Outlander 2.10: “Prestonpans”

Previously: They still hadn’t stopped this damn war.

The title card is bagpipes and drums. It’s very stirring.

The camera pans over a dead highlander with Claire standing over him. She voiceovers that this was a highlander that had run afoul of a Redcoat patrol, and they had hoped of changing the outcome…but she is doubtful of their success. Jamie is a way away, on the other side of some trees, and asks her how long she needs to take a simple piss (with a tone I recognize from my parents). Claire yells back that she’ll be right there. “How many men had I seen killed in war? Far, far too many.” She picks up his halberd and goes to, presumably, pee.

Inside, a bunch of stuffed shirt, bewigged dudes are gesticulating wildly at a map. One of them expectorates that the enemy is RIGHT THERE – he jabs at the map – so let’s not sit and twiddle our thumbs! Charles, looking foppishly Scottish in a plaid coat, asks what he would have the Lord General do? “ATTACK DAMMIT!” Another bewigged man ejaculates that he doesn’t understand why no one is doing a thing! A third exclaims that he rushed the army there! For the high ground! Now you want to abandon the high ground! The second man (I think, these shirts are running together) exclaims that YES HE DOES! Attack the fuckers.

Jamie extorts that any attacking force would have to get through the bog that lies between the Scottish Army and the English one. Shirt Two scoffs at Scots being shy of a bog. Jamie asks, “Since when does an Irish-born officer dismiss the dangers of a bog to an infantry attack?” Someone else helpfully points out that the British-issue Brown Bess musket is deadly at 50 yards and accurate (…ish…) to 100 yards. Jamie’s like, we need someone, like Cavalry to test the ground and report on the British positions.

Someone else is like YEAH LET’S SEND SOME DRAGOONS and Shirt Two is like WE DON’T HAVE ANY FUCKING CAVALRY also not one you fuckers will be in harms way, since you’ll be conducting the army behind the lines. General yelling about cowardice and the implications thereof ensue. “Mark me,” Charles raises a hand, “now it is but weeks gone since we took the cities of Perth and Edinburgh without firing a single shot. And let us not forget, they welcomed me with open arms.” Jamie’s like yeah, but we had surprise then, they know we’re here now.

Charles: I could offer him generous terms of surrender? Everyone studies their shoes. Charles is CERTAIN that General Cope would be just as loathe to shed English blood as Charles is. Everyone studies everyone else’s shoes. “We are all brothers, after all!” Shirt Two gently says that talk is over with – they need to fight. Shirt Three says he will still not risk the army on bullshit ground. Shirt Two: RESIGN! Three: POMPOUS TOE RAG! There’s some flouncing.

Jamie leaves the general’s meeting, and Charles exits behind him, and mutters, “Why must the Scots be such intractable people?” Jamie’s like, cannot argue with that. “Our cause must succeed, James. I have promised my father and I have promised God.” Oh, well. Okay. Charles also asks if Claire will be providing medical assistance for the battle? Jamie says yes. Charles tells Jamie to tell Claire that the English wounded are to be treated before the Scottish – “The British are my father’s subjects, also.” He wants the English to realize that this is a reluctant war. Enemies now, but soon the same people, right? Jamie: The British have never been a friend to the Scots. And as your friend, I’d suggest you not say those things out loud? Also Claire won’t take that order. Charles smiles wryly and says sure, maybe not from her Prince… but surely Lady Broch Tuarach will be obedient to her Lord and Master? Um. Jamie’s like, you know nothing Jon Snow, and then kisses Charles’ ring and is on his way.

In the encampment, Dougal is napping, and the Boys are sitting around a fire. It’s windy, and looks MISERABLE. Thing One eyes Kincaid (or Ross) and starts pretending like he’s a fountain with his ale. Dude, that’s a waste of ale. Kincaid (or Ross) isn’t amused. Thing One is HIGHLY amused with himself. Murtagh is wondering what sins he’s committed to lead him HERE with THESE ASSHOLES.

Kincaid (or Ross) yells enough, and Ross (or Kincaid) says that the wasted ale is ale you’ll be wanting later. Thing One asks what those two cottars know about battle, and Kincaid (or Ross) says that they’re there, “Same as you.” Thing Two says this isn’t pig slaughtering, but men. Ross (or Kincaid) says that they’ll do their part. Thing one: you’ll trun ass at the first cannon blast. More yelling about HOW DARE YOU CALL ME COWARD and there’s knives drawn and blah blah blah until Murtagh stands up and tells these chuckleheads to knock it off. Thing One yells until Dougal wakes up and smashes his bottle of ale (oh my god the alcohol abuse you guys). Jamie comes on this picturesque scene of comrade-in-arms-ship and snorts that they’re all getting along as well as their commanders.

Murtagh asks if they have orders, and Jamie’s like nope. Not likely to get any any time soon. Thing One offers to kick some butts. Jamie finds this tempting, but says what’s really needed is recon of the marsh. See if the ground is solid enough for the army. Shirt Two wants to attack, but won’t push it unless the question of the ground is solved. Finding out would be basically a suicide run, so… rest up, eat food, save the whiskey. Jamie asks for a word with Dougal and Thing One gleefully drinks more.

Overlooking the marsh, Jamie says that it would be super easy for one dude to see how squashy the ground is. Dougal: That one dude would get a musket ball between the eyes. Jamie: Not if he’s prudent, and lucky. “If the ground can support a man on horseback, it can support an infantry.” Sure. Dougal asks if Jamie is planning to do this himself – because Charles would be really angry if he did. Jamie agrees that no, Charles would be pissed, but…it needs doing. Dougal: So… I need to just stay out of range of their guns, right? Jamie agrees. 125 yards should do it. Dougal. I was thinking 105. Jamie: Okay, but… seriously though. Dougal: I want to prove my mettle to the prince! And the rest of these assholes. Jamie: So… 125 yards. “Or thereabouts.” Dougal strides off to get his horse.

Dougal rides at a walk to the marsh, and the rest of the army array out behind him to watch. At the bottom of the rise, the horse splashes into mud, and the British army notices. Riflemen are ordered into position. The Scottish army watches with interest, including Charles, who comes out to see what the fuss is (with his standard bearers right behind him).

Thing One smirks that Dougal is a personal friend of his. “And you are?” “I’m your Prince.” Thing One is DELIGHTED! Thing Two leans of and says it’s an honor to make Charles’ acquaintance. “Quite so.” Thing One makes a sort of salute.

In the bog, Dougal is coaxing the horse to go on, and he hits a mud patch up to the horse’s knees. The horse is thinking “Fuck every part of this,” but is too mannerly to dismiss his rider and leave, but also won’t go any further. The British riflemen take aim, and fire. They’re hitting near Dougal, but not actually hitting him. It’s a touch too close for comfort, and Dougal dismounts to help the horse go back. The Scots watch with admiration and and trepidation, and Dougal, after getting the horse to somewhat more solid ground, turns around to glare at the English, and his hat is shot off his head. The ball leaves a scratch on his bald head, and Dougal just sort of growls, “I think we’ve learned all we need to know. Quite enough.” The Scots laugh nervously. Dougal mounts up and rides back to the Scottish camp to cheers and delight.

Charles tells back at the English, “Surrender!” before walking over to Dougal. And HUGS HIM.

Dougal is not a huggy guy. “Mark Me, if I had 100 men like, this war would be over.” Dougal says it’s not joyful news, though. Charles nods, and turns to the various commanders: no glorious highland charge through the meadows. Shirt Two expectorates expletives about not being able to get to the British and the British not being able to get to them. Shirt Three suggests leaving under cover of darkness and decamping to Edinburgh. Charles likes that idea not at all, and tells Shirt Three that he WILL find a way to break the stalemate, or Charles will be forced to find a new general. That’s a good way to motivate your subordinates!

Jamie walks over to Dougal and hands him a bottle of whiskey and calls him a lucky bastard. Dougal takes a swig and says it’s just a scratch. “And now, I’m off to change my breeks. Because the hero of the hour has shat his pants.” Everyone laughs, and Jamie eyes the march some more.

In a building, Claire is going over marching orders with a handful of women. The army’s doctor left a few days ago, and was in such a hurry he left his medical equipment. “More useful than the doctor himself probably would have.” So it’s up to them to tend to the wounded, and Claire is sure they’re up to the challenge. She issues direction to the women, and also Fergus. Fergus is rattling about, being bored and noisy, and he is to keep the fires going. One of the women is to keep the wounded drinking honey water, and she expresses dubiousness at the use of honey water for bullet wounds. Claire explains that it’ll help keep the patient’s blood pressure up. “Trust me, it’s important.”

Fergus finds his assignment to be women’s work. Later that night, while Claire is organizing her surgery, Fergus comes in with a man that wants to see the commander. “He has information of the utmost importance.” Claire sends the other ladies away, and the dude explains that they are on his father’s land, and he knows how to get from the ridge to where the British are through the bog without sinking in mud. The man asks if he could speak to the commander, and Claire sends Fergus off to find Jamie.

In the War Room, they discuss over the map, and the dude is like I know it’s not marked, THAT’S WHY IT IS HIDDEN. Hard to find in daylight, hopeless in the dark. “Unless you ken where to look.” He’s not much for fighting, but he can get them to the British army alright. Charles mutters that he wishes Shirt Two was there, but the commander hopes that the quartermaster is out quarter mastering and getting food for the army. “Delay could prove fatal.” Jamie adds. Charles thinks, and then stands up. “Off we go gentlemen! We shall not return unless we bring victory with us.” Comforting.

In the camp, Kincaid (or Ross) is telling the other one that it would “ease him greatly” if he knew that Ross (or Kincaid) would look after his wife and kids. He’ll do the same, if needed. Ross (or Kincaid) says that he’ll totes do the same for his wife and six kids. “I’d wish them on no man!” But he’s got some coins buried in the pigsty, so. “Then it’s settled.” The spit and shake on it. Thing One tells Thing Two that he can have his stuff. Thing Two: What? “What’s mine is yours.” Also, Thing One would like to leave Scarlet to Thing Two as well. “Scarlet the whore?” “Part-time whore.” Thing Two: She’s not yours to give? Thing One: I say she is! Thing Two: SHUT THE FUCK UP. He gets up and leaves because there are too many emotions.

Jamie and Murtagh have their moment, too: Murtagh is methodically sharpening his sword and meditating on the difference between a raid and war – the outcome of a raid can depend on one dude, and war will kill thousands. If you die in a raid, you’d be remembered and your death would have meaning. One death is meaningless, and it weighs on him. Jamie has no words of comfort. In Paris, Jamie says, he almost lost his marriage to stop this from happening. “I failed.” “WE. We failed.” Murtagh answers. Jamie does feel the same way, if it’s any solace. It is, a bit.

Jamie finds Claire and tells her to try to get some sleep. Claire doubts anyone is getting sleep. Fergus comes up with an important request. He would like to join the battle. Claire asks who will keep the hospital fires burning? Fergus: Like, ANYONE else. Fergus offered to sneak into the British general’s tent and steal his sword! “A general cannot fight without his sword.” Jamie has no doubts about Fergus’ skill, but “without you, who will look after the women?” “The same person who keeps the fires lit? I DON’T KNOW.” Jamie says that there’s no one he trusts to keep Claire safe than Fergus (Clare hugs Fergus adorably), and Fergus is vaguely resigned to his fate.

The Boys come to get Jamie, because “it’s time to send the British army straight to hell!” Thing One looks hopefully at Claire, who is sure that he could find someone to kiss him goodbye. “None that’ll have him,” intones Thing Two. Thing One claims that by this time tomorrow, he could be bleeding to death, so… “I would hate for my last thought to be how you denied me my final request.” “You are SHAMELESS.” (Thing One nods because he IS.) Claire kisses him on the cheek. Thing Two says he will NOT be asking for a kiss, nor will he be saying that he’s two days from his pension. They will all be fine. Claire turns to Murtagh and asks him to watch of Jamie. He will of course, then asks if they will win the day. “We will win this day’ Claire tells him. He leaves, and Claire turns to Jamie they kiss, a lot. He’s got his game face on, and she tells him, “On your way, soldier.” This is not something she learned how to do in the last war.

Down in the bog, the Scots are picking carefully towards the battlefield, trying to be super quiet. The music is suspenseful (you can tell because the captions said so). Back at the hospital, Claire tells the ladies to get some rest, then looks around, because it is suspiciously quiet. “Have any of you seen Fergus?”

Fergus is with the men, armed with only a knife. Little shit.

At dawn, the English camp is shrouded in mist and fog, and the Scots are past the bog. The dude that led them through says that he’ll be leaving now, and Jamie tells him that all of Scotland is in his debt. Dude books it, and Jamie and the rest of the Scots ready themselves. Jamie asks the general to keep the Prince out of harm’s way, and the general is like, well duh. Charles says that this is HIS army, and he wants to fight! To prove himself a leader of men! “It is my right and my destiny!” He’s got a sword! He knows how to use it! Sort of! Jamie reminds him that the rebellion kind of need Charles alive, and King James wouldn’t like it if the son that made his restoration possible wasn’t there to share the moment. Charles considers this, but says “I don’t believe my father is all that fond of me.” Well… this isn’t the best time to explore your daddy issues, Chuck.

Claire finishes her preparations and gives the ladies a little pep talk. “I know how you’re feeling… but our men are depending on us, and we will not let them down.”

The Scots wait in the mist. Fergus, too. They drop their plaids, and charge. There’s not a lot to see, because of budgetary concerns, but they come out of the mist and overrun the British before they even wake up. The ladies can hear the yelling, and one begins to pray.

Back at the battle, confusion reigns. Murtagh is a badass, as is Jamie and Dougal. Thing One and Thing Two are a lethal team.

In the hospital, men have begun to arrive, and Claire notes that Ross (or Kincaid) is there with Kincaid (or Ross) over his shoulders. She calls for hot water, but it’s too late – Kincaid (or Ross) is gone. She doesn’t have time to comfort Ross (or Kincaid), the living need her more.

Fight, fight, fight.

Fergus is in the midst of all of this, and wounded soldiers clutch their wounds, until the British line breaks and retreats, much to this dismay of their commander. “Don’t turn your back on these traitors!” The general gets one last saber slash in at Thing Two, and he goes down.

In the hospital, the British prisoners arrive – they politely ask for help, and assure the ladies they mean them no harm. Claire starts in on triage, and Thing One comes in, helping Thing Two. He asks Claire for help, and she’s like yeah, yeah, let me sort this one out, and Thing One bellows, “NOW!” He won’t let his heterosexual life partner die without him. Claire examines Thing Two, and calls for suture supplies to stitch up the saber slash on his belly. Thing Two mutters and asks if Thing One was blown up – there was a cannon blast. “It’s nothing,” Thing One says.

Claire sutures while a cutaway shows that Thing One shot the commander that slashed Thing Two, and then a cannon blast hits near them, and they’re both on the ground. Once Claire is done suturing, Thing One asks if his BFF will live. Claire says maybe, he’s strong and if they keep it clean and it doesn’t fester. She checks over Thing One, and pronounces him to have a mild concussion, and tells him he can stay with Thing Two, but he’s not to sleep. “I’ll keep both eyes open and on this big belly, going up and down.”

Jamie burst through the door, and declares that the day is theirs. The British are routed, leaving hundreds of dead and wounded, while the Scottish casualties are less than 50. It took 15 minutes. Claire asks if he knows where Fergus is, and Jamie says to take a peek outside.

Fergus is sitting, staring at his feet, and Claire shrieks “FERGUS” and runs over and hugs him tightly. “I should box your ears until your head rattles!” He tells her that he killed an English soldier. “Don’t tell me that!” “I think I killed him. He fell down. I had a knife. I struck him.” Claire hugs him again, and he tells her that he isn’t injured, he’s just, very very tired. She takes him off to find food and sleep.

On the battlefield, Dougal is delivering coups de grace to wounded British soldiers, including Hot Redcoat from episode 7. They exchange pleasantries, and Hot Redcoat asks to be helped to the infirmary. Dougal’s like, I gots shit to do and Brits to kill, bra. Hot Redcoat reminds Dougal that he cannot defeat the British army. There’s just too many. Dougal does not like this truth, and kills Hot Redcoat, too. Ass. He was too pretty to die.

Thing Two still lives, while Ross (or Kincaid) covers Kincaid (or Ross) with a blanket, and tells Thing One that they didn’t run. Thing One nods. Jamie and Murtagh come in to check on Thing Two, and Murtagh’s like, look, he’ll be fine, he’s got all that blubber protecting his innards. Jamie: “The man could eat.” They all look at him. “Can eat, I meant to say.” They all take a swig of whiskey.

Claire crosses behind Jamie and notices a hoofprint on his shirt. “You look like you got stepped on by a horse!” Well, he was, so that would explain it. Claire, having way more chill than I would, hands Jamie a small glass jar, and tells him to pee in it. She wants to see if there’s blood in his urine. Jamie eyes it, then eyes one of the British soldier and hands it to him. “Hold this while I aim.” The British soldier, being of good sport, bets sixpence that Jamie can’t hit it from where he stands. Bets are immediately placed and Murtagh tells everyone to let Jamie concentrate. Jamie starts peeing.

Charles takes this moment to enter. “Madame Fraser,” he says, and the look on Jamie’s face is priceless. “Your efforts on our behalf are much appreciated.” Claire curtseys and tells him to be careful of the blood. Charles thanks Jamie for his efforts, and says that had this victory been over foreigners, his joy would be complete. But it’s over Englishmen, “It brings a damp chill over my heart.” He starts in on his carefully prepared remarks on how the United Kingdom is one country and best interests, and then Dougal Howard Deans it up by running in and shrieking, “VICTORY IS OURS” and generally being an ass. Then he sees the wounded British, and things take a turn for the worse – he’s pissed that anyone would treat them humanely and wants to kill them. He also hasn’t noticed Charles until Charles reminds Dougal that these are also his father’s subjects. “My god sir, where is your Christian charity?” Then he tells Jamie to remove Dougal from the muster roll immediately – there’s no place for such wanton cruelty in the Jacobite army. He points to the door, and Dougal heads for it like a chastened puppy.

Jamie tells Charles that Dougal is a true warrior, despite his foolish tongue. Jamie also reminds Charles that they need every warrior, and Charles is like, yeah, but like this? “What am I to do with such a bloodthirsty barbarian?” Jamie: Promote him? Make him captain for the Highland Dragoons? Give him 15 men to fuck around with? And you never have to see him? Charles likes all of these things. “You are in his debt, rogue. See that he does not come to regret his benevolence.” Charles swans out, and Dougal thanks Jamie, then says he knows that Jamie is totally up to something.

Dougal then goes over to Thing One, and asks after Thing Two, but Thing One doesn’t answer – he’s not breathing well at all. Claire runs over at Jamie’s shout, and Thing One is gurgling, and she pulls up his shirt – there’s a HUGE bruise, and Claire realizes that the cannon blast pulverized his guts and that he’s been bleeding internally the whole time. Jamie asks if she can do anything, and she shakes her head. I think even if she’d known, there would be nothing she could have done.

Angus (he’s dying, I’ll give him back his name as he’s dying) tries to say something – “promise me” as blood comes out of his mouth. He dies, painfully, but not alone. Good bye Angus. I’ll miss you, you uncouth fuck.

There’s a bellow, and Thing Two stands and staggers over to his friend, and picks up the sword – the sword he was willed. He holds it to his heart, then sits back down, near Ross (or Kincaid), who’s also lost his best friend that day. Thing Two is so sad.

Later that night, the Highland Army is celebrating, while Claire, Jamie, Murtagh, and Dougal sit around. Murtagh expected victory to taste sweeter, and Jamie agrees, but, hey, Claire was right about Prestonpans. Claire’s like, yeah, maybe I’m right about the WHOLE THING. So we’re probably fucked.

Thing Two and Ross (or Kincaid) walk past, drunk, singing “Down Among the Dead Men.” The army cheers, while Claire and Jamie look sad, and Thing Two looks shattered.

Elyse: Bonnie Prince Charlie needs to stop creepily touching people’s faces.

I was afraid this episode was going to be an emotional drain, but I actually liked it. I thought they did a really good job of showing how loud and confusing and chaotic battle is. I also thought they did a great job of showing the awful tension of the nurses waiting for the first wounded to come in.

I also spent most of the show panicked that something would happen to Fergus. Poor baby Fergus, I want to hug him and feed him and take him to Disney World.

Having never read Dragonfly in Amber, I’m a little curious as to how Dougal was portrayed there. I can’t decide if he’s just a deeply flawed man or an actual sociopath. On the one hand I get putting dying men out of their misery but I got the feeling he was just getting off on murdering people.

I figured that Angus was going to die from internal injuries but it was still heart breaking.

RHG: That was great! This is one of my favorite part of this particular section of the book (that’s a lot of limitations, I know) and I am definitely coming around on not having the knee-jerk “they changed it so it sucks” reaction I had a lot of in the first season (which then changed when I watched the episode the second time to recap it). No, Dougal isn’t supposed to be there. No, the man of Jamie’s that dies isn’t Angus. It’s okay! RDM and Company have proven to me that they care about the source material and also about the medium of television and how to structure a story there.

Look, can you imagine having a story that’s 100% faithful to The Fiery Cross‘s 700 page day that involves a lot of dirty diapers? Come on!

I just love Charles, or rather, I love Andrew Gower’s portrayal. He’s just doing his best to be what God ordained, right? He somehow makes this total buffoon sympathetic. But dude, your daddy issues are going to kill thousands.

Next week I am on vacation, so your recap will be brought to you by one Madame Elyse.