Outlander is back yall! Seems like eons since we’ve been able to commune with our favorite Highlanders and I’m so glad the show is back.

-I actually really dug this episode, mostly because for the first time we really got Jamie’s perspective in this episode, especially with the voice over. It provided a nice through line and contrast to Claire to be able to dig into what Jamie felt and was doing. While yes, it’s very true that Outlander is Claire’s journey and show, that character is only made stronger when she has something to contrast with and play against. Jamie is the right mix of boyishness and warrior to provoke and prod her into reactions.

-I already knew that Jamie wasn’t going to kill Black Jack Randall but that didn’t stop me from yelling at my TV for him to do it. This is bout to be a major mess coming this season and lord it could have all been over in an instant.

-Speaking of instant, how did they plan such an awesome taking of the fort with like a few hours? Like everything was planned so well and that fake pistol gag and the scaling of the building…it was a little too easy.

-What wasn’t easy was watching Claire and Jamie yell at each other after the rescue. I stan for them but lordt this conversation had my spirit laid out. And while I totally understand why Claire rebels against the rigidity of the culture, she was absolutely in the wrong for leaving when Jamie told her to stay and completely rude for getting mad at Jamie/saying she didn’t like being married. Like girl, you couldn’t see the danger and issues with what you did? It took Jamie breaking down and letting Claire see how in pain he was in order for her to muster up an apology. Also, Jamie admitting he would forgive her always cause he was in love was just so…

-That spanking scene had me howling. Outlander is so good at finding ways to just settle you in a scene and then play around in it. When Jamie said “I said I was gonna punish you, didn’t say I wasn’t going to enjoy it,” I was ruined.

-The only thing in this episode I didn’t particularly care for was the stuff with Dougal, Colum and the money they raised for an army. It was boring and there are so many players in this plot line its hard to keep track. Dougal talking about ensuring the bloodline was intriguing tho.

-This lil girl in love with Jamie (whose name I don’t care to look up) annoys every part of my spirit. Little girl if you don’t take your fast self and go on somewhere. Jamie ain’t never gonna be with you so long as Claire is in the picture and no amount of you tryna get him to fuck you is going to work. Also, bitch if you put that damn bad omen thing under the bed I will jump through the tv screen and choke you.

-Outlander has the most intense sex scenes I’ve seen on TV. Like jesus be a cigarette and a cold shower. The main reason is cause they are always character based. Jamie swearing himself to Claire and asking if she would have him (asking for consent!) gave the scene an emotional grounding that made the sex seem so important. Then you add to that the fact Jamie was still wearing his kilt and Claire riding him and bringing that knife to his throat saying “If you ever raise a hand to me again I’ll cut your heart out and eat it for breakfast”…my God. It also ended perfectly with Jamie’s inexperience coming out asking Claire about the definitions of fucking and sadist. Just perfect.