Both Sides Now displays the complete spectrum of emotions. As viewers we are hit square between the yes and hard in the gut.
The stills tell a story each. This episode moved back and forth over mere days. Highlighting everything from bliss to rage.
Anger.
Joy.
Fear.
Determination.
Helplessness.
Shocked.
Perplexed.
Rage.
Disbelief.
Wanting.
Together.
So much more.
Three days gone Claire was being assaulted and interrogated by Black Jack Randall. Two days gone she was married to Jamie out of need.
We find her with Jamie, intimately holding hands and speaking face to face. He wants to know if it is the same for all couples like it is when they touch or lie together. She tries to say it is, then says no it is unusual, it is different than most. They have that “thing” fiery and bonded. She is getting lost in them, him, there. Happy they are. A moment of bliss.
Hugh Munro a friend of Jamie’s shows up with a message for Jamie about a man who has evidence that he is not guilty of murder as charged. As a wedding gift he gives her a dragonfly in amber. I mention this because the foreshadowing is wonderful. She adores the gift. Jamie delights in the pending meeting. He hopes to take her home as his bride. Claire Fraser, Lady of Lallybroch. Joy and promises of future, belonging, peace are shared.
The embrace. So bittersweet. Two rings come into view. Six weeks from Frank. Two days married to Jamie.
At camp that evening, Claire and Jamie are again sharing face to face intimacy while the others are listening to Rupert telling a water horse story by the fire. A sound, the men are at the silent ready, a kiss and knife hand off to Claire. A raid by the Grant’s. Sword fighting, and a shot fired by Ned. Jamie is worried about Claire. She is safe but dropped the knife. The men laugh after assessing the take by the raiders. All is well. Yet for Claire, is another taste of danger. This is life in 18th century highlands. It is not safe.
After the previous night’s mayhem, it is decided that Claire needs to learn self defense highland style. Angus teaches her how to use a sgian dubh, a small knife she can easily hide and wield. She is a good student. After her lessons, is feeling more prepared. Again a reflection of the time she is in. Knife skills are not something she needs in 1945.
The next morning (day 4 since her meeting at the garrison), she and Jamie head out for an intimate rendezvous. Hot and heavy, they are enjoying each other when a gun clicks over Jamie’s head. Claire is forced to kill her would be rapist, while Jamie watches at gunpoint, unable to protect her. Her face, something shifts. She is deeply traumatized. Can she be safe here?
Think on this. In four days, BJR assaults her, she must marry, survives a night raid, and is nearly raped and has to kill a man.
Is there any doubt why she is in shock after this latest encounter? Jamie says it is his fault. She just shakes and mumbles. She cannot tell him what is within. Too much will pour forth.
I am not sure if it is the same day as the attacking by the deserters or the next, they are now riding to meet Horrocks. They travel very far she thinks. Then stopping, Jamie tells her she must stay behind. Redcoats are about. It is not safe for her to go with them. Willie is left behind to stay with her. Claire is angry. Angry that she forgot about her plan to get back to Frank. I think she is angry at Jamie for not protecting her. Angry she had to kill. Angry at nearly being raped.
Well Willie must have some outdoor bathroom space, so Claire walks and wanders in the area. She is pacing through her mind the previous days. All the occurrences. Who she was. Who she is. Who she wants to be. And where. All of a sudden she looks ahead and Craigh na Dun is in her sight line. She looks back and makes a dash for it. She runs toward the stones. Toward Frank. I think she wants to find that safety. The known of Frank. The stability.
She thinks she hears Frank coming through the stones. She yells to him to wait for her.
Within reach she puts her hands toward the stones.
Before she can touch it. She is grabbed by redcoats. She screams and struggles. Is dragged away.
To Fort William they go. To Black Jack Randall. Four or five days since their last encounter. Oh Claire. So close.
Black Jack Randall. Claire. He is determined. She name drops his benefactor. For a moment has the upper hand. He traps her. He ties her up. Threatens serious harm to come if she does not talk. Cutting her bodice. Exposing her breasts. He turns her over the table, lifts her skirts as to rape her from behind. Finding her sgian dubh, threatens to cut off her left nipple. Claire is in serious trouble. She is in his grasp. More trauma added to the last few short days. More danger.
Helpless. The window flies open. Jamie is there to save her. Fade to black.
Is it any wonder Claire ran toward the stones, toward Frank regardless of her feelings for Jamie? Look at what she had gone through over days.
Would you have tried to go? Would you have simply stayed put? I get why she ran. Now add BJR. She has been through incredible stress and danger.
In Both Sides Now episode 108, we find Frank moving through the trauma of Claire’s disappearance. His process is raw. Dark. Aggrieved. Desperate. Wrenched sadness. Angry.
Entering the Inverness police station Frank is told the case is closed. That Claire likely went of her own volition. Frank is incensed but the detective is immovable. Frank believes the Highlander had something to do with it. indirectly Frank you are correct.
After leaving the station, Frank speaks with the Reverend Wakefield about the case being dismissed. The Reverend is sure one of their theories is correct. We see the case evidence board. This warms me knowing of his study from the books. As they discuss more, Mrs. Graham and wee Roger MacKenzie Wakefield the Reverend’s adopted son enter the room. Biscuits and tea are offered, but Frank desires something of strength. To the pub he goes.
At the pub, boozy Frank appears. He is drinking quite heavily. He is there greeted by a woman, “Sally”. She says to meet her with the reward money, as she has information on the man in the sketch. During their exchange he snorts and makes facial expressions that harken to Black Jack Randall. It is eerie and he does not feel safe like Frank.
Into the dark he goes to meet “Sally”. Of course it is a set up and he is jumped by two men wanting to steal the reward money. This is where Black Jack Randall shows through in many ways. One, he pulls a literal black jack weapon from his pocket, two he goes to town beating the hell out of the men with an excessive anger and determination that he could kill one of the men. Three, after the woman stops him, he begins to choke her with a coldness and steely purpose before finally coming back into himself. Darkness has been felt. Exposed in this loss of Claire.
Into the living room of Reverend Wakefield he shares what he did and felt. The Reverend says there is evil in the world and he (Frank) has tasted a sip of it. He asks Frank to turn away from the darkness that beckons him. Powerful exchange. Frank must choose who he wants to be. Where is going to go. Urges him to go to Oxford and move on as Claire has. To let her go.
Frank is packing to leave. He goes through Claire’s abandoned suitcase. No words just actions of separation and decision.
Mrs. Graham tells him about her theory of the stones. That Claire was sent through time, to somewhere else but that the stories say the traveler’s always return. He has no belief in her words. He leaves for Oxford. Claire’s suitcase left behind on the bed.
Frank is shattered but resolute. He is heading to his new life in Oxford. Driving he passes the Craigh na Dun exit. He pauses, backs up and turns up the road. Maybe Mrs. Graham is correct. just maybe.
He climbs to the stone circle, turning looking, searching. He weeps. Finally he calls for her at the large stone. He has no idea how close to her he is. In anguish, he heads to his car, without looking back.
What was learned of Frank?
He loves Claire deeply.
He did not give up.
He has darkness within now exposed.
He must move forward.
He does not believe she left with another man willingly.
He is lost.
He is near broken.
He has seeds planted for the future as an historian.
Dear Frank. They always return. Believe Mrs. Graham.
Please say it is not so, but it is Both Sides Now episode 108 the midseason finale is almost upon us.
Claire must choose who she is and what time to be in.
Frank is desperate to find her.
Jamie desperate to for her, to love her.
What will she choose? What would you choose?
A Dram of Outlander 