Fergus worries about his new son’s quality of life when the baby is bullied by superstitious Protestants. Claire performs surgery on Tom’s hand.
This recap is exactly that… a recap of the episode so do not read it unless you want to be spoiled or have seen the episode.
Overall, fantastic episode. We have some different actors/characters really shining this week. Fergus has a scene that made me weep. Marsali’s reactions to Fergus in this episode are perfection and Roger… I have told other fans this: When you first meet Roger you kind of like him but he gets worse before he gets better.
I remember not really thinking of Roger when you first meet him in season two (Dragonfly in Amber) but when you get to the book A Breath of Snow and Ashes Roger has really come into his own. He’s grown up. He’s not that younger guy who blew up about things or said and did the wrong thing. He’s wiser and he’s been watching his father-in-law.
Temperance opens on a basket floating down the river with some boys yelling about it. You hear a baby cry and it becomes apparent these boys sent Henri-Christian down the river to see if he’d float. The idea that floating makes you somehow “of the devil” is crazy in the extreme. This is a very scary and exciting part in the book and plays out pretty much the same way. My absolute favorite thing about this scene is Roger. He’s quick to action and this reputation he’s getting as the Minister’s son affords him some respect and some God-given clout. And boy does Roger use it.
“I baptize thee, Henri-Christian,” Roger had bellowed, in his hoarse, cracked voice. “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost! D’ye hear me, wee bastards? His name is Christian! He belongs to the Lord! Trouble him again, ye lot of scabs, and Satan will pop up and drag ye straight down screaming–TO HELL!”A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 64, “I am the Resurrection, Part 2”.
I absolutely love how Roger puts the fear of God and the Devil into these boys even if it is later followed up by Jamie’s own version of putting fear into them.
At Fergus and Marsali’s, Roger is recounting what happened and the adults are none too pleased with Germain. Fergus can not stand the guilt weighing on him. He believes Henri-Christian being a dwarf is his fault for not being there to protect Marsali and Claire. Claire follows him out and tries to assure him this is not the case but Fergus has trouble letting go of his guilt. But more than that, Fergus has real concerns. He has seen the life of many a dwarf and they are not something he would want for his child.
“Those who escaped the brothels—they were beggars. I knew one of them quite well—Luc, he was called. We would sometimes assist each other—” The shadow of a smile touched his mouth, and he waved his intact hand in the deft gesture of one picking pockets.
“But he was alone, Luc,” he continued matter-of-factly. “He had no protector. I found him one day in the alley, with his throat cut. I told the madame, and she sent the doorkeep out at once to seize the body, and sold it to a doctor in the next arondissement.”
….
“They are not valued, outside the cities. Peasants, they believe the birth of such a child is at best a judgment on the sins of his parents.” A deeper shadow crossed his face, his lips drawing tight. “It may be so. My sins—” But he broke off abruptly, turning away.
“At worst—” His voice was soft, head turned away, as though he whispered secrets to the shadows of the cave. “At worst, they are seen as monstrous, children born of some demon who has lain with the woman. People stone them, burn them—sometimes the woman, too. In the mountain villages of France, a dwarf child would be left for the wolves. But do you not know these things, milady?” he asked, suddenly turning back to face me.A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 37, “Le Maître des Champignons”.
The things that I did prefer about the book in this instance is this whole conversation took place not because of the basket scene but just because Fergus was so filled with worry and self-loathing. Claire finds him in the stable (which is nothing like on the show). Fergus conveys that he is not help to his family. He can not do the proper work of a man (he’s been watching Jamie who is just not someone you should compare yourself too). As we seen in Echoes, Fergus is sensitive about his missing hand. He can not do the things Roger, Jamie, Ian and many others can do because they have two.
“Me, I cannot hunt, cannot do a proper man’s work. I am fit for nothing but to pull the plow, like a mule!” His voice shook with anger and self-loathing. “If I cannot work as a man does, how shall a dwarf?”
….
“What work will he do?” he cried, tears streaming down his face. “How shall he live? Mon Dieu! Il est aussi inutile que moi!”
“My God! He is as useless as I am!”A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 37, “Le Maître des Champignons”.
This isn’t about Fergus hating his own child but his deep fear of what will happen to Henri-Christian because life will be harder for him. Fergus is different. He isn’t physically whole and it weighs on him. There are things he can’t do. He is faced with his own child being more like him… different. It is sad that Fergus is struggling. He looks up and idealizes Jamie and yet because of his lack of hand he can’t be like him in most ways.
Tom
Claire returns home to find Tom waiting. His hand has healed so he would like the surgery to fix the Dupuytren’s contracture in his right hand. Tom is unwilling to be put to sleep with the ether and Claire starts to lay into him about it but a look from Jamie silences that argument.
Jamie tries to convince Tom by talking about when Claire fixed his hand and him not having the choice. However, this doesn’t ring true as Claire gave Jamie laudanum before his own operation in an attempt to knock him out. I recall it worked.
Devil in the Milk
Roger and Germain seek out Aidan to let him know he and his cohorts are to report to Mr. Fraser as he would like a word and should they not show; he’s sure Mr. Fraser will come talk with their parents.
Roger hears a scream and it turns out to be Amy (Aidan’s mother) who believes there is a devil in the milk Lizzie brought. Roger check it out and finds a bullfrog which he put out of the house. Amy doesn’t love the Colonies and she misses Scotland. She is afraid her and her children will starve without her husband.
Roger assures her he will not let her starve.
This is a nice platonic moment between them and I appreciate Roger has already been set up as the Minister though he’s not actually because it gives a real reason why he’s visiting and being helpful. In the books, there is speculation he is spending inappropriate time with Amy which immediately didn’t ring true when it came up. I’m hoping we don’t go there.
Bree Makes Things
Not only is Bree making matches but she made a spinning wheel for Marsali and vrooms (cars) for Jem. I do wonder if the vroom is a Bree creation or if we find out it is a Roger creation as it was in the book.
Operation
Claire operates on Tom’s hand which looked like a bit of torture to me. Give me the ether! I loved the parallel to the book with Jamie and Tom reciting scripture and Jamie’s, “The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. Well, that’s appropriate, no?” I do love when we get glimpses into Jamie’s sense of humor. He’s rather funny in the books and I don’t think Sam gets the opportunity much though I know he can pull it off.
Malva is watching from outside and I have to say it looks like she is reveling in her father’s pain. Young Ian walks Malva home. Malva is either tiny or Ian is taller than I thought. Malva and Ian discuss her life before the Ridge and Ian finds out Malva’s mother was hanged as a witch.
Henri-Christian Belongs To Me
Jamie with the boys is a sight to see. He actually lays the hot poker out and asks them to touch it or Henri-Christian. It amazes me these boys didn’t wet themselves. The boys all touch the baby and realize he is nothing but a child.
I think my favorite moment about this part is Jamie backing up Roger who told the boys Henri-Christian belongs to the Lord. And I’ve always loved that Jamie tacks on, “…but whoever else he belonged to, Henri-Christian belongs to me, as well, and best they should remember it.”
The boys leave and Jamie has a talk with Germain about Henri-Christian being his little brother and in need of his protection. Germain is so young and yet Jamie is giving him the responsibility to always do what is right for his little brother which would have meet stopping the boys even if it meant getting help.
Marsali and Fergus
We learned earlier, Fergus promised to drink less. Problem is Marsali finds him three sheets to the wind and isn’t pleased. Marsali confesses to killing Lionel Brown which angers Fergus not because she killed someone but because she felt the need because he could not. He doesn’t take it as her protecting them or even just getting revenge. Fergus takes it as a slight on his manhood. Normally, this would annoy me but Fergus is so far down the despair and loathing hole that everything just digs it deeper.
Marsali’s line, “I will have a whole man, or none at all,” struck me as odd. My mind said, don’t rub in his loss of hand but I moved on as the episode continued. Looking back I realize this is a line from the books but was said by Jenny in Dragonfly in Amber when speaking of Ian. It isn’t meant as an insult but conveying Ian (or in this case Fergus) will be a man who has the beliefs in what he can do as a man. Jenny wanted to Ian to believe he could do anything even with one leg and Marsali wants that as well… and for him to be sober. Fergus can’t see that because of his despair.
“I do not think ye are a witch.”
I was actually waiting for the scene with Claire and Tom when she checks on him. In the book, he’s in a bedroom but this works too. Tom mentions her hair here though it strikes me as more awe in the show whereas in the book it seemed like a scolding. But the scene played out pretty much like the book including Tom confessing he doesn’t believe she is a witch which is a good thing.
Claire returns to her bedroom and we get more recounting of Ardsmuir which I like but I don’t know am I over it?
More Ian
Malva and Ian are spending time together which we never see in the book. I’m glad we get a glimpse because in the books they are tangled up together and it is a surprise. They are talking about their religion or lack thereof while collecting cattails… what do you use those for?
Malva clearly is showing interest in Ian which makes me want to hit him over the head and drag him away. Malva seems crazy to me.
Tom Jones
Claire is examining Tom’s hand and the two are talking about novels. Apparently, Tom burned his wife’s novels which didn’t make her happy (jerk!). Tom thought them evil until he was in Ardsmuir where Jamie would recount tales from novels and he realized they were just distractions which were much needed in Ardsmuir. Claire offers Tom the novel Tom Jones which is not a good book to lend this man. This novel is nothing now but to Tom it has to be akin to porn.
Tom mentions Richard Brown offered his protection with his Committee of Safety and Claire warns him off Mr. Brown.
Quarter Day
Good company and rents. The tenants are bring their rents to Jamie and people are match-making and enjoying themselves until a drunk Fergus makes a scene. He assumes those starring at him are because of his son but they are indignant because he is drunk though they will add on to that because of his son. Fergus ends up throwing his drink in the woman’s face for calling Henri-Christian grotesque which she totally deserved but Fergus is not being very gentlemanly. Tom puts a halt to the talk.
Roger gives a sermon about Moses in his basket which is very on point and then Claire returns from church to find Tom Jones with a note from Tom, “This is filth. I thought better of you.” Saw that coming Claire.
We see Tom beating Malva with Allan listening on.
Suicide
Jamie notices Fergus by himself and follows him. Fergus is trying to kill himself and Jamie stops him. Jamie had to tell Fergus it isn’t what he does but just him. Jamie loves him for himself not for his ability.
Don’t you know?” I said very softly, tracing the small, neat line of his ear. Tiny, stiff blond hairs sprouted in a tiny whorl from the tagus, tickling my finger. “Don’t any of you know? That it’s you. Not what you can give, or do, or provide. Just you.”A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 64, “I am the Resurrection, Part 2”.
Jamie and Claire return a patched up Fergus to Marsali. Fergus promises, “never again,” and takes Henri-Christian into his arms.
Boston Tea Party
Major MacDonald arrives with the guns for the Cherokee and news of the Boston Tea Party. It is beginning.
Thoughts
The best of the episode are Roger, Fergus and Marsali. I mean then shine in this episode. Fergus’s desperation. He knows how far Jamie and Claire will go to protect his family but Jamie and Claire won’t live forever and he has to think about Henri-Christian’s future. He can only see what he’s seen in the past which is the suffering of little people. Fergus has a deep fear of one of his children having to lead a life anywhere near his own.
I’m enjoying the dialogue being from the books even if I did appreciate them making things a little different for us book readers.
Roger is finally becoming the Roger we book fans love. He is becoming his own man and worrying less about how different he is to Jamie.
I appreciate Claire’s PTSD but I did feel it changed some of the scenes from the book because her PTSD colored her reactions.
While I’ve liked all the episodes, 602 ‘Allegiance’ wasn’t as good as 601 ‘Echoes’ for me. However, 603 ‘Temperance’ is a whole new level.
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.
