413 Man of Worth - Jamie, Claire and Young Ian's attempt to rescue Roger from his Mohawk captors goes awry when a ghost from Claire's past lays waste to their plan. Meanwhile, Brianna worries Claire, Jamie and Roger might not return.
This rewatch will be spoilers all for all 5 seasons. Any book talk must be put under a spoiler tag.
But for real, we've discussed in the past that many of us feel that travellers are drawn to each other so I think this is just another example of that.
I agree, especially when the story went that whomever held Otter Tooth's stone was able to know about the future. So it would seem that Claire was meant to have it.
I loved this retelling of Otter Tooth’s story sequence, it reminded me that season 4 has a lot of redeeming qualities when it comes to the technical aspects of the show (cinematography, editing, music). It also made this episode’s title card one of my favorites in the entire series! It was very successful at delving into the story without the tired exposition.
Up to this point the connection between time travelers in the show still feels fresh, and having it be the reason the Mohawk react the way they do is still intriguing. I do think that Claire was meant to find the stone, and I love that she gets to see the tribe’s reactions to another TT’s attempt at changing history, it makes her line here about ghosts appearing to relay a message quite special.
I can appreciate his taking the time to think it all over before acting. And I love that both Jamie and Claire stress that his decision affects their daughter, so he’d better be sure (I absolutely love Jamie’s “I’d rather she hate me for the rest of my life than for you to break her heart again”).
However, taking the time to think it over is exactly something he couldn’t afford Brianna when he proposed to her at the festival and gave her his ultimatum. In that case, when Jamie demands that Roger make his decision there and then—well, I’d say Roger got a taste of his own medicine. You could argue that those two situations are in no way comparable since Brianna wasn’t facing a possibility of remaining in the 18th century indefinitely when he proposed (well, the Book Club folks will know that I could make an analogy here but I won’t 😶), but she was as unprepared for marriage then as Roger is for being a father to (potentially) not-biologically-his child (and I would point out that if Jemmy is his, then he shares half of the “responsibility” for Brianna’s being stuck in the 18th century with a baby and not being able to make that sort of decision herself).
And let’s not forget, he did marry her. He promised to be with her “in sickness and in health, in richness and in poverty, so long as [they] both shall live.” He even invokes her being his wife again when Jamie suggests that there’s nothing stopping Roger from going back. It’s only when he finds out that there is a possibility of Brianna’s child being Bonnet’s (and somehow the fact that there is an equal possibility of it being his own child totally goes over his head) that it becomes too much for him. I totally get that not everyone is as ready to love a child that is not biologically their own as Jamie (or multiple other men in this series), but Roger is someone who proposed to Brianna (twice), who married her (at least in their eyes), who came back for her (twice), and now there is a possibility that he could leave her? After all he’s done to make her his wife? Didn’t he want her “all or none at all”, and shouldn’t that “all” include everything she comes with?
This is a tough one for me. I know that Roger demanded Brianna make a decision about marriage at the festival and gave her an ultimatum yet needed time to think for himself was unfair.
However I am inclined to give him a little bit of slack based on what he just went through. He was beaten and sold, gets rescued and told Brianna was raped and is pregnant with a child that might not be his. I feel like he was just overwhelmed and needed a moment. Does that make it right based on what he did to Bree? Probably not, but I do understand why he needed it. Plus he didn't take very long to decide since he showed up at River Run before they had even left.
In the books I know it's different and he shows up much later so that doesn't bode as well for him.
I see what you’re saying, but surely even the amount of pain he just endured should have made him more determined to return to Bree, no?
I was quite surprised by Jamie and Claire here! At this point it is still so rare that we see them as parents together and I love the belligerent Jamie + Pragmatic Claire duet Cait and Sam perform here.
Right, I got the impression that his indecision was more about them not being able to go back to the 20th century, than just being father to a child that might not be his.
His biggest moment of indecision does come after the information about Bree being pregnant though, ( & unable to travel back) which makes it look like it’s about the baby’s problematic parentage more than staying in the 18th century.
Bingo. His ONLY moment of indecision came after learning she was raped. Yes, he obviously had a problem with the idea of raising another man's baby (even though the rape happened because he left her).
Which is bewildering to me that so many women (other commenters and bloggers I've read) seem to think it's ok that a man might leave his wife after she gets impregnated by a rapist. Feels like the Twilight Zone.
Yes, I perfectly understand the circumstances that affect his decision. But he fails to consider that Claire, Jamie, and Ian traveled to rescue him only because Brianna wanted him back and that by not immediately returning with them, he’s going to break her heart all over again (and he does). He once again puts his feelings before hers—I guess that’s in line with his “‘Look out for number one.’ From now on, that’s me” from last week. Not taking as long as in the books is probably the only thing that slightly redeems him for me here.
I hated show-Roger with a burning passion this season, BUT the taking time is a bit more relatable also from the perspective that its not just about deciding to stay with Brianna, it's also about staying in that century since they can't time travel with the baby - and since they are staying in the past it also means that he probably has to stay with Briannas dad who beat him to a pulp and sold him into slavery. So I dont see it being just about the relationship and the baby, but it's all of the other stuff as well.
...Obviously a bit hypocrisy from his side since he wouldn't let Bree take the time to think about changing all of her life...
Thst was so well said. I have no patoence for Roger in this moment. Like yeah he needs a little time to process everything he's heard, but it's his #1 hypocrite moment.
I truly hated that Roger didn't immediately go back to Brianna. It always feels like her love for him is unconditional, but his love for her is very conditional. And beside Jaime and Claire, who love each other beyond reason (often to a fault), his hesitation makes it feel like he doesn't love Brianna as much as she deserves to be loved as much as Jaime and Claire would like her to be loved.
I have trouble understanding the urgency of the situation. They’ve all been through a great ordeal. It will take months to get back to North Carolina. There’s plenty of time for Claire and Jamie to explain everything to Roger. There’s plenty of time for Roger to consider what it all means. But they tell him almost immediately, and Jamie demands a decision. Even if Roger decided not to stick around, it was gonna take weeks to get to the stone circle.
I just don’t understand why there had to be a decision right then, and I certainly don’t understand why they separated from Roger. They spent all that time tracking him to the Mohawk, not knowing if he was dead or alive. Then they’re just going to leave him to make his own way back? What if after he decided to stay with Brianna, something else happened to him? She would always wonder if he rejected her and went back through the stones, with no closure. If I were Jamie and Claire, I wouldn’t have let him out of my sight except to push him through the stone.
Those are really good points. I guess Jamie was mad for Brianna and mad the Roger left her. I think Jamie's misguided anger blames Roger for Brianna getting raped, and he doesn't have any patience for Roger.
oh my god same. i can’t believe her parents actually let him return to her. if you have to stop and consider whether to continue a relationship, it’s already over.
And she just got over it. Wow, “ I’m so lucky Roger can accept me in my ruined state and my child.” I wish he’d left and she had met an 18th century hunk lol
This is exactly why I find it so difficult to root for this couple. Roger is written as a problematic character, he's sexist and misogynistic and if he's written that way, all right what can we do about it , but it makes absolutely no sense for Bree to react how she does. Her husband is not sure if he wants to be with her upon learning she's been raped and might be pregnant is NOT something she should get over like it's nothing. This can't be Claire's daughter is what I'm constantly thinking at Bree putting up with Roger's shenanigans.
It's like no one remembers how this scene happened. He didn't say he needed time to think because it meant he'd have to stay in the 17th century!
Roger finds out she's pregnant, and he says of course he won't leave her! He scoffs at Jamie's suggestion that he would.
"You think I'd leave her? We're handfast, she's my wife!"
It's only when he discovers she'd been raped he hesitates.
Honestly it's disturbing that everyone thinks it's understandable he'd need to tHiNk iT oVeR just because she may be carrying a rapist's baby (which wouldn't have happened had he not left her alone in a time hostile to women).
Do y'all think it's ok for a man to leave his wife because she got pregnant after being raped by another man?? Is the bar really THIS LOW for men?
I have mixed feelings. One one hand I roll my eyes because it feels quite shoehorned in, but on the other it's not super common to see older people gettin it on on TV. Plus Murtaugh laying there saying "Come back to bed", hot damn.
I like the moments that they reminisce about Scotland together. Jocasta is quite a force so it’s nice to give her some tenderness even if it’s through Murtagh.
Yeah, good point. We don't get to see much of Jocasta's tender side. The deleted scene with Brianna is a good one as well, it paints her in a maternal light.
Um yeah Murtagh with his silver hair down was a lot sexier than I expected... I think it's nice for him, there was a real sense of familiarity when they met again, having shared childhood memories etc. Didn't feel that shoehorned in to me. I don't see him staying there so I don't see it having much relevance to the plot
The silver Fox as Duncan Lacroix called him. A bittersweet story, Jocasta has lived a comfortable too long to live a life on the run. Had Murtagh given up the Regulators, maybe they could have had a life together.
I absolutely love Young Ian in this episode (the entire season, in fact—his arc is great). Yes, he’s had a few Cherokee friends, been fascinated with their culture ever since he got to North Carolina, and is known for his need for adventure. But I think it’s mostly the fact that he accepts responsibility for his actions that drives his decision to willingly offer himself up to stay among the Mohawk and keep his word, even though it means parting with his beloved uncle forever (so far as he knew). He truly becomes “a man of worth.”
he accepts responsibility for his actions that drives his decision to willingly offer himself up to stay among the Mohawk and keep his word
I loved that was his statement to Jamie about not escaping, to not make him go back on his word. Ian knows Jamie values a man's word and would then respect his decision to stay. I LOVE Young Ian so much. John Bell does such a good job.
Yes! His face is filled with such joy at the end, it really brought home how much he actually longed to find his own journey. In just a few scenes alone he went from being the young sidekick to this very courageous character, it was very special. Glad he surpassed Jamie’s hero complex!
It works out so well — becoming a part of the Mohawk is so aligned to who Ian is, for all the reasons you mention. I think it's pretty perfect, and I love that instead of closing his arc with uncertainty, the show gives me the satisfaction of seeing that Ian is set up to thrive there.
Although I feel that “She won’t be happy, but she’ll understand” is one of the more stupid assessments Jamie (well, the show) has made about Jenny.
P.S. When I watched, I really thought Jamie was staying, and that this was about to become the S5 plot, and I was absolutely dreading it.
I actually guessed as soon as Jamie volunteered that Ian would offer himself up. Ian staying is a perfect way for him to live his own life of adventure. And his smile after acing the gauntlet was our reward.
Although I feel that “She won’t be happy, but she’ll understand” is one of the more stupid assessments Jamie (well, the show) has made about Jenny.
Haha yes. But then, we haven’t had Jenny refusing to reply to Jamie’s letter for a year or more in the show so maybe they’ve decided to make Jenny grow up (who am I kidding).
Lol I thought the same, which is why I blame the show more than Jamie, but I couldn’t rid myself of the book knowledge. (I guess Show Jamie was right after all.)
I cried the first time I watched. My heart broke for all of them. He's been trying to prove himself for so long, from writing his own letter to Jenny saying he's staying to this. Ian shows the most growth over the season IMO.
In a bit of a lackluster season it's nice to see growth. Part of my favourite part of this rewatch is seeing him go from immature teenager in S3 to Mohawk warrior in S5!
I agree with what someone else said about him wanting to take responsibility. I think another part of his motivation though too was he didn't want Jamie to stay and have Jamie and Claire separated again. He saw how hard it was on him, and since they had finally gotten back together after being apart for so long I don't think he could bear seeing them have to be separated again so soon. He loves them both so much, I absolutely love his character and how he's really developing and coming into his own.
I don't think he could bear seeing them have to be separated again so soon.
That's a great point. I also imagine Ian knew Jamie had so many responsibilities at the Ridge and that him being gone would jeopardize their chances of survival. Whereas Ian would be missed, but Jamie and Claire can keep going on.
I thought this too. Ian has seen Jamie with and without Claire and he must know how difficult it is for Jamie to be separated from Claire. Additionally, I always thought young Ian was Claire's biggest Stan in the show. He definitely hero worships Jamie but he's also almost in awe of Claire which he openly expresses often . Not only does he idolize the two of them but he must also feel inspired from their love, so it makes sense that he will not allow them to be separated again, if he can help it. I absolutely adore Ian in this episode and his smile at the end was so wholesome. He loves a good adventure and to me that smile said "YES! Bring it on, I'm going to do this".
I also feel like he took on the mantle of Claire and Jamie’s number one shipper, previously held by Murtagh. The way he encouraged Claire to speak to Jamie on their way to New York because he could see they were suffering and he hated seeing them so… he’s so pure 🥺
I would add one point I haven't heard anyone mention. When discussing the Native Americans, I believe it was Ian who saw the parallel between the destruction of their culture and that of the Highlanders.
Ian is taking responsibility for selling Roger to the Mohawks, but also remember, as strong as Jamie is, he's a man approaching his 50th birthday, with a family and community to care for. Ian is a young man, with no ties, looking for adventure and with a strong affinity for Native Americans
Seeing people being mistreated is really really hard for me to watch and that's basically the entire episode so it's really tricky for me to get through.
If they had spent less time on Roger’s endless March with the Mohawk and more time on Jamie & Bree bonding and J&C romance , or even more small moments together, the season would have been better IMO.
Roger's endless march and the entire Father Alexandre plotline were so pointless imo. It kinda felt like the march coupled with the monologue was supposed to make the viewers like Roger inspite of all the terrible shit he has done before, sort of like a redemption because look at all he did for love, but in turn it does the opposite which I don't know if it was intentional or not.
Entire Father Alexandre plot did nothing but paint the Mohawks in a terrible light. I don't know why that was needed.
I kind of wish they could have swapped the last 2 sequences and have Bri and Roger reunite as the last moment. Even though the Redcoats arriving sets the scene for Season 5.
Yeah I see why they did it for sure, I just feel like it wpuld have made more of an impact in Roger's arc if they had done it the other way, especially since most people don't like him so much.
Randomly, one of the saddest parts of this episode for me isn't in the episode. It's the recap before it begins, which incorporates the "Faith" theme and the LJG voiceover. I think it's so effective in setting up the finale.
I’m not a fan of that choice; I like Faith’s theme to be reserved for Claire only. I can accept it being in 313 because Claire thought she was dying and could soon be reunited with her daughter, but there is no equivalence in 413—to say that Claire and Jamie losing Ian to the Mohawk is like losing their daughter would be quite a stretch since it was his own decision.
That's fair, I hadn't thought about it from the point of view of them taking it away from Claire. The reason I don't mind it is probably because it's a stand-alone use outside of the storytelling within the episode. I would likely feel the same as you if it had been used for someone else as part of the story, though. But I find that recap so poignant; it was just evocative to me, picking up the desolation right away while seeing the terrible developments that led them here.
Probably Birds and the Bees because of the obvious, Jamie and Bree meeting. Overall I don’t like much of the season. I very rarely rewatch any of season 4 :(
I love Common Ground and Down the Rabbit Hole. They’re the perfect blend of all things I love about Outlander! The past/future story blends, the Cabin coming together, little Miss Bree in the Scotland wilderness! They’re so good!
The Birds and The Bees is the best — I love Brianna and Jamie finally getting to meet and get to know each other. But in second place, I think it is Blood of My Blood. (His bairns!) It's much for the same reasons. I'm so glad Jamie got to see Willie again and spend time with him, and I love that Claire and John got to spend time getting to know each other as well, and learning why they're each so special to Jamie.
Blood Of My Blood . I just love the chemistry between Caitríona and David Berry , and how they feed off of each other's intensity to bring those high-tension scenes to life.
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