‘Outlander’ season 1, episode 4 review: Did Claire escape and did Jamie take the oath?

We are starting to really see the struggle for Claire unfold now on “Outlander” as she starts to develop feelings for Jamie, but is still in love with her husband Frank and wants to get back to her own time to be with him. Has she created enough of a bond with the MacKenzie clan to want to stay with them or is she still plotting a way to escape and get back to the time travelling rocks?

After hearing an inspiring song last week about a time traveler, Claire is more determined then ever to get back to Frank and she pushes her escape plan into action. Claire has two clansmen that have been set to watch over her, but she is able to shake them when she finds a women they are both interested in to distract them for a bit. She steals a knife from Mrs. Fitz kitchen and is ready to take off, but Mrs. Fitz finds her and ushers her off to the Oath-Taking reminding her that she is an honored guest. As all of the MacKenzie men line up and pledge their oath to Colum, everyone notices that Jamie is absent.

With everyone busy at the oath-taking, Claire finds a way to shake her guardsmen, grab her escape kit and head off to find the rocks. Her plan is thwarted when she runs into Jamie standing guard outside and he offers to take her back inside, but she’s nervous since she had to knock out Dougal to escape.

When they get inside, Jamie is pushed into taking the oath – if he does then he will be in line to be a potential heir to be Laird (which is later voted on by the clan), which may lead to Jamie being killed by Dougal who wants the position. If Jamie doesn’t take the oath he will still likely be killed by Dougal (no win for Jamie). With Jamie being as smart as he is, he doesn’t take the oath, but pledges to Colum that as long as he remains on the MacKenzie lands he will obey him.

So will Claire ever find a way to escape? It looks like she might have another chance next week when Dougal asks her to accompany him as his healer as he goes to collect taxes. Her empathy towards his dying friend at the great boar hunt (he was savaged by the boar and later died) has won her some points with Dougal. Episode grade: B+

What did you think of this week’s episode of “Outlander” and do you want to see get back home to Frank or stay in Scotland with Jamie? Leave us your thoughts below in the comment box.