Outlander Moments of Impact: I’ll Be Right Here
(Spoiler: I grinned from ear to ear whilst writing this entire blog and I hope you do the same reading it)
You want to know what is decidedly underrated: sincerity. It is just one of the loveliest attributes you can come across. And it’s rare.
When I think of James Fraser, especially in season 1, I am always struck by his precious, genuine heart.
One of my favorite moments of Jamie is from 1x4 “Rent” when he sleeps outside Claire’s room as a shield of protection.
Not only are Jamie’s facial expressions, for lack of a better word, adorable, but his sincere countenance epitomizes James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser in this scene. Furthermore, this brief, impactful moment is a revelation of the type of man Jamie is.
Let’s break down the scene for some context, shall we?
Jamie, Claire, and the Mackenzie men (I MISS THE MACKENZIE MEN+MURTAGH SO MUCH. Even Dougal…well just a wee bit) have been travelling all over to collect rent for the Laird as well as some coins on the side for the Jacobite rebellion. (minor, wee detail)
When they stop at an inn for the night, Claire, alone in her room, wakes up to a questionable noise outside.
Claire grabs a candlestick as a weapon (GET IT BABE) and carefully approaches the door.
When she opens it, she trips over a rather large red-headed Scot on her threshold. The man stands up and it is none other than JAMES ALEXANDER MALCOLM MACKENZIE FRAZER. (HEY BABY J)
Confused, Claire inquires what he is doing only to discover that he was trying to sleep outside her room to ward off any drunken men that might try to harm her (IM NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING). She is deeply touched by his kindness and tells Jamie as much.
Moved by his thoughtfulness (WHO WOULDN’T BE), Claire offers for Jamie to come inside her room where it’s warmer to sleep.
Horrified by risk of ruining her honor, Jamie vehemently declines (😭)
In an effort to see to his welfare, Claire gives Jamie the blanket off her bed. (CLAIRE, YOU’RE SO THOUGHTFUL, BABE).
As he accepts, their fingers barely touch and they both catch their breath (😵 help I’ve fallen over and I can’t get up).
Composing himself, Jamie then looks at the woman he loves and says,
With one simple line he relieves her of any fear or anxiety. With one simple line he assures her of his deep devotion. With one simple line we learn the essential principles of his heart.
This spectacular scene evokes the entirety of Jamie’s character with one brief interaction and minimal dialogue: He is a man of uncompromising protection, honor, & selflessness.
Jamie Fraser has a lion heart of protection:
Jamie is not a man of passivity. If he sees a situation that is “bad”, he intervenes and rectifies it with his goodness.
Jamie notices that Claire is in a potentially dangerous situation. And what does he do? He sacrifices his own sleep, warmth, comfort, and safety to guard the woman he loves.
When Claire acknowledges his kindness, he becomes shy under her affirmation; he quickly brushes it off as if it was nothing.
But that’s just the point: sacrificing for Claire is a “no-brainer” to Jamie. Why would he NOT sleep outside her bedroom to shield off threats? OF COURSE he is going to do that no matter the cost to him because his protective nature is ferocious.
He could have gone into the room. Claire invited him into the room. And it is likely no one would have even discovered it.
But determined, he stands his ground despite probably dying to just be near her. Why? Because he cares about the honor of the woman he loves. If he slept in the room with her, Jamie knows that he could potentially ruin her good name with the “appearance” of promiscuity. And that is not something he would EVER do.
In caring for her reptation and honor, he willingly and joyfully sleeps outside her door apart from not only the warmth of the room, but of her company as well.
Jamie has a selfless soul:
He does not do any of this in order to gain or take something from Claire. In fact, I am pretty confident he was expecting to sleep outside her door the whole night and slip away in the morning without her noticing.
Do you see how bashful he becomes under her admiration? He starts to glow from the inside out.
But he would have done it without any recognition or acknowledgement. He wants to serve and protect Claire KNOWING that he will get nothing in return except the assurance that she is safe. The simple confidence of her protection is his only desired reward.
Jamie honors Claire with all that he is and all that he has. He treats her with an oath of fidelity before they even grace the altar of marriage.
He loves Claire extravagantly. That proof is not only in his actions, but it’s written all over his endearing face:
Now if that’s not a picture of unconditional love: I don’t know what is.
Oh but wait, there’s more…
All throughout Jamie’s narrative he assures his beloved of his presence beyond just this moment at the inn:
(1x11 “The Devil’s Mark”) After Claire has been beaten and almost burned at the stake: No one will harm you; I’m here.
(2x9 “Je Suis Pret”) During the rebellion when Claire is suffering from PTSD: I want you to know: no matter what happens, we are going to get through this. I’ll make sure you’re safe.
And those are simply a few moments when he articulates it. Wherever Jamie goes, whatever room he walks into, he possesses and commands a presence of protection over those he loves.
If you think about this a little further, Jamie doesn’t explicitly say, “I love you” a lot but with every breath and with every step he is showing it.
The moments of Jamie’s demonstrative actions of protection, honor, and selflessness are too many to count.
Even if that means he receives the blows, he will ward off every threat directed at Claire with his fierce strength. Even if that means he has to absorb Claire’s emotional pain, he will act as a healing balm with his adoring affection. Even if that means he has to lose rest to sleep outside her door, he will gladly be a rampart for his mon nighean donn.
Jamie Fraser makes good on his word and will always do everything in his power to protect, honor, and serve Claire because he loves her.
His sincere love is truly a force of nature.
