Fort Ticonderoga has been captured by the British as Starz’s Outlander season seven episode six, “Where the Waters Meet,” begins. After being delayed, Lt. William Ransom (Charles Vandervaart) finally arrives at the fort and reports in to General Simon Fraser (Angus MacFadyen). General Burgoyne ordered him to report to the forward command.
Fraser notes that not a single shot was fired and that the Continental Army fled, leaving behind supplies including their cannons. However, William’s in time for the next battle as they’ve been ordered to pursue the rebels south. Fraser explains their plans, and William deduces the British are going to isolate New England from the other colonies.
The civilians make it across the lake in rowboats with Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) in charge. Jamie plans on reuniting with the army after leading the civilians inland away from the fighting.
A short while later, everyone’s tired from walking and as Claire suggests they stop to rest, they hear what sounds like Native American war cries in the woods. Jamie has everyone get off the road and hide while Ian (John Bell) and Rollo scout the area.
Ian reports back that it’s redcoats pretending to be Indians to scare them. Jamie and Ian split off from the group to scare the soldiers away while Claire, Rachel (Izzy Meikle-Small), Denzell (Joey Phillips), and Jamie’s men continue to lead the civilians to safety.
Mrs. Raven got spooked and went off on her own, and Claire hurries off to find her.
Jamie and Ian clear out the woods before returning to the group. Meanwhile, Claire quietly calls out for Mrs. Raven and finally locates her in full-blown panic mode. Rather than return to the group, Mrs. Raven shoots herself in the head! The gunshot draws the attention of soldiers, and one grabs Claire.
Denzell meets up with Jamie and Ian and informs them that Claire’s been gone too long. Jamie and Ian discover Mrs. Raven’s dead body and soldiers’ boot prints, along with drag marks. They realize she’s been captured and taken to the fort.
Once inside the fort, Claire immediately takes charge and demands that a soldier bring the sick and injured water. After he hustles away to do her bidding, Claire spots Walter Woodcock (Tobi Bakare) among the captured. He looks well enough, considering his recent leg amputation, and his bandages are dry. However, he complains that his chest is hurting, and he has problems breathing.
Claire listens to his chest and patiently explains that it might be an embolism, a complication after surgery. She promises to keep an eye on him.
Also at the fort, William Ransom meets with Captain Richardson and is sorry to report that he didn’t deliver his messages. His horse ran off with the letters, and he didn’t look at the letters since he was ordered not to. However, he did learn that the recipients are all rebels.
Richardson confirms they’re spies and that what was in the letters was vitally important. William apologizes for failing at his mission, and Richardson believes William will redeem himself in the future.
Claire checks in on Walter and offers him water, but he coughs up blood onto his sleeve. That alarms Claire enough to make her chase down an officer, and she doesn’t realize she’s demanding help from Lt. William Ransom until he points out that he knows her and Jamie. He knows she saved his father’s life and is shocked to discover she’s a rebel. Claire confirms she is and that Jamie’s fighting for the colonies.
Still, when she asks for food and bandages, William assures her he’ll do his best, but food is scarce. Their supplies are two days out.
Jamie and Ian sneak up close to Fort Ticonderoga, and Jamie reveals that the rebels who’ve been captured will be treated like traitors – not prisoners. Ian insists he needs to go into the fort, not Jamie. Ian believes the redcoats will think he’s Mohawk, and the Mohawk are with the British so he’ll be fine. Jamie reluctantly gives in but thinks he might be able to provide a diversion.
Claire organizes some of the women prisoners and is happy to discover William’s come through with bandages and medicinal herbs. However, there isn’t any food to spare right now.
Walter’s condition has rapidly declined, and Claire has him drink ginger tea to thin his blood. Claire admits there’s little hope that he’ll survive and suggests he think about happy times dancing with his wife.
A short while later, Walter passes away.
Ian and Claire make contact in the fort seconds before William shouts out, “Mr. Murray!” William’s happy the Mohawk have aligned with the British, and he thanks Ian for saving his life. William ends the conversation but then turns around and reminds Ian that he mentioned Fraser’s Ridge. He also reminds Ian that he told him he was Jamie Fraser’s nephew. Strange coincidence that Claire is currently being detained, isn’t it?
Claire interrupts and admits she’s Ian’s aunt. Ian confesses he’s come alone for Claire, and William agrees to allow him to leave but without Claire. Ian refuses to go, and suddenly Jamie begins his diversion. He shoots flaming arrows into the fort as Ian reminds William that he owes him a life. Claire points out she won’t always be in William’s custody, and William agrees to turn his back and even instructs them how to escape. But with this act, they are all even.
If they encounter each other in war, the outcome will be different.
Ian and Claire make their escape and reunite with Jamie. Claire and Jamie have time for a short kiss, before Claire confesses she’s upset that she had to leave women and children behind. Claire’s still got the brandy that William gave her, and she tells Jamie she spoke with his son. Jamie asks that she tell him about William, but later – there’s no time now for lengthy conversations.
Jamie, Claire, and Ian meet up with the refugees a few days later. Thankfully, they managed to find the Continental Army and are safe. In a voiceover, Claire notes that Jamie only has a few more days left in the army and then they’ll head to Scotland.
Ian finds Rachel, and she believes he’s come to see Rollo, not her. They flirt, with Rollo at the center of the conversation, and Rachel admits he’s been a comfort. Ian promises to let her take Rollo whenever she can’t sleep. Good boy Rollo gets plenty of petting behind the ears as they smile at each other.
Jamie returns from hunting with a turkey shot right through the eye. A man Jamie’s unfamiliar with seems impressed and introduces himself as Colonel Daniel Morgan (Barry O’Connor), commander of Morgan’s Rifles. Jamie needs to go find the quartermaster to secure a tent, but Morgan has other plans. He’ll make sure Jamie’s well taken care of.
Later, Claire recognizes Daniel Morgan’s name from history books when Jamie brings him up. Jamie confirms Morgan’s riflemen are well-known among the men. Even though his enlistment’s almost done, Jamie said yes to joining Morgan’s unit. He can’t leave the flight now because the battle is coming.
Jamie mentions Saratoga, and Claire informs him that the Battle of Saratoga is a turning point for the colonies. The battle will draw the French into the war.
If he has to fight, Claire’s happy he’s doing so with Morgan’s men since that means he’ll be further away from combat and working as a sniper. (She explains that term to Jamie.) Claire wonders why women don’t make wars, and Jamie thinks it’s because women, though just as capable of fighting for their beliefs, take more with them when they die. When men die, they can be replaced by any decent man. When a woman dies, she takes life with her. “A woman is…possibility,” says Jamie.
Claire holds Jamie’s face and replies, “If you think one man is just like another, then I can’t agree with you.” She kisses him and concedes that the ability to create life might make it harder to end it.
Jamie admits he’s not as afraid of dying as he used to be. However, he is more reluctant to kill young men who haven’t yet lived their lives. He’ll still do it if he must, but he’ll mind it more.
The conversation finally turns to William, and Claire describes him as handsome, thoughtful, observant, stubborn, and clearly a man of honor. She saw the same kindness in his eyes as she sees in Jamie, but also the fierceness of a Highlander.
Roger Learns the Identity of the Nuckelavee
Roger (Richard Rankin) meets with Jemmy’s headmaster about Jemmy’s behavior and learns that Jemmy called his teacher a haggled old goat-breathed daughter of a witch. Roger explains that his father-in-law must have taught him that, and the headmaster’s happy to hear Roger speaks Gaelic. No one knows the language anymore, and both Roger and the headmaster believe that’s a shame. And, since he was a teacher, the headmaster asks Roger to teach a class in Gaelic.
Later, Bree (Sophie Skelton) is animated when she tries to describe what it was that she encountered under the dam. It was like the stones – that same energy – but different. They check out a map and discover that it’s possible that the stone circles interact with ley lines at some locations and create portals!
Bree reminds Roger he’s supposed to be teaching a class and helps him get ready by packing up his bag. (This is important later.)
Roger leads a class of children and adults and offers to teach them to curse in Gaelic. Apparently, Gaelic cursing is a matter of art – not expletives. Everyone seems to agree that this language should not be lost.
Roger has Jemmy pass out songs and poems his father collected while he leads them in a sing-along.
After Roger’s finished, Rob Cameron (Chris Fulton) introduces himself and says Bree’s the best inspector they’ve had in years. He enjoyed the class, and Roger’s shocked when Rob reveals he has his journal with the notes about his time with Jamie and Claire. (Bree accidentally put it in his bag…told you it was important.) Rob assumes it’s a sci-fi novel and asks to read it when he’s finished.
Rob also invites himself over for dinner next week, even though Roger was acting only out of politeness when he extended an invitation.
At home later that day, Roger’s dancing as he puts away food in the kitchen when he spots someone peering in through the window. He acts nonchalant but then suddenly races outside and confronts the stranger.
Roger grabs him, gets a good look at his face, and says, “Christ!” before punching him. The stranger who Jemmy’s been calling a Nuckelavee is William Buccleigh “Buck” MacKenzie (Diarmaid Murtagh), Dougal MacKenzie and Geillis Duncan’s son!
- Outlander Season 7 Episode 1 “A Life Well Lost” Recap
- Outlander Season 7 Episode 2 “The Happiest Place on Earth” Recap
- Outlander Season 7 Episode 3 “Death Be Not Proud” Recap
- Outlander Season 7 Episode 4 “A Most Uncomfortable Woman” Recap
- Outlander Season 7 Episode 5 “Singapore” Recap
- Outlander Season 7 Episode 7 “A Practical Guide to Time-Travelers” Recap
- Outlander Season 7 Episode 8 “Turning Points” Midseason Finale Recap
