#outlander 01x13

[gotham-ruaidh]

same energy

[gotham-ruaidh]

hello there angel! if you could only pick one scene in the show that you feel perfectly nails the jamie and claire of the books, which would you pick and why? ❤️

Dearest Campbell - how can a simple question be so difficult to answer?

I’ll have to say that it’s the conversation between Jamie and Claire in 01x13 “The Watch”:

Perhaps it’s for the best. There are so many things that can go wrong. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.

I wouldn’t mind the pain.

I would. I can bear pain myself - but I canna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have.

This conversation is the core of Jamie and Claire’s relationship.

And Sam and Cait play it so, so perfectly. They truly embody everything about Jamie and Claire.

Claire being vulnerable with Jamie. Jamie reassuring her - this strong, confident woman who trusts him with her vulnerability.

Jamie vowing he will do everything in his power to protect Claire.

And because they never thought it possible - it cements their motivation to sacrifice everything - even their future - for the sake of their miracle bairn.

[gotham-ruaidh]

intoxicated by the sight of her

[gotham-ruaidh]

No man can stand up to that monster Randall alone - not you, not me. It takes an army.

-- Ian to Jamie, 01x13 “The Watch”

With respect, Ian - only one man could (and did) stand up to Randall alone. And that one man emerged victorious.

[gotham-ruaidh]

the face of love

Memorizing her - before a time they were (unknowingly) parted.

Many things change. But what remains constant is Jamie’s love for Claire - the comfort he seeks in her. And how she knows that only with her is he ever so vulnerable. She cherishes that for the precious gift that it is - and gives him a small bit of happiness, amid so much uncertainty and turmoil.

[gotham-ruaidh]

Hey Gotham! I have only really been following your (wonderful) page since season 2 ended so I apologize if this has been answered already! Upon re-watching 1x13 I can't quite figure out what the show is trying to convey when they pan the camera on Jamie for a few beats longer after Claire has left the room after she has confessed that she doesn't think she can ever have a baby. Is it disappointment? Some people may get it but it's always something that makes me think when I see it. Thanks!

Hi anon - and welcome!

I think it’s meant to show just how much Claire’s revelation devastates Jamie. He loves Claire so deeply, and truly means what he says - perhaps it’s for the best that she can’t have children, for he would never, ever want to see her in pain.

Of course he is naturally surprised at this news, but he wouldn’t show that to Claire, not when she is so vulnerable and wants comfort. He needs to be strong for her in that moment - but he requires a few moments on his own to process the news, once she leaves to return to Jenny.

This moment also clearly sets up two subsequent scenes, in future episodes - it justifies why Jamie gives himself to Randall, at Wentworth (to spare Claire from any pain), and makes Claire’s pregnancy reveal on the boat that much more surprising - that much sweeter.

[gotham-ruaidh]

Confessions in the Laird’s bedroom

In 01x13 “The Watch,” Claire privately tells Jamie that she tried - and failed - to have children with Frank, and that she believes she’s barren. She then apologizes for not telling him before they married.

In 02x08 “The Fox’s Lair,” Jamie privately tells Claire that his father was a bastard son of Lord Lovat - and then apologizes for not telling her before they married.

In both cases, the other person is not fazed by the news, and provides much-needed comfort and reassurance. And so much love and strength.

In both cases, it’s hard to believe that in the ~24 hours between the announcement of their wedding, the wedding itself, and the wedding night:

There would have been time to disclose such information

Jamie/Claire would have felt comfortable sharing something so private

The other person would have been able to provide the right support, even had that information been shared

Because of their deep love for each other, these confessions - while startling - don’t shake the strong foundation of their relationship. It complicates their relationship, but does not poison it. Rather, because the other person is so willing to share that burden, to take it upon themselves so that their spouse  does not have to carry that weight alone - it only brings them closer together.

These confessions also make me wonder - do Jamie and Claire regret not having had more time to truly get to know each other before their wedding? They certainly wouldn’t go back and choose to not marry each other - but perhaps they both still feel a bit insecure at having married out of circumstance, and not because they chose to do so.

[gotham-ruaidh]

Day 13 - 01x13 “The Watch”

The 16 Days of Outlander continues…

One of my favorite scenes in this episode is one look that Jamie gives Claire. He says nothing, but doesn’t need to - the fear and desire he feels is clear in his smoldering eyes.

This is right after he agrees to leave with MacQuarrie. He really, really doesn’t want to go - doesn’t want to leave Lallybroch, and certainly doesn’t want to leave Claire.

He says nothing in this scene - but he doesn’t need to. The intensity of his eyes, and his focus on nothing but Claire - even when Ian brushes past him into the room - says everything we need to know about how he’s feeling in this moment. He’s memorizing her - just like he did by the fire, the night before he took her back to the stones. Only this time, we (as viewers) know that a separation really is coming. Which makes this scene all the more amazing - and heartbreaking.