Outlander ―“Best Laid Schemes” Review. Who’s Up For a Game of Charades?

Season 2, Episode 6

Air Date: Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 9PM ET/PT on Starz

Rating: ★★★★★

“Masquerades and games. What’s next; a rousing game of charades?” — Murtagh Fitzgibbons

What will be Claire’s fate? Will baby Fraser be ok?

My problem with this second season of Outlander does not revolve around the political intrigue as I originally thought. No, it has to do with the lack of understanding of the butterfly effect being created with every action Claire (Caitriona Balfe) takes. My mind is blown thinking about how she’s probably causing the very thing she wants to stop. Think about it; every scheme Claire comes up with ends up failing miserably and nothing changes. In fact, she makes matters worse by interfering. I can’t be the only one to see this. Culloden is going to happen whether she wants it to or not. The battle will commence on schedule as Claire keeps pushing the pieces into place that will bring about the outcome she is trying to avoid. I feel like I’m knocking my head against my desk repeatedly. This is so frustrating to watch. The only saving grace for this season is knowing there will be a big battle ahead. I’m looking forward to how it all plays out. The drama and intrigue will come to a fitting end, and I can’t wait to see the conclusion of several of the story arcs presented in Paris.

Clip: For Our Bairn

Of Note

Have I told you how much I love Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix)? He’s by far my favorite character in this series. There’s something about his bluntness and how he is always the one person Jamie (Sam Heughan), and Claire, can count on. That makes him number one in my book. He doesn’t leave room for doubt in his actions. But I’m a bit curious how he so easily accepts all Jamie (Sam Heughan) tells him about Claire. “If you believe your wife to be a, a witch … then who am I to contradict you.” This can’t be all Murtagh has to say on the subject. He always has such witty comebacks or a blunt statement to make everyone think. A swift right hook and a good shaking is all that’s needed to smooth any ruffled feathers.

Honorable Mentions

I never understood why Jamie willingly allows Claire to poison him. I get that she wants to test her potion but why on her doting husband? You don’t torment the ones you love on purpose, you do it unknowingly. The poor guy not only gets a stomach ache and bad rash, he ends up knocked out at one point, and almost shot to boot. You can’t tell me this was in the plan. Heughan knocks it out of the park with his portrayal of a “small pox” infected Jamie.

Well, Black Jack got it right in junk. But is he dead?

Does Master Raymond (Dominique Pinion) always wear green to affect the toad-esque look his character is described as having? It’s only recently that I noticed he seems to dress in a shade of green every time he meets with Claire.

What happened between last week’s “Untimely Resurrection” and this week’s “Best Laid Schemes” that healed the tension between the Frasers? We left them on a touchy note and now they are back to their normal routine. It doesn’t seem realistic to have come off such a serious argument to all is forgiven. I think it leaves us feeling a bit out of sorts because we’ve missed the making up stage.

I hope Fergus (Romann Berrux) is getting a great wage for the risks he takes. Room and board doesn’t cut it for compensation. The poor kid gets put into the line of fire too much for my tastes.

Prince Charles (Andrew Gower) is a big baby. He sheds tears when thinking about having to “return home to Rome.” This is the man so many Scots are willing to die fighting for? How disappointing.

Clip: How Did She Forgive You?

Quote

Murtagh: “But you ken all the dates; when things will happen, when people will die?”

Claire: “I don’t know about you or Jamie, how any of us…”

Does Murtagh want Claire to be the bearer of bad news? Is he worried about his mortality?

Claire: “I’m sorry about earlier. It’s just, bad things tend to happen when we’re apart.”

Jamie: “We always find a way back to each other.”

Foreshadowing much? I’d say yes.

Overall

Who has two thumbs and a big chip on his shoulder? This guy.

“Best Laid Schemes” paves the way for plot points to reach their climax, questions left unanswered to be somewhat revealed, and for villains to receive what they deserve. While I dislike the Comte St. Germaine (Stanley Weber), I have found myself looking forward to seeing him interact with Jamie on screen. The two have a fierce competition raging between them, and I’m dying to know who will come out on top. I mention this because I wonder who will come to Jamie’s aid now that he’s gotten himself in quite the pickle. And how will Claire fare with the unsettling outcome she’s been dealt.

Drop me a line in the comments section or tweet me @ellemoe to discuss “Best Laid Schemes.”

Outlander airs Saturdays at 9PM ET/PT, only on Starz. For more on the show, visit the official site.

Follow Outlander on Twitter, using #Outlander and don’t forget the cast Sam Heughan – @SamHeughan, Caitriona Balfe – @caitrionambalfe, Tobias Menzies – @TobiasMenzies, Laura Donnelly – @donnellylaura1.

LIKE Outlander on Facebook.

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

Elle

Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle