‘Outlander’ Season 6 Episode 5 Recap: “Give Me Liberty” Finds Jamie Choosing Sides

By
Rebecca Murray
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Outlander Season 6 Episode 5 Recap
Sam Heughan, Caitriona Balfe, Alistair Findlay, Maria Doyle Kennedy, and Mercy Ojelade in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Starz’s Outlander season six episode five – “Give Me Liberty” – begins with a flashback to June 1746 in Scotland. The opening scene is based on true events and shows Flora MacDonald (Shauna Macdonald) helping Charles Edward Stuart (Andrew Gower) flee to Skye months after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden. Bonnie Prince Charlie is dressed as a woman and Flora’s able to provide papers that convince a Redcoat to allow them passage on a small boat.

The Bonnie Prince assures Flora he owes her his lifelong gratitude and that her kindness will be remembered. (Check out nationalarchives.gov.uk for details on the real event.)

“The Skye Boat Song” follows and then fades into a flag with the words “Join or Die” waving in the breeze. A voiceover by Jamie (Sam Heughan) reveals he’s written a letter to Governor Josiah Martin (Eugene O’Hare) resigning as Indian Agent. Governor Martin asks Lord John Grey (David Berry) if Jamie’s letter is one of resignation or revolt. Martin’s worried Jamie could turn and use his militia against the British, and Lord John agrees to speak with Jamie.

Meanwhile, Jamie and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) have made their way to Wilmington to attend an event in honor of Flora MacDonald. Jamie can’t wait to see her and Claire confesses she thinks he has a crush on Flora. Claire explains the image of Flora and the Bonnie Prince will come to embody the spirit of Scottish rebelliousness.

Jamie wishes Fergus was with them, and their conversation hints at Fergus suddenly moving to New Bern – something that was apparently Aunt Jocasta’s doing.

As they unpack, Jamie admits he’s surprised Flora’s speaking in support of the Crown. Claire agrees it’s strange former Jacobites have embraced the loyalist cause and sworn loyalty to the Crown. Jamie notes he also swore an oath that he must break, due to what he’s learned from Claire and Bree.

Jamie joins some men downstairs where a toast is made to King George the Third. He meets with Cornelius Harnett and Harnett’s cohorts and says he’s among men who care as much about the King as he does. The two like-minded men have a private chat and Jamie compliments Cornelius on assembling the Committee of Correspondence. Cornelius reveals his group is aware of Jamie speaking his mind to Tryon at Alamance Creek and compliments him for taking a stand.

They assess each other’s character, and Jamie claims he’s compelled to do right by his conscience. Jamie then notices Cornelius’ ring and engages him in the Freemason handshake. Cornelius invites Jamie to a secret Sons of Liberty meeting planned for the following evening.

As he’s leaving the meeting Jamie spots a jar labeled “The Bollocks of the Notorious Pirate Stephen Bonnet Taken from His Corpse.” Indeed, there appear to be testicles in the jar!

Back on Fraser’s Ridge, Roger (Richard Rankin) is working on repairing Amy McCallum’s chimney when he hums a song she thinks sounds familiar. He reveals it’s “The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen” and sings it for Amy and her son, Aidan. Amy confesses she yearns for home and Roger admits he does too.

Brianna (Sophie Skelton) leads Marsali (Lauren Lyle), Lizzie (Caitlin O’Ryan), and Malva (Jessica Reynolds) in a search for the perfect spot to build a waterwheel on the riverbank. The women complain about the long walk but Bree isn’t ready to give up.

They come upon a circle of rocks with human finger bones in the center. Marsali believes it’s a love charm called “Venom of the North Wind” that’s made up of grave dust, dried seaweed, bones, and flat rocks.

The women attempt to guess the identity of the person who made the spell, and Amy McCallum’s name is tossed out since she’s a widow with two young children. (It’s unspoken but obvious they worry about the time Roger’s spending with Amy.) Suddenly Lizzie appears faint and is feverish, and Bree thinks it might be malaria.

The action returns to Wilmington as Jamie and Claire attend the Flora MacDonald event. Everyone’s dressed in their finest and Jamie’s surprised to see Lord John Grey’s in attendance. It’s a happy reunion and Claire immediately asks about William. Lord John’s obviously proud of the boy and reveals he’s an excellent chess player. He’s extremely intelligent and loves to talk about history and politics. He has a keen grasp of languages, too.

Lord Grey turns to business and confesses he believes Flora’s appeal for peace to her countrymen comes at just the right moment.

Jamie and Claire turn their attention to greeting Aunt Jocasta (Maria Doyle Kennedy) and Duncan Innes. Jocasta’s sad Jamie and Claire haven’t come to visit her recently at River Run. Jamie reminds her the last man he sent to River Run ended up in New Bern with his own print shop.

Jocasta explains Fergus told her how much he wanted to recapture the happiness he felt working in the print shop in Edinburgh. “I had an opportunity to help,” says Jocasta. She adds that once Marsali moves to New Bern, their family will be safer away from those who think ill of Henri-Christian.

Next, Major MacDonald (Robin Laing) joins Jamie and Claire to express his shock at learning Jamie resigned as Indian Agent. Their conversation’s interrupted by the arrival of Flora MacDonald, and the group chatting grows to include Lord John, Jocasta, and Duncan. Lord John jokes he needs a lineage chart to track all the MacDonalds, and Flora explains she was born a MacDonald and married a MacDonald.

Flora recognizes Jamie and remembers that at their last meeting he kicked her in the shin. Jamie replies, “Aye, Fionnaghal, because you stole my bridie and pulled my hair.”

Flora’s happy to meet Claire and asks if it’s true she performed an operation on stage at the theatre. Claire laughs and explains it was in the foyer.

Flora reveals she was late because she found a thief going through her belongings in her room. He stole her necklace but fortunately, the scoundrel was quickly apprehended. The necklace was returned but it’s missing one emerald.

Outlander Season 6 Episode 5 Recap
Shauna Macdonald, Maria Doyle Kennedy, and Caitriona Balfe in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Jocasta appears ill and Claire and Flora accompany her outside for some air. Her eyes are causing her pain and Claire volunteers she’s got something in the carriage that can soothe them. She’s also got something that can help Flora ease her nerves.

Minutes later Jocasta’s got a big smile as she smokes hemp flower in a pipe. The ladies laugh and Flora suggests they drink to their Bonnie Prince. Claire would instead like to drink to Flora. Flora and Claire toast while Jocasta smokes, and Flora confesses she’s not politically aligned with the Bonnie Prince. She also reveals people assumed they slept together and Jocasta chuckles.

“I fear my name will forever be associated with him,” says Flora. Claire knows that’s true but doesn’t say anything.

A mention of meeting royalty causes Claire to experience a flashback to the deal she was forced to make with King Louis XV in order to free Jamie. She shakes it off and joins Jocasta and Flora as they start to make their way back inside. Jocasta pauses to confess out of her four husbands it was Murtagh who holds a special place in her heart.

Claire lingers behind the women, ostensibly to prepare hemp flower for Jocasta to take home. Once alone she pulls ether from her bag and drifts off.

Flora’s speech is underway as Claire joins Jamie. He asks where she’s been and she explains she needed a rest.

Flora includes in her speech advice she credits Claire with dispensing regarding seeking to heal from within. Flora ties that into the nation being divided, and that peace and unity are in stake.

Flora reminds those gathered they’ve sworn loyalty to the Crown and are subjects of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (stressing “United”).

Following the speech Lord John and Jamie stroll and chat, and Lord John reveals Governor Martin’s concerned about his resignation. Lord John confesses he’s seen a list with Jamie’s name among those associated with the Sons of Liberty. Lord John orders Jamie to immediately distance himself from the group, but Jamie refuses to reveal the location of their next meeting.

Lord John warns his friend the Crown has eyes and ears everywhere.

Mary (Mercy Ojelade) rushes up with orders from Duncan Innes to fetch Lord John. There’s trouble in town.

Outlander Season 6 Episode 5 Recap
David Berry, Mercy Ojelade and Sam Heughan in ‘Outlander’ season 6 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Jamie and Lord John hurry to town and find a mob attempting to break down a print shop door. Apparently, Jocasta had flyers printed to honor Flora MacDonald and these men want to tar and feather the printer. Jamie and Lord John fight off those in the front of the pack, with Jamie telling the crowd not to punish a man for an honest day’s work.

The printer emerges from the shop with a rifle, threatening to print whatever he wants. He’s shot in the arm before Redcoats arrive to break up the mob. A soldier nods at Jamie in thanks as the group disperses.

Jamie returns to the hotel and Claire tends to a minor injury (at least compared to his past wounds) to his neck. Jamie thought the war wasn’t supposed to start until July 4, 1776 and Claire reminds him that’s when the Declaration of Independence was signed. The war started much earlier.

Jamie wonders what will happen when the people on the Ridge learn he’s broken his oath to the King. He’s worried about the possibility of fighting his friends. He’s also upset he lied to Lord John, and Claire assures him there’s a possibility the people on the Ridge might not have to get involved. However, she’s aware the tide’s turned and their allegiance is to this new nation.

Jamie sits down with Jocasta and Duncan, and Jocasta confirms she paid for Flora’s gathering. Jocasta wants peace and is willing to dip into her purse to pay for it. Jamie figures out Jocasta bought Fergus a print shop so he’ll print her views. “I dinna wish to hear he’s been hanged for treason or tarred and feathered for not being treasonous enough,” says Jamie.

Jocasta says Fergus understands the dangers, but Jamie warns her nothing better happen to his son. Jocasta and Duncan quickly depart from the table and Mary stops to explain Jocasta hasn’t been the same since Murtagh’s death.

Lord John informs Jamie he’s received news the Sons of Liberty are meeting at the Red Falcon. Jamie confirms he’s attending the meeting and Lord John mistakenly believes it’s to act as a spy. He quickly realizes his mistake and says, “God, I am a fool.”

Jamie explains he believes there’s a better way to live but Lord John’s certain a war means a loss for the rebels. He doesn’t want Jamie to die. Lord John asks if Jamie wants freedom from tyranny, making the argument personal by asking if he appears as the face of tyranny. Jamie explains he can’t hide how he feels and invites Lord John to the meeting to hear the other side of the argument.

Lord John refuses to believe the colonies are capable of governing themselves. Jamie asks if he’ll delay his men, swearing he’ll continue to attend the meetings no matter what. He’s made up his mind and won’t be swayed.

Lord John promises to delay the soldiers and asks Jamie to be careful.

Jamie shows up at the meeting a little late and learns he’s no longer welcome after defending the printer. Jamie firmly believes Mr. Simms has every right to print whatever he pleases. He’s shocked these men don’t agree every man should be free.

“You call yourselves the Sons of Liberty. Is it liberty when a man is cowed into silence or threatened into submission?” asks Jamie.

Jamie reveals he’s there to warn them soldiers will be arriving to arrest all those present. As he’s talking soldiers can be heard outside. Thankfully by the time they barge in all of the men are gone except Jamie, Harnett, and a few others. They’ve moved quickly and it now appears as though they’re simply playing pool and drinking.

Over on Fraser’s Ridge, Roger returns home and Bree seems more than a little jealous of his time spent with Amy. Roger explains he’s not spending time with her; he’s just keeping his promise and making sure she has a home and doesn’t starve. Roger figures out Bree believes Amy made the love charm, and Bree says they need him at home. He’s not sure about that, given that she’s currently working on bringing indoor plumbing to the Ridge.

“You’re amazing to me, Bree. I’m just trying to contribute something too,” says Roger.

Bree explains everyone in the community notices the time he spends with Amy. She won’t find a husband if he’s there acting like the man of the house.

Later, Roger helps Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones) and his son, Allan (Alexander Vlahos), cart a bell to the new church. Tom believes theirs will be the finest belfry in the county. Roger runs off to fetch the rope for the pulley and finds Malva and Mr. Henderson making out on the floor of the church. He warns Malva her dad and brother are outside, and she threatens to tell everyone she saw him kissing Amy McCallum. Roger’s furious and they both know that’s a lie, but Malva says everyone on the Ridge is aware of the amount of time he spends with Amy. (She’s so wicked!)

Malva escapes through the back as Mr. Henderson joins the group out front with the bell.

Roger returns to finish up the repair job on Amy’s cabin and against his better judgment he allows her to talk him into joining them for lunch. She’s prepared quite a meal and offers him the seat at the head of the table.

Roger comes home with his tools and laughs as his son runs off with a toy airplane. (Bree jokes they’ll say it’s a weird bird.) Roger tells Bree he’s asked Obadiah Henderson to help Amy if she needs anything, and then admits he has a weakness for young mothers. He can’t help himself around them and needs to take care of them.

He apologizes and knows Bree wasn’t worried about him; it was all about Amy picking up the wrong signals from his attentiveness. Roger says he wants to spend more time with Bree and Jemmy – just the three of them.

“Well, the four of us,” says Bree with a smile. They kiss and hold each other, celebrating the happy news.

Troublemaker Malva retrieves more fingers from a corpse that’s already missing a few.

Bree visits Marsali and confirms Lizzie’s feeling better. Marsali jokes that Kezzie and Josiah have been taking good care of her and then notices Bree’s preoccupied watching over Henri-Christian. Marsali realizes Bree’s pregnant and is indignant she didn’t tell her. They laugh and Bree explains she’s only told Roger; Claire doesn’t even know.

Bree’s sad her “sister” is moving away to New Bern before the baby comes, and Marsali assures her she won’t be gone forever.

Jamie and Claire prepare to return home when Claire hears someone whistling “Colonel Bogey March” which was written in 1914. She shakes it off.

The episode ends with the thief who stole the emerald from Flora’s necklace whistling the tune in his jail cell.




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