Episode 111 is another great one for Jamie and Claire.  It has some major expositions, climaxes, and resolutions in the early plot structure.   These are a few of our favorite scenes from the episode.

The Confession

    

In each episode we see reasons why Jamie is the King of Men.  Even though Claire’s story defies logic, Jamie believes her because he trusts her.  He trusts her to tell him the truth.  What is so heartwarming about this scene is that Jamie feels guilty for having beaten her for running when he told her to “stay put” because he understands she was trying to reach the stones and go back to Frank.  I think it was during the end of this scene that Jamie decided to take her back to the stones.  He always thinks of Claire’s feelings and is willing to put her feelings before his own.

A friend in need is a friend in deed.

Claire’s and Geillis’s lives are in jeopardy at the witch trial, but can we take just a moment to appreciate Ned Gowan?  He defied Colum’s wishes and tried to save both Claire and Geillis, but ultimately he realizes that Geillis is a lost cause.  Still, he’s willing to risk his life to save Claire.  Ned might be the last person one would think brave enough to take on a courtroom full of enemies, but here he is, brandishing a pistol to defend Claire.  He was willing to commit murder before dozens of witnesses, which is incongruent with what he had always told the highlanders.  He had encouraged them not to kill anyone when they went to rescue Claire from Black Jack, but now he appears ready to do whatever he can to protect Claire, regardless of the odds.  How cute is Ned Gowan here?

We hope Bill Patterson returns in Season 3, Voyager.  He has a few legal issues he needs to resolve for Jamie and Claire.  Like Mrs. Fitz, we believe Ned might be another Jamie/Claire shipper.

Ned, this is how it’s done.

 

At least Jamie brandishes two weapons, and if anyone can defy the odds in this courtroom, it is Jamie Fraser.

This isn’t the first time Jamie has shown up at the last minute to rescue Claire, and it won’t be the last.  He sees his beloved being whipped across her back, and he is so angry he practically spits… literally.  After issuing a warning that the first man forward would be the first man down, wisely no one doubts that he means exactly that.  With a sword in one hand and a dirk in the other, Jamie holds off the crowd until Geillis distracts them with a confession and declaration of Claire’s innocence.  Although Claire is willing to go down with Geillis, kudos to Geillis for saving Claire.

It is better to give than to receive. 

Jamie plans to take Claire to the stones the next morning, so rather than taking pleasure from what he believes is their last sexual encounter, he only wants to give it.  He just wants to look at her while he pleasures her so he can keep the memory of her face in his mind.  Again, the King of Men.

To the stones.

    

This is such a sad scene.  It breaks my heart the way Jamie watches Claire while she washes in the stream.  She is clueless about Jamie’s plan to take her to the stones and help her get back home to Frank.  Once at the stone circle, Claire is beckoned by the large stone and is pulled away at the last minute by Jamie.  He apologizes for the action, saying he just wasn’t ready yet.  He doesn’t beg her to stay, but instead encourages her to go back to a safe place, away from the danger and violence of his time.  He tells her he will remain at the camp below until dark and he is sure she has safely gone.

At the end of the scene, we see Jamie walk away and Claire in deep thought, staring at her hands where she wears the rings representing both marriages.  She approaches the stone and the screen goes black, leading viewers to believe that she has gone back… to Frank.

Take me to Lallybroch.

         

The black screen transitions to night where Jamie is lying by the campfire, tears of sadness streaming down his cheeks.  This must have been a true shocker for non-readers, but suddenly we hear Claire’s voice say to Jamie, “On your feet, soldier.”  Jamie must have thought for a moment that he was dreaming when he rose to see Claire looking down at him.  “Take me home to Lallybroch” means Claire has chosen him over Frank, over her own time, and he realizes it.  His tears are no longer from sadness and loss, but tears of happiness, joy, and relief.

I’m embarrassed to share the number of times I’ve watched this episode, but I will say that I’ve never been able to watch the final two scenes with dry eyes.