OUTLANDER charges into battle with action-packed episode “Prestonpans”!

Outlander officially went to war this week in the first major battle of the Jacobite Rebellion, “Prestonpans”! This episode offered up actions and some big character moments, so let’s get right to it!

Everyone is preparing for war. The soldiers are trained, Claire has set up a field hospital, the supplies are there. But a battle seems impossible, at the moment.

The men have set up camp directly across from the British with a bog in between and no one can get across the soggy, unsafe ground. Trust us. Dougal tried and aaaaaalmost suffered a horrific death in the process.

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He received from favor from Prince Charles in the process, but it’s clear that Dougal doesn’t know what to make of his prince. Nor does Charlie seem to be getting much love from his war advisers, but Jamie is right there, winning over the prince’s trust.

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Thankfully, the warriors hopes are not dashed. A young man whose father owns the property comes forward and shows the army a small, safe passageway of sturdy land leading over to the British camp. THE WAR IS BACK ON!

The men are eager to do their part even if death is a terrifying prospect discussed among them. Even wee Fergus wants his part in the fight for independence!

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Jamie and Claire won’t allow it, though. Fergus has become a precious part of their existence, which has been a really sweet, subtle side narrative this season.

From there, Jamie and his men suit up for battle and walk the narrow path between camps.

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It’s a foggy dawn and the British clearly don’t expect a thing when the Scots charge into their camp.

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The battle is fierce and bloody. The Highlanders have the element of surprise and determination on their side. Despite more advanced weaponry, the British can’t keep up against such brute force. They fight of their lives, but most die at the hands of the Scots.

In the midst of it all, a terrified, familiar face.

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FERGUS! What are you doing out here you little boy, you?! Our Claire-like motherly instincts are on fire at this point. Screw the rest of em, save Fergus!

Of course, it’s much longer before we get any answers on what happens to him, because he’s not the only one hurt. Lallybroch farmer Kincaid is dead. Rupert is gravely wounded. Angus is disoriented by the pulse of a cannon blast but seemingly okay, watching over his best friend.

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However, Jamie has come back to Claire safely and can’t wait to get his arms around his wife!

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Only 50 Scotsmen died in the battle. But many British were wounded and, seeing them as an extension of his power who should also rightfully be under his rule, Prince Charles orders Claire to tend to them as well.

In the influx of soldiers coming in, there’s also one other young man returned to the Frasers in quite a state of shock.

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Maybe next time, you’ll listen, Fergus!

From there, Claire is just looking out for her Highlander boys. She’s sewn up Rupert and he seems to be in alright shape, but Jamie was stepped in by a horse and fearing internal bleeding, she orders him to pee into a jar.

Jamie being Jamie, he turns this into a distance game with a wounded British officer.

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So, naturally, Prince Charles walks in while he’s mid-stream in these shenanigans!

The prince is thrilled about the huge victory, but not so thrilled when Dougal barges in and goes on a rampage about Claire saving the wounded British– he thinks they should all be killed, no matter what the prince’s plan. Charles is just about to banish Dougal outright when Jamie comes up with a better plan: He urges the prince to promote Dougal to a captain of a special guards that follows and reports on British troops. The prince is pleased with the idea, but Dougal knows what’s REALLY up. Jamie has kept him involved, but effectively banished him.

The Jedi has just pwned the Master. And Dougal is piiiiiiiissed.

He doesn’t have long to stew in it, though, because in that moment, Claire recognizes a grave mistake too late.

Angus begins to seize. Blood bubbles up from his mouth. Claire realizes that when the cannon blast hit him, he began bleeding internally. He’s been silently, slowly dying this whole time.

There’s nothing she can do.

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Angus is gone.

As the last of the men settle down and the drinking begins, Rupert and Ross sing a rowdy song of mourning in honor of their lost friends.

Jamie and Murtagh take comfront knowing that Claire was right about the outcome of Prestonpans, but it also opens up new fears. Claire knows that historically, the Highlanders are brutally slaughtered and defeat at the Battle Of Culloden, and nothing guarantees that history has changed.

So the group marches on, as always, to an uncertain future that’s sure to tear our guts out.

By Leslie