Outlander just aired its season 1 penultimate episode. It featured Emmy worthy performances by its stars: Tobias Menzies, Caitriona Balfe, and Sam Heughan.
Simply stated Tobias Menzies gave what was quite possibly the most terrifying performance of any actor this year. He’s not the villain that you roll your eyes at half expecting him to tie a fair maiden to the railroad tracks. His portrayal of Black Jack Randall is one that will, in Black Jack’s own words, “haunt your dreams.”
Reprieve from hanging
Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Taran McQuarrie (Douglas Henshall) stand before the gallows awaiting their hanging. Jamie expressed that his only regret is that his wife will not forgive him for being so foolish as to get himself hanged. McQuarrie, on the other hand, regrets that his was a life of thievery rather than one fighting for Scotland. Jamie attempts to overpower his guards and die like a man not a prisoner, but they soon overpower him due to their number, his weakened physical state, and his shackles. He is dubiously saved from execution by the arrival of Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies) who orders Jamie taken to the dungeons.
Reality sets in
Jamie soon realizes that escape isn’t possible. No matter how hard he pulls on his shackles, there is no way they are coming out of the wall. Black Jack arrives along with his slobbering assistant, Marley. He makes it clear that Jamie’s pardon from the Duke of Sandringham isn’t going to happen. Black Jack learned of the Jamie’s accusations about him, and he took action to prevent the pardon. The only choice Jamie now has is the way in which he wants to die. Black Jack makes it clear that not even he can stop Jamie from being executed. The only thing he can offer is a death other than by hanging, but that death comes at a price.
Claire plots a rescue
Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Murtagh (Duncan LaCroix) go to see Sir Fletcher (Frazer Hines), the Governor of Wentworth Prison, to try and gain information about Jamie’s location and condition. All she is able to learn is that his execution has been temporarily stayed. A notable side-point to this scene is Sir Fletcher is played by the man, who more than twenty years ago, inspired Diana Gabaldon’s character of Jamie Fraser and Scotland setting of her first novel.
Fortunately for Claire, Angus and Rupert have had more luck. They have been drinking and gambling with two Wentworth jailers who inadvertently revealed when Sir Fletcher’s office would be empty. This hour-long window of opportunity would allow Claire and Murtagh a chance to search for keys and a map of the jail. Although things don’t go quite to plan, Claire does manage to grab a set of keys, and she hunts for Jamie in the prison alone.
Black Jack’s desires
Black Jack begins what will be a psychological and physical campaign of terror and fear. Jamie doesn’t ever reveal his fears to Black Jack, but when Black Jack’s back is turned, it’s obvious that Jamie is not immune to the threats.
Black Jack wants to know if his face has haunted Jamie since Fort William, if Jamie dreams of the whipping and Jack, and if when Claire touches Jamie’s scarred back, is it really Jack that Jamie thinks of? Black Jack asks Jamie to simply admit his terror, and he will in turn give him a gift of a noble death, rather than a death by hanging. Jamie instead suggests that it is actually he who haunts Black Jack’s dreams and not the other way around.
Ramping up the violence
Jamie states that he won’t surrender to any man, and agrees to turn around and show Black Jack his back if doing so will shut him up. Jamie may think this is effective, but Black Jack knows Jamie’s back is his Achilles heel. As soon as Black jack rips open Jamie’s shirt, it’s obvious that Jamie Fraser is afraid, and that alone is terrifying.
Although Jamie is initially effective in attacking Black Jack, Marley steps in. Since Jamie is chained to the wall, the powerful Marley is able to get the better of him. The penalty for this attack is Black Jack maiming Jamie’s left hand. Marley brutally smashes Jamie’s hand twice with a mallet. Barely able to stay conscious and in excruciating pain, Jamie cannot fight off Black Jack who proceeds to cuddle Jamie, and force Jamie’s hand to stroke his crotch. Black Jack throws Jamie to the floor and leaves with Marley. Round one is over.
Claire enters the equation
Claire manages to work her way down to the dungeon, open a door, and find Jamie. She is discovered by Black Jack before she can release Jamie from his chains. She fights back, but is easily subdued by Marley and Black Jack.
As Black Jack and Marley surround a terrified Claire, she makes her move. She shoves Jack into the wall and trips Marley. This allows Jamie to kill Marley with a broken table leg while she attempts to choke Black Jack with a chain. Despite her best efforts, Black Jack is simply stronger and soon has turned the tables on Claire. Jamie begs Black Jack to not hurt Claire. Black Jack’s cool response is, “Make me a better offer.”
The trade
Jamie knows he has only one thing that Black Jack wants, and that is his surrender. Jamie gives it, on the condition that Claire goes free. Jamie agrees not to resist no matter what Black Jack does.To test his sincerity, Black Jack asks for proof. Jamie sits stock still as Black Jack first nails his wounded hand to the table and then passionately kisses him on the mouth.
Satisfied that Jamie is sincere, Black Jack leads Claire out. Before he can throw her out the door, Claire claims she is actually the witch Black Jack has heard of, and she curses him with the knowledge of the day of his death.
Black Jack returns to Jamie’s cell. He opens the back of Jamie’s shirt, and begins to caresses and kiss Jamie’s back. Black Jack states, “How does it feel to be alive and wear so much dead flesh?” Although Black Jack cannot see Jamie’s face he is clearly accomplishing his goals. Jamie has begun to break down. A single tear rolls down Jamie’s face. From the look in his eyes, Jamie Fraser isn’t just afraid; he is positively terrified. Black Jack promises more to come.
Hope
Claire is found wandering, and is brought to Eldrich House, a safe house owned by a local laird who is sympathetic to Clan McKenzie. Despite having a past connection to Jamie’s mother Ellen, he is the one who gave Ellen her pearls that Claire now owns, he will not offer active help as it would put his family at grave risk.
It’s just the five of the original rescue party, and their only advantage is the door Claire left open. They have no plan until Murtagh realizes a herd of 19 cows has arrived, and somehow those 19 cows are going to be part of the rescue.
Outlander’s season finale is in two weeks, May 30, on Starz at 9:00 p.m.