Trigger Warning: While the content of episode 4 did not hold the same tone as episode 3, there was some potentially triggering or upsetting content like miscarriage and stillbirth that I will discuss below.

Let’s dive in.

From Young Ian to Okwaho’rohtsi’ah (Wolf’s Brother)

Ian has had a long journey from the time we met him as a young teenager in season 3 to Outlander season 6 episode 4. When I saw Ian’s hair get cut, I got so excited because I realized we were finally going to learn what the heck happened to him in the time he spent with the Mohawk and why he was back. After the ceremony, the Mohawk chief, Tehwahsehkwe officially declared that Ian had been adopted into their tribe.

Delivering the Guns

Brianna’s Warning

Before Jamie and Ian set off to deliver the guns to the Cherokee tribe, Brianna takes a moment to warn him of what’s to come with the Trail of Tears. This awful piece of American history kept Jamie’s attention as he further pondered what he would tell the Cherokee as an agent, but also as a friend.

Things Quickly Go Downhill

There was a lot of excitement when Jamie and Ian arrived with the guns. Jamie even met a fellow Scotsman, Scotchee Cameron, but his offer of Tennessee land sold by the Cherokee tribe quickly ade Jamie uncomfortable given recent revelations from Briana. Tension further loomed when Ian noticed that members of the Mohawk tribe were present. After a quick, grim greeting with Kaheroton, Ian finally begins to share his story with Jamie.

Wahionhaweh

Given the opening scene, from Outlander season 6 episode 4, where Ian smiled up at her, Ian met Wahionhaweh pretty early on in his time with the Mohawk tribe. They began a relationship and she gave him a wolf’s head carving while he gave her the nickname Emily because he was still learning how to speak her language.

Soon, Kaheroton explains to Ian that he is not the one who would choose Wahionhaweh. She would be the one to choose him.

Quickly after, we saw her gift an armband to Ian to remind him of the day they became one.

Trouble is Looming

Eventually, Wahionhaweh got pregnant. Ian is excited to have a child with her, but as usual, nothing comes easily for the characters of Outlander. One night, Wahionhaweh woke up in pain, and Ian pulled her covers off to reveal that she was bleeding. He called for other members of the tribe to come help her and they rushed her away.

Ian wanted to be with her, but Kaheroton held him back and encouraged him to go deeper into the woods to pray. In the morning, he found out that Wahionhaweh was going to be okay, but their baby girl did not survive. Later on, the expected another baby, but soon after smiling up at Ian, Wahionhaweh noticed her blood pouring into the stream of water she sat beside.

Ian tells that months later, he was asked to leave by one of the tribe members. When he went to ask Wahionhaweh if this was really what she wanted he faced the ultimate betrayal when he finds out that she has chosen Kaheroton over him, and Kaheroton accepted. This is what sent him back to Fraser’s ridge.

The Confrontation

Ian later talked with one of the men from the Mohawk tribe and asked about Wahionhaweh. He learned that she and Kaheroton had a son. This pushed Ian over the edge and as soon as Kaheroton was in sight, Ian rushed to him putting a knife to his throat. This quickly evolved into a fight with Jamie pulling Ian back and Scotchee pulling Kaheroton back with a knife to his throat. Once released, Kaheroton turned around to strike at Scotchee, but Scotchee pulled a gun challenging him to a duel.

Lost Faces

After this whole ordeal, Ian told Jamie about Kaheroton and Wahionhaweh having a son together. He grieved with Jamie over the loss of his daughter and the fact that he never got to see his face. At that point, things started sounding similar to Jamie in season 2. Like Ian, he had not been able to see Faith’s face and it was lost to him. They shared a sweet moment together as they knelt down and prayed for Faith to find Ian’s daughter in heaven.

The Duel

An Exchange Ahead of the Duel

After their prayer, Ian takes Jamie’s pistol and offers it to Kaheroton for the duel. After a moment, Kaheroton calls Ian to him and offers Ian his own armband from Wahiohaweh and asks that if he dies in the duel, Ian will go back to Wahiohaweh and take care of her and Kaheroton’s son.

Chief Bird’s Warning from the Future

While Scotchee and Kaheroton took time to prepare for their duel, Jamie had a discussion with Chief Bird, of the Cherokee, about the trail of tears that would happen in the future, stating that his wife and daughter have dreams of things that are to come (nice save, Jamie). He warns him of a man named Winfield Scott. Chief Bird listens and seems to take these things to heart as Jamie encourages him, even with this delivery of guns, to fight not for the crown, but for his tribe – whatever that may mean when the time comes. By this fourth episode of Outlander season 6, we should know that an attempt to change history has not been successful on a massive scale, but maybe we will see how Jamie’s warning affects the future later on in the series.

The Cheat and the Save

The time for the duel came. Scotchee and Kaheroton stood back to back as Jamie instructed them to take their places. As he began counting, Ian noticed Scotchee turn early. In a quick move he flung Kaheroton’s weapon at Scotchee and knocked the gun out of his hand which drew everyone’s attention to what just happened. Jamie told Kaheroton permission to take his shot, but instead of shooting Scotchee, he shot the pistol into the air.

Closure for Ian

After the duel, Ian returns the arm band to Kaheroton. He will always be a Mowhawk, but will also always have his Scottish roots and family. After the events that transpired in this episode, Ian got some semblance of closure, though still heartbreaking, and finally let Weihonhaweh go through the release of his wolf amulet into the river.

Back at the Ridge

Outlander Season 6 Episode 4 continued Claire’s dabbling into the use of ether which she taught Malva to use in this episode. They chose Josiah and Lizzie as test subjects to undergo it’s use and Malva learned how to keep patients under during a procedure. That sounds kind of terrifying for her to know if you ask me, but we’ll see where this new found knowledge takes us.

After this experiment, Malva and Claire discussed her notetaking for procedures. Malva did not understand why she did that and Claire explained it was helpful for reference, especially for apprentices such as her.

Lizzie and the Twins

We saw Lizzie try to impress Josiah by volunteering to be the first to undergo Claire and Malva’s test, but later in the episode we saw her share a sweet moment with Kezzie. I don’t know where this is going, but hopefully we will find out more in the episodes to come.

Jamie’s Return

Jamie had a lot on his mind when he returned to the ridge. As he gave Claire a short summary of what happened while he was gone, Jamie explained that while Ian can be Mohawk and Scottish, he cannot be two things at once. He declared that he would resign as Indian Agent and implied that he would start to take his post, on the other side, in the revolution to come.

A Peeping Tom’s Daughter

Claire listens to him, but soon brings up what happened last time he returned from his visit with the Cherokee. Though more tired, he is still eager to indulge her, but as the camera fades, we see Malva snuck into the barn behind Claire and is watching her and Jamie… Creepy!

Looking Ahead of Outlander Season 6 Episode 4

It seems that a theme of this season is having to choose. In fact, this whole series is full of big choices. Multiple times throughout the series, Claire had to make a choice between Jamie and Frank. Jamie is having to stop living this double live between the crown and the rebels. Roger and Brianna have to decide whether to stay or go. Fergus had to choose to get himself in a healthier place. Lizzie will likely have to make a decision regarding Josiah and Kezzie. Even though Ian is living this double life, he still had to choose to let Kaheroton leave and to let Wahionhaweh go.

Halfway through this season, Ian’s story is resolving, but there are several stories in the background that are likely lining up to something big. In the episodes to come I expect we will hear more of Lizzie’s relationship with the boys, what in the world Malva is up to, and ultimately the Fraser’s role in the American revolution.

While it is known that Outlander is for mature audiences, this episode depicts and attempted suicide, and if you or a someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts please reach out to this hotline for support. Call or visit 24/7 Crisis Hotline: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network at 1-800-273-8255.

To what lengths would you go to protect your innocent children?

Roger

So let’s talk about Roger Mac. Obviously Claire and Jamie have been the stars of this story over the years, but Roger has really started to shine. He had a rough couple of seasons, but has really embraced his role as a husband, father, preacher, and caretaker of those who are in need. He begins episode 3 of Outlander: Season 6 by saving baby Henri and baptizing him, in the same water that nearly sent him to his death, while chastising the group of boys who were testing to see if little Henri was of the devil.

Roger vs. The Frog

Later, Roger goes on to round up the boys who sent Henri down the river so Jamie could talk to them. After rescuing her from a massive frog that was chilling in her pail of milk, we see Roger promising Amy (Aiden’s mom) that she will be taken care of after she expresses that she misses Scotland as well as her (deceased) husband.

What will happen if Roger and Brianna try (and succeed) in traveling back to their time again?

Fergus

Fergus suffered from guilt ever since Marsali and Claire were attacked at the end of season 5. From this guilt, he turned to alcohol, as I mentioned in my recap of episodes 1 and 2, and others are starting to notice a change in him.  He really took the spotlight with 3 important conversations he had throughout the episode.

Fergus & Claire

In his talk with Claire, we received more insight into Fergus’ past and learned that part of the reason for Fergus was so angry over Henri’s dwarfism was because one of his friends in Paris had dwarfism and was brutally killed. Fergus expressed his fear that he couldn’t protect Henri. Claire assures him that she and Jamie would never let that happen, but Fergus reminds her of the sad reality that she and Jamie will not live forever, and neither will Fergus and Marsali. At some point in his life, Henri Christian will be alone.

Fergus & Marsali

Fergus has broken his promise to Marsali to stop drinking. She comes home to a child calling out that they were hungry while Fergus just sat at the table and drank more. Marsali tells Fergus that she knows he is better than that. Horrified at the idea of his wife bringing Lionel’s life to an end, Fergus’ pride gets the better of him as he claims it is not her job to protect him. This type of behavior is not something Marsali will tolerate with how her family suffered at the hands of her abusive father, so after pouring a pitcher of water on Fergus’ head and telling him to leave, she once again says, “I will have a whole man, or not at all.”

Is this the end?

Fergus had a run-in with some of the judgemental fisher folk from Tom’s group that ended with him throwing whisky in an old woman’s face. Granted, she’d just called Henri Christian “grotesque”, so she kind of had it coming. (Let’s all clap for Tom Christie though as he reprimanded the lady and her husband and told them they should all be respectful and kind because of the hospitality the Fraser’s have shown them.)

At the end of his rope, we saw Fergus resort to making a big slash in his arm. Just about that time, Jamie sees him and rushes to his side. Fergus tells Jamie to let him die, but he will not. He tells Fergus of his worth and his value…not in the things that he does, gives, or provides, but in who he is.

Jamie and Claire bring Fergus back to Marsali, and I hope this is the turning point for Fergus towards healing and wholeness.

Tom & Claire

Tom Christie’s behavior was strange, to say the least, in episode 3 of Outlander: Season 6. He denies anything to do with the river incident with Henri Christian, claiming that he is an educated man – which is something he expresses multiple times after that. It was unexpected, but a relief? Hopefully we don’t have to worry about more witch trials anytime soon.

He goes on with his surgery and stubbornly refuses any medicinal treatments that Claire has to offer. Tom didn’t refuse whisky, however,  soon after his surgery began, and relied on Jamie’s support in reading scripture through his writhing pain. Tom does not deserve the kindness that the Fraser’s have shown him, and I think he’s beginning to see that.

In recovery, when Claire brings Tom some food after talking to and feeding her cat, she explains that her cat is just a pet, not a familiar. He reminds her again that he is an educated man.

When he questions why Jamie was there for him during the surgery, Claire answers that he would do that for any of his men. He asks if Jamie thinks of him as one of his men, because he is not. Claire answers that Jamie does this out of kindness and would for anybody, just as she expects Tom would.  Throughout their exchange, Tom seems to soften up a little bit, but he still is very wary of Claire and the fact that she is a woman. Jamie later explains that this was common for many men after their time at Ardsmuir.

Is Tom beginning to change?

Claire ponders this and converses more with Tom later on, even allowing him to borrow one of her novels, but she still doesn’t allow him to walk all over her. He then lets Claire know that Richard Brown came by to offer his protection. Claire warns him not to accept their protection because they can’t trust them.

Maybe not?

It was very clear that the novel Claire shared with Tom made him very uncomfortable. (I also find it weird that Jamie didn’t know the f word, back in season 1, but Tom definitely recognized it. Sure, many years have passed, but of all people, Tom knows it?)  Anyways, Tom returns the book to Claire with a note stating that he thought better of her than to be reading filth. That makes her smile a little.

And of course, now that his hand has healed, we saw him back at it again with Malva.

Looking ahead

While the situations mentioned above played a big part in episode 3 of Outlander: Season 6, I think there were a few scenes and characters worth mentioning as we look ahead to episode 4 and the rest of the season.

Ian and Malva

Ian and Malva had a moment together as he walked her home from Claire and Jamie’s house during her father’s surgery. While nothing serious happened between the two, there may be something brewing between the two.

Jamie and Malva

Jamie and Malva also shared a moment together. Not in the same way as she and Ian, but he helped her find a place to collect mushrooms as he started to pry into her family history. Catching him in the act, she was quick to shut down his assumptions, and they shifted their discussion to one of Scotland.

Tom and Malva

As previously mentioned, once Tom’s hand was well enough, he resumed the punishment of Malva…and we really haven’t been given a reason why. What makes this even weirder is the fact that Tom might not even be Malva’s real father. I’m sure the truth will come to light soon enough.

Allan and Malva

In one of the final scenes, as Malva is being lashed by her father’s belt, we see Allan standing outside and crying. Despite his own lashing, Allan has kind of been a mystery. He seems to take his father’s side, but if he’s also so uncomfortable with what’s happening to Malva, why isn’t he doing anything about it. This is another question I hope we have answered in the episodes to come.

Is Love in the Air for Lizzie?

Lizzie has an interesting relationship with Josiah and Kezzie, but a completely oblivious Brianna suggests to Roger that they should set Lizzie up with Evan Lindsay. Could Lizzie find someone to settle down with soon?

Will Jamie and Claire tell others about time travel this season?

Towards the end of her talk with Fergus, I wondered for a moment if Claire was about to tell him that she was from the future. It would make so many things much easier to explain, especially when he was blaming himself for Henri Christian’s dwarfism.

I questioned again if the secret would come out when Marsali asked Brianna what a “Vroom” was. While some people will not even question the work of the people from the future, there are others who will pry when things aren’t adding up. We saw this with Murtagh and Young Ian. I would love for more people to know, especially those closest to them, but I also know the trouble it could cause.

Conclusion:

At the very end of season 6, episode 3, Jamie and Claire read news of the Boston Tea Party. The revolution is coming very soon and there will be more conflict coming their way soon enough.

We’ll be back next week with a look at Episode 4.

And remember Jamie’s words to Fergus, your worth is not in the things that you do, give, or provide, but in who you are.