#outlander 2x5

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A Toast to Claire Fraser

There is something in a toast that is particularly moving.

You raise your glass and bless the honoree with words of affirmation and appreciation.

There are two distinct times Jamie makes this gesture for his wife:

The Wedding

After Jamie and Claire are first wed, Jamie looks at the woman he loves and acknowledges her worthiness:

“To a lady of grace, a woman of strength, and a bride of astonishing beauty. My wife: Claire Fraser.”

What is striking about this toast is that it is a choice. Jamie bestows it knowing in all likelihood not only the gesture will not be reciprocated, but even the feelings. Jamie grants his wife this gift without knowing of her true feelings. He CHOOSES to celebrate her anyway.

And Claire stands there awestruck by the sincere generosity of his heart.

Useful Occupations & Deceptions

After Jamie and Claire figure out the hidden code within the messages from Sandrigham, Jamie looks at the woman he loves and acknowledges her worthiness:

“To my wife: who is always there when I need her.”

What is breathtaking about this toast is that it is a choice. Raising his wounded hand to his heart, Jamie professes this truth even when a few days prior he felt betrayed by Claire. He CHOOSES to believe the best of his bride and safeguards her character in his sight.

And Claire stands there transfixed by the gracious fervency of his love.

The powerful potency that even a small toast can communicate:

With all that I am and all that I have: I honor you.

Now and forever.

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Outlander Moments of Impact: Apostle Spoons

As humans, there is something within our souls that yearns to be worthy. To be proven to be enough. To be up for the task. To be found capable.

This sentiment, however aware we are of it or not, always seems to surface when confronted with the inevitable undulations of life. When we face a drastic change, in the depths of the caverns of our hearts we ask: Can I do this?

A scene that captures the essence of this is in 2x5 “Untimely Resurrection”. When Claire Fraser approaches the reality of motherhood, the rubber hits the road and she begins to ask this very question of herself. What then unfolds after this inquisition, is beyond expression.

Let’s break down this scene for some context, shall we?

Jamie and Claire are sitting alone in the warmth of their Parisian home. They may partake in the stillness of rare, quiet peace.

As they discuss impending plans to overthrow Saint Germain’s plots, suddenly Jamie smiles and pauses the conversation, glancing over at a secret he’s kept.

Eyes aglow with the warmth of love, he looks at his bride and says, “I’ve been waiting for a good time to surprise you with this.” Getting up, he crosses the room, grabs a mysterious wooden box, and walks back over to Claire.

Puzzled, Claire inquires, “What is it?”  Noticeably proud of his token, Jamie hands it to her encouraging Claire to find out for herself.

Lifting the lid, she cracks open the treasure to reveal 12 exquisitely-made spoons. Voice full of glee, Jamie says, “Apostle spoons. 1 for each of the 12 apostles—christening gift for the bairn.” (EXCUSE ME WHILE I WEEP). And there lie the spoons: each unique; each representing a dream yet realized. 

Overcome by the beauty of this gesture, Claire can only breathe out “Jamie.” in gratitude.

Impressed, “Where did you get them.” Holding one of the precious trinkets in his hand, Jamie explains, “They’ve passed down in my family for years. I wrote to Jenny after we arrived to tell her our good news and ask for the spoons for our wee bairn. She said she was so full of excitement she could hardly keep the quill steady in her hand.”

Silent, Claire can only stare. It is almost as if Jamie is saying, I not only give you a piece of myself, but the heritage of my family as well.

Then full of trepidation, Claire confesses courageously to her husband a secret that has been locked away until now: she questions if she will be a good mother. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but I can’t help but wondering if I’ll be any good at it—being a mother.”

When this admission emerges, Jamie’s countenance shifts as he hears the heart of his wife—grappling with her capabilities and if she is up to the task.

In immediate answer to her question, confident in conviction, he states: “Of course you will.”

Unconvinced, Claire astutely observes, “Well, I’m a nurse. I know how to deliver a baby, how to feed one, how to take care of one when it’s ill, but..that’s not being a mother.”  Although she may know the essentials of caring for a child, that is not the same as mothering one. 

As Claire pours her soul out, her fears, Jamie feels it in that moment with her. He allows her to share her heart and he with her in it.

Then divulging an even deeper revelation, Claire shares further, “I only have a vague memory of my own mother. Nothing really to guide me.  (It is important to note the significance of this dialogue. This is one of the only times we are ever privy to hear Claire speak of her parents; and when she does choose to do so it is with a sense of acute loss.)

However, Jamie is not taken aback by this. Staring into the mother of his child’s eyes with unflinching faith, he places his hand on their unborn child and speaks over his beloved: “What ye don’t ken, you’ll learn—we’ll learn: TOGETHER.”

As if the world itself has been lifted off of her shoulders, Claire exhales a sigh of reprieve realizing that the one whose opinion holds the most value in all the world to her has no doubts of what she questions. Tenderly touching her lover’s cheek with her hand, Claire affirms, “I do love you.”

And in reply, “I love you too, mo nighean donn”

And a kiss:

This conversation between a mother and father to be is genuinely one of the most important conversations James and Claire Fraser ever have on screen. 

The implications of such a small exchange are monumental to this couple’s relationship. 

There are multiple elements to this scene that make it brilliant: first, we see a humanity and vulnerability to Claire Fraser that is rarely exposed. Second, we see a husband and wife who face the same questions we all do and make the choice to cling to each other. And third, we see a man who makes the decision to place his entire trust in the woman he loves which in turn shatters any fear of failure. 

If you notice, it is actually a rare occurrence that Claire shows weakness—even to her husband. 

This is a woman who has survived. She has survived a war. She has survived being thrown back in time. She has survived torture. She has survived the sheer torment of her own husband. 

She survives it all. 

And as such she is a woman who has learned to conceal insecurities or anxiety for the sake of endurance and simply making it one more day.

Yet here, Claire lets down her guard for a split second and shares what is truly going on behind her face:

She is scared. 

She is worried she will not be able to do this—that for what she is about to face she is not adequate.

Claire shows her humanness in the most beautiful way.

As the veil of self-preservation is lifted, Jamie and Claire sit the tension of the truth. 

And Jamie says four words in reply:

Of course you will. 

Jamie does not assure Claire of her abilities purely to put her at ease. Not in the least. 

He speaks LIFE over her because he knows beyond a shadow of doubt that this woman before him can conquer any feat she faces and overcome any obstacle she encounters—she is a warrior and she is a woman. 

If anyone be up to the task set before her, it is his wife.

And when Claire hears of these words, every self- doubt crumbles beneath the weight of love. 

There is a sense of undeniable certitude between them—an atmosphere of transparency. Despite the uncertainty of what is to come, they are assured of one thing. 

One thing is clear to them: each other. 

With this blessed assurance, Jamie then makes a choice. He resolves to bet on his wife. And he makes another unspoken vow:

You are not alone. You’re not alone, Claire. For I am with you. Nothing can separate you from my love. Nothing can alter my belief in you. Even in carrying this child, I am going through this by your side. Whatever we go through, we endure together.

Jamie and Claire promise to fight their way back to each other. Whatever the cost. 

It is not a matter of never failing each other. 

It is a matter of deciding to fulfill this commitment of constancy even despite failure or obstacle. 

This is a moment of a two people who experience the same questions that we all hear in the middle of the night: Can I do this? 

And by the power of their choice for one another, they both know that no matter the fear, doubt, circumstance, adversity, loss, pain, and questions: 

They do not face it alone. 

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February 17—What Book/Season 2 moment could you talk about nonstop if given the chance?

Apostle Spoons: 2x5 “Untimely Resurrection”

There is something quite unique about this scene. It says so much with so little. It is a moment of sheer humanity—a moment of raw vulnerability for Claire.

And I eat it up with a spoon (hehe)

Jamie gifting his bride with a christening present is precious. 

Jamie does not often give Claire a physical token of his affection, so this makes the gift especially important. 

To this Claire admits her fear for motherhood—she is terrified she will not be a good mother. 

Without a shred of doubt, the love of her life and father of her child assures her that she will be a wonderful mum. 

Overcome by his affirmation, Claire gazes at her groom with tears running down her face.

She knows that no matter what trials lie before them, no matter the challenges they face, no matter how large the storm, they have each other. 

They are in it together. 

Together. 

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There is something about this brief kiss between Jamie and Claire that pierces my wee heart. 

It is purely stunning. 

 Jamie takes his wife’s hand—with his own that was shattered by his sacrifice for her and mended by her healing of him—brings it to his lips and blesses her with a simple kiss.

I could watch these tender exchanges between these two over and over and over.