Flashback to the future! Despite trying to get her head in the game ("the game" being her bodice-ripping life in 18th-century Scotland), Claire Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) was plagued with shocking memories of her time as a nurse in World War II during the Sunday, June 4, episode of Outlander. Meanwhile, she and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) staged an elaborate fake rape scene to get information for the Jacobites, and Jamie infiltrated a British camp like a boss. What can we say? He lives life on the edge.
Welcome Back, Dougal!
Oh, hey, Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix)! Jamie and Claire finally reunite with their BFF, and together they start teaching soldiers how to get their war on. And trust us, we use the word "soldiers" loosely — these poor folks are pretty much the most inept ever, bless their hearts. The problem? Jamie wants to put tons of time into training the men so they're prepared for battle, but his uncle Dougal MacKenzie (Graham McTavish) — who shows up with Angus (Stephen Walters) and Rupert (Grant O'Rourke) — is all about getting his fight on.
These two have a bit of a power struggle, and Dougal has the audacity to ask Claire to speak to her man. He even low-key threatens to tell Jamie about that one time she agreed to wife him if Jamie died. Her reaction? To tell Dougal that Jamie already knows about their shady agreement, and to accuse him of caring more about himself than the rebellion. Get it, Claire! (BTW, this little chat works wonders because Dougal pretty much behaves himself throughout the rest of the episode.)
Jamie Gets His Fight On
OK, remember a few moments ago when we said Dougal pretty much behaves himself? Emphasis on "pretty much." Dougal annoys Jamie when he wanders into camp with a bunch of randoms who he bullies into joining the rebellion, and Jamie's forced to flex his leadership muscles by sending them back home and whipping the sentries who let them pass. But before you side-eye Jamie for getting physical, he also punishes himself with a good ol' whipping later in this episode.
Here's the deal: Jamie's peeing in a corner (as ya do), when a feisty teenager tries to slit his throat. Turns out said youth is actually a Brit, who refuses to talk when Jamie questions him. Our favorite Scot (or "Red Jamie, the Unprincipled and Traitorous Rebel" as he's hilariously called by the British) is about to get his torture on when Claire walks in and things get super-duper weird.
Basically, Claire pretends that she's a British captive, and while Jamie is initially confused, he catches on and fake-assaults her in the hopes that teen will protect her honor. The ruse works because (in addiction to threatening to kill Jamie) the British kid tells him where their camp is, and you better believe Jamie raids it/steals the wheels off their cannons. You know, after having himself whipped for not securing the camp well enough.
Question: Is Jamie secretly Christian Grey, yes/no?
Claire Goes Back to the Future
Time to talk about Claire's visions! Basically, the poor thing can't walk 2 feet without clutching at her pearls and being transported to WWII. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that Claire was giving two American soldiers a ride when they were attacked. Poor Claire ended up in a ditch, having to listen to her buddies slowly die, and couldn't even help for fear of being killed herself. Claire eventually opens up to Jamie about her past after he finds her in the fetal position, and she tells him that she refuses to "lie in that ditch" again. In other words, girl wants to help her friends, and she's ready AF for this war. (P.S. Jamie promises, "Whatever happens, you'll never be alone again," which is basically the cutest thing ever.)
Speaking of war, it looks like Culloden is just around the corner because the Jamie et al. finally meet up with the prince. Jamie even does Dougal a solid and lets him ride ahead! Looks like this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Tell Us: Will Claire and Jamie change history and win the war?
Outlander airs on Starz Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET.
