Synopsis:
Jamie, Claire, and Ian return to Lallybroch; Ian reconnects with his family in a time of need, while Claire deals with the fallout from a long-held secret; Roger and Buck search for Jemmy in the past.
In Season 7 Part 2, we return to Scotland, where we encounter familiar characters and discover surprising news. It was a nostalgic experience to revisit the place where the series began. Lallybroch appeared unchanged, just as we remembered it.
Jamie & Claire:
After completing their mission, Jamie and Claire took Simon to his final resting place before heading to Lallybroch. Upon their arrival, it was clear that a new actress was now playing Jenny. Although the new Jenny performed well, I missed Laura Donnelly in the role; her chemistry with Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe added a special spark to the character. When Jenny and Ian reunited, we learned that Ian’s father was suffering from consumption, which left him with a terrible cough. A heartwarming moment was seeing Jamie and Claire in their old room at Lallybroch, which reminded me of when they shared their love by the window. Claire mentioned this moment during the episode, making it feel like they had come full circle.
The following day, Jamie let Claire know he needed to visit Laoghaire. Although her return in the series was entertaining, it often led to trouble for Jamie. Whenever he was around her, he always got hurt. Upon reaching Balriggan, Laoghaire was less than thrilled to see him, despite his attempts to lighten the mood by discussing Marsali and Fergus. While trying to apologize, things quickly went south. True to her character, Laoghaire lashed out about Claire, calling her the “Sassanach whore,” which led to another physical confrontation with Jamie. It was noticeable that Laoghaire was now with someone else.
When Jamie returned, Claire expressed her desire to finally share her secret with Jamie’s family. I appreciate that Claire is carefully revealing her truth, even if they might be doubtful. If sharing details about the future is necessary to protect her loved ones, she’s willing to take that risk, just as she did to save Michael. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Joanie entered, saying she wanted to become a nun. However, she faced challenges, including Laoghaire’s relationship with an unmarried man. If Joanie left Jamie, she’d also lose Balriggan. Back at Lallybroch, Jenny begged Claire to help her husband, but Claire sadly explained she lacked the medicine and it was too late for Ian. This put Claire in a difficult position; while she knew about past diseases and their cures, she didn’t have the means to provide help. Later, Jamie and Jenny had a heartfelt talk. Jenny feared for her future without Ian, but Jamie reassured her that she would be strong enough to care for her children and grandchildren. However, this felt a bit out of character for Jenny, who had always been a strong leader in her family. I understand her grief, but I didn’t think she would completely fall apart; she had endured much worse.
To make things right, Jamie offered Balriggan to Laoghaire and allowed her to remarry, finally resolving their issues. Later, Claire received a letter from Lord John about his nephew needing her help in Philly. I was not thrilled with this news since Claire, Jamie, and Ian had just arrived in Scotland and couldn’t even settle in for long. It always seems that something pulls Claire and Jamie apart. The journey by boat between the two countries was also a long one. At that point, I was ready to move on from the American storyline and fully return to Scotland. It seemed inevitable that Jamie and Claire would be on separate paths again.
Ian:
Seeing Ian finally reunite with his family after so many years was heartwarming. He sat down with his dad to discuss his life among the Indians. I didn’t know he had been exchanging letters with his parents all along while living in America; it was a surprise to learn they were already aware of his life. During their talk, Ian revealed to his dad that he has a son with Emily, which no one else knows about. He also mentioned a new love, Rachel, although he hasn’t fully told her how he feels yet. His dad encouraged him to pursue Rachel since she brings him happiness, putting Ian in a tough spot. Later, Ian planned to write a letter to Rachel, telling her to move on, but Jenny stopped him. I felt for Ian because his dad is sick, and he feels he should stay until his dad passes, even though he has his own life back in America. Traveling back and forth during that time was definitely challenging, especially as people were starting to settle down. Jenny showed Ian a tombstone she made for his unborn child, reminding him that he always has a place at home. She told him he needed to return to America to be with Rachel, suggesting he could travel with Claire, who is helping Lord John. But once again, Ian’s reunion was brief. Since Season 3, Jamie and Claire promised to bring Ian home, yet even after returning, he didn’t have the chance to spend much time with his family. Ian said goodbye to his father, likely for the last time.
Roger & Buck:
This storyline was full of surprises that caught me off guard. Roger and Buck make it through the stones and choose to split up to search more effectively. Right away, I didn’t think that was a smart move. Splitting up usually leads to trouble. Jamie and Claire are back at Lallybroch in their time, and surprisingly, Roger ends up there too. But it turns out to be during Jamie’s father’s time, which was our first twist. Roger meets Brian Fraser, and he starts to think he’s in a year before 1746. He also runs into a younger Jenny and finds out Jamie is studying in France, indicating it must be around 1740. I found myself wondering how wild it would have been if Roger had met a younger Jamie. That could have changed everything! Brian helps Roger look for his son, and he learns that Buck has returned and needs a doctor. They are advised to see an herbalist, who turns out to be Geillis, another unexpected twist. The crazy part is that she is Buck’s mother. How will this shape history in the future? I’m really eager to find out where this story goes next. It feels almost like an episode of LOST with all the time travel and characters meeting at different points in their lives. It makes me curious about Rob Cameron and Jemmy too.
