Episode 108 is the mid-season finale. We see what Frank has been doing since Claire went through the stones and we also see how Jamie and Claire’s relationship continues to grow. She has become one of the clan. She forgets about her plans to return to Craigh na Dun until she suffers an attempted rape and happens upon the stones while awaiting Jamie’s return from meeting Horrocks. Before she can touch the stone, she is captured by British soldiers and taken to Black Jack Randall. Jamie rescues her just in the nick of time.
It’s different.
Jamie and Claire are married two days when they picnic at the top of the cliff and meet the beggar, Hugh Monroe. Hugh gifts Claire with a unique fossil, which appears to be a dragonfly trapped in a chunk of amber. We will see this fossil twice more in Episode 213. However, my favorite part of this scene is illustrated in these gifs.
Jamie, as inexperienced as he is, recognizes that their relationship is special and wonders if what they have is typical of married couples. Out of guilt, Claire fights her feelings for Jamie but ultimately does not lie to him. She confesses that what they share is not usual, it is different. This may be the first time Claire admits to herself, as well as Jamie, that they share a unique and special love and a unique and special physical relationship.
May I just add here that the hand sex in the last gif is super sensual?
The Sgian Dubh.
“Every man and woman must know how to defend themselves, Sassenach, especially those married to a Fraser.”
After the attack by the Grants, the Highlanders decide Claire should learn to defend herself from an assailant. Poison is often seen as the weapon of choice for women, but as Dougal points out, “it has certain deficiencies in combat. The lass needs a sgian dubh.” Angus trains Claire in the proper use of the sgian dubh (hidden dagger), and we later realize that this scene is foreshadowing an imminent future event.
The Sgian Dubh Again.
While frolicking in the meadow (because the wanting never stops), Jamie and Claire are attacked by two British soldier deserters. The situation looks grim, as one soldier holds a gun to Jamie’s head while the other attempts to rape Claire. Claire takes a brief moment to gather her wits and recalls her sgian dubh training. Because she has the weapon and knows how to use it, she is able to save both their lives. During the instant the gun wielding soldier is distracted by the screams of his dying partner in crime, Jamie is able to slit his throat.
I love badass Claire.
The Cliffhanger.
Jamie rescues Claire before BJR can harm her, but Jack’s reaction is priceless. “Good God.” Then he laughs like he is happy to see Jamie, which is probably true given his obsession, but Jamie is the last person he expected to see in his window. This is a great cliffhanger because we know we’re going to see a confrontation, a battle between good and evil. We even suspect Claire will have some explaining to do since she promised Jamie she would “stay put.”
Then begins our first Droughtlander.