‘Outlander’ season 2, episode 3 review: The Duke of Sandringham, and keys, are the key
In some ways, it does feel almost like night and day looking at season 1 of “Outlander” versus season 2. Both are remarkable in their own way, but perhaps the most remarkable thing is merely that these two are actually a part of the same show.
A prime example came through Saturday’s episode, where we saw Jamie Fraser immersed in a game of politics and secrets in order to figure out precisely where Charles was getting such promises of money in order to kickstart the Jacobite Rebellion with assistance from the French nobility. As it turns out, the secrets were hidden within music in a way that seemed perfectly-suited for an old-fashioned adventure caper. It seems to be none other than the Duke of Sandringham himself who is behind some of the plots, putting the two sides against the other in hopes of emerging out of the middle unscathed. He’s a shrewd man, and someone intent on hedging his bets.
So the moment Jamie, with the help of Claire and her new ally Mother Hildegarde, figured out that it was the Duke behind the double-dealing, he was intent on meeting with him and working to turn the tide. Here’s the kicker, which made for a tremendous end button to this episode: Claire knows that Black Jack Randall is alive, and she also knows that Jack’s brother Alex is traveling with the Duke. Jamie will find out, so she has to tell him before running the risk of a secret being exposed by other means. Jamie would have a hard time forgiving such a thing being kept, as hard as it may be. We don’t necessarily think her not coming clean tonight was out-of-character, but if she continues to hide it during more private, intimate moments, than we may start to question why she is playing with such obvious fire.
It was nice to see in this episode Claire back in the medical profession, working alongside the Mother to help those in need. This is a show that doesn’t complicate itself much with the concept of changing history much, so there were no questions about what could happen if she allowed someone to live who otherwise was meant to die. It was referenced, however, when Claire realized that Mary was actually set to be the wife of Jack Randall down the line, which created a horrible paradox in her mind that in order for Frank to be born, the nefarious villain must continue to live for at least another year.
In terms fashion, romance, and storytelling, few shows are flying higher than “Outlander” at present. Even the smaller details like Murtagh and Suzette’s newfound “relationship” make sense for the characters, graphic as they may be at times. This is a show that may be less violent and at a different pace than season 1, but Ronald D. Moore and the writers are crafting it with a masterful hand so far. Grade: A-.
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