Claire and Jamies troubles in America continue as they finally arrive atRiver Run, Jamies Aunt Jocastas plantation.
Jamie is also concerned about being broke after Bonnet stole their gemstones.
Jocasta and her trusted slave Ulysses come to the riverbank to greet Jamie, Claire, and Ian.
Credit: Aimee Spinks/STARZ
She tells them shes going to throw a party to welcome them to the neighborhood.
Ian and his dog Rollo quickly get into trouble when they meet the wrong end of a skunk.
Ian surmises that theyre really not all that different from the Highlanders and the bonds of the Scottish clansman.
Four gold stars for basic tolerance Ian!
Meanwhile, Claire and Jamie encounter another issue of intolerance in the colonies.
Claire is visibly uncomfortable when she meets two house slaves, Phaedre and Mary, making up her bed.
Lieutenant Wolff, a senior naval officer who liaises with River Run, comes to meet with Jocasta.
Theyd be better served with rice.
Jocasta and Claire face-off as Phaedra alters one of Jocastas dresses for Claire.
Jocasta makes out that Claire might be black-haired and sallow, but Phaedra describes Claire in highly flattering terms.
Phaedra also reveals that Lt. Wolff has amorous intentions toward Jocasta.
She fibs and says she acquired this viewpoint after healing some Quakers.
Claire and Jamie are welcomed to Cross Creek with a party in Jocastas home.
Again, we see the whispers of local conflict among the Indians and regulators.
And again, Claire, this time joined by Ian, speaks up for them.
Its not as easy as all that though, as Campbell explains.
Not only that, it will cost 100 pounds sterling per slave to buy their freedom.
Its pretty clear thats not a threat, its a promise.
But Claire fears that will lead directly to their involvement in the Revolutionary War.
They dont have time to discuss it further though, as Jocasta comes to find them.
She needs their assistance in an incident between the slaves and Burns the overseer.
Mary is extremely pregnant and looks ill, so Claire dismisses her.
The flurry of surgery goes on when Jocasta storms in outraged.
Furthermore, Wolff and Campbell would like a word with him about his choices.
They tell Jamie he and Claire could go to jail for taking the law into their own hands.
Back in the dining room, Rufus wakes up and Claire tends to him.
She tells Rufus she thinks Burns is a son-of-a-bitch (go Claire!)
and that Rufus actions were likely justified.
Ian can scarcely hold back his tears at the prospect of such injustice.
And that the punishment will extend to other slaves at River Run.
Jamie learns the same hard truth from Wolff and Campbell.
They must hand Rufus over for execution by midnight or fellow slaves will be punished.
The image, with its eerie similarities to the recentrally in Charlottesville, is a chilling one.
Claire astutely notes that this group approaching isnt the law, its a mob.
The mob calls out for Rufus to be handed over and throws rocks through a window.
Claire and Jamie now face an impossible choice as their lives potentially hang in the balance (again).
Rufus awakes and as the mob grows increasingly restless, Claire makes her decision.
She tells Rufus shes going to give him a tea to help him sleep.
Then, she sits at his bedside, asking him to tell her about his sister.
Through tears, she tells Rufus he will as he draws his last breath.
The clock strikes midnight and the mob breaks yet another window.
Jamie and Claire prepare Rufus body as Jamie prays for his soul.
The sound of Jamies prayer plays over the somber image of him presenting Rufus body to the frothing mob.
Phaedra cries while Ian looks distraught.
Jamie and Claire stand side-by-side as they all struggle to witness this dark moment.
