Laoghaire returns with a bang.
Such was the case with tonights First Wife, which boasts a reunion, a shooting,anda kidnapping.
But neither he nor his auntie get a warm reception upon arrival.
Credit: Aimee Spinks/Starz
(Claire helpfully assures that she didnt do it, like, in front of Young Ian.)
(Which he does.)
You must ken its a mortal sin to take another wife while the first still walks the Earth!
No-BS Jenny smells a lie she knows Claire would have never stopped looking for Jamie.
In their room later that night, Claire and Jamie contemplate their future.
He took a single sapphire and left the rest.
His melancholy story complete, Jamie begins to tell Claire something of great import.
Theres something Ive been meaning to tell you, Sassenach…
But before he can finish his thought, two girls barge in yelling, Daddy!
They are quickly followed by none other than Laoghaire!
Who, I might add, is none too pleased to see Claire.
Hes my husband now.
Laoghaire runs out of the room with Jamie on her heels.
(Recap continues on next page)
Claire, near-hyperventilating, stays upstairs and begins packing her belongings.
Jamie soon returns to explain himself, but Claire isnt much for listening.
Its Laoghaire, Claire hisses.
She tried to have me killed!
Youre the one who told me to be kind to the lass, Jamie retorts.
I told you to thank her, not marry her!
Because I am a coward, Jamie says.
I couldnt tell you for fear Id lose you.
They continue to argue until Jamie puts his hands on Claire.
She initially tells him to get off, but eventually, she is overcome with passion too.
I love you and only you, Jamie tells her.
(The whole house can hear their goings-on, after all!)
She was the one who told Laoghaire about Claire (at her mothers orders).
When Claire confronts Jenny about this, Jenny throws Claires suspicious colonies story right back at her.
And that, yes, Jamie knows all of it.
Jenny, although seeming to understand a bit, says her relationship with Claire will never fully heal.
I have come to protect whats mine, she declares.
Maybe it wasnt perfect, but you were mine!
At that, her gun accidentally discharges, hitting Jamie square in the arm.
She flees as Claire comes to Jamies rescue.
Once inside, Claire begins using her 20th-century medical instruments to retrieve the pellets in his arm.
Finally bandaged and reclining in a chair, Jamie explains himself, why he married Laoghaire.
He returned from prison to a home that no longer recognized him.
I was a ghost, he says.
(A feeling Claire can surely recognize.)
He reconnected with Laoghaire at a Lallybroch holiday party, but their marriage wasnt easy.
She had been hurt by another man and often flinched at Jamies touch.
There were days, weeks even, when she wouldnt talk to him.
With the marriage a mess, he left for Edinburgh.
Sympathizing with his story, Claire grabs Jamies hand, only to feel it burning up.
Thank Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ she had the forethought to pack penicillin!
(Recap continues on next page)
With Jamie now squared away, Claire finds Jenny sitting outside.
But this, this she needs some explanation for.
What I can tell you, Claire says, is that I love your brother very much.
I never forgot him, or any of you.
I never stopped wearing his wedding ring.
You were a sister to me, Jenny says.
I loved you too, Jenny, Claire replies.
Im only asking for a second chance.
Were left wondering whether Jenny will, indeed, give Claire that second chance.
Someone whos not getting a second chance is Laoghaire.
Jamie dispatches trusty lawyer Ned Gowan to see what can be done about his unfortunate union.
Thankfully, given that Jamies marriage to Claire is still binding, his second marriage to Laoghaire isnt legal.
But that doesnt mean shes not going to venture to weasel alimony out of him.
Young Ian will do the swimming, as Jamies arm is still healing.
Afterward, the three will go to France to have Jamies cousin swap the trove for pounds sterling.
Im afraid this is all a mistake, she says.
Im just not sure if we belong together anymore.
How can you say that?
I had a life.
We both had lives and families.
It wasnt the plan, but I didnt hate Boston.
I had a career, a home, friends, and you had your print shop in Edinburgh.
It wasnt really so bad, was it?
Being a printer was naught compared to being your husband.
Ever since Ive arrived back, its been so much harder than I could ever imagine.
When has it ever been easy?
But I apologized for it.
Ive done all I can to make it right.
You belong with me.
Were mated for life, Sassenach.
Will you risk the man I am for the sake of the one you once knew?
So much for you’re able to trust us.
