“Outlander” opinion recap – Episode 115 – “Wentworth Prison”

Seeing the men being hung wasn’t needed and I felt bad to see Taran hung since he seemed to be a good guy in the end. When “Black Jack” came riding in and stopped Jamie’s execution, the look of horror on Sam’s face was perfect since viewers could see that Jamie knew this wasn’t a good thing.

Jamie wasn’t brought any food in the book so I didn’t see why that was changed since it was clear that “Black Jack” wanted to starve him, at least in the book.

Claire’s non-chalant face when talking to Sir Fletcher about Jamie was great and then when he left the room for a minute and she was allowed to show her true emotions at the situation, this showed how affected she was by Jamie’s predicament. How she clutched the box of Jamie’s personal effects that Sir Fletcher gave her was further evidence of how strong she was being. When she left the prison and collapsed and threw up, this was a fabulous way to show just how much Claire was emotionally and physically hurting for Jamie. I loved how Murtagh took her up in his arms after she threw up and carried her away, taking care of her, which showed how they’ve bonded.

Seeing William’s determination to rescue Jamie and his praising Claire was great at the tavern.

Jamie not giving up trying to pull the bolt from the wall that held his shackles showed his will not to give up. “Black Jack” burning Jamie’s complaint against him was just one twisted act to show his power over Jamie.
Claire and Murtagh ransacking Sir Fletcher’s office was good, showed their common goal. When Claire took the keys from the unconscious guard and Murtagh wanted to go with her to search for Jamie, this reiterated his need to protect her for Jamie.

“Black Jack” asking Jamie if he thinks of him when he’s lying in bed with Claire was further proof of his sick sadistic mind. You could see he was totally serious in asking the question. That he told Jamie that he would have his surrender no matter what was eerier, especially for those of us who have read the books and knows what he means by “surrender.”
That Jamie kept fighting “Black Jack” and Marley showed his spirit and fortitude not to give up even when he was being choked to death.

When Claire finds Jamie and tries, unsuccessfully to free him, that displayed her determination at rescuing him when he had rescued her before. Caitriona was phenomenal when she called Tobias names and lunged at him. You could feel Claire’s pure hatred for him. Jamie seemingly then jumping off the floor and attacking Marley and “Black Jack” was brilliant because that showed that even after having his hand being broken and obviously in excruciating pain, he wouldn’t stop fighting “Black Jack.”

Tobias’ facial expressions were sickeningly superb as “Black Jack” nailed Jamie’s broken hand into the table. Caitriona was also as Claire clung to Jamie and didn’t want to leave him at “Black Jack’s” mercy. Their tender kiss before “Black Jack” takes her away and Jamie telling Claire that he loved her were achingly poignant, sad and made me cry, knowing what Jamie must endure from “Black Jack” later.

The best part of the episode was when Claire whispered to “Black Jack” the day of his death. That scene was just like in the book and was spot on. It was incredible how Tobias turned white when she whispered in his ear.
I thought there was continuity when Claire saw Taran’s dead body in the pit “Black Jack” threw her in. That she paused for a moment and looked sad to see him was fitting.

Claire’s exchange with MacRonnach was mostly like the book, with a few minor changes. I liked how Murtagh clearly showed his emotions when MacRonnach told Claire that he was the one who gave the pearls to Ellen all those years ago. There were now two men in the room who loved Jamie’s mother. It was evident that when MacRonnach learned who Claire wanted to rescue that he wanted to help, but couldn’t risk putting his wife and children in danger. He looked noticeably upset and may have taken his frustration out on his manservant when he returned with less cattle than he was told to bring back.
Claire’s flicker of hope when Murtagh said that he knew how to rescue Jamie was a brief light in an otherwise powerful yet disturbing episode. All in all, I thought Sam, Caitriona and Tobias all did a wonderful job with some upsetting material.