Already renewed for a season 6, Outlander takes us once again into the adventures of Jamie and Claire. The series, however, leaves more room than before to secondary characters, while juggling with skillful parallels with the past. Back on this beginning of season 5. Warning, spoilers!
Originally broadcast on Starz, every Monday morning comes out a new episode of Outlander, to start the week! Fans have also had the chance to find their favorite series with an earlier than expected broadcast. Thus, since the first episode of season 5, we continue to follow the adventures of the characters, in America. The Fraser Colony, named Fraser's Ridge, is now well established in North Carolina.
Characters (and spectators) plagued by doubt
The first episode begins with a flashback, specific to the series because of its many flashbacks. We find there, the Scottish scenery making the beauty of Outlander, with its highlands. In this way, screenwriter Matthew B. Roberts plunges us into Jamie's childhood and more specifically into his relationship with Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix). We find the latter, young, his face serious following the death of the mother of the little boy. The Highlander shares his oath with little Jamie. This promise will guide the story throughout the first episodes. What's more, she will explain several times the doubts of these two characters.
In the present, Jamie finds himself forced to do everything to protect his family… Thus, he finds himself faced with a terrible situation: handing Murtagh, now head of the Regulators, to Governor Tryon. We then doubt until the last minute of Jamie's decision, until he releases his godfather for whom he has an almost filial love. He frees him from this promise, particularly present in the scenario of this first episode.
We do not know if we will see Murtagh again, and what fate the writers have planned for him, especially since we would have liked to see his relationship with Jocasta (Maria Doyle Kennedy – The Tudors, Orphan Black) evolve. His status as a leader was also particularly promising (for example, when he leads a rather violent revolt in episode 2). In this way of representing the Regulators, we would almost end up putting ourselves in the shoes of red coats, loyal to the Crown. The scenario even manages to make us doubt, at the beginning of the scene, the identity of the executioners and the victims. The English have often been depicted as executioners.
Between traditions and mores of the time
We quickly see that the groom struggles with the eighteenth century and its mores. This reminds us of Claire's shift with Scotland in the 1740s, at the very beginning of the series. The Englishwoman was, like him, not in his element. Moreover, it continues to want to change the course of history. She thus engages in many medical experiments for which she risks paying the price. From a scripting point of view, we see that the series is still well documented and credible.
She also trains Marsali (Lauren Lyle), in her experiments, which finally gives real importance to this character. We also learn part of her past in episode 4, so far remained mysterious. Marsali then becomes more interesting, she who seemed to be in the background in the previous season.
Subsequently, Jamie manages to gather his men, creating a militia. The script as well as the staging, do not make this moment a banal recruitment. On the contrary, Scottish traditions, including that of the cross of fire, are appealed to. The character himself explains the principle, in a solemn tone, with the charisma of his own. This tradition invited men of the same clan to gather, representing a declaration of war. We therefore find the essence of the series which is based on the Scottish heritage, as much in its historical practices as in the costumes and the soundtrack. These elements take us a little more into the authenticity desired by the author of this literary saga, Diana Gabaldon. We hear this same accuracy in the singing accents of the characters, as in previous seasons.
Sam Heughan plays a convincing colonel, his character having managed to mature a little more each season. He also particularly protects his men (including Isaiah Morton, in episode 4) even though he is forced to delegate certain tasks to Roger. So there is a certain coherence between Jamie's new obligations and the different plots that are woven around him.
Roger, who had become captain, was then given new responsibilities. Some mistakes also harm him in his relationship with Jamie, who still struggles to accept it. However, we notice a complicity between the two actors, who play to perfection this tense relationship. Roger imposes himself, slowly but surely, trying somehow to integrate into this time very different from his own. He struggles to make decisions, especially the right ones…
However, its evolution is taking place at a logical pace, given the differences in mentalities and religious beliefs. This isn't the first time Outlander has taken its time digging deeper into a character. However, we are surprised by Roger's misunderstanding, in the scene of the cross of fire, who should be aware of these traditions, being a professor of history in his time. This is one of the inconsistencies that can be noted concerning him.
Concerns about Fraser's Ridge
In addition, we find ourselves immersed in the psychology of Brianna, traumatized by the rape committed by Bonnet. Having already gained importance in previous seasons where parallels were established between Jamie and her, the young woman is haunted by what she has been through. Regularly, her gaze is lost in the unhealthy contemplation of cathartic drawings she makes of her executioner. Our blood is at least as icy as his, at the thought that his executioner is still lurking. Most of his scenes then revolve around it, which might seem redundant but is not, depending on the logic in which the character is inscribed.
Yet there is one scene that we have experienced the most through his eyes. It is certainly the one where little Jeremiah escapes her surveillance, causing both anxiety in her and in the viewer (episode 4). While the calm of Fraser's Ridge may seem reassuring, it is not. The scene taking place at night, the chalet shown with an overall shot, one spontaneously has the impression that Bonnet is watching the young woman. The following shot, focused on the two children (including Brianna's) draws attention to them. The music reflects both the apprehension of the young mother, as ours, as well as the plans that follow one another more quickly. It's probably one of the most disturbing scenes of this early season, playing with our nerves to perfection.
Outlander has always focused on the psychology of its characters, whether it's Claire's voiceover or Jamie's troubled past. This time, the direction, as well as the script of Brianna's scenes, are centered on her deepest fears. On this point, the series continues its momentum, without focusing too much on the couple that form the main characters – as has been the case during previous seasons.
Over the course of the episodes, the tension rises, both in relation to the Regulators and Jaime's new duties, and to Bonnet who remains more or less in the shadows. We know that the terrible captain did not die in the fire that ravaged the prison in which he was held. The Frasers are also aware of this. We can't help but think of previous seasons, when "Black Jack" Randall managed to escape death several times. It is as if the scenario was repeating itself, featuring the Frasers' executioners, abused from father to daughter.
The subtle signs of Bonnet's presence create a climate of anxiety throughout the episodes, especially for Brianna. In parallel, we find the criminal in one of his most terrifying aspects. Present during the scene of illegal fights between two women (episode 2), he always falls back on his feet despite the atrocities committed here and there. His manipulative and opportunistic side always allows him to seize the best opportunities.
In addition, we can salute the performance of Edward Speleers, who juggles perfectly with the moods of this sadistic man he plays. He plays a villain at least as terrifying as the one played by Tobias Menzies in the first seasons. His character brings a real interest to this beginning of season 5, making us wonder how he will make his return. Why not a confrontation between Jamie and him? Although a duel between Roger and Bonnet could surprise us more.
In the end, the plot of this historical fresco that is Outlander progresses slowly. We would like a little acceleration, a real slap with the return of Bonnet. It is assumed that it will not be long in view of the trailer of episode 5. With this threat hanging over the Fraser clan, we can wonder about a possible return of Brianna, Roger, and Jeremiah in their time. Claire will likely continue to defy medicine, as well as history, with the War of Independence looming. In any case, we are not immune to many twists and turns. Outlander has always managed to surprise us when we least expected it.
