Wee Whisky Recap: Allegiance

A blow-by-blow and sip-by-sip journey through the latest episode of Outlander.

We’ve got no weddings and a funeral coming right at ya! Are you ready for round two, Sassenachs?! Here we go! 

Jamie the Indian Agent (sip)

“So, Bear-Killer, you will tell the king these things?”

“I’ll consider it, certainly. Hm. It’s only that . . . I canna promise it.”

“Wado. Thank you. For your honestly, at least. I hope you’ll stay the night.”

What a sight it is to see Jamie and young Ian riding up to meet with the Cherokee. The situation couldn’t be more different than it was with the Mohawk, but Ian and Jamie were very much involved in both. Both Jamie and Chief Bird are both respectful, cordial, but firm. Love the callback to Bear Killer. How many nicknames/aliases does Jamie have?! 

Cutie Title Card Alert! (SIP)

Ok, now I am a total dog person, but Adso steals my whole heart and all of my attention whenever he is on screen. Sip to Adso looking so adorably allergenic and causing a sneezing fit for Major MacDonald. Long may his dander reign!

Name a More Cringey Trio. I’ll wait… (gulp)

Tom, Malva, and Claire walk into a bar. Just kidding! Claire is checking on Tom’s wound, with Malva looking on. Of course Claire presses Tom about his other hand again. He says that it’s God’s will, so he will deal with it. Claire, being Claire, claps back swift and hard. 

“Is it God’s will that your goat should injure her leg? ‘Cause if so, then you should have left her to die instead of having me mend it. Do you think God regards you as less deserving than your goat? Now, I shouldn’t think so, given his famed regard for even the smallest of sparrows.”

To which Christie responds:

“Indeed. Then I’m sure you will be familiar with the letter from St. Paul to Timothy in which he says, ‘”Let a woman learn in silence. I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

“Well, clearly, St. Paul also met a woman he couldn’t out-argue.”

Tom is quickly learning that Claire is truly not the meek and obedient type, and, while we love her for it, we kinda wish she’d be a bit more careful. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Malva is loving every second of this exchange, and can we blame her? She has been raised to do her chores, and to be seen and not heard. Claire is causing Malva to open Pandora’s box. 

Witchy Vibes Only (sip, gulp)

“Only yesterday we were saying how remarkable it is that you’re a physician, you being a lady. Weren’t we, Allan?”

“Yes, we were. Particularly when others might accuse such a woman of witchcraft and the like.”

“Well, if I should need to sharpen my broomstick or my surgeon’s knives, Mr. Christie, I’ll come to you first.”

Girlfriend is  on a roll today! (sip) I, for one, would not be so quick to let a comment like that roll off my back if I were almost put to death for witchcraft a few decades before, but that’s just me. 

“He doesn’t take the slightest bit of interest in the subject of healing, whereas I’m eager to learn. “

“Well, if you’d like to accompany me in the morning, my daughter, Marsali, is with child, and I’m going to examine her. You might find it interesting.”

“Malva has duties to attend to at home.”

Allan comes off very possessive over Malva, it makes me wonder what these “duties” are. (gulp) 

A VERY Warm Welcome (sip)

“Ian? 

“What is it, Uncle?”

 “There is a woman in my bed.”

“There’s… two of them, Uncle. And the other one’s waiting her turn.”

“Two of them? What do they think I am? Christ!”

 “No, Uncle, they dinna think ye’re Him. They ken ye’re the king’s agent.”

Ok, I literally yelled “WHAT THE F*CK” when I saw the two women go to Jamie’s bed. I had no idea that was coming! This whole scene was gold. I think we all had as much fun as Ian did seeing Jamie so frazzled.  

Ma Needs Some Rest (gulp)

“Quiet, Germain! Or I will smack your bottom so ye’ll no’ sit ’til the sabbath.”

“Malva, would you mind taking the children outside again for a bit?” 

“Of course, Mistress Fraser. Come, children. Let your ma rest.”

Malva escaped Tom and Allan long enough to join Claire looking in on Marasli. Once Malva takes the children outside, for the sake of the baby, Claire implores Marsali to tell her what is truly going on with Fergus. This scene broke my heart. I can relate to being an overwhelmed mother, but I can’t even imagine dealing with a spouse who is partaking in substance abuse on top of it. I just wanted to go through the screen and give her a big hug. 

Haunted House (gulp)

“Dr. Rawlings” 

Yikes, yeah that scared me too, Claire. I hate seeing Claire feeling the need to escape the life she has worked so hard for.  

Match Point (sip)

“Isn’t that explosive?”

“No. White phosphorus doesn’t explode, but it does burst into flame the minute it’s exposed to air. That’s why it’s packed in water.”

(Foreshadowing, party of two, your table is ready!)

“Is that all? Jemmy’s with Lizzie, I hope.”

“Yes. I’m going to make matches.”

(Oh, Bree . . . why did you go back through the stones to find your mom? Do you remember? She’s supposed to die in a what? A fire? Yeah. A fire. So let’s make some matches!)

Like mother, like daughter! I am so glad to see Bree not let fear get in the way of who she is meant to be. Both Bree and Roger seem to be finding their feet on the ridge, and it’s very nice to see. 

A Knight and his Noble Steed (SIP)

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the absolutely stunning sight of Jamie riding onto the ridge on his horse. Just wow! 

“I missed you, Sassenach. I must have ye.”

“What? Now?”

“Aye. Did I not tell ye I’ve missed ye?”

Jamie is coming in HOT. He totally “Miranda Priestly”-ed Mrs. Bug!

Claire is totally game for what Jamie is laying down. It’s so nice to see that their spark is burning as brightly as always, especially considering what Claire is going through. Claire and Jamie lying on the floor chatting post coitus brings us back to Season one. They’ve still got it!

That’s Some Pillowtalk, Jamie (gulp)

Of course we can’t keep things fun and light for long. Because, I mean…this is Outlander, is it not? Have you learned nothing, my sweet summer child?

Wee Ian may decline your Thanksgiving invite in the future, methinks…

“I want to ask you something. But uh…every time I ask you about the future, the answer is–”

“Not to your liking? I can’t promise anything, but go ahead.”

 “In the coming war, do you remember from your books if the Cherokee side with the loyalists or the rebels?”

Jamie is in a total “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. All I can think is, thank the lord Jamie took this role and it’s not in the hands of Richard Brown. 

Major Sneeze (sip)

Jamie is doing his best to appear diplomatic, while Ian, looking on, does not get that memo. I am so here for Ian standing up for the Cherokee, and Chief Bird. After Major MacDonald’s sneezing/hissy fit, Jamie and Ian get deep into it. 

“And for those of us that have this knowledge of the future, it must inform our decisions.”

“Aye, Uncle Jamie.”

 “You have it now, too. Take heed. It can be both a blessing and a curse.”

I feel like Ian is Jamie’s conscience. This isn’t the first time he has steered him the right way when he was going off course. It’s lovely to see their relationship developing and shifting. They are both wonderful honorable men who want to do what’s best for their kin. 

“What’s a Sin-Eater?” (sip)

I don’t know about you, but, until this episode, I had never heard of a sin-eater. 

“Today we give thanks for the life of this woman. A servant of God, faithful and true. A fellow Scot that came to this colony but now stands before the Lord in Heaven.”

Roger looks like he is meant to be preaching. For the first time, he is starting to look comfortable in his life living in the past, and on the ridge. 

“Grannie.”

“Do you need to go to the privy?”

“No. Look.”

“Oh, my Lord.”

In which the dearly departed is deeply disappointed

Well, that was unexpected! What a scene! I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Wilson berating her son in law for the conditions of her funeral. It was enough comedic relief to gloss over Tom’s spouting. Although it began with a very comedic tone, we get to see a beautiful and cathartic closure. Not many people get to attend their own funeral. Mrs. Wilson sure made the most of it . 

One Little Spark (gulp)

“No, no. Stop, no. I’m not with child. I was going to say that I have a surprise. I’ve invented something.”

 “Ah.”

“Wee… wee bit of flint, is it?”

Poor Bree! Just when she was ready to be herself on the Ridge, they burst her bubble, or put out her spark more like.  Of course, Jamie and Claire would be excited to be grandparents again, but they truly seemed proud of Bree, and impressed by her invention. Lizzie and Marsali, on the other hand, were not so kind. They had no idea of how dismissive they were being of Bree, but it hurts when our closest friends don’t understand or support us. 

Bebe is Coming (gulp)

Even from the start of her labor, Marsali can tell that something is wrong and different than her past births.

“What is it, Sassenach?“

“Could be anything. Things I’m completely unprepared to deal with here. Now, I could perform a Caesarian to save the baby, but-”

“-But not Marsali.”

Claire is trying everything she can to move the baby along, including inserting seaweed into Marsali’s cervix. I can’t help but wonder if I could have avoided my first C-section if they had tried this on me instead of the “Foley balloon” at the hospital.  

Be a Man (sip)

“You’ll never forgive yourself if you’re not with Marsali on this blessed day.”

“No. No. Leave me alone, yeah? It’s too late.”

“Bloody hell, Fergus. Your wife is in harm’s way. I don’t know what it is that has you in this state, but it doesn’t matter. Marsali needs you now. 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. And maybe when you see her, you won’t have to.”

Roger Mackenzie, everyone!! This was one of my favorite scenes in this episode. Roger has come such a long way from when he and Bree first met. He will be damned if Fergus makes the same mistake he made, and is not there for the birth of his child. 

Therapy Cat (gulp)

As adorable as it is seeing Adso cuddling Marsali while she is in labor (can we make labor therapy animals a thing?), this scene is hard to watch.  

“I think… it would be as well that I write to my mother.” 

“Marsali. You’re going to be all right.”

“Mm-hmm.” 

And I will do everything in my power to make that so.”

Both of my births were terrifying at times, and those were in a hospital with modern medicine. I can’t imagine how scary it would have been to give birth in the 18th century, especially with the knowledge that many women die in the process or in the first few days postpartum.

C’est ça L’amour (sip)

“Mon amour, I’m here now. How are you?”

“Better now. The baby needs to come quickly. Help me, mon cher.”

“I’m here for you.”

Here is the Fergus we all know and love. It’s amazing to see the relief on Marsali’s face as soon as she sees that he is truly there for her. This scene was so many things. It was loving, tender, raw, and most of all, it was truly intimate. Someone give the Intimacy Coordinator hired this season a raise!

My Sock Drawer Needs Organizing (sip)

While overhearing Fergus and Marsali, shall we say, try to get the baby out the way it went in, both Jamie and Bree were like, “I gotta go!” Meanwhile Malva takes it all in, and starts finding more things in that Pandora’s box. 

“At first, I thought she was in pain. But some women… like it?”

“They do. “

“Sinners, you mean? Whores?” 

“No.”

Can you see those wheels turning in Malva’s head? 

Bebe is Here (sip, gulp, sip)

“Papa”  

This scene made me cry, what a roller coaster of emotion. The happiness on Jamie’s face being a proud father of Fergus, to Fergus and Marsali basking in the joy of their new bairn.  

Alas, this moment of serene joy is fleeting. 

“Il est un nain.”

As soon as Fergus realizes that the baby is a dwarf, he went straight back into the darkness.  

I think this is for two reasons. One, he feels like he is responsible for the baby being different because of Marsali being attacked by the Browns. Two, he knows what it’s like to be different and feel like he doesn’t belong. I believe he fears this for his child as well. 

“Oh, he’s beautiful.”

The happy tears are back again. Marsali has nothing but pure unconditional love for her newest bairn. 

Edison Didn’t Have a Womb (sip)

“Works like a charm.”

“Pointless. Nobody cares.”

“Oh, come now. What if Edison has said that?”

“Edison was a man. Apparently the only worthwhile thing I can do is get pregnant.”

“Is that really what’s bothering ye? Or is it that we’ve been trying for a while now?”

Every woman can relate to this scene. Even in 2022, we are always being judged in some aspect, whether it be choosing not to have children, only having one child, or having “too many.” I am so proud of Bree for not letting it get to her and seeing the bigger picture. It may just not be the right time. That’s ok for her and Roger, and it should be ok for everyone else as well. 

“How did you do that? It’s a miracle.”

“It’s not a miracle, lad. It’s science. My wife made it. She’s a genius.”

Aidan comes to Bree and Roger’s cabin because he is cold and lost. Roger uses this as an opportunity to cheer both the lad and his wife up. So far this season feels like Roger’s redemption tour for Season four, and I am more than ok with that. 

A Chief and A Chieftain (gulp)

“Chief Bird. You’re most welcome.”

“I’m glad of it. Seeing as we gave you a warm welcome in our village.”

A warm welcome is an understatement, Chief Bird. The Cherokee are running out of patience, and it feels like the relations won’t stay cordial for much longer, unless Jamie changes his mind on trying to secure them weapons. 

“You told me that my knowledge of what’s to come must inform my choices.”

“Aye. So?”

“Then that’s my reasoning. Brianna told me of the injustices the Indians will face. If that is their fate, then they deserve every chance to protect themselves. And if you willna help them, then I will.”

Again, Ian is being Jamie’s little Jiminy Cricket. (I think that’s my third Disney reference in this post, good on you if you caught the other two).  Seeing Ian so determined and strong in his convictions is delightful to see.

He’s Got the Whole World on His Shoulders (sip, gulp)

“Should we start calling you Atlas? You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

“Hm. Heaven and Earth and everything in between.”

I love a good Bree and Jamie scene! It’s really wonderful to see how their relationship has grown closer in just the few years she has been there. Our favorite ginger duo is in a deep conversation about the problems of the world, when Tom Christie and his church construction comes up. Jamie informs Bree that he worries a Church in Tom’s hands could be a weapon of war, just as the guns and bullets he has been contemplating. 

King of the Ridge (sip)

“Thought ye were intending on building a cabin here. I didna say anything before, out of respect for Mistress Wilson, but–”

“As I told your son-in-law, a man must build a house for God before he builds one for himself.”

“We’ve come a long way since Ardsmuir, Tom. Aye. That place was enough to make any man lose faith, but…I’m glad to see you’ve kept God first. But…well…you willna have forgotten your Freemason’s vow, will ye?”

“Uh…no.”

“No. Then let this be a meeting house. Neither Protestant nor Catholic. A place where every man, woman, and child may enter freely, with God in their hearts. Every man, woman, and child. Aye. ( tense music plays ) My wife too, Tom. And if I hear of anyone accusing her of witchcraft again…”

“I suppose you’ll have me bring down the steeple, then.”

“No. It’s a bonnie sight. It should have a bell. One that calls all to worship, or to their lessons. As I said…a meeting place. Some windowpanes wouldna go amiss either. Always good to have windowpanes on a meeting house.”

I couldn’t help but to include this whole section of dialog, it is just too good. Jamie reiterates that Fraser’s Ridge is his settlement, his kingdom. If Tom would like to be allowed to stay, he needs to eat some humble pie. Perhaps Mrs. Bug can bake him one. Jamie is a Taurus, like your’s truly. If you mess with anyone a Taurus loves, good luck to you. We are fiercely loyal and protective. Do not mess with Claire, Tom, because that bull has some sharp horns. 

No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk (gulp, sip)

“I want milk.”

“Come to a land of milk and honey,”’ eh? What do I have? Nothing! It’s because you’re spending too much time with Mistress Fraser! You have the same…dark soul as your mother!”

I know nothing about Malva’s mother, but something tells me her soul was no darker than Tom’s is. What a juxtaposition of the father/daughter relationships between Jamie and Bree vs. Tom and Malva. The one sip-worthy moment of this scene was that look Malva gave her father when he couldn’t whip her. Although something tells me that look is just a glimpse of what Malva is about to bring to the Ridge.

Daddy Ian (sip)

“His name is Henri-Christian. What was that you said?”

“A sort of blessin’. You call upon the wind to welcome him, the sky to give him shelter, and the water and the earth to yield him food. I had a child.”

That blessing was beautiful. Seeing Ian holding wee Henri is bittersweet, once we find out he had a child of his own. Jamie overhears this and realizes why his connection to the Cherokee and Mohawk is so strong.  

A Godsend (gulp)

“My hand is worse. It’s, uh– it’s preventing me from…writing. And-and I have considered the matter and prayed upon it, and I understand now that God brought you to me for a reason. I will undergo your…operation.”

“Well, who am I to stand in the way of the Almighty’s plans?”

Does anyone actually believe that he wants to get the operation because it’s preventing him from writing?! He wants his good whipping hand back. Ugh. 

Pledge of Allegiance (sip)

“I may have cause to regret it, but…if Governor Martin sees fit, the Cherokee will have their guns, to do with them as they please. I’ll give the letter to Major MacDonald before he leaves.”

“What made you change your mind? “

“Ian. He, uh…he had a child with his Mohawk wife.”

“He what?”

“He told Marsali. Dinna say more about it. He fights for them because…they are his family. His allegiance is to them. And my allegiance is to him.”

Caitriona and Sam were so wonderful in this scene. Their eyes were both glossy with emotion over Ian’s child. Jamie is doing the right thing, thanks to Ian, and their loyalties. 

“Come what may.”

I loved this episode. It seemed to flow better than 601. Even though it was packed full, it felt like the scenes had more time to breathe than in the previous one. I laughed, I cried, I yelled, I cheered. What more could I want in an Outlander episode, besides, well, more! 

I rate Episode 602 4.9 drams

Slàinte Sips: 19

Grim Gulps: 13

My drink of choice for this episode I am calling, “The Lucky Scot.” It’s equal parts Baileys (it’s St. Patrick’s day week, after all) and Dewars White Label Whisky over ice. 

Until next week, Sassenachs! 

Slàinte!

Sweetest sips? Deepest gulps? What was your favorite moment from Episode 2, Allegiance?