Jamie struggles with his first request as Indian Agent. Roger presides over an unusual funeral. Marsali gives birth. However, the joy is short lived when a discovery is made.
How did you all like Allegiance? I thought over all it was a good episode. It did seem a little disjointed to me but as I recap let’s see where I stand. Also, feel free to come by and rate the episode in our poll. The great thing about this episode, from a book readers perspective, is that much of the dialogue is actually from the book.
Allegiance begins with Jamie and Ian arriving at the Cherokee village in the roll of Indian Agent. Bird-Who-Sings-In-the-Morning wants guns from the King. Jamie tries to explain the King and his men are worried these weapons would be turned on his men. Bird-Who-Sings tells them, “We can kill them without guns, if we want to.” Very true. Despite wanting the same weapons the settlers have, the Cherokee know full well they are perfectly capable of killing without them.
The best part is right from the book which is Jamie and Ian trying to get some sleep but Bird-Who-Sings has sent Jamie two woman to sleep with. Jamie’s reaction is the same, he’s not really interested even if his body is interested. Jamie beseeches Ian to explain he has given an oath to Claire.
Young Ian pretty much things this is the height of hilarity and takes his time helping his uncle out.
“Ooo,” breathed one girl, impressed. Jamie felt a distinct qualm.
“What in God’s name did ye tell them, Ian?”
“I told them the Great Spirit came to ye in a dream, Uncle, and told ye that ye mustn’t go with a woman until ye’d brought guns to all the Tsalagi.”
“Until I what?!”
“Well, it was the best I could think of in a hurry, Uncle,” Ian said defensively.From A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 14, “People of the Snowbird”.
The Ridge
Back on the Ridge, Claire is out amongst the fisher-folk. She removes the stitches from Tom’s hand but refuses her desire to operate on his right hand (remember it is curling in on itself). Tom tells Claire he should make due with what God gave him though Claire thinks if that is true then the wound to his animal should also have been left rather than having her stitch it up.
I for one would has said then I suppose I shouldn’t have stitched up this hand? Huh?
Tom loves to quote the Bible about what woman should be doing: “Let the woman learn in silence with al subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (I Timothy 2:11-12). What Tom and fail to mention is that this is all in reference to being a preacher of the people. I’ve always felt Claire showed a little disrespect for Tom’s beliefs even if he’s wrong and kind of an ass about it.
Claire pops by Allan’s tent where he is sharpening knives and such. Apparently, he good at it. Malva shows interest in healing and Claire invites her to come along to check on Marsali (who Claire calls daughter – did you notice that – love it).
Over at Marsali and Fergus’ place, Claire is examining Marsali when Malva shows up. Claire shows her how to check if the baby is in the right position for birth. Marsali just wants the baby out and is short tempered with the children who are playing highway robbery. Claire sends Malva to deal with the children and then confronts Marsali about the bruises on her arm.
Marsali confesses to going after Fergus with a posser. Wait. I had to look this up when she said it because what on earth is a posser.
“A posser, ponch or a washing dolly was historically a tool used for possing laundry by pumping the posser up and down on the laundry in the dolly tub or directly in the copper, or mixing laundry while hand washing it.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posser
Okay, so Marsali confesses to nearly braining Fergus with a heavy object and he grabbed her to stop her. She seems to have her mothers temper. So Fergus isn’t abusing her just being a drunk fool. Marsali seems to think Fergus feels guilty that he wasn’t there to protect Claire and herself when the Brown’s attacked. Both Claire and Marsali see it as ridiculous but then there is little logic to false guilt.
Phosphorus
Brianna is in the process of making matches with the white phosphorus Lord John sent them. Roger smartly weary of it knowing it can explode. Brianna explains it is in water because it only explodes when exposed to air.
Honestly, I wish I understood exactly how she was going to accomplish making matches because I’m 100% sure I’d blow myself up. I always thing of Arzt from Lost.
Jamie Returns
Jamie returns home sometime later and is clearly eager. He’s searching for Claire and finds her in their bedroom where one of the best moments from the books plays out.
“I’ve missed ye, Sassenach. I must have ye.” I mean he was tempted by some Cherokee woman and refused them but I imagine knowing Jamie’s enjoyment of such things; he’s been thinking about Claire for a bit.
Claire is amused but realizes Jamie means business and she eggs him on. They go at in pretty much all over the room. They are heard by Mrs. Bug downstairs who seems to approve. In the afterglow of their lovemaking…
Um.. are the still fully clothed? Jamie is always “lifting” Claire’s skirts but Jamie? I mean did he pull things back up? He doesn’t even look eschew. Okay back to are regularly scheduled program…
… one of my favorite parts:
Just now, I was actually trying to rank ‘I love you, I like you, I worship you, I have to have my cock inside you,’ in terms of their relative sincerity.”
“Did I say that?” he said, sounding slightly startled.
“Yes. Weren’t you listening?”
“No,” he admitted. “I meant every word of it, though.” His hand cupped one buttock, weighing it appreciatively. “Still do, come to that.”
“What, even the last one?” I laughed and rubbed my forehead gently against his chest, feeling his jaw rest snugly on top of my head.
“Oh, aye,” he said, gathering me firmly against him with a sigh. “I will say the flesh requires a bit of supper and a wee rest before I think of doin’ it again, but the spirit is always willing. God, ye have the sweetest fat wee bum. Only seeing it makes me want to give it ye again directly. It’s lucky ye’re wed to a decrepit auld man, Sassenach, or ye’d be on your knees with your arse in the air this minute.”
He smelled delectably of road dust and dried sweat and the deep musk of a man who has just enjoyed himself thoroughly.
“Nice to be missed,” I said contentedly into the small space beneath his arm. “I missed you, too.”From A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 16, “Le Mot Juste”.
Guns
Major MacDonald arrives putting and end to Jamie and Claire time. Jamie and he are downstairs talking about the Cherokee… or the Major is telling us a lot of stuff that likely doesn’t matter when he has a sneezing attack because he’s allergic to cats.
In the books, Adso and the Major have a hate hate relationship. Adso is always going after his wig and the Major always side-eyeing Adso while he talks with Jamie.
Ian is listening to everything Jamie is telling the Major and is not pleased that Jamie didn’t ask after guns. When the Major takes leave Ian confronts Jamie who tells him about the future. The Rebels will win the war so Jamie is something of a pickle. If he supplies them and makes the Cherokee allies to the Crown they will become his enemy. Ian can accept that but not for long.
Funeral
Inside of the new church, old Mrs. Wilson’s having a funeral. This is all straight from the book but like the book, it didn’t enjoy it. The sin-eater, the funeral, the illusion that Claire is a witch. It was also skip-able in the book. I understand it is supposed to be further evidence that Claire maybe a witch – to Tom- but it was so overblown because if Mrs. Wilson’s revival is anything to do with someone in the room – why Claire? Simply because she goes around helping ailing people? For a learnt man, it makes Tom seem stupid and simple.
The best and only part I actually enjoyed is Roger stepping up and with a great eulogy and some comforting words from the Bible. And back at the big house, Roger talks about preaching at Tom’s behest which was great because you can see Roger’s thinking on it. “I hope the Reverend’s up there watchin’ me, proud.” A great reference to Rev. Wakefield who raises Roger and who we met in the first and second seasons.
One thing that is making me sad is the lack of Mrs. Bug. She is a powerhouse in the books and she’s never far with an opinion or thoughts. She’s an awesome addition to the house in the books and adds to the future story. I really hope they make Mrs. Bug more of a character.
Anyways, at the table, Brianna is excited to regal them all with the matches but when she says she has an announcement they all believe she’s pregnant except Roger who knows things are going off the rails. When Brianna dashes all their hopes and then shows them all the matches, they don’t seem very impressed though as I recall in the books there are brief mentions here and there about how convenient the matches are and how much the appreciate them.
Marsali has some alarming pains and the night verse off course to labor and delivery. Claire is clearly worried about how Marsali is progressing and no one knows where Fergus is. Roger is sent to find him.
I actually loved every bit of this moment from Roger racing through the ridge on horseback to him having words with Fergus. It was excellent.
Roger’s horseback ride reminded me of a moment in the books when Roger and Bree lie in bed thinking of Paul Revere’s ride.
Roger finds Fergus at home getting even more pickled than he already is. Roger takes the drink from him and tells him, “So for tonight, pull yourself together and be the man that Marsali thinks you are, the man that you promised her you’d be. Even if you have to pretend.” Remember when there was a time Roger was kind of annoying? Yeah, me either. I love him.
Labor and Delivery
Back at the Big House, Marsali is telling Adso not to let Claire do an autopsy on her if she dies. Marsali asks Claire for paper and ink to write to Laoghaire (her mother). Fergus appears and Marsali quickly dissolves into “I’m going to die” and he aptly tells her it is what she always thinks. Fergus then tells Claire there is a way to help the birthing along in the form of suckling at the woman’s breast and he proceeds to do it.
Okay I have to stop and say this is just one reason I couldn’t be an actor. How awkward. Was that her and him… and they… yeah.
Apparently things work because the birthing starts to move along. Claire is quiet after the baby comes and hands the boy off to Fergus who is happy for a second before handing the baby to Marsali and fleeing the house. “Il est un nain.” He is a dwarf. Marsali doesn’t care. She loves her baby no matter what.
Bree and Roger are at their cabin and Bree is a bit annoyed all anyone cares about is if she’s pregnant. Apparently, they’ve been trying without success. In the books, this fact is what makes Roger quietly doubt Jem’s paternity. He still loves Jem but he is constantly doubting that Jem is his biologically.
Aidan knocks on their door because he’s lost. Roger offers to walk him home but first proudly shows him Bree’s newest invention… the match. “My wife made it. She’s a genius.” Again, I’m loving Roger.
Off to River Run
Mr. Bug and Kezzie are off to Cross Creek and River Run. Lizzie assures Kezzie she will keep Josiah out of trouble. Believe me this is foreshadowing some stuff.
Bird-Who-Sings comes to visit the Ridge. I absolutely love that we see the Cherokee just standing off on the edges of the lawn area. They are making themselves known… making sure they are seen so as not to surprise those they visit. It is rather cool and very respectful. Love it.
Bird asks if Jamie conveyed his request for guns which Jamie says he has not. Jamie doesn’t explain which seems to upset Bird who says something like… you haven’t heard the last of me… well not that menacing but don’t anger them Jamie.
Ian isn’t happy about what just happened and was told earlier by Brianna what goes down with the Indians and the Americans. He wants to make sure they have a chance. I say… be careful how far you go Ian because there are some other in this story… they might come up.. who have similar ideas but take it too far.
Meeting House
Jamie is concerned about the church, not because it is a church but he recalls how Tom used God’s Word as a weapon. He heads out to parlay with Tom about making it more of a meeting house where all are welcome to worship God, including his wife (who we learned earlier isn’t welcome because of the whole funeral thing and Mrs. Wilson not being dead).
Tom asks if Jamie wants him to tear down the steeple but Jamie doesn’t think so. Needs a bell to call people to worship and to their lessons. Sounds like Jamie has designs on making it a schoolhouse also which was common back then.
Tom is clearly not happy and goes to take it out on Malva but can’t because of his misshapen hand.
Tom then goes off to find Claire, telling her he’s thought about it and God must have sent her to help his hand. Claire wants the left to heal before she works on the right.
Henri-Christian
Jamie heads over the Marsali and Fergus’ place but overhears Ian and Marsali. In the book, Marsali is very protective and worries about anything people say to Henri-Christian so when Ian gives the Mohawk blessing she is eager to know what it means.
“A sort of blessing, ye’d call it.” He patted Henri-Christian’s back, very softly. “Ye call upon the wind to welcome him, the sky to give him shelter, and the water and the earth to yield him food.”From A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 36, “Winter Wolves.”
Ian proceeds to tell her he had a child of his own. This surprises Jamie who recounts this information to Claire later as he’s writing a letter to Governor Martin asking for the guns for Bird. He tells Claire Ian sees them as family because they are. His allegiance is to family and Jamie’s allegiance is to Ian.
Thoughts
I didn’t hate this episode. I loved the growth of Roger and the birth of Henri-Christian. I’m excited to see some of the characters I love so much for the books.
I’m disappointed with Tom. I do remember him being strict but not abusive to be abusive. The scene where he goes after Malva seemed petty and spiteful and I never saw Tom Christie that way.
I loved Fergus’s reaction to Henri-Christian. I know that is very un-pc, but in the 1700s when many thought it was likely a curse or punishment from God, a purely politically correct reaction would have been so false. And Fergus is worldly. He grew up in the brothels of Paris. He’s seen things so no doubt he knows how little people were treated. I can imagine he is upset for many reasons but one can hope it isn’t because he will hate his child.
Show Watchers: Any question I posed which is explained in the books is purely for the show watcher. I know who, what, when and where about the Outlander series. I just want to get us all discussing.
