Outlander season 4 episode 1 review: The Stephen Bonnet mistake
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In the midst of Jamie and Claire’s arrival, their attempt to give their friend Hayes a proper burial led to them facing a most-unfortunate discovery: Stephen Bonnet, a smuggler and locale ne’er-do-well, had found a way to hide in their carriage. He wanted to make his way out of town and he did his best to appeal to their charitable side. He made it clear that he was a friend of Hayes, that he meant ultimately no harm to them, and that he simply wanted to escape his present situation. He made it seem like he wasn’t a terrible man and he appealed to Claire and Jamie on a personal level.
Yet, in allowing Bonnet to travel with them briefly, Jamie and Claire made one of the biggest mistakes of their entire lives in America. While on their way towards River Run at the end of the episode, Jamie and Claire were betrayed by Bonnet, who turned up with his men, killed Lesley, roughed up Jamie, and took many of the couple’s valuables. This includes the super-expensive ruby that could have guaranteed the couple a number of options in terms of their future. Without that, they may be more inclined to take up the Governor’s offer for money, even knowing full well that eventually the American Revolution would lead to them being on the right side of history.
Watching the betrayal, especially overrun with a take on “America the Beautiful” at the end, was heartbreaking. That is all the more painful knowing that this is far from the last time that Bonnet is going to make his presence known on Outlander season 4.
Before the robbery took place, there was some good news elsewhere — Marsali is pregnant, and she and Fergus are planning a future and life together closer to the city. Meanwhile, young Ian is also bracing for a new life and seems to be eager to escape his past and some of the trauma that he faced at the hands of the Bakra last season. There was no Roger or Bree in this episode, but they will resurface soon enough.
Even before Bonnet betrayed the Frasers, there were still many a sign that Claire was going to struggle being accustomed to this new world. Take, for example, the dinner with Penzler where she was made to look like a fool just for wanting good things for the poor, and for not wanting speak as hatefully about Native Americans. (Speaking about Native Americans, we think the opening of the episode, the construction of the standing stones in North Carolina, is something to tuck away in your mind for at some point down the road.)
CarterMatt Verdict
The Outlander premiere took its time to set the table, at least once we got into the action and understood more of where Jamie and Claire were in America. There is a part of us that wishes that the series didn’t do a time jump following the end of season 3, but such are things when there are only 13 episodes and so much story that does still need to be told. As good as it was to get updates on Fergus and Marsali, and to see Jamie and Claire try to navigate local social circles, the most important part of this episode comes via the decision with Bonnet. It’s a fine example of how one wrong move, even with the best of intentions, can completely devastate and alter the entire course of your life.
Related News – Be sure to secure some other information right now regarding the series, including a preview for what is coming up next
What did you think about the Outlander season 4 premiere as a whole? Be sure to let us know right away in the attached comments. (Photo: Starz.)