‘Outlander’ Season 6 Episode 4 Recap: “Hour of the Wolf” Tells Ian’s Mohawk Story

By
Rebecca Murray
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Outlander Season 6 Episode 4 Recap
Cesar Domboy and Sam Heughan in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 4 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Starz’s Outlander season six episode four fills in gaps in Ian’s story, revealing new details about his time spent with the Mohawk. At the end of season four, Ian agreed to remain with the Mohawk in exchange for Roger’s freedom. Those months Ian spent with the tribe helped shape the man he is now, and episode four – “Hour of the Wolf” – allows viewers who haven’t read Diana Gabaldon’s novels a glimpse into Ian’s short-lived marriage to Emily.

Episode four opens with Ian’s head being shaved and his body prepared for the official ceremony that rinses all white blood from his veins (figuratively, not literally) and makes him an adopted member of the Mohawk tribe. He’s welcomed and told he’ll be loved, just like any member of their family. He’s given his Mohawk name, Wolf’s Brother.

Returning to current events, Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) have just finished making love when Jamie calls himself “Greased Lightning.” Claire laughs and corrects him, explaining that means something extremely fast – not lubricated brilliance. Jamie promises he can be fast, too.

Their sexy conversation’s ruined by the sound of sneezing from another room. Major Donald MacDonald (Robin Laing) is allergic to cats and is having a rough time dealing with adorable Adso’s presence in the Fraser home. Fortunately, MacDonald plans to leave for New Bern the following day.

Jamie prepares for his trip to deliver a shipment of guns to the Cherokee by placing Fergus (César Domboy) in charge of selling their trade goods. It’s an important job but he trusts Fergus to handle business, and Fergus recognizes this is Jamie’s way of helping him heal. Jamie admits he truly believes time and distance will help Fergus.

Both men miss the time they spent together in the print shop in Edinburgh. “I had faith in you then, lad,” says Jamie. “I have faith in you still. You must try to find faith in yourself once again, mon fils.”

Fergus is grateful Jamie’s saved his life once again, but Jamie claims he’s only balanced the scales.

Fergus will be accompanied by Mr. Bug and they’ll stop and visit Aunt Jocasta on the trip.

A short while later Jamie joins Brianna (Sophie Skelton), Roger (Richard Rankin), Ian (John Bell), and some British soldiers to test the guns. Roger’s proud of his skills but it seems Brianna’s mind is elsewhere.

Major MacDonald tells Jamie to inform Chief Bird Who Sings in the Evening the guns have been tested. Ian corrects MacDonald; it’s Chief Bird Who Sings in the Morning not evening. Ian pokes fun at Donald’s name, pointing out it just means Donald Son of Donald.

Back to the topic at hand, MacDonald advises Jamie the governor wants Chief Bird to swear that he’ll back the British if the King asks for the Cherokees’ help.

Jamie and Brianna chat on the porch, and he’s concerned something’s wrong. Brianna’s decided to fill her father in on what will happen to the Cherokee, explaining that in 60 years they’ll be forced off their land, and 8,000 will die on the Trail of Tears. She believes it’s important Jamie be aware of what’s in store for the Cherokee.

Ian accompanies Jamie to deliver the guns and is shocked to see horses belonging to Mohawks at the Cherokee camp. Kaheroton (Braeden Clarke) greets Ian, calling him Wolf’s Brother, and it’s obvious Ian isn’t happy to be reunited with the man he once considered a brother.

That evening, Ian and Jamie relax around a campfire and Ian finally confides in Jamie, revealing details about what happened while he was with the Mohawks. He met a beautiful young woman who he called Emily because he couldn’t pronounce her name (Wakyo’teyehsnonhsa) properly. They fell in love and married, learning each other’s language and sharing stories of their history. It was a peaceful time and Ian was even talked into singing about his home across the sea.

Ian was thrilled when Emily became pregnant and devastated when she lost their baby girl. He was sent into the woods to pray and it was Kaheroton who delivered the news Emily survived but the baby did not.

Ian confesses to Jamie he never got a chance to see his baby girl. She was wrapped up in furs and buried before he could even look at his child.

Ian reveals Emily became pregnant again and, again, she miscarried.

A few months later it was determined Ian’s spirit isn’t Mohawk so he and Emily will never be able to have a child. He was sent back to his own people but refused to leave until he heard from Emily that she wanted him to go. Emily told him it is what must be and asked him to leave.

Ian was heartbroken to hear this from her lips and to see Kaheroton had already taken over his place in her life. “He was my friend…my brother. He kent how much I loved her,” says a tearful Ian.

Ian wonders if he should have fought harder for Emily but Jamie believes he did everything he could. Ian asks if Jamie would have just left Claire, but Jamie claims that’s different.

The following morning a fellow Indian Agent, Alexander “Scotchee” Cameron, introduces himself to Jamie. Scotchee’s been dying to meet Jamie to hear if all the stories – including being a bear killer – are true. Scotchee’s the agent to the Overhill Cherokee and explains he’s there to marry off a woman to Chief Bird and to trade.

Alexander’s interested in tasting Jamie’s whisky and gets himself good and drunk. He confesses he bought land from the Cherokee in Tennessee and can get some for Jamie if he’s interested. Jamie’s surprised to learn of the purchase since it’s against the treaty to take land so far west into Indian territory. Scotchee justifies his purchase by claiming the Cherokee wanted to sell the land.

Jamie turns down the offer, claiming he doesn’t want to be involved in illegal deals.

Back at Fraser’s Ridge, Claire and her apprentice, Malva (Jessica Reynolds), use Lizzie (Caitlin O’Ryan) and Josiah (Paul Gorman) as guinea pigs. Claire wants to test out the ether and although both Lizzie and Josiah aren’t exactly thrilled to go under, they agree to the experiment.

The ether works so well that neither Lizzie nor Josiah realize they’ve been knocked out when they awaken!

Outlander Season 6 Episode 4 Recap
John Bell, Sam Heughan, Simon R. Baker, and Glen Gould in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 4 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Once more to the Cherokee camp we go and Jamie presents Chief Bird with the rifles. Jamie explains they want a promise of loyalty in return, but Chief Bird doesn’t want to talk of war on this day of celebration.

Ian learns Kaheroton and Emily had a son and Ian confronts the man he once considered a brother claiming he turned his wife against him. The confrontation turns into a fistfight that Jamie and Scotchee are forced to break up.

A noticeably drunk Scotchee places a knife to Kaheroton’s throat, insulting him while kicking him to the ground. Jamie steps in to stop Kaheroton from attacking Scotchee’s retreating back. Kaheroton demands an apology and Scotchee refuses, instead challenging Kaheroton to a duel with pistols.

Kaheroton accepts the challenge.

Away from all the drama, Jamie and Ian have a quiet moment by the river. Ian’s upset Kaheroton had a son but God took his baby girl. His baby didn’t have a name and wasn’t baptized, but he always thinks of her as Iseabail. He wonders if God’s punishing him but Jamie doesn’t believe that’s possible. God doesn’t punish people.

Ian can’t bear the thought of Iseabail wandering, lost. Jamie reveals his daughter Faith was also lost and he never had a chance to hold her either. Jamie believes after death we go home to the Lord. He leads Ian in a prayer to Faith, asking her to look for Iseabail in Heaven.

Ian brings Kaheroton Jamie’s pistol for the duel, believing Kaheroton deserves a fighting chance. Kaheroton asks Ian to go to Emily and his son if he dies. He hands Ian a bracelet and asks him to swear he’ll care for his wife and son.

Ian accepts the bracelet but doesn’t reply.

Chief Bird informs Jamie he’ll fight with the British. Jamie asks to speak with Chief Bird privately and then explains the women in his family can see the future. His wife and daughter have both seen the Cherokees being taken from their land in 60 years. They’ll be forced to a new place and many will die on the journey “so much that the path they tread will be called the trail where they wept.” (Correct description, incorrect name – but close enough.)

Jamie further explains a man named General Winfield Scott will be the person responsible.

Jamie says the weapons he’s provided won’t be enough to save them, and Chief Bird wonders why Jamie bothered warning him then if that’s true. Jamie admits he can only reveal the future to a few select people or else he’d be labeled a madman. He warns Chief Bird not to fight or go to the new place. Instead, his people should hide.

“If you pass this warning to your descendants, then perhaps they will escape and live,” says Jamie.

Chief Bird agrees to tell his sons and grandsons.

Jamie adds, “Whoever you fight with – be it King George’s men or our enemies – fight for yourselves.”

Chief Bird asks if he paid a great deal for his wife. Jamie confirms he did, adding that she’s well worth the cost.

Outlander Season 6 Episode 4 Recap
The duel on ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 4 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Everyone gathers to witness the duel, and Jamie asks one final time if this can be settled without bloodshed. It can’t. Jamie orders them to step out the distance, stop, and wait for his command to fire.

Jamie begins counting but Scotchee turns around early. He’s about to shoot Kaheroton in the back when Ian acts quickly and disarms him. Kaheroton’s given the opportunity to shoot Scotchee and advances on the man who pleads for his life. Scotchee claims he was only joking when he insulted the Mohawk, and Kaheroton fires his gun into the sky.

“He’s proven himself a coward. Let him live with his shame,” says Kaheroton.

Kaheroton returns the gun to Jamie and Ian returns the bracelet to his former friend, acknowledging God chose him to be with Emily.

Alone, Ian removes the wolf necklace Emily gave him when they first met. He gently kisses it and then sends it off floating down the river. One chapter of his life is finished.

Ian tells Jamie he’s learned he can be both Wolf’s Brother and Ian Murray at the same time. Jamie reminds him it doesn’t matter what he calls himself; what matters is his heart.

Back on Fraser’s Ridge, Malva wonders what Claire’s writing in her book. Claire offers to show her and explains she writes out recipes and procedures. She does so so that others can benefit from her knowledge.

Malva admits her brother and father don’t like her spending time with Claire, but she loves it.

Jamie arrives home and Claire asks Malva to straighten up the surgery. Claire’s happy to have her husband back and joins him in the barn to celebrate their reunion. They kiss and Jamie explains they had a day’s delay because Mohawk were at the camp. He reveals he learned what happened during Ian’s time with them, but doesn’t have the strength to tell the whole story now.

Jamie does say Ian learned he can be both Mohawk and Scottish. However, Jamie’s figured out he can’t be a rebel and a loyalist at once because it’s ripping him apart. He needs to resign as Indian Agent.

Claire reminds him he couldn’t keep his hands off her the last time he returned from the Cherokee. Jamie admits he’s a bit more tired this time…but not too tired to refuse to make love to his gorgeous wife.

Trouble looms as Malva spies on Claire and Jamie while they make love!




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