Photo: Starz
Roger has made it to North Carolina in 1769 when this week’s OUTLANDER begins. Still trying to find Brianna, he’s showing his sketch of her to the locals. His searching soon pays off when he overhears her voice in a tavern. Reunited, they embrace, although she says him coming to the past wasn’t part of her plan. He quickly tells her how he found her and she admits that she loves him. Overcome with lust, they soon retire to privacy and eventually Brianna agrees to marry Roger. She even takes him up on his offer of hand fasting – otherwise known as a temporary marriage for people who cannot quickly find a minister.
Meanwhile, Jamie and Claire have returned to the big city and are visiting Fergus, Marsali and their baby boy and plan to attend the theatre with the Governor and his wife. Later that evening, Claire and Jamie are introduced to Edmund Fanning – an assemblyman and the leader of a militia, as well as a judge. The Governor is clearly still furious at what he calls the “insurgents” and whom Jamie calls the “regulators”. And then, a historical surprise — George Washington and his wife are both attending the theatre that evening and, upon learning his identity, Claire asks for an introduction.
Back in their room, Roger and Brianna go through with the hand fasting ceremony. With the ceremony complete, the pair consummate their new marriage. Later, Brianna is lamenting the fact that she doesn’t know the exact date of the fire. Roger innocently admits that he already knew about the fire but didn’t want to break her heart by telling her. She’s furious that he kept the secret from her and took the choice away from her. The fight escalates and Roger leaves soon after.
As Jamie sits next to the Governor just before the play begins, the man again laments about the insurgents. And then he tells Jamie he has a spy among the insurgents and knows they are close. His Redcoats will be arresting them that very night, in fact. And he knows Murtagh is their leader — a fact which alarms Jamie. Jamie offers up his help in an attempt to save his godfather, but the Governor says he has everything firmly in hand. Desperate to save Murtagh, Jamie takes advantage of Fanning’s medical condition to stop the play when it’s clear the man is in terrible pain. He quickly tells Claire that he needs to save Murtagh from the hangable charge of robbery and she promises to cause a distraction by operating on Fanning in the lobby. Outside, Jamie catches a ride with the Washingtons but soon parts ways with them. The Governor is very impressed by Claire’s skills as a surgeon and Jamie returns to the theatre once the operation is complete.
Meanwhile, Murtagh and his fellow insurgents are lying in wait to rob the Governor’s wagon, filled with their taxes. But they don’t know it’s a trap. Fortunately, we learn that Jamie had sent Fergus to warn Murtagh of the plot and the robbery is prevented. Later, as the Governor leaves the theatre, he laments his failed plan to capture the insurgents. And one of his men says he saw the Washingtons leave the theatre, leading the Governor to think that the future President betrayed him.
Devastated, Brianna slowly walks to a nearby tavern where Stephen Bonnet grabs her. She recognizes that he’s carrying her mother’s ring and asks after her. He proposes to sell her the ring so she can return it to her mother and then takes her to another room, raping her. Outside in the main room, the other men in the tavern ignore her screaming and pleas. After, Bonnet hands her Claire’s ring and tells her to give Claire his regards.
A new episode of OUTLANDER will air on Sunday, December 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Starz.