‘Outlander’ Season 1 Episode 10 Recap: By the Pricking of My Thumbs

Outlander Season 1 Episode 10 Recap
Simon Callow and Caitriona Balfe in ‘Outlander’ (Photo © 2014 Sony Pictures Television Inc.)

Here we are again Sassenachs…Outlander day! I do love meeting like this!! We encounter a new friend tonight, the Duke of Sandringham, masterfully played by Simon Callow. But we will get to his lovely roundness shortly. First, there is a little matter of the opening. I will just say ladies hold on to your ovaries and gents take notes. I won’t spoil it for you, so make sure you catch the episode. But you WILL want to watch this scene! {Steam comes out of the collar}

Of course Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix) has to be a buzz kill and be banging on the door, perfect timing as per his usual…sigh. He does bring hopeful news to Jamie (Sam Heughan) about the Duke of Sandringham arriving near Castle Leoch. Claire (Caitriona Balfe) gets concerned and tries to warn Jamie and Murtagh of the connection between the Duke and Black Jack (Tobias Menzies).

She reminds Jamie of the promise to not ask her any further details than she is willing to give, especially since this information came to her through Frank (also Tobias Menzies) when she was still in the 20th century. She continues to carry that secret alone. Why wouldn’t she? People of that time would think she is NUTS. Murtagh of course does not want to hold to Jamie’s promise of not asking how she knows, but Jamie makes him agree. So they decide the approach to take is to discuss the issue with Ned Gowan and gain the legal path that might be taken.

Next we see Claire marching down the corridor toward the kitchen. If anger could manifest in visual flames these eyes would surely be showing them during this next discussion. The other set of eyes is shooting daggers. Claire confronts Laoghaire, pronounced Leery (Nell Hudson), about the “ill wish” left under the bed at the end of “The Reckoning.” Poor Laoghaire! I know many dislike her, but I am under the impression she is a love-sick teen and I can’t help but feel sorry for her. Teenagers can be emotional to a dangerous point given the right catalyst.

Lines drawn, and Jamie being in the middle, Claire goes to find Geillis (Lotte Verbeek). She eventually finds her performing a ritual in the woods. As she watches the dance performed by Geillis, she is reminded of the dance performed as she and Frank watched up on the hill of Craigh Na Dun. She also noticed Geillis clutching her stomach and realizes she is pregnant. Geillis reveals that the father is not her husband, but is in fact Dougal’s (Graham McTavish) child. She was performing a ritual that she feels will cause Dougal’s wife and her husband to both be taken out of the picture so they can be together.

Claire asks her about selling the ill wish to Laoghaire when they hear a baby cry. Geillis warns Claire that the baby is a changeling and is placed on a fairy hill by the parents so their own baby could be returned. As you can imagine, this time in Scotland’s history superstitious behaviors are commonplace. Actually going against them could mean disaster. And our darling Claire is not one to let a hurt person go untended. Claire finds the baby but it has already died. She picks up the baby and is holding it when Jamie finds her. Jamie understands what this means, Claire does not yet fully understand what her actions mean. Jamie places it back and gets Claire out of there as quickly as he can. He doesn’t believe in the superstitions but understands the effects on the society much more than Claire does.

Enter the Duke of Sandringham, in all his splendor. His first words that we hear are that his residence “will have to do” as he sighs. When you see this residence you will know how truly hilarious this statement is. Ornate and massive are two words that come to mind. The Duke’s appearance would give Governor Swan a run for his money…yes, Pirates of the Caribbean reference. Sorry, just had to go there. Claire is meeting with him without Jamie’s knowledge. He didn’t “order” her to not do it, so take that master Jamie. We know our heroine has a mind of her own, and a sharp one to boot!

The Duke shows his flair for the dramatic and true political skill for playing both sides of the fence. Even in that era self-preservation was a must when you were high up in the ranks. Some of his statements lead one to believe he is the soul of charity…said in all sarcasm of course. He calls Claire’s claims about Black Jack “libelous falsities” and is highly proud of that line. I just sat there thinking to myself, ‘He doesn’t think too much of himself, does he?!’ Putting on airs is his natural past-time it would appear. But Claire does pull one ace out of her sleeve; she brings up the issue of Dougal giving him the Jacobite gold. WHEW did his tone change on a dime…or should I say gold coin. Throw the matter of treason out to a political or military official and disaster could be close at hand…. Or you get what you want, either way!

Meanwhile back at the castle, Dougal loses his mind and starts swinging his sword around at everyone. He receives word that his wife has died. Rhenish and sorrow are not good companions. Dougal is dangerous on a good day, but under the influence of these two factors he could kill someone. Claire drugs him so they can get him to calm down. Ah… the joys of having a good medic nearby. Then we are invited to the banquet and see the most gorgeous food displayed. A peacock no less, you go Mrs. Fitz!!! At this event, Geillis’ husband falls down dead. Claire suspects poison and thinks she smells it when she is examining him on the great hall floor. It sure doesn’t help that Geillis and Dougal share a smile before she starts screaming and crying for her husband lying on the floor. Colum noticed it too and was none too pleased. This won’t go well!

Jamie is then required to be the Duke’s second in a duel of honor. Men..sheesh, does it always have to come to fighting? The sons of the opponent start mouthing and Jamie fights all three of them alone, after a ‘yo mamma’ joke that is. Claire warned the Duke Jamie had better not get hurt. He begs Jamie to tell her it was not his fault. Then he just skitters away. He can play the coward so cute and yet be formidable at times. The Duke will be a very interesting character to follow I think.

Jamie and Dougal get exiled to Dougal’s home after Colum is through with them both. I think I saw steam coming out his ears. Before Jamie leaves he warns Claire to stay far away from Geillis. Dougal tells them to kiss goodbye so they can go. Like good newlyweds they kiss a little too long for Dougal’s enjoyment, so the smart remarks are inevitable. “I said kiss ‘er dinna swallow ‘er.” Just love those Dougal-isms in every episode. A letter arrives for Claire from Geillis, or so she thinks. Geillis says she didn’t write it when Claire arrives to Geillis’ home in the village. While Claire is there they both get arrested for witchcraft. Jamie did tell her to stay away after all.

As she is looking out the cage they place them both in, Claire sees Laoghaire smirk at her from around the corner of a building. Again fly the flames and daggers from the eyes, after Claire’s shock passes that is. Off to the witch trial we go!