User Reviews

In the Pantheon of best episodes of any tv series, there is always one that stands out to you as the best, one that you always remember. I've often seen this episode diminished in so many ways, and I can't figure out why. Or, it's simply passed off as two people getting to know each other again, as if the complexity of the episode and the emotional weight behind it can be explained so simply.

The key to why this episode is such a success is the build up to it over the past season and a half. Since the season 1 episode "The Watch", it seems like Jaime and Claire have been in an almost perpetual state of misery. Wentworth Prison, Paris, the War, the twenty years of misery apart, etc. It honestly becomes difficult to watch just a continuous wave of pain and suffering hit these characters again and again and again. A. Malcolm definitely foreshadows troubles ahead for Jaime and Claire, but for the most part, it's an episode of pure, unadulterated happiness, something this series has been in short supply of for some time leading up to this episode.

Yet, I think the build-up of the characters leading up to this reunion is the facet that is ignored the more. When you look at Claire in this episode, you see a version of Claire that you really haven't seen before. We've seen Claire emotionally devastated in the past, but it's very rare to see her afraid, unsure of herself, or lacking in confidence. Claire has gone face to face with some of the most powerful men in this series, Black Jack, King Louis, Sandringham, and the Comte St. Germain. While there are times when she's shown fear, ie. an impending attack, you don't often see her questioning herself or lacking in confidence. Normally it's the opposite; she's often the one projecting confidence and projecting power even though the man across from her is more imposing or more powerful. Freedom and Whisky did a good job of setting this up. Claire is self-conscious, about the way she looks and the ways Jaime might have changed. Her biggest concern is that Jaime has forgotten her, or has changed and will no longer love her. I think you have to remember to the risks she has undertaken in coming back. She has left her daughter, left her entire life in Boston to find Jaime. If it doesn't work out between them, she has no idea whether she will be able to return to future. In essence, she has everything riding on this reunion.

For Jaime, based on what we've seen earlier this season, you know the desperation he has in this reunion. Jaime knows that Claire is alive in the future. He's seen her in his dreams and at his lowest points. At Ardsmuir Prison he actually was given false hope that she had returned. For Jaime this is literally a dream-come-true moment. The woman he loves has returned, but his biggest fear is that he will lose her again, that she will be unsatisfied with the man he has become and leave. That is the one major difference in their storyline's up to now. Claire thought Jaime was dead. Jaime on the other hand, has had his heart ripped out so many times, every time he has seen Claire for it to only be a dream, or vision, or false hope.

The episode ends up being such a masterpiece because Sam and Cait's angelic performances bring these realities to light. This episode could have been so campy and over-the-top, but the acting is so incredibly superb. I don't know if I've ever seen two actors with such a complete control of their bodies in the way that Same and Cait were in this episode. Every movement, every expression just completely controlled and deliberate.

The most powerful moments that stood out to me were always the smaller understated moments and expressions. The look on Jaime's face when he first hears Claire's voice, the look of complete disbelief and fear. The way he slowly turns around, almost terrified that by the time he turns around there will be no one there. The tenor of Claire's voice throughout the beginning of the episode, so quiet, and meek compared to what we are used to seeing from her. At the brothel, when Claire asks Jaime if he wants her to go, her voice trembling with despair and desperation. Jaime responding that he doesn't, his eyes seemingly burning with similar desperation.

I could go on and on about this episode. I know there are some plot points that are cause for consternation, the fact that Claire probes Jaime so thoroughly on his life for the past 20 years, that Jaime tells Claire he had a son (something he seemingly does later in the books). But these weaknesses are just overcome by the sheer talent and chemistry of Cait and Sam. Much like them, you can't explain what it is when they are together, why it's so much different than when you see Claire and Frank together at the beginning of the series, but it is still there, that unspoken connection that somehow actors portraying fictional characters can bring to life on screen. I think it's the absolute best episode in the series, because of something that could have been so generic, so forgettable, it's an episode I can never seem to forget and always enjoy watching as much as when I first saw it.

What a great re-entry into the world of Claire and Jamie. Or is he now A Malcolm. Regardless, its the spirit of things. It's love.

When they get together again, love becomes as new. I have to say it was even more beautiful than their wedding night. It was definitely longer. The slow, gentle, apprehensive but inviting gestures were only the smoldering embers which preceded the more heated and intense flames of passion long overdue. Even when the flames appear to be dwindling, rekindling memories and the desire to know the other again, brought more passion back to the two who dwelled on memories of each other, without each other for so long.

When flames of passion subsided, flames of danger brought us all back to what seems to be recurring between Claire and Jamie. For what is love without danger. What are we without Outlander?

Loved the acting a lot. Loved the enticement of what's to come.

I have no choice but to give this a 10 with the highest relief and regard.

They parted as the first gun signaled the start of the Highland Clan Uprising. Claire and Jamie believed they would never see one another again, Claire felt Jamie died on Culledon Moor. Amazingly she finds Jamie is still alive twenty years later and two hundred years apart. Again she time travels to his side, so surprised to see her again he faints. This is a man who had endured years of prison, torture and rape. They slowly, tentatively reconnect by sharing their separate histories and their shared one, a daughter, Faith, who died and the one Claire raise, Brianna. Through subtle, nuanced acting you can see the love reappear. Yes, the lust they felt for one another is still apparent. They are a romantic, magical couple. Thankfully finally reunited.

In an effort to avoid spoilers, I will just say this episode was underwhelming and disappointing. Quite flat and even boring at times. After waiting two weeks for this long-anticipated reunion, nary a tear is shed nor a squeal of delight heard. I expected explosions of pent-up emotion, yet there was next to none. Very flat, very disappointing.

And are we to believe that the exquisite, flawless, rosy-cheeked Claire is 50?!? Come on! Suspension of reality can only go so far!

The sex scenes contain gratuitous nudity and go far beyond what is necessary. How awkward and embarrassing it must be for the actors. Especially when the story could easily be told without it. Yes, show their passion and joy in each other, but it can be done without so much T&A.

Overall this episode left me questioning whether I will continue watching Outlander. They got it so wrong this time.

When episode 5 aired with THAT scene, I was so happy and excited for the actual reunion episode. Also because this episode was hyped and in the media and on social media. So it just had to be a great episode, right?

Hmzz. Maybe not. As I watched the episode, I didn't feel the excitement of their reunion. Mostly because that special moment had already happened in episode 5. This was just a move on from that moment.

Sure, the episode had some really great moments. I loved the awkwardness between Jamie and Claire. I loved how they did find their way back to each other. I loved the nose/forehead bump and the kiss that followed. I enjoyed their sex together again, plus the sweet scenes that followed.

But the episode also had a lot of scenes that were just dragging on or were unnecessary (Like the Mr. Willoughby scene for instant. I get why they added it, but to me it seemed like a waste of time). Moments that lasted to long. That really took me out of focus.

This episode didn't kept me interested. I didn't feel the chemistry between J/C this episode. Which is strange, cause in the past it was clearly there. Not sure what happened.

The episode wasn't bad. But I truly hope that the next episodes will be better again.

For fans of romance in film or TV, I bet they loved this episode as it was nothing but a rekindling of a love affair between Jamie and Claire.

But for people who are not obsessed with that kind of stuff there was not much to love about it until the final few moments.

25 STRAIGHT minutes of this episode were of Claire and Jamie.... rekindling their love. And OF COURSE it ends with Claire being attacked by another random rapey guy. Why is someone always getting freaking raped?!

This show is so freaking stupid and such a let down. It's on a premium channel but the writing is like Pretty Little Liars level garbage. It's like some 13 year old girl and some 48 year old cat lady who has never been married got together and created... fan fiction? It's so bad and cringey and none of this could happen or would happen in real life (none of the interactions at least) ...even if time travel existed.

This episode is the prime example of everything that is wrong with the series.

Also, Claire is the least likable woman to ever be a character on a TV show. Such a selfish sod.