Minute-by-Minute Recap: Outlander Season 3 Episode 4

Want a minute-by-minute recap of Outlander Season 3 episode 4, “Of Lost Things?” We give all the details….

Do you find yourself gabbing obsessively about Outlander to your friends and family? Wishing your Sunday nights included a living room full of people with whom to watch, discuss, comment, cheers, jeers and well, experience alllllll the feels? Dinna fash, Obsessenach—you are not alone.

Good news—we can get new family and friends pour ourselves a dram and, through the magic of technology, enjoy it together! As we brought to you during Season 2, we’ll be LIVE blogging all the episodes in Season 3. Like the Outlander Cast podcast, it will be SPOILER FREE for non-book readers.

Not into distractions during your visit to the World of Outlander? That’s okay! Our LIVE blogs double as episodic recaps to serve as a trusty viewing companion on your second, third and umpteenth re-watches (hey, we get it).

So get all your post-18th Century gadgets ready and settle in, because the best things in life should be shared with a buddy. Hi, buddy.

Now let the show begin…

[8:00 p.m.] We are now venturing into the glorious AF phase of Voyager, as in “after Frank.” And I am happy AF about that. Inching that_much_closer to this blessed reunion.

[8:03 p.m.] In my excitement at having new Outlander to gawk at, I’ve neglected to dissect the weekly title card riddles, though today’s feels like a gimme in my revival effort. Jamie’s carving a snake out of wood, not unlike the one gifted to him by his beloved, deceased brother, Willie. WILLIE. See what they dd there?

[8:04 p.m.] I’m relieved we have jumped ahead of where we left off in “Dragonfly in Amber” so we don’t have to relive angst-ridden bitter “my mom’s a bitch” Bree again. *bites tongue, hoping I haven’t spoken too soon*

[8:05 p.m.] Wow, so much history! I wonder how long it’ll take them to sort through… “I found him!” Well, that was quick.

[8:06 p.m.] “It’s never too early for a whisky.” — Roger, speaking my language and picking up the alcohol life mottos baton from Dr. Joe’s mantra about martinis last week. These people get me.

[8:07 p.m.] Humidity seems to have gotten the best of Jamie’s gorgeous prison locks. He looks in dire need of a deep conditioning treatment.

[8:08 p.m.] “The pain of losing a child never leaves you… I’ve lost two children myself, my Lord.” And with that, I foresee the cry count in this episode might be high compliments – again – of Sam Heughan.

[8:09 p.m.] If Jamie is the King of Men, then bumbling, bearded Roger attempting to flirt is Every Man. It’s too precious for words.

[8:10 p.m.] Oh yayyy, Jamie survived a few battlefields, certain-wait-not-so-certain death, prison, the loss of his love and everything in between so he can now deal with a privileged, prima donna — quite possibly, his toughest challenge yet.

[8:11 p.m.] “I only come down to look at the horses, admire their beauty.” Um, me thinks she might not be referring to the horse.

[8:12 p.m.] For a glorious creature, a cage is still a cage. Amen, sister. Too right. That double meaning rings all too familiar for our broken hero.

[8:13 p.m.] I guess the ‘ol “I’m tracking down my husband from the 18^th century” excuse to call out of work might not work 100%, right? Asking for a friend.

[8:14 p.m.] Because I’m a book reader, that ominous look Geneva just gave him — Ick. A tad too Twilight imprinting for my liking.

[8:16 p.m] This Geneva gal just pulled ahead of the squeaky Boston neighbor in the race of Season 3’s most annoying character. And yet, we are only in Episode 4 and book readers know the desperate and grating who shall not be named has yet to make an appearance, so….

[8:18 p.m.] Jamie, might I recommend a pile of poo over mud next time?

[8:19 p.m.] Is this encounter making everyone feeling awkward or is it just me? “If it were up to me, I’d never have let such a man go… but then I’m not my brother.” Nope, I’m certain it’s all of us.

[8:20 p.m.] “Shoveling shit, my lady.” I love unfiltered Jamie. He matches my stride.

[8:22 p.m.] This is a rather disturbing game of Would You Rather — the rats as a bedfellow or this conniving virgin? Please pick the rats. Please pick the rats. Please pick the rats.

[8:24 p.m.] “Having brought me to your bed by means of threats against my family, I’ll not have you call me by the name they gave me.” I cannot remember if this was a direct quote from the book or not, but the dialogue in this episode is incredibly sharp!

[8:26 p.m.] I’m all for a clothing-optional Jamie, but this disrobing scene leaves me sad as it’s in such stark contrast to the playful, seductive newness of Jamie and Claire from “The Wedding.”

[8:30 p.m.] You guys, I failed you on the minute by minute, but I just couldn’t seem to type over my jaw agape and dangling onto the keyboard at the paralleling role reversal at play here. I will add that, as this has always been one of the more hotly contested and controversial scenes of Voyager (or the series), I’m relieved Ron D. Moore and team heeded our collective and very audible wishes for the “Wait… Stop.” dialogue to be a purposeful omission from this scene. Wise choice. Verra wise indeed.

[8:31 p.m.] True love versus lust, defined with such sensitivity and sincerity… you’re killing me, Smalls Jamie.

[8:33 p.m.] I don’t think it’s a coincidence the return of the Scottish pearls moment follows that last scene. Well played, Ron… also, ouch. Side note – Claire’s makeup here? I smell a Minute with Mary coming our way!

[8:34 p.m.] That was unexpected? Eh, I’d say adorable. Squishy adorable! Like puppies and babies fighting over a soft blanket in a diaper commercial adorable.

[8:35 p.m.] Sister Isobel wins the prize for spewing the most helpful information in a crisis using a single breath. The first known 911 dispatcher call.

[8:36 p.m.] Am I the only one who finds it odd that the groomsman is asking so many personal questions?

[8:38 p.m] The bond of sisters is one like no other, with a vault of shared secrets also like no other. Gushing about your first time would be no different, so it’s not a shock that what happened between the sheets didn’t stay between the sheets, especially if you have a sister as calm and accepting as Isobel at your side.

[8:39 p.m.] At last, Jamie gets to hold one of his bairns, annnndd I’ve kicked off my weekly quota of ugly girl sniffling (it’s a precursor to full-on ugly girl crying).

[8:41 p.m.] And he’s fawning over his wee, brawny lad in the pram. We’ve shifted quickly to the next stage of ugly girl emotion.

[8:44 p.m.] There is something immeasurable about the gift of free will, which Jamie finally just received after tackling the consequences of so many choices out of his control. I exhaled with him in relief, then breathed in emotionally at how this choice underscores just how far we’ve seen Jamie evolve as a man from his last turn as a groomsman.

[8:45 p.m.] “We joke sometimes that he spends so much time with MacKenzie that he’s starting to look like him.” Your lips to God’s ears, fancy lady. Though I don’t quite see the resemblance, this kid is too cute to care.

[8:46 p.m.] Wishing this archives scene came with a scratch-and-sniff experience. What can I say, I’m a sucker for the smell of old, dusty books.

[8:48 p.m.] Um, yeaaaah, that dearly departed toast wasn’t about you, Frank. Just so we’re clear. But Claire is giving up so soon! One setback and she’s out? That’s not the Claire we know. I’m blaming that on the fast-paced timing required to cover this book in 13 episodes.

[8:49 p.m.] Paling around with precocious, pint-size kids whose apple cheeks are ripe for the nibbling is one of my most favorite looks on Jamie.

[8:50 p.m.] Someone’s going to need to translate the Gaelic on this for me, though no matter the words, the outcome will stay the same — snotty whimpering.

[8:52 p.m.] “Wha…. Dear God” — my sentiments exactly at this exchange, LJG. Also, Jamie’s body should get its own supporting actor credit in this episode as it’s served as one hell of a bargaining tool.

[8:54 p.m.] David Berry is dynamite in the integral role of Lord John Grey. Fabulous casting yet again! We noted this last episode, but it bears repeating every time he’s on screen.

[8:55 p.m.] Willie pleading to stay with Jamie for a bit, just a bit, makes me wonder if there will ever exist a person who comes in Jamie’s presence that won’t wish to spend any every extra minute possible with him?

[8:56 p.m.] “…or she will find you.” Yes, way back when. But also, here’s looking at you, PRINT SHOP. He doesn’t know it yet, but lord we do and the anticipation is KILLING ME.

[8:58 p.m.] Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” in this moment?!? DEAR GOD, GUT ME. Permanently. And because I imagine you’ll want to know too, this beautiful cover of it is by Walk Off The Earth. And yes, you can purchase it on iTunes because I just did. Thank you, Shazam. (Update! You can also stream it through Spotify.)

[9:02 p.m.] A well-executed montage set to powerful music is my Kryptonite, and thus, I exercised restraint in breaking in with my nonsensical babbling. Well that, and it’s also quite the challenge to type whilst simultaneously draining the rest of your wine in one hand and fumbling snotty tissues in another. This final sequence will be one that I watch many times over tonight, and every day that follows. Because of Claire’s decision to re-heed Mrs. Graham’s sound advice to not live her life chasing a ghost. Because of Jamie’s selfless decision to leave his son to be raised by another man to spare him the repercussions of that day and age. Because of Willie running after his “Mac.” Because of Isobel and Lord John Grey comforting and cradling him as their own because it’s all they will have left of those they love the most in this world — a sister gone too soon and a friend who understands the true you like no other. Because of all the adult choices we will all ever have to make in this life that may or may not be ones we want to make, but ones we know we have to make. Because of lost things. Because of Bob Dylan. And mostly, because of this season as a whole, which is making me fall hopelessly in love with this show all over again, and this emotional love note at the end only sealed it.

Thank you, friends, as always for joining me. My husband thanks you too, as I’ve found an appropriate place for my episodic outbursts. If you’ve missed any of our episode recaps, you can catch up with them here:

Episode 3.01: “The Battle Joined“

Episode 3.02: “Surrender“

Episode 3.03: “All Debts Paid“

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Coral

· Reply

October 1, 2017 at 10:58 PM

On this episode in the recap it shows Claire telling Brianna about Jamie and Brianna meeting Roger for the first time. When did that happen on the show? I feel like I missed an episode but I didn’t.

Ashley Crawley
· Reply

October 1, 2017 at 11:06 PM

Coral, it’s actually from “Dragonfly In Amber” — the Season 2 finale where we met Roger and Bree for the first time.
Evie
· Reply

October 10, 2017 at 3:23 PM

I feel like a whole episode is missing too. When they travel to Scotland and Claire tells Bree about Jamie. What happened to that? It was a really good part of the book. I feel like they had it filmed but didn’t show this. It was confusing that it was skipped entirely.
- Unique
  · Reply
  
  June 26, 2022 at 12:16 AM
  
  It was written differently in the season 2 finale.

Karen

October 2, 2017 at 7:53 AM

Well done! What we do for our children. ??????

Ashley Crawley
· Reply

Author

October 2, 2017 at 10:41 AM

Thanks, Karen! Too right.

Dawn

October 2, 2017 at 1:55 PM

Hi Ashley,

Great witty and wonderful play by play yet again!

Here I am again with some thoughts and insights on this episode.

Nikki, I have to say you were right on the money last week when you said we had some really nasty stuff to endure before all of the good stuff happens (perhaps Claire and Jamie?)

I really liked the first three episodes so much for so many reasons. But it’s a mixed bag this week.

THUMBS DOWN for the subject of rape. Again. Well, I’m calling what happened between Hellwater’s Lady-Slut and Jamie a rape. I hope that’s not too Benson and Stabler of me to say that but a woman who blackmails and coerces a man to have sex is definitely a rape.

Her blackmail was so much like Black Jack Randall it was sickening.

In both cases Jamie had no choice: His livelihood was on the line.

I think they tried to soft petal it a little by having Jamie finally be the experienced one with sex, but it was still awful.

She was so manipulative and spoiled of a character it was like watching Willy Wonka’s Verucca Salt as a grown up! (eye roll)

And the whole pregnancy afterward was like a bad soap opera.

At least the sex scene between Jamie and Mary McNabb was lovely (and consentual)

Now for the good stuff: I LOVED the beautiful quiet moments that happened in the show.

I cried when Bree called Claire “Momma.” Claire’s tearing up after saying “You haven’t called me that in years.” It was so sweet.

It was like a estranged mother and daughter building a bridge.

Fiona giving back Claire’s pearls that she gave to Mrs. Graham. Given how very close Claire and Mrs. Graham were, of course she would have given the pearls Jamie had given her to the woman.

Who else would have appreciated it?

Fiona quietly just gave them back to Claire.

So moving!

Jamie. God, Sam has such a quiet strength in acting it was amazing. Given the choice between the freedom he so desperately wants and his child–the only child he has after loosing Faith and Bree–he chooses his son.

There’s a real man for you.

Jamie with the baby and little Willie! Awww! I just melt when Jamie is with little ones. God, who needs oysters? Ha ha.

I just loved the carving of the snake as Jamie’s brother Willie had done for him in his childhood. So sweet.

I just teared up when Willie did not want his “Mac” to leave him.

And speaking of actors who really knocked me out–the character of John Grey. Love him!

In just these two episodes, he’s a showstopper.

On the surface there are a lot of parallels between Grey and Black Jack Randall, I was shocked into it when Lord Welton (Grey’s brother) called him “Johnny,” reminding me of Alex Randall calling BJR that.

But, apart from being redcoats and Jamie’s jailer, Grey and BJR are not alike at all!

BJR was a sick rapist, a sadist, while Grey is a caring man, a soldier, and his relationship with Jamie is as much about friendship and a man he truly respects.

When Jamie offered to give himself to Grey in exchange in Grey taking care of his son, I think Jamie expected him to react as BJR would, expecting to have that same horrific experience of rape.

It was his reasoning in why he submitted to BJR, to help someone else, and he expected that here. It must have killed him to even offer.

But Grey was shocked, while he said he’d always love Jaime, he wasn’t going to do that. Grey would take care of little Willie in any case because of their friendship.

His own gratification wasn’t as important as honor.

Grey was also going to marry Lady-Slut’s sister. I thought that was very sweet of him to say that he was very fond of her, even with him being gay.

Does anyone here watch Buffy? Well, Joss Wheaton often said that he often wrote for the character of Buffy to be in emotional pain a lot because the character was so strong physically.

I think it’s the same thing with Jamie in Outlander.

Thanks for the ramble!

suzanne pogany

October 3, 2017 at 3:52 AM

Loved your review Ashley,and also so loved this episode,G&J scene was handled so tastefully,love DB’s Lord John,he is making him so sweet,Sam did an excellent job every time,just as I saw him with Willie in my minds eye,couldn’t come at that C gave away the pearls, unreal C would never do that,bit bitty in the 1960’s time frame & slow,but I’m not the one who can adapt a book LOL,so looking forward to the rest of OL!??

Nancy100

October 3, 2017 at 6:33 PM

Was anyone bothered by the dark smudges on Jamie’s face, especially as he was riding away from Helwater? I know it’s a small thing but it was really distracting for me. Like he needed a wet washcloth. Was it a makeup failure?