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.