers...please pass this by.

But let me tell you, this episode was beautifully made. There was a scene in the woods with snow floating past the clansmen’s faces where I wanted to cry it was so gorgeous.

The extra six months were clearly spent perfecting what might be my favorite episode to date.

The raw, emotion and - as the review I just posted said - carnality of the episode was palpable. 

I wasn’t sure how an episode seen from Jamie’s perspective would play out, but it was wonderful to see the inner workings of Colum and Dougal’s relationship from Jamie’s vantage. And further, it helped to showcase what I feel had been largely lacking to date, barring the oathtaking: Jamie’s political brilliance and intelligence.

Having the story told from his perspective also was exactly the right move for “the scene” that we were all holding our breaths about. 

I’m not going to spoil anything in the latter portion of the episode - other than to say...whoa. Just whoa.