Outlander - "Untimely Resurrection" Review. Hand Gestures Say It All.

Season 2, Episode 5

Air Date: Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 9PM ET/PT on Starz

Rating: ★★★★★

“I thought we were here to change the future.” — Jamie Fraser

Outlander throws a few twists and turns into this week’s venture “Untimely Resurrection.” The Frasers encounter someone from their past they would rather not see; enemies have to become allies for a cause; and royalty trumps all.

Of Note

Claire just can’t stop meddling.

I love Claire (Caitriona Balfe), I do. My problem with her is the meddling she continues to do in spite of her consistent failures where her interference is insistent. Claire is from the future, so yes, she has inside knowledge. What she doesn’t realize is her living in the past is already creating a ripple in time. Claire is setting events in motion that she can’t comprehend. I don’t wonder if Culloden happens at all because of her meddling. It’s a lot to put on one person, I know, but think about it. Obviously, Claire isn’t thinking about what her actions are doing. Her need for Frank (Tobias Menzies) to exist in the future is a fair one. If Claire doesn’t marry Frank, they don’t go on a second honeymoon to Scotland where she falls through time and meets Jamie (Sam Heughan). So, the real question is, does she want Frank to exist so she can meet Jamie, or is it because of her imploring speech that Frank is “an innocent man” and “must exist” in her future? Claire needs some major instruction on the time-space continuum. And, she needs more of a history lesson as well. There is something she doesn’t know about Frank’s ancestors.

Honorable Mentions

For all the speeches Prince Charles (Andrew Gower) makes about the coming war, you know his tail will not be on the frontlines, nor anywhere near the battleground, for that matter. I don’t see how anyone buys what he’s selling. Charles is not a compelling man; his cause seems to be one that few are in line with, so how does he incite a rebellion? The Brits and Scots fighting amongst themselves are now planning to unite, forgetting the issues that have plagued them? I’m not buying it.

How fitting to see Black Jack on his knees.

Don’t write me off for saying this but I’m happy to see Captain “Black Jack” Randall (Menzies). Not because I love the character but because of Menzies. He’s fabulous as the man we all love to hate. Menzies brings a tension to the screen that is needed to move along the sluggish plot of “Untimely Resurrection.” Black Jack’s bold insurrection is what we’ve come to know of his personality, particularly with how he approaches the Frasers, and uses their first names as if he knows them intimately. In one of the two scenes that holds my sway for its entirety, Jamie sees Black Jack again. King Louis (Lionel Lingelser) notices something in the way Jamie and Randall interact with one another. I love how the king wields his power with the wave of his hands and a few words. I almost feel embarrassed for Black Jack at his obvious humiliation. But damn, was it good to see. Menzies plays the scene well, affecting the obedience of a soldier, while simmering with rage inside.
Clip: Claire & Black Jack in the Garden

With that in mind, Claire knows the date of Black Jack’s death. Why doesn’t that come into play here? Did she mistake the year? The day? Am I missing something? She begs her husband to do something that goes against his honor as a man, yet doesn’t take into consideration what she knows. I’m a bit surprised by this inconsistency. It could be that Claire is so emotional at the time, she isn’t thinking straight. She has an outlook no one else in that time does, yet she doesn’t use it to her advantage. I bet now she’s wishing she’d listened more closely to Frank’s stories about his ancestors.

Quote

Duke of Sandringham to Jamie: “But I wonder if someone with such a good judge of horseflesh is such a poor judge of men?”

“Fuck the king.” Claire whisper-shouts to Black Jack, not realizing her faux pas.

Do you think King Louis heard her exclamation? If he does, do you think he realizes her distress and that’s why he comes to her rescue?

Jamie: “You gave me a gift, Claire when you told me Randall was alive. A gift, knowing I’d be the one to end that bastard’s life. Now, now, I claim that gift.”

Jamie to Claire: “I can stand a lot more than most, I’ve proven as much. But must I bear everyone’s weakness? May I not have my own?”

If Claire doesn’t see Jamie’s vulnerability and how much he gives for the ones he loves in this moment, she’s blind.

Jamie to Claire: “Do not … touch me.”

Ooh, burn. While “Untimely Resurrection” ends on this tense note, we know the situation won’t remain as is. The love Claire and Jamie share can overcome this. Can’t it?
Clip: Jamie’s Office

Overall

What an interesting position Jamie finds himself in.

Writer Richard Kahan does us a solid with “Untimely Resurrection.” He brings about two intensely written, well acted, and incredibly shot scenes that play up what Outlander is about. Not the political strife or the need to change the future, but relationships and how one’s actions can change the feelings of another. Menzies and Heughan knock it out of the park here. I cannot wait to see what more they are capable of in their next scenes together. Because you know there will be more. Drop me a line in the comments section or tweet me @ellemoe to discuss “Untimely Resurrection.”

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.

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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