A Dram of Outlander Podcast

Better to Marry Than Burn Season 5 Episode 506 Directed by Meera Menon Written for Television by Stephanie Shannon   Jocasta shares her heart and difficult history. Murtagh tries to sway her away from marrying. Governor Tryon continues to cause trouble for Jamie. Jamie has a crisis of pride and hurts Claire. Claire hatches a plan that gets her 20th-century self in trouble. Roger finally gets R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Jemmy becomes the heir apparent.                                          Forbes is a bad Hobbitses.                                                              War with the Regulators is back on.  

Perpetual Adoration Season 5 Episode 5 Written for Television by Alyson Evan and Steve Koracki Directed by Meera Menon It all feels very Greek tragedy with the webs and spinners.  Claire is contemplative, hesitant, and pushed to discover how important a single patient was to her finding her way back to Jamie.  Jamie, as ever, a man of honor, duty, and blood defends his family from incursion, exposure, and takes a life. Roger's insecurities get the upper hand yet again before he is wisely counseled by Claire and the picture comes into clearer view for him moving forward. Brianna's own webs of deceit unravel and she is exposed to Roger before they can make peace and work together.  And for now and forever because of his introduction, Adso will be known as "Murder Kitty".     

In this podcast episode I discuss both 503 Free Will and 504 Company We Keep. Roger is having incredible growing pains in the 18th century both in his relationship with Jamie and in his feelings of adequacy and fitting in. Brianna is processing through her trauma and assault even more deeply now that she's learned Stephen Bonnet is alive. Her fear is causing her to panic and not think clearly. In this, Marsali proves to be a friend. The Beardsley home and property are ill-kept with several secrets within. Jamie and Claire discover a shocking truth when they try to free the Beardsley brothers from their indenture. In the end, they leave with the proper papers, a herd of goats, and a wee bonnie bundle.  Brownsville is rife with conflict, sorrow, adultery, an interesting broadsheet, and merriment.  Claire and Jamie make a profound decision that draws them closer together. And as ever, love, foolish or wise, wins.  

Jamie Fraser is The King of men walking the razor's edge of loyalty, honor, and oaths between the Crown and his people.  Murtagh Fitzgibbons has become a man of blood while stirring the Regulators to violence and rage.  Claire Fraser is a frustrated 20th-century physician feeling stuck in the ways of the 18th.  Roger Wakefield MacKenzie is feeling inadequate and cannot seem to find a useful place in the 18th-century. He wants to go home to the 20th-century. Brianna Randall Fraser MacKenzie is struggling with trauma and desiring to stay near family in the 18th-century.  Marsali Fraser is caught between two mothers and curiosity.  Stephen Bonnet believes he is a father and wants what's his. 

Season 5 Episode 1 "The Fiery Cross" Written for Television by Matthew B. Roberts Directed by Stephen Woolfenden The people of Fraser's Ridge, friends, and family gathered to celebrate the wedding of Roger MacKenzie and Brianna Ellen Randall Fraser. The big house was almost complete. Memories were shared and made, drinking games, feasting, dancing, romance, threat, treachery, bonding, politics, oaths, and a release of oath all happened in the two days lived onscreen. Season 5 Episode 1 is the strongest opening episode only behind Season 1 Episode 1.  It was written with the deft hand of Mattew B. Roberts leading the writers' room. It inhabited the spirit of the written word and achieved an adaptation that stood beautifully on its own with well-crafted storytelling that requires no external explanation.  From storyline references, character development, foreshadowing, costuming, hair, acting, music, variations of emotion and tone, all the way to the set design, no elements are left wanting.  This season is looking to be a spectacular ride.  Call or email me to share your thoughts and comments at 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL–NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/  

The Fiery Cross Installment 13 Chapters 23-25 Domesticity, Building Bonds, and Duty Chapters: 23 – The Bard 24 – Playing with Fire 25 – The Angeling of My Rest Summary:  Roger returns with mission incomplete. The baby is cranky. Brianna is at her wit's end. Roger gets beautified. He'll sing to help Jamie prepare the guests. Roger gives an uncomfortable history lesson to Brianna. Roger sings to an appreciative crowd. Jamie calls the men to duty. Roger reflects. Jamie and Claire find respite in their room. Jamie writes a letter. Setting: The settlement of Fraser's Ridge, NC – December 1, 1770 Active Characters: Claire Jamie Brianna Roger Of Interest: A peek into domestic life Roger and Brianna style. Jamie's inspiring music list. The fiery cross in the yard. Roger warmed the crowd up for Jamie's main event. The main event. Roger's inner thoughts as he sings. Jamie's physical reaction before… The need for private moments to ground and reassure. Claire's happiness at leaving on an adventure. “Can you remember everything you did today?” A bedtime devotion brought on by a memory. Jamie's letter to Lord John and the significance. Links: Ho Ro! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c55j8teqiOM Birniebouzle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alBk-BTnxXI&list=RDalBk-BTnxXI&start_radio=1 The Great Silkie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSxrH8yYI_E Killiecrankie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Kp590Ovsw The Haughs of Cromdale - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n24v5_sOx0Q The Sherrifsmuir Fight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TkQkyXV-M4 Johnnie Cope - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcZ4uMmF0vw   Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.   The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

The Fiery Cross Installment 12 Chapters 21-22 Chapters: 21 – Twenty-Twenty 22 – The Fiery Cross Summary: Claire administers an eye examination. Mrs. Bug takes ownership of the running of the big house. A family with a sordid past comes to visit. Claire worries. Claire struggles with the changes to come. Fight. Fight. Fight. Solace is found outdoors. Jamie ceremonially prepares for the changes ahead. The men Jamie calls to arms must come of their own volition. A family member is asked to join Jamie in the fight. Setting: The settlement of Fraser's Ridge, NC - Fall Active Characters: Claire Roger Brianna Jamie Bug The Muellers Chisolm Events: Claire exams Roger's eyes. Roger doesn't have binocular vision. He isn't able to shoot at moving targets. He has eyes like a hawk! But the real question is, is it genetic? Mrs. Bug is in her element cooking and caring for Jamie, Claire, and those staying at the ridge or in the big house. The Muellers being at The Ridge is challenging since Gerhard is the one who scalped the local Tuscarora who he thought cursed his family with the measles. Claire does careful math of the stores to ensure Mrs. Bug isn't being too elaborate with the feeding. Claire cleverly hides the special foods, so they won't get gobbled up. She also worries about vitamin deficiency over Winter.   Claire's botched penicillin experiment and the catfight between Mrs. Bug and Mrs. Chisolm. Claire yearns for the predictability of home, hearth, and her surgery. Everyone present is at their wits end with the overcrowded spaces and rowdy children. Brianna snaps. Claire decidedly finds the male folk easier to be around than a bunch of women. The echoes of Nayawenne visit Claire as she walks with Jemmy. Claire having unsuccessfully visited the malting shed to find some helpful whisky for Jemmy's sore gums, happens upon Jamie bathing by the spring. He is in the act of ritually cleaning himself. After Jamie's prayer reached its conclusion, Claire and Jemmy join him. Of course, Jamie has a flask of the holy water to soothe his sore gums. Jamie explains the calling of the clans for war as he had seen Dougal perform. There is a deep understanding that he is not clan chief or laird of the peoples on The Ridge or in the backcountry. The men must come by free will. Jamie walks a fine line of a loyalist who will have to turn traitor. Jamie shares it was his Uncle Dougal he was seeking for help when he prayed.   Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.   The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

The Fiery Cross Installment 11 Chapters 19-20 Chapters: 19 - The Devil Ye ken 20 – Shooting Lessons Summary: The activities of the Ridge create a picture of the day today. A friend visits bearing news. Brianna and Roger go hunting. The dangers of the 18th century run through Brianna's mind. Only one has experience with a gun. A willing student Roger makes, but a great shot he is not. Memories of a dear one surface. Roger makes a confession. They play a game only travelers can play. Lactating breasts need relief. A fowl encounter happens on the way home. Brianna was purposely prepared for the 18th. Setting: The settlement of Fraser's Ridge, NC Active Characters: Jamie Claire Herman Husband Roger Brianna Brianna's lactating breasts Events: Hermon Husband visits the Ridge seeking to sell a horse and carrying a letter. He's being heavily fined and must sell whatever he can to pay or leave. The letter he brings is in service of the Regulators to meet friends versus foes. Jamie and he discuss friendship and duty. Jamie is called to bring his militia when the Regulators are set to assemble in Salisbury. Brianna and Roger go into the wilderness to hunt. Brianna demonstrates how to handle the gun to Roger's aw, appreciation, and astonishment. Another animal is added to the farm's menagerie, Jerusha AKA Mistress Piggy. Brianna experiences mama guilt because she needed a break. The hazards of the 18th century can easily lead to death. The memory of Young Ian infiltrated Roger and Brianna's outing. Another round of “20th-century foods I miss” is played and arrived at “How Pizza Came to the Colonies.” Roger assists Brianna in relieving her milk full breasts. Insight into Brianna's shooting skills and how odd it was that Daddy Frank was determined she has outdoor skills.   Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.   The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

Hello, A Dram of Outlander listeners. The podcast is back after an unexpected and unavoidable hiatus. We're jumping right back in with The Fiery Cross chapters 19-23 on June 25th.  Thank you for your patience! Join me for the next many months as we tackle the GIGANTIC book five in the Outlander series.  Desirre Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.  The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

The Fiery Cross Week 10 Chapters 17 & 18 Chapters: 17 - Watchfire 18 – No Place Like Home Summary:  The Gathering and the longest day draws to a close. Jamie ponders the act of surrender. There is a call to duty. The caravan heads to Fraser's Ridge. Jamie happens upon a spirit-filled place. A gift for Claire is picked up amongst the trees. There is fear for what might be found at the Ridge. Homecoming is sweet and noisy. A wee posy for Claire. For what is a sponge?  Roger gives Brianna something practical and special. It's not a dream. Setting: The settlement of Fraser's Ridge, NC Active Characters: Jamie Claire Roger Brianna What's Happening: The Gathering is winding down and Jamie takes notice. To surrender and not lose oneself. Jamie's call to duty. Jamie has a spiritual encounter. A feisty wee kitten is found. Jamie's reticence at returning home. The relief of homecoming and Mrs. Bug. A wee posy for Claire in light of the lost gift. The parallels of sponges. Plump like a hen. Roger's posy to Brianna more practicality than romance. A dream and a gift discovered. Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image. Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

  The Fiery Cross Week 9 Chapters 15-16 Summary: A wedding feast is had by all. An evening calling of the clans occurs. Jamie makes a moving speech. The families of the Ridge are announced. Roger vows to always sing for her. Lactating breasts don't care. Brianna takes matters into her own hands. Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, grey, and wet weather. Active Characters: Jamie Claire Roger Brianna Of Note: Jocasta puts on a large feast for the wedding couple. Jamie welcomes the Ridge families with formality. Brianna asks Roger to always sing for her. This wedding feels different than their first. Adventures in lactating breasts. Roger serenades Brianna. Brianna's inability to orgasm during sex.   Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.   The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

The Fiery Cross Week 8 Chapters 13-14 Summary: The age-old argument of what makes the best barbecue unfolds. Beans are indeed a musical fruit. Memories endure and bond. Aunt Jocasta is a savvy woman. What makes an honorable man? Jamie makes a confession. A religious event occurs. Marriage cannot wait. Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, grey, and wet weather. Active Characters: Jamie Claire Rosamund Lindsay Ronnie Sinclair Roger Brianna Of Note: The great barbecue debate and the memories of Jamaica. The “beans” song. The bonding effect of Ardsmuir. The recollection of Roger telling Jocasta off and ceremony talk. Honorable men, Roger and Frank. The priest's “jail” is discovered, and a plan is hatched. Jamie's confession and true motive for wanting to find the priest. Roger and Brianna get married.  Interesting Links: The history of nightshades. More about nightshades. Styles of barbecue across the US. In-depth article about barbecue styles. Transubstantiation Catholic Liturgy   Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.   The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

The Fiery Cross Week 7 Chapters 11-12 Summary: Roger seeks a kindness from Jocasta. Jocasta shocks Roger and she gets a piece of his mind. The Gathering is drawing to a close. Claire's guts are griping. Germaine sings a tune. The mobcap dies an ugly death. Jamie consoles Claire. Jamie has a plan for the Ridge. A deal is struck. Himself is in demand. Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, grey, and wet weather. Chapter 11 Pride Chapter 12  Virtue Active Characters: Roger Jocasta Claire Marsali Germain Jamie Joseph Wemyss Of Note: The importance of family as deduced by Roger after his encounter with Iain Mhor. Roger's incorrect at believing the Regulators had not made it into the history books. Roger's internal conflict about the Cameron wealth versus the Findlay family's lack thereof. His request for Jocasta to help the family felt like the work of the Reverend. Canny Jocasta hatches a plan that won't hurt the Joan Findlay's pride. The private conversation between Roger and Jocasta. Claire's ponderings. Claire's interaction with Marsali, Germaine, and the teakettle. Jamie returning to camp with the priest. Jamie and Claire by the pool. Jamie and Claire discussing the militia and the Ridge. Josiah Beardsley and the deal. Interesting Links: Natural Remedies for Menstrual Pain Home Remedies Menstrual Pain Willow Bark Uses Yaffle Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.   The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

The Fiery Cross Week 6 Chapters 9 and 10 Summary: Claire uses a cautery iron. Claire receives gifts. Roger and Jamie recruit for the militia. Roger meets an interesting family. Where is Stephen Bonnet? Chapter 9: Germ of Dissent Chapter 10: Grannie Bacon's Gifts Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, grey, and wet weather. Active Characters: Claire is treating a nasal polyp and thinking of the impending war. With satisfaction, she ended her work day. Jamie and Roger are seeking men to join the militia from the various families at the Gathering. Joan Findlay and her brother Iain. Eglantine and Pansy Bacon, along with their mother, Polly. Of Note: Claire's foreknowledge of the American Revolution. She wonders if this is the beginning of what is to come. Claire slipping back into her 20th-century clinical mindset. Claire is likening the anti-Crown sentiments and actions of the Regulators to an infection that would take root and the process of the oncoming revolution like a flame that will burn through everything until the disease is excised cleanly before the open would is seared. Roger is an instant soldier. Knowing the significance of the current events upon the future weighs heavily. Roger's experience with Auld Joan Findlay and her brother Iain adds more weight. His compassion shines through. He learns the burden of responsibility with the asking for men. Claire receiving Grannie Bacon's gifts. Dauco/Wild Carrot/Queen Anne's Lace – herbal birth control seeds. Claire is distressed over Jamie asking after Stephen Bonnet. Interesting Links: Children's Lesson Plan and History - How to make a Mob Cap. Etsy Shops – Mob Caps eBay – Mob Caps Wild Carrot Exploration – Herbal Oral Birth Control Queen Anne's Lace Information Wild Carrot - WebMD Reasons for the American Revolution Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.   The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.    

The Fiery Cross Week 5 Chapters 7 and 8 Summary: Claire greets an unexpected patient. Ghosts of Culloden emerge with 25-year-old shrapnel. Jamie is given orders. We meet an important pair. Roger questions his place in the family. A baby must eat after all. The MacKenzies of Leoch live on. Roger goes from zero to hero. Chapter 7: Shrapnel Chapter 8: The Factor Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, grey, and wet weather. Active Characters: Claire is working at her pop-up clinic. Archie Hayes comes to get shrapnel from Culloden removed after hearing how amazing Claire is through Farquard Campbell. Jamie Roger Duncan The Bug's – Arch and Murdina Of Note: Hayes was 11 years-old at Culloden. Jamie saved him when Murchison shot him at point-blank range. Hayes giving Jamie the letter from Tryon to form a militia. The revelation to Hayes that Jamie didn't remember much of Culloden and fills in the blanks for Jamie. Duncan is dressed to the 9's for his wedding to Jocasta. Duncan calls to Roger and introduces him to the new factor for the Ridge. Arch's wife is an extroverted talkative woman. Roger is upset and allows his mind to reel when he thinks Jamie thinks poorly of him and his thoughts lead to all sorts of insecurities about his abilities in this time. “A hopeless numpty?” Bug takes charge of Roger's coat and the Jemmy situations. The big house has gained a housekeeper. The idea of Marsali breastfeeding Jemmy comes up because Brianna is not around. Roger's insecurity increases when Mrs. Bug mentions how the baby will grow to be like him. There is a surprise in learning the MacKenzies of Leoch are somewhere in the Colonies or Canada. Roger becomes Captain MacKenzie. Interesting Links: Breastfeeding in Colonial America Militias of Colonial North Carolina Revolutionary War era North Carolina Militias Military Warfare History Culloden Battlefield Weapons Myths About the Battle of Culloden Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image. Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.   The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.    

The Fiery Cross Week 4 Chapters 5 and 6 Summary: Claire treats some interesting patients. There's more to Goodwin than meets the eye. Brianna is grossed out. Roger and Brianna meetup. Celibacy or sex? Passion wins out. The implications of sex are made clear. Roger shares Frank's letter. Brianna is stunned. Roger comes to Frank's defense. What about the other man? Will there be another baby in the future? Chapter 3: Riotous Unrest Chapter 4: For Auld Lang Syne Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, grey, and wet weather. Active Characters: Claire Murray MacLeod (Apothecary) Brianna (and her breasts) Roger Of Note: Clinic patients (Trapper and dog, Mr. Goodwin) Clinical treatments ( Hillsborough Riot and Edmond Fanning Roger's desire to claim Brianna in front of others. Roger and Brianna displaying their relationship. The significance of the embroidery silk and risks of childbirth. The path to sexual engagement on the heels of discussing celibacy. Breastfeeding as birth control. They are in between hand-fasting and marriage. The challenge of being sexually active and the risk to women in the 18th Discussing the wanting of another baby. Frank's letter to the Reverend and the revelations that followed. Frank's knowledge of Jamie. Why did he not tell Claire? A loving act of omission. The headstone. The may be other father Bonnet. Brianna's path to forgiveness. The implications for Roger. Interesting Links: Sources of Iodine Colonial Dental Care History of Childbirth in America Breastfeeding and Fertility Breastfeeding as Birth Control Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL–NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/

The Fiery Cross Week 3 Chapters 3 and 4 Chapter 3: Bilious Humours Chapter 4: Wedding Gifts Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 with cool, grey, and wet weather. Active Characters: Claire  Brianna  Murray MacLeod and his patient. Roger  Duncan Innes  Of Note: Clinic set-up, syphilis, contraception, patient needs, and the care Claire gives. Cultural views on pregnancy. Claire's clinic supplies The implication for Brianna if she had more children in the 18th century. Brianna's medicinal charm. Roger running into Duncan Innes while about to go wedding gift shopping for Brianna. Interesting Links: Congenital Syphilis Sexually transmitted diseases of the British Colonies. Diseases of Colonial America. More on Disease of Colonial America Medicines of Colonial America Ancient Contraception Herbal contraception – email or leave me a voice mail if you would like a copy of the PDF. The Four Humors Bilious Cabochon Ruby Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image. Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

The Fiery Cross Week 2 Chapter 2 Summary: Breakfast is served, but not for Claire. Jamie desires an astrolabe. John Quincy Myers summons Jamie. A thief-taker threatens. Claire has a pop-up clinic. The unintended consequences of high taxes. A personal account of the riot is offered. Chapter 2: Loaves and Fishes Setting: Mt. Helicon, NC, Late October 1770 Characters: Claire is making breakfast, wanting to be in on the MacGillivray mayhem, and prepping for her clinic day. Jamie is borrowing food, making a list of these he wants to barter for, quashing the MacGillivray mayhem, and learning about Abel MacLennan's story. Abel MacLennan is eating breakfast, soothing Marsali, and sharing his tax and riot tales. Private Andrew Ogilvie is eating breakfast and sharing the demise of the regiment. Lizzie is mooning over Private Ogilvie. John Quincy Myers is fetching Jamie to assist the MacGillivray family. Fergus is following Jamie into the MacGillivray's situation. Marsali is helping with breakfast, feeding her baby, and talking to Abel. The MacGillivray Family is in a fix with the thief-taker. The thief-taker is being held by the MacGillivray family. Taxes and crooked lawmen are causing problems. Of Note: The 67th Highland regiment is disbanding. Safety Lizzie's hormones. Foreshadowing The Hillsborough Riot aftermath. Story building and foreshadowing Jamie's intended barters. The McGillivray mix-up. Shows protectiveness and Jamie's abilities to fix a problem. Claire's pop-up clinic. Emmenagogues – blue cohosh, ergot, pennyroyal, rue, and blue tansy. Marsali's cracked nipples. Abel MacLennan's story. Hillsborough Riot – a personal perspective. Interesting Links: Hillsborough Riot Ergot Abortifacients and emmenagogues. Anthelmintic herbs Anthelmintic for animals Astrolabe   Images are CC or Wiki Commons unless produced by ADoO or otherwise specified. Featured image.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post.   The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

The Fiery Cross Week 1 Chapter 1 Before I begin the opening of TFC, I feel the need to address what we didn't yet see in some form in S4 of the television show. Six chapters were not covered in the adapted material. And since Roger returned to River Run instead of the Ridge, they'll be some changes to the order of things and surely some scenes will be omitted altogether. Jamie and Brianna's reconciliation. Jamie bonding as a grandfather. Lord John returning to River Run and traveling with the group until he was to turn toward Virginia. Roger's oath to the baby and claiming him as his own. Roger and Jamie accepting each other. Roger and Brianna hashing out their feelings and relationship while discovering who each other is now. Who doesn't want to see Roger awkwardly stripping down the first time he is in Brianna's intimate space while she breastfeeds the baby? Roger becoming acquainted with his baby. Claire and Jamie's relationship advice to Roger. The big house being built. Jocasta getting engaged. Naming the baby. The beginning of the Gathering at Mt. Helicon. Days 1-4.  Update from Young Ian. Claire getting Frank's ring back.  Reuniting Lizzie with her dad. Jamie taking the baby gambling. Claire doctoring folks. The Highland Regiment Roger disclosing the contents of Frank's letter to the Reverend to Jamie. Jamie making peace with Frank. Calling of the Clans How do you think the writers will fit it in? How do you think it will be adapted? What will end up being ignored? Chapter 1 Happy the Bride the Sun Shines On Setting: Mount Helicon, The Royal Colony of North Carolina, Late October 1770 Characters we see: Claire Frank Jamie Roger Brianna Marsali Fergus Germaine Jemmy 67th Highland Regiment Archibald Hayes Lizzie and her hormones. Duncan Innes The weather. Scenes: Claire converses with a ghost. Jamie dreams of becoming the King of Ireland. Roger and Brianna are to be officially married. Jamie doubts Roger's abilities in the 18th. Governor Tryon's letter. Jamie inviting people to breakfast. Germain's antics and family chaos.  Brianna's diaper pin. Roger's wound.  Claire taking a moment to herself at the water. Hayes wanting to speak with Jamie. Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL–NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/

Season 4 Episode 413 Man of Worth Directed by: Stephen Woolfenden Written by: Toni Graphia   My initial thoughts are below, but you'll need to listen to the podcast to get the details! Summary:  Roger remains imprisoned. Jamie and Claire arrive at the village but are turned away. River Run receives a guest. Brianna awaits the birth of her baby. Otter Tooth is revealed. Young Ian makes a decision. Jocasta gets some lovin'. Testosterone poisoning rears its head. Roger learns the truth. Roger reveals his experiences. A choice needs to be made. A baby is born. Uncle Murtagh enjoys the baby. Jamie and Claire return. The baby has no name. But is Bonnet dead? Roger returns. The British are coming. Tryon assigns Jamie a job. Things I am Pondering (in no particular order): Hey 1970's Otter Tooth, how'd you bring the gemstone through the stones without it dissolving? Young Ian is quite decked out in tribal ware and language coming into the episode. Seriously?! They traveled for months, only to get turned away. Why did the Mohawk go roughly 700 miles to bury Otter Tooth's head and the stone? Why would Murtagh, a fugitive, show up at River Run knowing Jocasta has many British friends? By the way, Murtagh has terrible manners. Where the heck is Lord John? Phaedre's magical skills feeling the baby's position through layers of clothing is, well, close to reality. Her technique was decent and well ahead of the times, but hands on a bare belly are needed to really feel for the baby's position. Would the Mohawk really have taken Otter Tooth's head and g It's a good thing Claire knows one word in Mohawk. Will the banished Mohawk woman end up at the Ridge? Jamie, Young Ian outwitted you, sir. He's a man grown now choosing his own destiny. It's gut-wrenchingly sad to see young Ian left behind. Who knew being told you were never liked and getting a drink in the face is foreplay? Smooth operator, “Remember where ye came from…” By the way, Murtagh is looking like a fine silver fox lying shirtless in bed. Jocasta is a saucy minx. Testosterone poisoning at its finest. That said, I truly enjoyed Roger's fighter coming out on Jamie. Young Ian killed the gauntlet. Clever boy. Claire's annoyed stance looks like any wife, sister, mother, waiting for the boys to stop it. I am curious why Claire did not look at Roger's obviously injured arm after he stopped hitting Jamie. Roger, Roger, Roger! So many feels. Just so damn good. As he asks questions and the information he is given sinks in and as he shares what he knows, seems to deepen the loss and difficulty of the whole situation. Roger needs a minute! Jamie simmer down. Wait a minute. ROGER cost you a lad that you love? No. Claire did by wearing that damned gemstone of Otter Tooth. One of my fave moments, when Roger says, “What?!” with disdain to Jamie. A gorgeous laboring scene with Brianna being surrounded by women then cut to Brianna being introduced to her baby. What the absolute hell?! “We will choose his birth date wisely, but you can be sure the lad was born in wedlock.” So “Uncle” Murtagh has been hanging around River Run for several months. Interesting. Brianna's sadness that Roger is not with her parents is tough to watch. But Murtagh do you really know Bonnet didn't get out of the jail too? What's the significance of that awkward dinner Brianna decides to show up at? An olive branch of forgiveness? Finally, Brianna's love for Roger shows when she runs out the door and into his arms. Homerun that. The love is there and we can feel it. “Take me to see my son.” Roger's looking pretty fine with his low cut 70's open shirt. The snuggle between Jocasta and Murtagh has Jamie and Claire perplexed. Murtagh's regulating ways have him in hot water. Ongoing thoughts: Did Roger stop at the standing stones on the way to River Run? Who's tending to and settling the Ridge? One-handed Fergus with Marsali's help and the one other tenant are not capable of doing it all these past many months. That storyline got dropped like a hot potato. Has Roger processed his trauma? Will Jamie fake Murtagh's death by sending him to Canada or back to Scotland? When in Season 5 will we get to see Young Ian decked out in his new Kanienkehakan manner? What in the heck are the circular pin adornments for? I looked it up and couldn't find the answer. Why did Brianna not ask where Young Ian was? The lack of any reconciliation between Jamie and Brianna is strange especially because she told Murtagh she already forgave him. The timey-wimey-ness of Season 4 hurts my brain and made it difficult to figure out any frame of reference. Certainly, Brianna's timeline was ahead of Roger's. He was gone for 11 months. Jamie and Claire were gone 6.5-7 months to retrieve him even though they were only a couple of weeks behind him in theory? See you next up for The Fiery Cross read-a-long. Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/  

Season 4 Episode 412 Providence Directed by: Mairzee Almas Written by: Karen Campbell   My basic thoughts outline is below, you'll need to listen to the podcast to get the details! Summary: Roger completes the initiation and remains a slave. He is known as dogface. Fergus plans. Lord John brings Brianna news. She requests an audience after reading the letter.  Brianna and Lord John share an intimate moment. Roger works in the village. A woman with a baby helps Roger. Brianna and Lord John make a visit. Roger breaks a cultural rule. Roger meets a priest. Roger learns his location. Marsalis deduces the plan. What would Jamie and Claire do? The priest is tortured. Roger prays. They dig. The priest is taken away. Brianna and Lord John arrive at their destination.  Roger escapes. Brianna says her peace. Murtagh escapes. Roger does the priest a service. His lover makes a choice. What is Providence? From the Oxford Dictionary. 1 The protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power. ‘They found their trust in divine providence to be a source of comfort.' Synonyms: fate, destiny, nemesis, kismet, God's will, divine intervention, predestination, predetermination. 1.1 God or nature as providing protective care. ‘I live out my life as Providence decrees.' 2 Timely preparation for future eventualities. ‘It was considered a duty to encourage providence.' Synonyms: prudence, foresight, forethought, far-sightedness, judgement, judiciousness, shrewdness, circumspection, wisdom, sagacity, common sense, precaution, caution, care, carefulness Conflict, Friendship, Protection, Forgiveness, and Confrontation: Brianna reacts to the news Lord John bring about Bonnet's arrest. Brianna needs to move forward into freedom through forgiveness. Lord John is protective... “I'm not sure that means taking afternoon tea with a murderer.” Brianna misses her mother and experiences unexpected emotions when arriving in town. Lord John offers support. Brianna talks to Bonnet…alone. With Lord John waiting protectively. When she speaks to Bonnet, he gets a rise out of her.   Purpose and Friendship: Fergus and the other Regulators refuse to let Murtagh stay in jail and be sentenced to hang. Marsali supports the plan to break Murtagh from jail. They wish Claire and Jamie were there to help because they would find a way. While Lord John and Brianna are in the jail, Fergus and friends put the breakout plan into action. Marsali and Fergus are going to the Ridge. The boys make to break Murtagh out of jail and run into LJG and Brianna during the escape. With the baby in a basket and all their goods in a wagon, Marsali provides the getaway vehicle. Biding Time, Kindness, Reflection, Conflict, and Sacrificial Love Roger's put to work as a camp slave even though his arm is injured. He encounters a young mother, Johiehon, who offers Roger medicinal help to help with the pain of his injured arm. Kahereton is jealous and worried about Roger. Roger unwittingly breaks a cultural rule and is put in a hut. Roger is questioned why he was sold by his people. Roger meets Pere Alexandre Ferigault in the hut. Love is the common denominator between Roger and Alexandre. The priest tells his story and why he's prepared to die. Roger tells his story and why he is an idiot. Roger digs his way out of the hut and to the screaming of Pere he runs away. Roger tries to talk himself out of going back to help Pere. He cannot do it. Calls himself a stupid fool. He runs back to the village. Roger returns to the village and hastens the priest's death. Johiehon walks into the flame to join her lover. Kahereton is devastated and picks up the baby. Roger is stunned by the turn of events, then is hauled away. “That's it, lads, take me back to the idiot hut.” Freedom Brianna finds of mind and body freedom through forgiving Bonnet. Pere Ferigault and his lover find freedom in death. Murtagh gains his freedom by the acts of his friends, including an unlikely ally Bonnet is a cat with nine lives and presumably escaped before the prison blew up. Though still a captive, Roger finds freedom in confronting his own emotions and thoughts and doing the right thing. I CANNOT wait until the finale. See you on the flip side. Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/

Season 4 Episode 411 If Not For Hope Directed by: Mairzee Almas Written by: Bronwyn Garrity and Shaina Fewell   My basic thoughts outline is below, you'll need to listen to the podcast to get the details! Summary: Roger is recaptured. Brianna uses art therapy. Brianna sketches a beautiful woman. Jocasta plans a party. Jamie, Claire, and Young Ian are on the trail. There is a worry about Brianna. Young Ian plays a marriage therapist. Fergus finds intel, but not work. Jocasta bears a gift. Marsali knows what a man needs. The eligible men arrive. Brianna commands a parlor game.  A pirate is captured. A proposal will be made. Brianna hatches a plan. Bones are discovered. Jamie and Claire makeup. Roger is put to a test. This episode brims over with emotional vulnerability and characters being unable to hide who they are, what they are, and exist in bareness for viewers to watch. The overarching theme of hope is a bit over the top and lacks any subtlety. Brianna The Prized Heifer: Salivating single men…mostly. Jocasta is persuasive. A Lord joins the dinner party. A game of psychology. Brianna swoons and begins to gain a friend. An offer he couldn't refuse. Lord John: His presence. His friendship. His encounter. Bonding with Brianna. What's Up with Roger: He daydreams. He's tested by the Mohawk villagers. Jamie and Claire: The divide between them. The makeup. A Man Needs A Purpose: Fergus' plight and the wife knows best. Murtagh the Wanted: Regulator business. Capturing the pirate. Lizzie the Loud Mouth: She's judgmental. She's irresponsible with her words. She's loyal.   Final Thoughts: I wanted to love this episode. So much detail and excellence were given to the whole River Run experience, yet the Jamie and Claire makeup seemed okay but not as impactful as desired. The Fergus subplot is bizarre since he had a job when Roger ran into him at the newspaper shop. Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/  

Season 4 Episode 410 The Deep Heart's Core Directed by: David Moore Written by: Luke Schelhaas   My thoughts are below, but you'll need to listen to the podcast to get my in-depth perspective. Summary: Jamie teaches Brianna a valuable lesson. Roger continues to travel with the Mohawk. Claire offers Brianna a choice. Young Ian is smitten. Claire's at home in the garden. Homestead life thrives. Claire and Brianna play a missing game. A nightmare causes revelation. “Where's Roger?” Brianna rages. Punches and slaps are thrown. A plan is made. Jamie asks for a favor. Young Ian proposes. Everyone departs. Aunt Jocasta meets Brianna. Roger makes an escape. A buzzing calls to Roger. An anguished decision is being made. The Fraser Fire and Many Shades of Parenting There've been glimpses of the Fraser fire in Brianna in the past couple of episodes, but tonight the emotional dam breaks and she lets loose. Following in her English parents' footsteps, she generally doesn't open up easily, but she can't seem to stop herself at any point in the episode. If you've ever been through a serious traumatic event or events, sometimes emotions can't be held in regardless of intent. All the internal box lids come flying off and emotional chaos ensues and hopefully, healing can begin. Brianna's emotional transformation begins with her telling Jamie he must hate her because she's an unwed, pregnant, and so forth daughter. This is more about her self-image and what she believes about herself than what Jamie thinks. Jamie to his credit expresses he doesn't hold her accountable for what someone else did to her before he jumps in and says she'll be wed before the baby comes. Because you know it's the culture of the time. Regardless, she has someone in the 20th, her Historian, so she won't wed anyone else. Jamie is feeling her out and giving her parental space while being reassuring. When Brianna begins talking to herself about how she is stupid and at fault because she didn't fight and should've known better than to follow “him” into a dark room, Jamie jumps in telling her it's not her fault, but she doesn't believe him. Jamie's parenting style takes a dark turn for many, but demonstrating the truth is more impactful than telling it. He begins to taunt her, tells her maybe she's lying, or she liked it. Her anger riles, and she goes to take a swing at him, he grabs her placing her into a choke hold. Brianna can't move no matter how she fights. She takes his point and finally understands there's nothing she could've done to stop the man from harming her. I love how they sit together, and he speaks into her what she is feeling. That she is a coward because she couldn't fight off a wolf.  In my mind, this is a nod to the books, where Claire did, in fact, fight off wolves bare handed outside of Wentworth.  He knows Brianna would've died at her attacker's hands had she fought. Brianna is in a state of vulnerability that can't sit by itself, she asks Jamie about his experience with Black Jack Randall. Did he fight back? Did seeking vengeance help? Did killing his attacker make him feel better or forget? Jamie took the questioning in stride. He's walking a fine parenting line, having his private pain sitting next to hers without judgment, only openness, and wise guidance. The next level to Brianna's emotional breach is after a nightmare (a really beautiful nod to Jamie's nightmare in Season 2 where Black Jack Randall is swapped for Claire) when she learns from Lizzie that Roger came to the Ridge and was mistakenly beaten up and sent away by Jamie. The way she barges into the cabin is the bull in the china shop we expect. She yells, growls, slaps, says terrible things to Jamie, and generally commands the room.  Jamie being the adult and the parent, takes her tongue lashing, he takes her brutal words, he lets them absorb without turning on her (even though some furniture is not so lucky). He is the Da. He learns what parenting this daughter, a Fraser daughter means during this moment. There's no altering her course or changing her opinion. Claire is the protective mother yet is at a loss seeing her daughter unhinged when Brianna goes beyond all measure and punches Young Ian in the face. Brianna is grown and claiming what is hers. She wants Roger back no matter how long it takes. Last, she goes on to make her mother leave her because she doesn't trust Young Ian and Jamie will get the job done because of their judgment and because Roger will need to see a friendly face and a doctor. She puts the pursuit of Roger in front of all else, even if that means her mama misses the birth of the baby while she is safe at River Run under Aunt Jocasta's care.  When mentioning shades of parenting, I have to address Claire offering Brianna a surgical abortion. It's a tender and most gentle offering. Though we don't get the background in the show, Claire referred patients who sought an abortion to other doctors. She couldn't do them because she could feel the life force of the fetus. She's a healer. For her to offer the choice to Brianna by her own hand, is a very big deal to Claire as a mother and as a physician. When Brianna asked Claire If she considered it (with her pregnancy), Claire was astonished and horrified at the thought. This squeezed my heart for Brianna to get that reassurance and the truth from her mama. And it not only speaks volumes about how Claire felt about the baby she was carrying and Jamie, but how she trusted Frank even though she tried to send him away. I like this vulnerable and fiery Brianna. I love this truly connected mother and daughter pair. For the first time maybe ever, Brianna gets her mama as she really is and shares the pieces of her heart she long concealed in the 20th century. Brianna and Jamie have a long way to go to repair and grow their relationship, but the seeds and foundation are there to be reaped when he brings Roger back. Run, Roger! Run! The note about Roger is about his utter devotion to getting away from the Mohawk and back to Brianna. He accidentally escapes (boy, oh boy those Mohawk are bad trackers so far) and finds himself face to face with the standing stone we saw the ancient people dancing around in the first episode. He has the gemstones in hand. He is anguished and can escape this horrid reality right now if he wants to. We're left hanging as he reaches for the standing stone when the camera fades to black. Could he really go without having a resolution in the 18th century? I can see why he would want to jump centuries and get the hell out of the nightmare. Wrap Up: What consequences will Jamie face over yet another secret? Can Claire forgive him for Stephen Bonnet being alive and able to continue to wreak havoc? Can Jamie forgive Claire for not telling him who the rapist is? How will Brianna acclimate to River Run? What will Murtagh do with Bonnet until Jamie returns? If the Mohawk catch Roger and adopt him, who will take his place? What is Jocasta scheming? You saw how she was feeling Brianna out like she is a prized beast. Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/  

Season 4 Episode 409 The Birds & The Bees Directed by: David Moore Written by: Toni Graphia and Matthew B. Roberts   My thoughts are below, but you'll need to listen to the podcast to get my in-depth perspective. Summary: Brianna returns to her room battered and bleeding. Lizzie tries to help. Roger returns to the tavern for Brianna but is greeted by someone unexpected and forced to leave. Brianna wakes late learning Roger has left.  The Frasers are in town. Brianna and Jamie meet for the first time. Claire is overwhelmed seeing her daughter. Brianna explains the reason for her visit. Young Ian meets his cousin. Lizzie is smitten. Brianna tells Claire all about Roger. Young Ian tells the story of what happened the last time they went upriver. They all arrive at Fraser's Ridge. Jamie and Brianna bond over bees. Domesticity rules. Roger gets a gemstone and heads to the Ridge. Brianna reveals truths and secrets to Claire. Lizzie makes a proclamation. Jamie takes mistaken vengeance upon Roger. It's All Good: For the first time maybe ever, I have only good to say about this episode. It hits every beat with superb acting, good storytelling, and every character feeling right in their own skins and actions. This episode feels like the essence of Outlander and why readers go back to the books again and again. Outside of the very first episode, this episode in my favorite of all the seasons. The second viewing was even more satisfying than the first. This episode is what a quality adaptation should look like. The heart and soul of the story and the characters are masterfully brought to life with the alterations blending in as if they have always been there. I hope this is the new standard for the series moving forward. Toni and Matt wrote excellent material for the ensemble of actors, the director, and the host of personnel to turn into something magical. Miscommunication, Relationship Dynamics, and Secrets: Roger is forced to leave. Lizzie believing Roger is the man who harmed Brianna. Brianna's guilt over Roger leaving. Father and daughter meeting for the first time. Claire's overwhelm at seeing Brianna. Lizzie's teenage hormones. Loyalty and bonding. Brianna's rape and pregnancy. The terrible secrets.  Interesting Links: Beeocaching. How to move a beehive. Daniel Boone. So many lingering questions: How is Jamie going to explain his busted-up hand? Will Claire keep the secret? Will Lizzie and Young Ian keep the secret? What will Young Ian do with Roger? Where's Murtagh sleeping? When will Bonnet pay for what he's done? How does Brianna's skirt have pockets? Will Brianna go back to the 20th century or wait for Roger? Final Thought: There are four more episodes to go. The next six days cannot pass fast enough for this lassie! Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/  

Season 4 Episode 408 Wilmington Directed by: Jennifer Getzinger Written by: Luke Schelhaas   Summary:  Roger searches for Brianna. Jamie and Claire visit Fergus, Marsali, and the baby. Roger mopes in a tavern before finding Brianna. A declaration is made. A wedding transpires. Jamie and Claire are off to a play with the who's who of Governor Tryon's friends. A consummation occurs several times. Claire fangirls over someone famous. A plan is underway. Jamie worries for Murtagh and creates a distraction. Claire performs surgery in front of a crowd. Roger and Brianna fight. There is an unhappy parting. Murtagh is saved for another day. Brianna is drawn into trouble. The Good: Seeing Fergus, Marsali, and meeting baby Germain and their home. What a dumpling that baby is. Claire being so excited to meet George Washington. The initial reunion.  Jamie's creation of a distraction to warn Murtagh. Claire is performing surgery amongst a crowd to gain street cred. The handfasting ceremony. The absolute horror that is Stephen Bonnet. The Okay: The sexy time between Roger and Brianna. The use of the magical alcohol during the surgery. Laudanum was commonplace, and surely someone would have had some handy. The Ugly: How the fight escalated between Roger and Brianna ending with Roger leaving her. Murtagh being an ungrateful jerk when Fergus shows up to warn him. Roger's unfortunate costuming. Character Portrayal and Storytelling: There are traitors everywhere. Poor Georgie W., he's a patsy. The family is a central theme this season and continues into this episode. Brianna seems small and weak causing Roger to look like a serious jerk who wants to control her. The lack of relationship development of Brianna and Roger, leaves me struggling to find the passion and necessity of their relationship moving forward. The constant fighting between Roger and Brianna doesn't add realism. It makes me not care about them as a couple, and I wonder why they want to be together. Murtagh's sour grapes coupled with Tryon's constant harping about taxes is so in our face. WE GET IT. SOMETHING IS COMING. The feeling things move too quickly without a pause to get to know pivotal information. I can sense there's so much being edited out that doesn't make it to the screen that is in the script. Interesting Links: Inguinal Hernia Surgery Blowing smoke up an ass as a medical therapy. Handfasting Edmund Fanning John Frohock The plot to kill George Washington.   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/

Season 4 Episode 407 Down the Rabbit Hole Directed by: Jennifer Getzinger Written by: Shannon Goss   Summary:  Roger follows after Brianna with the help of a friend. Brianna is ill-equipped for the rigors of the 18th century Highlands. Brianna remembers her daddy. Unexpected hospitality is offered. Roger becomes a crewman for a wicked captain. Brianna learns a terrible truth about her host. Ian Murray helps her to the coast. Brianna secures a travel companion and passage to The Colonies.   Brianna's Quest Brianna appears to have made a fast getaway into the 18th century because of her inappropriate clothing and purse choices. She doesn't even don gloves or warm knitwear. She watched her mother quickly prepare for her departure yet seems to have not heeded the example at all well. In a nutshell, she's on foot and trying to get to the coast from the standing stones to secure passage to North Carolina but injures herself and ends up being taken care of by Laoghaire “Damn Her Eyes” MacKimmie and her daughter Joanie at Balriggan. Brianna gets to bond with wee Joanie, who seems to be the real adult in the household. She also gets an earful about Laoghaire's deadbeat former husband. It's a perspective check that strains what Claire has said of Jamie. Brianna sees the hateful and wretched side of Laoghaire when it's revealed in the conversation who her mother is, who her biological father is, and who Laoghaire's ex-husband is. With the tongue of an adder, Laoghaire strikes Brianna. It's poetic justice when Brianna tells Laoghaire Jamie never loved her. At least until Laoghaire threatens to have Brianna arrested as a witch and locks her in her room. Joanie saves the day by freeing Brianna and taking her to Lallybroch. Uncle Ian gives her money, a trunk of Claire's old clothing, and advice to find Aunt Jocasta when she arrives in Wilmington. We also get to see the relationship she had with her daddy Frank and how the revelations about her parents' marriage and his death have taken a toll on her. Between that and the effects of her mother's secrets and subsequent return to the 18th, it's quite easy to understand the depth of trauma that has accumulated within Brianna. What the Frank? Frank returns in flashback highlighting the strain of his and Claire's relationship, his closeness to Brianna, and the last time she saw him before he died.  We see a side of Frank that has gone largely unexplored in the series. Did the obituary give him the onus to divorce Claire, tell Sandy he wanted to marry her, take the job at Cambridge, and ask Brianna to go with him to England? I find myself angry that Frank spilled the divorce beans to Brianna after his last fight with Claire. What a hellish last conversation to leave her with before he dies. At least his final words to her were “I love you.” Roger's Journey Fiona takes Roger to Craigh na Dun so that he can go after Brianna into the 18th. He's very smartly clean shaven to deter lice and fleas from infesting his facial hair.  In period clothing, he goes through and becomes a crewman of the Gloriana. The ship is captained by none other than the malevolent Stephen Bonnet.  Roger shows his grit by vehemently decrying Bonnet's actions in front of the passengers and the crew. Suffice it to say throwing an ill child out the window is not something Roger can tolerate. Roger takes it a step further and hides a mother and her baby (Morag MacKenzie and Jemmy) when the baby has a teething rash. Roger is a man of principals and does what's right even if it could cost him. By the flip of the coin, Roger's fate to live or die for his indiscretion against the captain. The luck of Danu was with him. The Faces of Laoghaire She's a lovely, generous, and kind hostess to Brianna. She's a good and loving mother. She has a skewed version of Jamie, their marriage, and what lust or love means. She turns her temper on a dime when Jamie, Claire, or alimony is brought up. She's bitter about men and tells anyone who will hear. She's unreasonable and locks Brianna in a bedroom. She sees herself as a victim. She cross contaminates her food. Did you see that cutting board? She has an ax to grind with Claire and Jamie and passive-aggressively grinds it into Brianna. Such a flaming b**ch. Bonnet, Bonnet, Bonnet The swagger. The humor. The danger. He threw a child overboard for goodness sake. The RING. And Danu. Truths Frank loved Claire more than she loved him. Laoghaire loved Jamie, but he never loved her. Frank knew Claire was telling the truth about time travel and would eventually return to Jamie. Brianna is Jamie's daughter. I thought Laoghaire would vomit right there. Frank wasn't going to ask Sandy to marry him (he did say “come with me” to Brianna when he told her about the divorce and getting a job at Cambridge). Maybe truth. Callbacks Brianna walking and walking and walking like she's going to Mordor to throw My Precious into the lava before getting rescued by a stranger after passing out, is reminiscent of Claire wandering around that blasted island in Uncharted last season. The writer of this episode wrote that one. Roger being held back by the men as he fights and yells at Bonnet is similar to Jamie being held back while the Cherokee threaten William. Or countless other times Jamie has been held and unable to protect someone from harm. Brianna's flashbacks of memories that remind her of what is going on in her current situation, such as the argument between Laoghaire and Ian. Shout Outs for Book Readers The case of the missing PB & J is solved. We meet Morag, baby Jemmy on the ship and The Weymss at the dock. Links of Interest Men's 18th Century clothing. Travel during 1700's Colonial America. Danu – Mother Goddess Human Sacrifice Rituals Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/  

Season 4 Episode 406 Blood of my Blood Directed by: Denise Di Novi Written by: Shaina Fewell   Summary:  An unexpected duo comes to visit. Lord John's wife has died. The boy William is grief-stricken. Lord John asks for discretion. Murtagh serves up politics and distrust with dinner. The boy remembers Mac the groom. Murtagh discovers the truth about William. A liquor lubricated chess game is played. John becomes ill with the measles. Jamie and William head out on a multi-day tour of the Ridge. Claire tends to John. Barbed and frank conversations occur. The boy and Jamie go on a hunt. Emotions run high. John makes a confession. The boy shows courage. Claire and John make peace. Parting gifts are shared. All the Feels: This episode is a roller coaster of emotions where we see longing, tenderness, passion, vulnerability, confrontation, brutal honesty, humility, fear, hope, understanding, introspection, and healing. When William turned around to look at Jamie as he rode away, he left Jamie with the promise they would see each other again. John and Claire being utterly frank with each other and not holding back no matter what the other said. Claire wishes happiness and contentment upon John to find a worthy partner. Jamie standing up for Lord John to Murtagh. The Good: The bulk of this episode is fantastic. The exchanges between Claire and John are difficult and almost catty in the beginning, then the conversations evolve into blatant honesty and mutual pain before understanding grows between them blossoming into their own relationship filled with mutual respect. It is heart-tugging to witness their struggle with each other. Jamie has great restraint when it comes to William as he clearly wanted to touch him and love on him as a son. William is hurting and grieving for the loss of his stepmother, then when his father becomes ill, he fears for his life too. The knowledge that Jamie is Mac the groom who left him at Helwater deepens the wound of loss he feels. William's trying to process and manage his difficult emotions at the tender age of 12. He's no regular boy, he's an Earl and heir to lands and wealth. His path is not simple, and he wears the cloak of the impending duty and responsibility upon his young shoulders. His internal battle shows the conflicting desire to leave childhood behind and grow into his idea of what it means to be a man. The boy also shows his courage in the face of the Cherokee and takes responsibility for himself after Jamie offers up his blood instead. Jamie is proud of William and holds the boy after the encounter. William thinks he told them he was his son to be protective, and I expect the memory of that experience will jar William into conscious knowing of who his biological father is at some point in the future. Throughout the time Jamie and William spent together, there were teaching moments that William can add to the earlier things Jamie taught him when he was the groom. I also appreciated how the Cherokee were shown as proud and merciful during the fish confrontation. Finally, the missing ring is brought up when Claire is taking a bath. Claire tells him she doesn't need a ring when he kisses her bare hand, he presents her with the thistle ring he had Murtagh make from part of the silver candlestick. It also has the Catullus 5 inscription in it. It is pretty much perfect. The Awkward: Murtagh being singularly focused on the tax situation in every conversation he participates in does not make for interesting viewing. the dozen or so years apart from Jamie has altered their relationship. For the first time, Murtagh has something of his own to fight for and keep or lose. He's no longer Jamie's protector and main guidance counselor. Having these two characters re-establish their relationship while being at odds is difficult to watch. Jamie is definitely working from an optimistic vantage point while Murtagh is pessimistic about what the Governor will or will not do. I hope we see resolution before too long if only to lighten the mood. Lingering Questions: Where the heck is Brianna? What the heck is Roger doing? Will the tax situation force Murtagh to rise up against the Governor or leave North Carolina? Will the tax situation pit Jamie and Murtagh against each other in a physical conflict? Where's Adawehi's necklace? When will Laoghaire want her pound of flesh and alimony? How are Marsali and Fergus? Why is William's wig as bad as Jamie's? Favorite Lines: “I just wish I'd had time to make appropriate sleeping arrangements for you and the young master.” Claire to Lord John “You sir are a lout.” William to Jamie “You cannot at all be a comfortable woman to live with.” Lord John to Claire “You are neither circumspect or circuitous. I don't believe I've ever met anyone so devastatingly straightforward, male or female.” Lord John to Claire “Oh, it's hard. It's hard watching you with him. Oh…” Lord John to Claire “Why torture yourself? Surely you knew coming here that you could never have him.” Claire to Lord John. “Do you know what it's like to love someone and never be able to give them happiness? Not through any fault of yours or theirs, but simply because you were not born the right person for them?” Lord John to Claire Links of Interest: Milk snake facts Catullus 5 Blood of my Blood quote   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/

Season 4 Episode 405 Superstitions and Cruelty Directed by: Denise Di Novi Written by: Bronwyn Garrity My basic thoughts follow below, but you'll have to listen to the podcast to get my complete thoughts.  Summary: Claire and Adawehi bond. A misunderstood truth is given. The white sow is challenging her worth. Jamie shares a supernatural dream. Claire midwife's a mountain family. Jamie and Young Ian go to recruit settlers. Claire quashes a conflict. Settlers are difficult to come by. Measles claim lives. A dear friend is murdered. Someone special is found. Retribution is demanded. Family finds itself opposing one another. The Good: It is impressive how Claire is integrating and participating in the community and blending cultures through her healing practice, her relationship with Adawehi, and in her clothing (gloves and fur undervest). She even temporarily belays bad blood between the Cherokee and Herr Mueller.  The continuing theme of Claire as a loving mother who misses Brianna. Adawehi tells her Brianna is here, but Claire misunderstands the meaning.  Who doesn't love MURTAGH? RAWR! They've turned him into a serious silver fox. Move over Jamie, Murtagh is in town and seems to be single. Living well post indentured servitude has him doing well for himself.  The reunions between Jamie and Murtagh, Murtagh's reaction to Claire returning, and Claire's reaction to Murtagh coming up the path to the cabin are all squishy warm feeling delights.  The Difficult: The sheer superstitious savagery that Herr Mueller displays in believing the Cherokee cursed the water and his family leading to the measle related deaths of the baby, Petronella and Tommy are awful and painful to watch. Claire's reaction when he hands her Adawehi scalp because the curse was broken through her death is revolting and wrenching.  Herr Mueller puts the savage in savagery. The retaliation by the Cherokee for the death of Adawehi erases the Muellers from the New World. Mueller and his wife perish at their hands, and their cabin is burned to the ground. Mueller is the antithesis of the good neighbor Jamie and Claire are trying to be.  Jamie and Murtagh being on the other side of the law and Governor Tryon is setting up a storyline of challenge and decisions between them.  The Confusing: The way Brianna departs the 20th century is baffling and irritating. She appears to have left in a moment of rash decision when she learns on her own of the bad news about a fire at Fraser's Ridge. She didn't call Roger to tell him of the fire and obituary notice. When Roger goes to Inverness to track her departure and find clues, Miss Baird (presumably the daughter of Mrs. Baird the Innkeeper) gives him a letter Brianna asked her to hold for a year. She couldn't take the heartbreak on Roger's face.  The letter Brianna left is cold and dare I say cruel. She gives no indication she loves him or what her intentions are. She doesn't even say what bad news she found that led her to leave. She tells him not to follow her into the past. And then, simply says goodbye.  Is she trying to push him away purposely? She seems utterly detached and uncaring. "Oh well, think of me happily in the past." Ho hum. Nothing to see here.  Where is the deep love and wanting that is supposed to be building the foundation these two characters are bound by and drive us into the next generation willingly?  Roger's character will have him following her without a doubt. BUT WHY would he follow her? She has left nothing for him to hold onto or to be encouraged by. I am underwhelmed by the Brianna and Roger storytelling and find myself not caring if he follows her or not.   And don't get me started on the Holly Hobbie dress she is wearing. It must have been a truly rash decision to head for the 18th. Links of Interest: The Regulators Governor Tryon and the Regulators Eastern Band of the Cherokee Holly Hobbie What say you? I love to get your comments by email or voicemail. Call 719-425-9444 or email contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander TV Series is adapted from the Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ Like what I do? Support the podcast with a monthly offering, go to my Patreon page and sign-up. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/  

Season 4 Episode 404 “Common Ground” Directed by: Ben Bolt Written by: Joy Blake   Summary:  Jamie becomes a landowner. Jamie, Claire, and Young Ian leave Marsali and Fergus, turning toward the mountains. The boundaries of Fraser's Ridge are marked. The land is prepared for a cabin. They meet the locals who are unhappy at their presence. Roger makes a discovery. An awkward phone call ensues. Jamie receives council. Jamie believes the land spoke to him. Actions are taken to be peaceable neighbors. A threat bonds them and the Cherokee in friendship. Claire receives a prophecy. Fiona surprises Roger and shares a terrible discovery. Roger finally calls Brianna, but it's too late. What is the common ground? Merriam-Webster states the definition to be, “a basis of mutual interest or agreement.” The Indian Tribes and the Highlanders: Prejudice exists about the Cherokee (and other tribes) by the non-native colonialist peoples. They are called savages and compared to the Highland Scots by the Governor himself after Jamie signs the land agreement. The opening scene also provides a comparison as it shows the Cherokee Chief dressing. It harkens back to the opening scene that shows Jamie going through the same ritual of dressing in the Highland fashion. There are also similarities in the ways of life and difficulties with their way of life being compromised by encroachment, war, and politics.  This, of course, is a highly simplistic comparison, and I urge you to do your research on the history of the Cherokee and other tribes. As a side note, Jamie wanting this land for his and his family's greater purpose and reclamation of all that was lost, believing the land spoke to him, coupled with his desire to be a good and peaceable neighbor creates conflict in me. The land is available because of deals the colonialists have made with the Cherokee. Jamie is now the Governor's man and by extension the Crown's man. He is the face of colonialism — the face of western Europe expansionism. Can one be a kinder gentler colonialist or rather take advantage of a colonialist offering and not be an oppressor? I know this is a modernist view and who wouldn't jump at a chance to finally have something of value and worth? Who wouldn't seek the avenue of legacy? Jamie Fraser is a good man who wants to do what is right and just. He strives to have a solid moral compass. Jamie Fraser is also a man who prizes his family's safety, security, and prosperity above all else. He's had so little ability in his life to take care of those in his charge without usurping the law or being an unstable caretaker. Finding Common Ground The episode did an excellent job in showing the growing pains of having settlers on the land, whether or not they are on the right side of the boundary lines. The local Cherokees do not take kindly to Jamie and Claire while they are clearing an area to build a shed and cabin. They even go so far as to threaten them with the return of several land marker poles. Jamie has no issue having his family brandish weapons when the Cherokee approach, yet in wisdom seeks council to somehow establish a harmonious and peaceful relationship between his family and the Cherokee. John Quincy Myers promises to take a gift of tobacco from Jamie as an offering. Jamie inadvertently finds the better alternative to forging a respectful and healthy friendship; he kills the bear that has been wreaking havoc in the area. It isn't an ordinary bear; it's a shunned Cherokee who has taken on the spirit, skin, and claws of a bear. To the Cherokee he is dead, so they have no means to kill the Tskili Yona man-bear. When the bear attacked friend John Quincy Myers and threatened in the forest, Jamie goes on the hunt. He discovers it is a bear-man when it attacks him. He ironically kills the monster with one of the land marker poles. When he returns the corpse to the Cherokee, they accept it and being to respect his place on the land. The Cherokee offers friendship to Jamie, Claire, and Young Ian and the chief names Jamie, Bear Killer, as he will be known to the Cherokee. Jamie now has mountain cred. Through his actions, a bond of mutual respect is formed. Claire also finds common ground with Adawehi, a great healer, who is Giduhwa's husband's grandmother. Adawehi dreams of Claire and gives her a prophecy that she will have great power when her hair turns all white. She also tells Claire something ominous about death coming that won't be her fault. Claire stands to learn much from Adawehi and will undoubtedly become a stronger herbalist for it. Common ground is also secured between Jamie and Claire as he maps out their new cabin that includes a clinic room for Claire to see patients. He considers both their needs in the design. This is the Jamie we expect and adore. Where Common Ground Lacks The painful awkwardness between Roger and Brianna when he calls to tell her the discovery about her mother and Jamie. She's cool and distant to Roger while seeming to be less than enthused at the news. You'd think she'd be more excited and express deep gratitude for him continuing to research in the past. What's a guy have to do to get a rise from her? After Roger finds out Fiona knows about Claire being a traveler and sharing devastating news from an article she found in her grandmother's belongings, they also disagree on whether Roger should tell Brianna about the obituary with a blurred date. At some point after, Roger decides to phone Brianna but is told she left for Scotland a couple of weeks ago to visit her mother. She never told him or contacted him. The divide between them grows. Was he calling to tell her about the obituary? How much time had passed since Fiona shared it with him? Why was Brianna traveling into the past without telling Roger? From this vantage point, I think he has the right to be angry. The other area where common grounds lacks is in Tryon's views of the regulators and the Indians. He stands for King and Crown, where Jamie is using the land grant for his purposes knowing he'll have to choose sides in the future when the American Revolution breaks out. Into the Future This episode resolves one serious issue but opens up pathways to many unanswered questions. Will Roger discover when and why Brianna time traveled? Will Brianna find her parents? Why didn't Brianna tell Roger? Will Roger follow Brianna into the past? Will life be calm on Fraser's Ridge now that friendship is secured between the Cherokee and those on the Ridge? When will we see Marsali and Fergus? Who will Fergus recruit to live on Fraser's Ridge? How long before Governor Tryon calls in favors from Jamie and his men in the backcountry?   Links of Interest: Highland Scots in North Carolina Cherokee Nation North Carolina Land Grants search Land Grants The Land Process in North Carolina Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/  

Season 4 Episode 403 “The False Bride” Directed by: Ben Bolt Written by: Jennifer Yale   Summary: Roger says goodbye to the manse. He goes to America to see Brianna and perform in a Scottish festival. Roger shares his intentions. Brianna shocks Roger. There is a row that strains Roger and Brianna. Jocasta throws shade at Claire. The Frasers and Young Ian leave River Run with funds, a guide, and a mule.  Young Ian goes adventuring with John Quincy Myers. Jamie and Claire are caught in a terrific storm. Claire gets lost and encounters a ghost. Jamie and Claire find each other supernaturally. In the mountains, the perfect spot for Fraser's Ridge is found. What stood out? In the 20th This episode spoke to me about the clash between tradition and modernity even down to the ghost being a modern traveler (silver fillings for the win) going back in time to a more traditional period for some purpose. Roger Wakefield demonstrated, even SCREAMED tradition every moment onscreen. From giving Fiona and Ernie a traditional welcome to the manse as he prepared to leave with the last boxes of his family home, his clothing, the song he sang at the gathering, and when refusing to bed Brianna unless he knew she would marry him. Brianna displayed a stark contrast to Roger's tradition with her clothing, approach to sex, and voicing she may not even believe in marriage. It's the 1970's after all. The hot and heavy scene between them that turned into a deep conflict shows us without a doubt the expanse between them. Roger stops a topless Brianna (save for that excessively unsexy bra of the day) from going any further until he could give her back her shirt and the bracelet while pouring his heart and intentions upon her. The engraving inside the silver bracelet is based on a poem, it says, “Je t'aime un peu, beaucoup, passionnement, pas du tout.” In English, it means, “I love you a little, a lot, passionately, not at all.” Roger realizes the divide between them when he asks her to marry him. She responds with it's moving too fast. He wants her to be his wife. To make a home. To have children. Dogs. But, she's not ready for that.  As he goes to leave, she grabs him and kisses him hard then it all unravels into hurt feelings, harsh words, and misunderstanding. Roger: “What in God's name are you playing at?” Brianna: “You said you wanted me. I want you too don't you know that?” Roger: “Oh, ye don't want to marry me but you'll fuck me?”  Brianna: “You don't have to use that language.” She sneers. Roger: “Oh, you can suggest such a thing, but I cannot say the word? “If all I wanted was to have my way with you, I would have had you on your back a dozen times last summer.” She slaps him, bloodying his mouth. Roger: “If ye don't care enough to marry me. Then I don't care to have ye in my bed.” She says it doesn't make sense. He shouldn't have sprung the proposal. She has things like school and never thought about kids.  Roger: “Well then what d'ye mean by making me such an offer—a nice Catholic girl? I thought you were a virgin?” Brianna: “I am. What the hell does that have to do with it?” Is Roger a hypocritical brute because he's had sex with women before? Roger is a man steeped in tradition, his job as a historian, his views on love and marriage, his desire for home and hearth in the wake of losing his adopted father, and the manse being rented by Fiona and Ernie, and his performing songs from the past each speak to his temperament and longing for roots. He doesn't care whether or not Brianna is a virgin; he cares whether or not she commits to him before he shares her body, heart, and soul. He is shocked knowing her Catholic upbringing, and it went against what he thought she believed. The difference between the women Roger had lain with prior and Brianna is clear, he didn't love them. It was sex without the heart, body, and spirit comingling. His love for Brianna yearns for permanency, for the foundation, to comingle every part for something deeper than physical sex. The love he desires to give and to receive is the love we see between Jamie and Claire. I say Roger is not hypocritical. It's a misunderstanding and inability to articulate exactly what she means to him. Roger has equal parts of similarity to Jamie and Frank and sometimes cannot act outside his abject male self. Brianna is in a completely different emotional headspace only thinking of sharing bodies though born out of love; she thinks that's what Roger wants. Perhaps it's immaturity or hope on her part that sex would and could be a bridge without thinking too far into the future. She does love Roger. She has not had sex because she wanted it to be with someone she loved. It deeply matters to Brianna, yet she did not say it or share why the future cannot be agreed upon now. She's complicated and traumatized from the revelations of the past few years. She cannot enter into marriage until she is SURE. She cannot repeat a marriage of duty like Claire and Frank. She also wants the whole marriage enchilada. Both of their offerings failed to hit the mark. Both of their offerings frustrated the other. They each have reasons for holding steadfast to their position. Meanwhile in the 18th Claire and Jamie meet a ghost and find the land they will build their home on after taking the Governor's offer. Jamie will get to be the laird he was meant to be since his brother died. Claire will get the home of her heart. A home built on all-encompassing love, including duty and passion. Jamie can build and grow lands to protect his family and the men who will come. The opportunity to replace all that has been lost. Favorite Lines: Roger about the deer: “He's pretty canty looking, for a deer on the worst day of its life. Yer half the deer you used to be.” Links of Interest: Roger singing “The False Bride.” The lyrics to “The False Bride” Where is Fraser's Ridge? Je t'aime rhyme   Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/

Season 4 Episode 402 “Do No Harm” Directed by:  Julian Holmes Written by:  Karen Campbell   Summary: Claire, Jamie, Young Ian, and Rollo arrive at Aunt Jocasta's plantation, River Run. Aunt Jocasta extends every hospitality learning they were robbed. Young Ian and Rollo meet a wicked predator. We meet a mountain man. Claire's sensibilities and beliefs are on edge. Auntie Jocasta hatches a MacKenzie style plan. There's a party with the who's who of the area in honor of their arrival. An incident puts Jamie and Claire between what's right and what's the law. Themes: Jamie is again in a down and out position and feeling responsible for it all. Family matters and Jocasta needs an heir. The Confusing: The timeline isn't discernible for how long Jamie and Claire's stay is at River Run before the dinner party or the incident with Rufus and Overseer Byrnes. This is important to why Jocasta named him heir so swiftly without seeing him really acting administratively or performing the business management duties she needs help with. Jamie appears not to have looked at Jocasta's business dealings until after the public announcement. Really? One discussion with Wolff and Jocasta following his business acumen from afar. He was laird of Lallybroch for a short time with Jenny and Ian doing most of the work, he worked for Jared in Paris for a short time, yet successfully, he was in hiding, in prison, working his sentence off, and then became a seditious printer and smuggler. His bonafides don't add up without Jocasta seeing him in action. The plot device of Jamie only learning about the difficult slavery laws of the colony AFTER the announcement to make him an heir and the incident between Rufus and Byrnes. Jamie knew about other laws and even the Regulators. Surely, he would've asked about slavery and all it entailed. He was so pie-eyed and Pollyanna about working to release them if he took on the running of River Run. It is a kind and right notion, but as we find out, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Squares and Round Holes: John Quincy Myers the wild mountain man just happens to be on the property and is the one person who knows how to help Young Ian with the skunk perfumed Rollo. Then he goes poof, and we don't see him again during the episode. This screams, “Hey viewers, he might be important later, and we wanted you to meet him now.” Secondly, he's either ill-mannered or completely oblivious in speaking to Young Ian, a lad of 16, in such a way. Book readers, I think you get my vibe on this scene. The Good: Maria Doyle Kennedy as Aunt Jocasta Cameron. She convinces me she IS a MacKenzie through and through.  The other new faces Ulysses, Phaedre, Lieutenant Wolff, John Quincy Myers, and Farquard Campbell are also well cast and believable. I am always struck wondering what the experience is playing the part of a slave or a slave owner. Both cause my heart to ache. Claire and Jamie being in partnership they can't own slaves, how they proceeded together in trying for true justice, treating Rufus, and subsequently understanding his soul is what matters. They stand unified. Young Ian's sweet heart when learning about Jocasta's blindness and his compassion for the American Indians as people and not savages. He also shows great steel as Claire's surgical assistant. Jocasta's butler Ulysses speaking plainly to Claire about what is to come for Rufus if he lives and how saving his soul is better than what's to come. He'll be used as an example for the other slaves to obey. Jamie says the same thing to Claire when he realizes Rufus will not be allowed to live no matter what. I like how these conversations mirrored each other, one from each, a free man and a slave. Claire's loving and kind bedside manner connecting with Rufus as he was dying. We have seen her do this before to send a soul off peacefully and with comfort. Finally, Jamie's prayer as the clock strikes midnight, Rufus dies from the poison, and Jamie delivers the limp body to the waiting men. Jamie crosses himself and prays, “I'm bending my knee in the eye of the Father who created me. Pour down from heaven the rich blessing if thy forgiveness. Be thou patient wi' us. Grant to us savior of glory, the love of God...And the will to do on earth at all times as angels and saints do in heaven. Give us the peace.” Mixed Bag: Claire's unwavering belief that people should not be owned. Seeing her fight the need to save the young man and not to cause unintended harm, was a beautiful struggle to behold. Sometimes the right answer requires courage in action we can never see coming. The downside to this staunch and brooding belief is that she isn't culturally aware or sensitive. Did she have to bludgeon the idea home over and over. It is revolting, but she could have found a way to not sulk around and find a way through the situation without inadvertently putting the slaves in harm's way, and without threatening Jocasta's home and land, which she did. SLAVERY IS UNCONSCIONABLE. History, when allowed, will speak it loud and clear without Claire being more entrenched and rasher in action because of her 20th-century beliefs. I was struck hard at the closing sequence. I applaud the realistic and brutal portrayal of slavery as it was in the American Colonies. I believe we must confront the good and bad in our collective history through any and every medium. The entertainment industry is an important vehicle, especially when the simple and often harsh truths are allowed to be represented, and no agenda or politics get in the way. Time might heal some wounds, but others need intervention and social change to be righted even a little bit. That said, I do think like the theme of circles in episode 401, it was heavy-handed without allowing the viewer to make the emotional, ethical, and moral leaps on his or her own. Outlander viewers are by and large people who can critically think and get what the writers are trying to say. The idea Jocasta would assume Claire to be a Quaker because of her abolitionist beliefs is simply odd. The Southern Colonies had slaves, the northern Colonies did not. For some reason, viewers REALLY, REALLY need to know that Quakers may be of importance to future storylines. CORRECTION: There was slavery across the colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries. And the first organized group of white people to speak out against slavery was indeed the Quakers (The Society of Friends) who stood alone as a group for quite some time. I misspoke in my critique. With the exception of Claire's speech, Jocasta may have been correct in this assumption. Things to Ponder: The color blue is seen throughout the décor and in clothing during the episode. Is it a nod to the indigo trade or something else? Will we be meeting Quaker's in the future? Will we see more of John Quincy Myers? Will Jamie take Governor Tryon's offer? Will we see Jamie in a kilt this season? He is free to wear one. Have we seen the last of Stephen Bonnet? Where's Murtaugh? Favorite Lines: There are numerous warm fuzzies from the book regardless of who the lines were given. These stand out in particular for me. We learn Jocasta has lost most her vision but has “now been gifted with hearing that would be the envy of many gossip, and the ability to scent truth from lies, if ye catch my meanin'.” There's been a run in with the scary and horrible skunk. Young Ian says, “It lifted its tail and sprayed a foul liquid from its arse.” Jocasta says to Claire, “Jenny was right about you. You are a peculiar lass.” When Jocasta adds definition to how Claire speaks her mind on all manner of topics whether she knows about them or not, Claire responds, “the same could be said for Jenny.” There's the humor! Jocasta likes her fiery spirit. Claire to Jamie after he tries to be positive about benevolent slave ownership and forging change, “Fuses often lead to explosions.” Jamie's response to Claire, “Aye, but when the dust settles, oftentimes the devil yer fightin' is gone.” Mayhaps, he's talking about Black Jack Randall? Links of Interest: About where the phrase “Do No Harm” comes from. It's not in the Hippocratic Oath. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/first-do-no-harm-201510138421 and https://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f6426.full About Quakers and their stand on slavery. http://web.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/speccoll/quakersandslavery/commentary/themes/white_slaves.php Information about the poison Aconite Claire uses on the young man. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-609/aconite Bottom Line: It took me two viewings before I could get a handle on this episode. I think us devoted book readers need to watch more than once to firmly separate one from the other. We have the blessing and curse of knowing the material being adapted.  I like this episode for the most part. I've a few gripes so far this season: the choppiness in the flow scene to scene and episode to episode (why didn't they discuss the ring being taken too), the sense of feeling rushed from one place to the next without taking time to savor or deepen important moments or characters, then slowing way down for one event, and being spoon-fed what the writers deem important. If the writing is solid, there's no need to put the point on repeat.     Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC. Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/  

America the Beautiful Season 4 Ep 401 Written by Matthew B. Roberts and Toni Graphia Summary: Jamie, Claire, Marsali, Fergus, Young Ian, Lesley, and Hayes are in Wilmington, NC. There's a hanging. Young Ian gets a dog. The Frasers are going to a party. They are broke and need to sell a gemstone for passage back to Scotland. A greedy pastor, flashbacks, and a stowaway complicate the burial. Assistance is given to an escaped convict. Jamie and Claire sleep rough. The Governor makes Jamie an offer. They decide to stay in America. On the way to River Run, there's trouble. Themes: With good there is bad. There are opportunities in the new world, but there is also cruelty and opportunistic savagery that takes place against others in the process. Circles have significance from the broader to the personal, impact lives, and are here to make a point this season. The Good: There is so much excellent dialogue to provide warmth to devoted Outlander readers. Jamie stands out as a good friend and leader. Claire's humor and emotional range are coming into view. She's less a constipated shrew and more emotionally rounded.  The choice to highlight Young Ian's trauma after being scared and sexually assaulted by Geillis “The Bakra” Abernathy. Rollo is joining the crew. Marsali and Fergus are expecting a child. SURPRISE. Apparently, she likes sex quite fine and having a child won't stop that. Jamie's gift of the medicine box for their 24th anniversary is a deep home run. He's sentimental and knows Claire is not the type to want baubles and fancy things.   Ed Speleers gives an excellent performance as Stephen Bonnet, at once likable, over the top schmoozer, maybe kind, and then morphing into a malevolent mercenary he returns to steal Claire's rings and the gems he overheard them talking about when he was a stowaway. He even murders Lesley when he fights back. Caitriona's performance during the robbery is stunning. With minimal sound, her emotions, facial expressions, and body movements scream volumes. The Bad: Jamie's banged wig is hands down is THE worst thing in this episode. Claire's wig and the funky North Carolina CGI are next in line. Everyone else's wigs are fantastic. I just don't get it. It seems the hair team is trying to mimic Sam's hair before he donned a wig. Someone, PLEASE give Jamie an all over shoulder length wig that can be properly plaited. The utter distraction makes for difficult viewing. Who the hell is Lillington and how did they get an invite to a party? It was an abrupt non-sequitur without context while they're riding to the kirkyard to bury Gavin. Unless you're a book reader, this came out of left field. The So-So: The hanging of Gavin barely ticked the emotional box because there was so little character development of him and Lesley even though they were at Ardsmuir and worked for Jamie in Edinburgh. Except for Lesley's heartfelt tavern singing, and the shocking nature of his death, they felt superfluous to a storytelling end Why was Jamie so determined for them all to go back to Scotland? Claire mildly talking him into staying is a bit off-putting. Fergus being so mild and mousy and seemingly lacking the wit and fire his younger counterpart displayed is a slight turn off as a viewer. The Funny: The snarky dinner party guest Judith Wylie being jealous of Claire and trash talking her to Claire's “whatever” face. Jamie's “more trees” response to Claire. Jamie's response to sweet devastated Young Ian, “What it comes down to is your cock doesn't have a conscience, but you have.” Young Ian to Uncle Jamie, “I didna ken. She'll be saying it in Scotland won't she.” The Obvious: Claire's voiceover in the opening scene of native peoples building a cairn circle around a standing stone, Hey there! Circles of ALL kinds (nooses, wedding rings, the movement of clock hands, and planetary orbits) are super-duper important. Especially stone circles in America.” (Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink). Then Stephen Bonnet focusing on the rings and the importance of an eternal circle. Then Stephen attempting to take Claire's wedding rings. Bottom Line: Overall, I liked this episode and looked forward to what's coming. A lot of ground was covered to move the story along nicely. I don't envy the task of adapting such detailed and lengthy work. Outlander viewers are pretty darned smart and don't need to be spoon-fed foreshadowing, hit in the face with themes or points the producers and writers want to be certain we don't miss. I promise, if the writing is good, viewers with getting it. Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INC.   Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. THE INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC SEGMENTS ARE TAKEN FROM A PIECE BY DAMIANO BALDONI AT URL ON FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE. CURATOR: CCCOMMUNITY. COPYRIGHT: CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-NONCOMMERCIAL-NODERIVATIVES 4.0: HTTP://CREATIVECOMMONS.ORG/LICENSES/BY-NC-ND/4.0/

THE COUNTDOWN TO OUTLANDER S4 CONTINUES!   News: The official Season 4 opening credits and the music was released on October 6thduring an Outlander panel at the NYCC. Bear McCreary masterfully creates the connection to the colonial south of America by once again altering The Skye Boat song to reflect where the story is going while maintaining its Scottish roots. The credits also combine the familiar beginning with snippets from the season that include the sweeping expanse of River Run, the backcountry cabin on Fraser's Ridge, Brianna touching the stone at Craigh na Dun, traditional dancing, a handfasting, and more. Outlander stars Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Richard Rankin, and Sophie Skelton, producers, Maril Davis, and Ron D. Moore, and writer Diana Gabaldon were at the NYCC doing autographs and participated in panels. The official Outlander panel audience members were surprised with a showing of S4 E1.  Rewatch Season 3 episodes 1-3 then listen to my thoughts. Here are the episode synopses from Outlander Starz: Ep 301 The Battle Joined - After living through the Battle of Culloden, Jamie is at the mercy of British victors, until his past provides his only hope of survival. Meanwhile, a pregnant Clarie attempts to adjust to life in 1940's Boston. Ep 302 Surrender - Hiding in a cave, Jamie leads a lonely life until Lallybroch is threatened by redcoats pursuing the elusive Jacobite traitor. In Boston, Claire and Frank struggle to coexist in a marriage haunted by the ghost of Jamie. Ep 303 All Debts Paid - In prison, Jamie discovers that an old foe has become the warden - and has the power to make his life hell. Claire and Frank both put their best foot forward in marriage, but an uninvited guest shatters the illusion.    

It's been almost ten months since the finale of Outlander Season 3, and in a mere 5 weeks, Season 4 will premiere.  Last seen, Jamie and Claire, the family, and crew had washed up on the southern shores of The Colonies in America. Season 4 is based on book 4 of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Jamie and Claire are no longer being pursued by the British, however, expect adventure, trouble, surprises, and love as they embark on their life in The New World. This podcast discusses the six revealed episode titles, the main characters this season, which characters will have the most misadventure, slavery, American Indians, indentured servitude, The Ridge, mature marriage, and more! Please share your thoughts and comments to 719-425-9444 or contact@adramofoutlander.com. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. What coming up? More Countdown to S4 The entire Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook. Visit Outlander Starz on social media, like or follow: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and the official website. All photos are the property of Starz/Sony.   Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook Page, Facebook Group,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. The intro and outro music segments are taken from a piece by Damiano Baldoni at URL on Free Music Archive. Curator: ccCommunity. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Drums of Autumn Chapters 68-71 Week 34 “All Roads Lead to The Gathering.” Summary: Domesticity ruled the moment. Jamie and Claire drunkenly frolicked in the night. Roger and Brianna established married life. Duncan Innes came to the Ridge with a proposition. The family headed to the Gathering. The baby finally had a proper name. The Gathering hosted Scottish families from across the Colonies. A word from Young Ian was had. A Highland Regiment arrived. Lizzie got a welcomed surprise. Claire worked her pop-up clinic. Roger shared a private letter with Jamie. Jamie offered to return something special to Claire. Brianna clearly made her choice.    Inside the Chapters: Chapter 68 Domestic Bliss August 1770 Domestic bliss filled the morning and Claire thought about the night before when Jamie had invited her outdoors the night before (p1045, Nook). They wandered into the woods to intimately share each other under the moon before drunkenly going back to bed for an hour. They silently shared the memory over parritch under the acknowledging eye of Brianna. The moment was broken when Clarence announced a visitor. Duncan Innes arrived to invite them all to the upcoming gathering at Mount Helicon. The clincher for Jamie was being told a priest would be there and the baby could be baptized. Then Duncan embarrassingly dropped a bomb on Jamie; he asked permission to marry Aunt Jocasta (p1047, Nook). Duncan was a man of propriety and thought it only right to seek Jamie's blessing because he was the next of kin and her rightful heir. Jamie gave his blessing and said they would dance at the wedding. Chapter 69 Jeremiah October 1770 The baby's name had not been settled even though he was about five months old. The discussion went round and round as they traveled to the Gathering. Claire brought up Jeremiah and the nickname of Jemmy. This recalled the woman and her child from the Gloriana to Roger. He inquired to Claire if she remembered the name of his ancestor the changeling's (William Buccleigh) wife. Claire obliged. The woman's name was Morag Gunn. Her son's name was Jemmy. Claire suddenly spoke of Geilie who had said they could travel through time to change things. Chapter 70 The Gathering We have arrived at the Gathering an incredibly long and detailed set of storylines that carry on well into the next book.  Claire reflected on the last Gathering she had attended at Castle Leoch nearly thirty years prior. Though the Clans and the old way of Highland life were dead in Scotland, the Clans gathered together in this place with pride. Looking for Jamie in the crowd, Claire spotted John Quincy Myers and called to him. He was there to sell his hides and trinkets. He was surprised on a trip up in the mountains to have seen Young Ian geared out like a Mohawk. Myers presented Claire with a small package from Young Ian.  Myers left Claire assuring her he would see her later. Jamie returned, and they read the letter together. Young Ian had been married to Emily, and they were expecting a child. Rollo had also sired a great many puppies in the village. Jamie, of course, ridiculed Young Ian's use of Latin. Claire observed every Scottish family from the Colonies up to Pennsylvania must be there with more arriving all the time. Due to the difficulty of travel, families would stay about a week or so. The next day Jamie made his way to where Lizzie was sitting and offered her a great surprise. Fergus has Joseph Weymss, Lizzie's father with him. Jamie had purchased Mr. Weymss indenture contract and intended to burn it in the fire that evening. Day three and Claire was almost overwhelmed with the amount of news, gossip, and Gaelic in the air. Roger though absorbed every detail and sound as he wandered about the grounds listening. The night before he had borrowed a guitar and sang for a crowd. Jamie being no fan of music decided to take the baby for a game of dice (p1054, Nook). Claire had opened a pop-up medical clinic. She gave dietary advice trying to get the people to eat foods filled with vitamin C. She even had Jamie eating the dangerous nightshade, tomato in front of people on purpose to persuade them it was safe to eat. Instead of making dietary inroads, the others regarded Jamie supernaturally and that Himself, of course, could survive having eaten such food. Claire treated skin a family with a skin condition when a Highland regiment marched into view. Brianna and baby came up behind and asked if they were friend or foe. Did the Crown think this was a political gathering? Claire advised Bree to take the baby up into the rocks if anything happened. All around the men stepped in front of the women and children. Two men rode toward Jamie. The man dismounted and introduced himself (p1057, Nook). Chapter 71 Circle's Close Roger had been waiting to get Jamie alone. He had a message for him. Jamie took the baby from Roger and invited him to speak. Roger explained he had to wait to go through the stones after Brianna left. Roger had stayed at the Manse, his family home while waiting. He found a letter and was not sure if he should tell Claire or Brianna about it. The letter was to his father the Reverend, and the seal of confession had been broken by the death of the writer and his father. Roger spoke the memorized letter to Jamie word for word (p1059, Nook). Roger knew the struggle of thought he had gone through carrying this knowledge. Frank could have chosen to keep the information to himself and not had the Reverend place the headstone that led Claire back to Jamie after Frank's death followed by Brianna and Roger. With Brianna in the past having had a baby, Jamie's bloodline would continue. Roger wondered if it was “interest on the debt owed?” Jamie finally spoke (p1063, Nook). Roger planned to tell Brianna but asked if he should tell Claire also. Jamie said under his pledge of honesty to Claire, Roger should tell her.  Day four and even more families had arrived. Each family had their campfire that filled the night's darkness. Claire was reminded of the MacKenzie clan badge. She realized the burning mountain was a visage of a Gathering like this one representing togetherness. The motto, Luceo non uro (I shine, not burn) finally made sense to her too. There was a large fire in the clearing families came to declare their presence including Jamie announcing, “The Frasers of the Ridge.” Claire sat with the sleeping baby in her arms. Jamie sat down behind her.  They watched Roger and Brianna in intent conversation leading Jamie to wonder if they were going to change the baby's name again (p1065, Nook). After formally choosing to be husband and wife, Brianna asked Roger to go declare “the MacKenzies are here.” We DID IT! We finished the Drums of Autumn read-a-long. 34 episodes over most of a year. Thank you for sticking with me as we followed our (my favorite) book friends further into their adventures. We met new people along the way and saw the painful and painstaking process it took for Roger and Brianna to be together. Young Ian is in the hands of his new Mohawk family. Lord John has become a friend to Brianna and reestablished his friendship with Jamie. He and Claire still tolerate each other. Roger and Jamie have entered a tentative relationship. Jocasta is marrying Duncan Innes yet has no heir in Jamie or Brianna. Stephen Bonnet is on the loose. Claire and Jamie are building a life and home for themselves and others in the mountains. We learned how Frank was instrumental in Claire, Brianna, and Roger going into the 18th century. Claire hopes the coming war will stay away from the Ridge. Beware after season 4 airs on television we will be starting straightaway on a read-a-long of the immense Fiery Cross. What's Coming up? The Space Between novella. How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook   Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question. Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. The intro and outro music segments are taken from a piece by Damiano Baldoni at URL on Free Music Archive. Curator: ccCommunity. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Drums of Autumn Chapters 66-67 Week 33 “Cowards Need Not Apply”   Summary: Claire was annoyed with the rascally rabbits. Roger made his return. He performed a blood vow upon the baby. Jamie declared Roger and Brianna husband and wife by handfast. Brianna was timid around Roger. Claire tended Roger's wounded foot. Roger convalesced at the partially completed big house. Brianna visited Roger daily. Claire released Roger from rest. Claire cautioned Roger to be careful. Jamie cautioned Roger not to be cowardly. Roger went to see Brianna. They talked and began to make their way back to each other. Inside the Chapters: Chapter 66 Child of My Blood Claire was in the vegetable garden decrying the work of hungry and destructive rabbits. She found herself missing Young Ian and his dog. She was trying to get the new planting in before the weather turned cold. She needed a way to keep the rabbits from the nutrient dense and flavorful cabbages. She decided Jamie should urinate, like a mountain lion, around the garden would keep the hungry bunnies away. She headed toward the herb shed and noticed movement. She thought it was Jamie, but it was a man dark of hair and beard, in tattered clothing looking worse for wear. It was Roger MacKenzie Wakefield. He was happy Claire was the person he met first (p1019, Nook). The others were in the cabin. Jamie and Brianna worked on the house plans, while the baby slept nearby. Lizzie was busy spinning by the window. With the opening of the door, Jamie swiftly and loudly reacted before recognizing who it was who had entered. Brianna looked around wildly as she soothed the woken baby. Jamie stood with the stillness of battle readiness next to Brianna as she nursed the baby. Roger's own countenance echoed that of Jamie. They appeared to mirror each other to Claire's shock. They were Vikings, the pair of them with Brianna rounding out the trio with flames in her eyes. Roger asked Jamie to cut his wrist (1021, Nook). In that one act, Roger adopted the baby as his. He asked what the baby was named, but none was given yet. Claire saw how different Brianna and Roger were to each other. It had been nine-plus months since they became handfast. Roger wanted to know if Brianna was his wife (p1022, Nook). Brianna wanted to know why he came back. Maybe for obligation and wanting, but he couldn't tell her exactly. She asked him about the stone circle. It took him a long time to find it again. She explained to Roger what she wanted from a marriage (p1023, Nook). They were handfasted on September 2 of the prior year, for two and a half more months they would remain so then they could choose to stay together or not (p1023, Nook). The last remark or rather a threat caused a row between the two men after they went outside (p1024, Nook). As ever Claire attributed it to testosterone poisoning (p1024, Nook). Claire if it were only so easy to take care of testosterone poisoning. Life on the Ridge was uncomfortable with the personalities and situations at play. The baby's nightly colic caused Jamie to work on the new house with fervor. Roger helped with the other chores though his injured foot made it difficult. He refused treatment, but Claire insisted he must allow her to assess it. There were no signs of blood infection or gangrene. There were pockets of infection that built up and had been partially draining when he walked. She decided what to do and needed Bree's help. Lizzie offered in her place out of remorsefulness and trying to make amends any way she could for her part in Roger's trial. Claire bid Lizzie the task of taking the baby outside for some fresh air. Claire explained the procedure of draining, disinfecting, and debridement to Roger. She had Brianna hold onto his hands tightly. By the time she had disinfected the wound, Roger's head was in Brianna's lap, and her arms were tight around his shoulders. Claire went to the shed for a minute to get the rotting meat she had prepped a couple of days before. She placed the maggots into the wounds to eat away any dead tissue that remained. Claire had learned this type of debridement from her friend Nayawenne. She wrapped his foot and assured him the work of the maggots might tickle, but they wouldn't hurt. If you would like to know more about Maggot Therapy, click here. Claire went outside to wash the bowl. She met Jamie who was holding the baby. He had taken him from a crying Lizzie who was mourning the loss of Young Ian. This girl is gonna get #boycrazy soon. Jamie took Claire to show her of his progress on the big house. He thought Roger staying at the big house temporarily would be the best bet since beds were in short supply. They talked, and Claire told Jamie Brianna and Roger are getting to know each other again, and things seemed well between them. Clever Claire had Brianna help her with Roger's procedure. Brianna had to touch Roger and be near him. Why oh why did Jamie still think poorly of Roger? I haven't puzzled that one out yet. Lizzie, damn that girl should feel all sorts of remorsefulness, though Jamie going full tilt “Operation Wakefield is a Rapist,” is all on his shoulders 100%. Chapter 67 The Toss of a Coin Roger was staying in the partially built big house while recovering from having Claire perform minor surgery on his foot. Brianna came to see him every day to bring food, water, and such. She had come without the baby and thought it was wonderful to have the rare alone time with her; she didn't stay long because of the baby's absence. Roger's appetite had come back with ferocity. He gratefully ate what she had brought him in the basket. As he ate, Roger looked out over the land understanding and approving of Jamie selecting this site for the house (p1030, Nook). Roger pondered why he told her he didn't know why he returned. He hadn't known then (p1031, Nook). The jig was up. He figured out and appreciated Claire's tactic in getting Brianna in proximity to and touching him when performing the wound surgery. At the end of the week, Claire released him from recovery and cautioned him to not step on anything sharp. The baby had been crying all night, so no one got any sleep. Jamie planned on moving into the partially built house with Claire immediately. Roger took this moment to ask Claire's advice about what to do based on Brianna's behavior when he tried to touch her. Claire indelicately approached the subject (p1033, Nook). She told him to be careful. After Claire left, Jamie came bearing gifts of a razor and hot water. Roger was thankful as the beard itched terribly. Roger tried to make small talk as Jamie watched him shave. There was little use for a historian with a talent as a folk singer on an 18th-century mountain farm (p1035, Nook). Jamie lacked all subtlety in telling Roger Brianna, and the baby would be alone for the night. (Insert staring blue cat-like laser beams at Roger). Without being prompted, he gave Roger relationship advice (p1036, Nook).  That one sentence said it all, Brianna didn't need a cowardly man. Jamie told him to go for it, tonight, there was no time like the present to convince her. Roger initially heeded Jamie's advice and went down to the cabin. He worked out ways to get her attention without scaring her. Then he thought to give up and to try again in the morning. Jamie and Claire thus even in the advice taking. He stayed and walked around the cabin a couple of more times. As if divine intervention, Brianna left the cabin to use the privy. He scared her saying her name. She was annoyed and told him to go away. He waited for her to return from the privy. At first, she chided him for walking on the foot before she told him to go back to bed (p1037, Nook). They are finally talking. #OnTheTrainToCommuncationStation She invited him into the cabin after the baby began to cry. She laid down to nurse and Roger sat on the nursing chair in front of the fire. The room was warm and had homey scents. He watched and apologized for it. She didn't care. To her surprise, Roger began to undress (p1039, Nook). She asked about the marks on his back. The scars had come from the Indians. He turned around. It had been dark when they were together the many months back, so this was the first time she was seeing him in the light. Which of them had changed more since that first and only night together? He sat down and wanted to know what it felt like to have the baby nurse. To show him what happened when the baby nursed, she popped the baby off and sprayed him with the fine streams of letdown milk. Yes, Roger like a squirt gun! Roger told her he wants her; she wanted him too. Roger took the sleeping baby into his arms and looked him over. Brianna thought he was trying to see the resemblance; he wasn't. He wanted to have a proper look at the baby. Brianna brushed her hair while Roger examined the baby. He noticed the foot reacted to his finger stroke. She explained the “Eau de baby” scent that babies have. It is intoxicating and helps keep parents from killing them. She's not wrong. Babies are tough work. Brianna placed the baby back in the cradle. Roger asked why Brianna stayed once she found out she was pregnant. She couldn't leave without him. She allowed her gown to fall to the floor. He saw her in full nakedness. He delighted at seeing the colors upon her nether region. He wanted her. She wanted to know what Roger found holy. Their little family, nothing more. What's Coming up? Chapters 68-71 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. The intro and outro music segments are taken from a piece by Damiano Baldoni at URL on Free Music Archive. Curator: ccCommunity. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

Drums of Autumn Chapters 63-65 Week 32 “New Life and Returning Home”   Summary: Brianna was angry about Jocasta's will. Lord John had a plan if he needed to help. Brianna feared how things would be between her and Roger if he came back. Only two riders returned. Brianna forgave Jamie. Claire assessed John. Brianna went into labor. Jamie and Claire supported her. A healthy baby was born. The Fraser's and Lord John left River Run. They happily returned to The Ridge. Roger was nearby. He was committed and ready. Inside the Chapters: Chapter 63 Forgiveness River Run, May 1770 Brianna was in a huff over Auntie Jo's stubborn refusal to change her will. Lord John to Brianna, “Pot meet kettle.” John believed doing nothing was the answer (p997, Nook). John went on to explain if Jocasta died leaving the plantation to Brianna, he would buy her slaves and free them in Virginia, and she would return his money, thus fixing the problem. He slyly made another point along the way (p998, Nook). Brianna asked and inferred that Lord John could never care for a child who wasn't his own, so how could Roger be expected to? He told her for the sake of the parent, and he'd been doing that very thing for some time. Brianna misinterpreted it to mean her he was caring for because of her father (p999, Nook). Upon deeper reflection, Brianna was worried about the intimacy between her and Roger (p999, Nook). I love the ease of their conversation and the sharp wit of Lord John. Brianna was raped, there is a level of worry whether or not she can sexually be with Roger. Could he accept her if he couldn't touch her? Could she ask such a sacrifice of him? She knows healing can take place because of Jamie being able to have a full relationship with her mother. Brianna seems to hold onto the most negative outcome possibilities as a way to guard and prepare herself.  Only two riders were seen by the servants, Brianna thought it must be Jamie and Claire.  So many thoughts were running through Brianna's mind. “Was Roger not found? They found him, and he didn't want to come back?”  She jokes to Lord John about him being her fallback. Lord John came up with other scenarios in which Young Ian and Roger rode separately from her parents. John proceeded to ask Brianna how far her remorse went for almost getting him killed (p1001, Nook). Out of the room, she flew to greet her father. Lord John was the wise and caring friend Brianna needed. Like Claire, Diana describes Brianna about nature, a storm cloud in this instance. Cut to Claire as she examined Lord John (p1003, Nook). He asked after MacKenzie. She assured him Roger would be coming along later. Lord John is not convinced. Claire had faith in Roger returning. Without asking Claire opened John's shirt to listen to his heart, lungs, and abdomen. Why would John be surprised by this gesture? She manhandles anyone needing medical attention. When she asked if he has moved his bowels, he downright refused to answer. John looked her over (p1003, Nook). I think he was admiring her and at the same time looking for anything to critique in a bitchy and catty way. Claire wanted to get a look at the trepanation site and was unusually delicate in the asking because she was curious (p1004, Nook). That line is quintessential Lord John. As Claire examined his head, she thanked him for helping Brianna while they were gone. John was pleased to have helped even if it cost him a hole in the head. John worried for the state of Brianna and Jamie's relationship. Claire instructed him to look into the garden. All was well between the father and daughter. Claire thought Brianna would deliver soon and John professed his thankfulness at their return (p1004). At that, Claire returned the sapphire to John at Brianna's request. “Jilted, by God!”. Chapter 64 Bottom of the Ninth Claire told Brianna labor is like a baseball game. It's mostly boring with bouts of activity. I like to say it has phases. Most of the labor a woman has more rest periods than work periods until near pushing when the end of active labor requires more work and little rest to finish dilation and bring the baby down. Brianna mentioned beer and hot dogs in response. Jamie asked if he should fetch some small beer. He then asked about a hot dog. Claire explained it was sausage on a roll. Brianna didn't want one. Jamie decided he should leave, but Brianna wouldn't let him (p1005, Nook). Claire was gripped with worry, and her brain went haywire thinking of how she almost died when she lost Faith. By the way, that was a placental abruption that could not have been stopped or fixed at any time. She'd had a subchorionic hemorrhage in mid-second trimester that resulted in a full abruption in the sixth month of pregnancy. This problem had nothing to do with her ability to carry a baby or birth. They sometimes happen without injury or accident. Claire prepared in her mind for how she would handle various situations that might arise during labor. Jamie was called into service to walk Brianna around the room like he would a horse with colic to help distract her and progress labor. Claire opened the windows and took a moment to inhale the freshness of the outdoors. The house was in full anticipation and readiness for the birth. Claire contemplated how little needed to be done to support normal birth and how little could be done if it went wrong. Brianna wanted to lie down after walking for a long time. The labor was getting more intense and organized. Claire didn't think it would be much longer, though five minutes apart is usually early labor, and it could last another 5-12 hours on average. I love how Brianna clings to Jamie and calls him daddy. Brianna asked Jamie to tell her a story. He told her stories as she held onto him. Claire rubbed her back. They offered excellent labor support! Claire had Phaedre fill the room will candlelight to provide light since Brianna had started voluntarily pushing. Claire provided perineal massage with oiled fingers (not necessary, but usual for her training). The amniotic sac broke, and the waters splashed upon the bed and floor. The baby came down, and Claire felt the head with her fingers (p1010, Nook). Claire assessed the baby quickly, he was healthy and well. There was no sign of hemorrhage (p1010, Nook). WELL DONE! Claire waited to cut the cord until after the placenta which gave an opportunity for the baby to receive the blood back into him from the placenta. The house was abuzz. Jamie was crying with joy. Brianna was grinning and put him to breast right away. He latched without a problem and surprised Brianna with the force of it. Claire was crying too and realized it when she tasted tears when she smiled. The baby and Brianna were settled in, and Claire found Jamie (who had gone to tell Lord John of the birth). They kissed and afterward she noticed the marks on his hands from Brianna's nails (p1012, Nook). Jamie was trying to figure out if the baby resembled MacKenzie or Bonnet. Claire said it was impossible to tell right now and mentioned recessive genes. Jamie had no idea what she meant, she went on to explain the baby could be any color, and they wouldn't know for sure who the father was and wondered aloud if it mattered (p1012, Nook). Jamie fell fast asleep, but Claire thought about why she said that phrase. It was something Frank always said (p1012, Nook). Peace swept over Claire, and she slept.   Chapter 65 Return to Fraser's Ridge Jamie, Claire, Brianna, nameless baby boy, and Lord John traveled together as far as they could. Lord John turned toward Virginia and William (p1013, Nook). The others kept on toward Fraser's Ridge for another week. Though the cabin was in disarray, the garden was a mess, and everything unkempt, Claire was the most joyful she had ever been at a homecoming. The baby not only didn't have a first name, but his last name was also under question. They all called him a different nickname. Brianna was waiting for Roger to come before deciding what the baby would be called. Jamie was fed up with the waiting (p1014, Nook). Claire was cranky too since the baby had kept everyone up from crying due to a diaper rash. Claire was trying to fill out the baby's birth certificate, she could fill in the date, approximate time, and who the attending doctor was, but no name as of yet. She and Jamie got sidetracked with names of Saints (p1015, Nook). Jamie goes on to tell her of the Saint against impotence. Claire hit another problem with the birth certificate; what last name should she put for Brianna? Fraser, Randall, or both? Claire decided to write both last names and to have faith Roger would come. Roger was preparing himself to ride up the path to Fraser's Ridge. He must have been a sight to see but didn't think it mattered much. He passed through the clearing where he had met Jamie on that fateful day many months ago. The memory stabbed him, but nothing mattered because he was there. What's Coming up? Chapters 66-67 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. The intro and outro music segments are taken from a piece by Damiano Baldoni at URL on Free Music Archive. Curator: ccCommunity. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comment or question.

Drums of Autumn Chapters 61-62 Week 31 “Forgiveness”   Summary:   Claire was sent to the longhouse. She examined Roger. Jamie wanted to keep some facts to themselves. Roger baptized a baby. Young Ian was adopted into the tribe to replace the man Roger had killed. He was named Wolf's Brother and joined Works with Her Hands' family. With sadness Roger, Claire, and Jamie left the village toward River Run. Roger learned the baby might not be his. Jamie and Claire left Roger to decide. Stephen Bonnet was arrested. Brianna implored Lord John to arrange a meeting. The mother bear roared. Lord John was injured. Bonnet made a fiery escape and asked Brianna to go with him. Inside the Chapters: Chapter 61 The Office of a Priest An exhausted, Claire was taken to the longhouse. The air smelled of smoke and burnt things. There was singing; she wondered if it was for the dead woman. She exclaimed when she saw Jamie and Roger. Roger embraced her. He was thin and stank but seemed healthy to her. I love how Claire clinically assessed him immediately. This demonstrated how much she cared for him. He asked after Brianna immediately. She noticed his injured foot, but Jamie interrupted and asked how Claire was. Oddly he told her his arm needed to be looked at because it hurt. As Claire points out, he would never say he was in pain in front of Roger. She looked him over and didn't think his arm was broken (p963, Nook). What do you think of Jamie's idea? Claire went back to Roger to look at his foot. She blurted out Brianna was pregnant. Roger was stunned to learn Bree was in advanced pregnancy (p964, Nook). Claire thought Bree wanted to give Roger an escape plan since she believed the baby was Bonnet's but moreover that she believed Jamie wouldn't see it as a marriage without a priest, church, and contract. Claire reassured Roger of Brianna's health and well-being. Brianna had wanted to go with Claire and Jamie to find Roger; this was a great relief to him. Jamie admitted it was a misunderstanding. Claire inspected Roger's foot and was alarmed at the infection. Roger explained it was infected off and on. Roger only wanted answers. Brianna had not set Jamie and Young Ian upon him to turn him away; it was Jamie's idea (p966, Nook). In Jamie's mind, a person can only die once, so it was safe to bring Claire with him on this dangerous trip. If the past couldn't be changed, Jamie assumed correctly. Roger explained that was precisely why he didn't tell Brianna about the notice (p967, Nook). Claire wholeheartedly disagreed with this idea of protection, just like Brianna had. Claire lambasted Roger for not telling Bree and trying to prevent her from going into the past. Jamie would rather have not met Brianna than for her to go through all she had since entering the 18th century. Roger had an epiphany. Brianna could not go back through the stones now. She was too far pregnant. Claire had tried to send her back early on, but Brianna wouldn't go without Roger. Jamie felt responsible for Brianna being stuck in his timeline (p968, Nook). Suddenly a group of Mohawks entered the longhouse. An older woman handed Roger the cradleboard. The woman knew he was the son of a priest and wants him to baptize Father Alexandre and his lover's baby. Roger wasn't sure at first, then Jamie reminded him any man could perform the duties of a priest in the time of need. Roger paled but decided to perform the baptism in French. “Écoutez les paroles de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, en obéissant à la parole de notre Seigneur Jésus et sûre de sa présence avec nous, nous baptisons ceux qu'il a appelés à être les siens.Qui est votre Seigneur, votre Sauveur? Voulez-vous placer votre foi en Lui? Promets-tu de dire à cet enfant la bonne nouvelle de l'Évangile, et tout ce que le Christ commande, et par ta communion fraternelle, de renforcer ses liens familiaux avec la famille de Dieu?” Then Roger turned to Jamie and Claire, the baby passed between them. Roger finished sprinkling water on the baby's head and said, “Je vous baptise, Alexandra, au nom du Père et du Fils et du Saint-Esprit, Amen.” The group of Christian Mohawk left the village and Roger wondered if he was going to be next to die. Claire shared what she learned from staying in Tewaktenyonh's house the prior night (p970, Nook). Young Ian had not been seen since the chaos of the night before. It was the following afternoon before there was a visitor to the longhouse. It was Young Ian. He was there to say goodbye to Jamie and Claire. His hair had been plucked into a Mohawk style, his ear pierced, and his face tattooed.  The adoption ceremony was to be in the evening (p972, Nook). Oh, my crushed heart. The ceremony included his whiteness being scrubbed away with sand and given a new name (Wolf's Brother). Jamie surprised the Mohawk by placing his plaid over Young Ian's shoulder. Are any of you crying? Imagine Jamie writing to Jenny about her son.   They left the next morning after Jamie silently hugged and kissed Ian goodbye. The trio was quiet throughout the day and set up camp that evening. Roger spoke, asking Claire about the circle in the Indies. She was too tired to explain, so she simply said yes. Then he went on to tell Claire there was another stone circle eight days travel from Fraser's Ridge. There would still not be enough time to get back to River Run, collect Brianna, and get back to the stone circle for them to go back to the 20th century. Jamie brought up that Roger didn't have to stay. He could go back to his own time. Tempers and words flared (p975, Nook). Roger fired back showing the gemstone he stole from Bonnet not knowing Bonnet stole it from Claire and Jamie who had taken it from Geillis. Roger explained to them what happened (p976, Nook). Jamie mounted his horse and told Claire to come with him. Roger told her to go and he would come if he could. Claire and Jamie rode away leaving Roger with a gemstone in his hand and a decision to make. Young Ian made a huge sacrifice but made it for love and obligation. Jamie had great anger toward Roger and treated him badly. How could a man hearing such shocking news be able to know how he felt about it? I don't like the big deal that's made of a child not being of one's blood. Jamie adopted Fergus (Claudel) and loved Laoghaire's daughters as his own. Both Claire and Roger had been adopted, and Frank had raised Brianna as his blood daughter. Roger had been through hell during the many months since Jamie had given him to the tribe, you would think Jamie having been a captive would certainly understand the difficulties Roger faced. He seemed to have little compassion for Roger and blamed him for losing Young Ian. What compelled Jamie to act in such a way? Chapter 62 Three-Thirds of a Ghost River Run, April 1770 Lord John dropped the bomb on Brianna that Stephen Bonnet was captured. Lord John sent the nearby servant to bed to keep listening ears away. He wanted to go to bed himself, but the information could not hold any longer. Bonnet had been caught in Cross Creek and charged with smuggling tea and brandy, but charges were added when his identity was discovered. Lord John searched Brianna's face for signs of swooning. She was steady though pale. Bonnet was to hang the following week. Lord John was impressed by how much the baby had grown in two months since their engagement. The baby moved pressing out toward him, and he worried about the stress of knowing could cause her to go into preterm labor. His worry escalated, and he thought to get a servant, but Brianna merely said thank you. The calmness she expressed relieved Lord John to the state of her health. Brianna wants to see him. Lord John misunderstood thinking she wanted to watch the execution. He protested. She only wanted to talk to him. John choked on his drink. She went on to tell him of her outrageous plan to see Bonnet and the utter scandal it would cause. Well, Brianna knows how to take a conversation from zero to redline in one moment. I don't think there's enough booze to keep Lord John from shock from Brianna's boldness.   He asked her why she wanted to speak to Bonnet. She handed him a piece of paper written by her father (p981, Nook). Bottom line, Brianna wanted to be free whether or not Roger returned. Forgiveness was at the heart of her need to see him (p982, Nook). Before retiring to bed, he asked if he could feel the baby move. He was delighted to feel the baby press against his hand. Lord John took Brianna to the garrison. Bonnet was being held in the basement of the warehouse. The soldier on duty, Hodgepile was bribed to allow them in.  The name was known to Brianna from Ronnie Sinclair's description. They gained entrance, Hodgepile was startled seeing Brianna.  They passed the contents of the warehouse leaving Brianna with a sense of confinement. Hodgepile instructed her to be careful with the lantern. Fire would be especially dangerous. Once down in the basement, the dampness took over. She was determined not to panic. Lord John encouraged her. She entered the room on her own. Bonnet was chained to her relief. Brianna spoke (p985, Nook). Brianna vomited and then gathered herself. She told him her name (p985, Nook). His manner almost made her laugh. He told her the jewels had been stolen after he sold one to buy a ship. She wondered if Roger stole the two. The timing fit she thought. He reminded her she got the ring back (p986, Nook). She wanted nothing from him but had come to give him something. She told him the baby was his. What in the hell caused her to think this was a good idea and there was only a chance the baby was his anyway. She hoped the knowledge would give him ease knowing he left something behind after he died. Enter Sergeant Murchison. He threatened her. Brianna reacted and swung the lantern at his head. Stephen Bonnet grabbed her before she could hit him again. He was not chained after all. It also looked like Murchison had killed Lord John who was sprawled on the floor in the hall. Murchison again threatened to shoot Brianna, but the cramped quarters made it impossible (p988, Nook). In the dimness of her mind, she heard her name. Bonnet was shouting at her to stop. The building was going to blow, and they had to get out. She blocked the door until he explained everything. She refused to let him leave Murchison to die, so he slit his throat to be done with it. Brianna was contracting with Braxton Hicks though, not contractions that cause labor. She, of course, did not know this fact. Bonnet ran out, and she stopped to check Lord John for a pulse. She found one weak and irregular. She calculated the risk of being in the basement if the upstairs caught fire and convinced herself it was safe while she tried to puzzle out how to save Lord John. She was about to administer first aid to Lord John when Bonnet returned yelling for her to run. She believed it was safe and he should go away (p993, Nook). She agreed to leave, but Bonnet had to carry Lord John to safety. He picked up Lord John, and she followed as quickly as she could. Can you imagine being seven months pregnant and running for your life from a building about to blow up? They made it out of the building to the wharf. The building was burning brightly. Bonnet asked her to go with him to his ship. She declined. He asked her if it was true that the baby was his while peering into her face. He reached into his mouth and pulled a gem from his cheek. He put it in her hand to help pay for the baby's upkeep. He left, and she pondered shooting him as he ran off. She heard Jamie's voice in her head and put the gun down. She opened her hand and found the black diamond staring back at her. What was Brianna thinking? The woman has her mother's penchant for rashness and not caring whether she created a scandal. Each read I have a difficult time figuring out WHY she would tell Bonnet the baby was unequivocally his. HOW did that propel her forgiving him? WHAT will happen now that he has escaped and believed he is the baby's father? For all her engineer brain thinking, she certainly does not stop to think about the what-ifs and how they might impact the future. Links of Interest: The anthropology blog post.  What's Coming up? Chapters 63-65 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. The intro and outro music segments are taken from a piece by Damiano Baldoni at URL on Free Music Archive. Curator: ccCommunity. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Join the A Dram of Outlander Community Please share posts, join the discussions, and follow this website and social media sites listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your com

Drums of Autumn Chapters 59-60 Week 30 “Fighting Words”   Summary: Brianna susses out a truth about Lord John. She allows herself to feel close to Roger. She hatches a plan and proposes marriage to Lord John. She threatens him. She apologizes and explains. He explains why he cannot marry her. They become “engaged.” The priest prepares for death. Roger prays for him. The priest is taken from the tent. The drumming stops and all hell breaks loose. Roger escapes the tent but is knocked on the head. A familiar face is found in the longhouse. Claire and Young Ian are missing. Inside the Chapters: Chapter 59 Blackmail Brianna wakes to relieve her bladder and notices the ominous thunderclouds. She worries about the weather in the mountains. Had her parents found Roger? Instead of going back to bed, Brianna dons her cloak. She finds it unacceptable to have a slave empty her chamber pot. She exits through the kitchen to rain striking her in the face. Brianna made it to the necessary (privy) to empty the chamber pot and used the rainwater to rinse it out. For a moment she stands in the rain, she wasn't sure why she did it, but she purposely stood under the gutter spout allowing rainwater to pour over her. She notices a glimpse of light coming from the slave quarters. She does not want to explain herself or be seen. The lightning, however, shows her who was leaving the slave quarters. It was Lord John Grey. She runs after him to avoid being locked out. To his shock, she bounds through the door as he is closing it. She makes a comment and goes to her room; he doesn't follow. She slips back into bed naked after drying herself and leaving her clothing to dry in front of the fire. Her brain puzzles out what she saw and what she has experienced from Lord John. She hadn't felt the primal sexual acknowledgment she was accustomed to feeling. There was indifference. His sexual bell was chiming as he left the servants' quarters. There was no way her father knew and could be a friend to Lord John because of his past. For a fleeting moment, she could feel Roger about her feeling aroused, then the hands of Bonnet rose from memory. Anger and shame replaced arousal. Needing to move, she goes to the window and looks out into the rain. It was too late to go to Hispaniola and leave for the 20th century. Maybe if Roger was with her now, and they left to the island cave, but he was not there. Was Roger even alive? Her mother would return before the birth. She does her best not to think of Jamie or Bonnet because rage swells when she does. The inaction and helplessness of the situation bother her. She recognizes she decided to keep her baby and live with whatever consequences there would be. She is on the hearthrug warming herself. She thinks of Roger and disallows any thought of Bonnet to encroach. The only night with Roger fills her mind evoking passion and arousal (p937, Nook). She allows the sensations to ebb before moving slowly to the bed experiencing hot and cold together. As she pulls the quilt over her bare body, she knows emotions must not lead; decisions need to be made. For three days she makes a plan. She needs to get him alone. She finds Lord John in the library reading Marcus Aurelius (a favorite of Jamie's).  She asks him to walk with her. He agrees though it is warm and cozy inside. It is quite cold outside. As they walk in the garden, she proposes he marry her (p938, Nook). He thinks she is out of her mind from the pregnancy and wants to call upon Dr. Fentiman. Brianna vehemently disagrees with the doctor coming and ups the ante (p939, Nook). He forcefully takes her by the arm; she worries he might mean her harm. When they reach a private spot, he speaks to her (p940, Nook). She flushes and apologizes, assuring him she would not have said anything to anyone if he turned her down. She further explains, and they discuss the ins and outs of her plan (p941, Nook). Lord John explains why he cannot marry her (p943, Nook). Brianna is shocked to learn her father knows of Lord John's sexual persuasion. They find a more sheltered spot to talk, he sneezes, and she hands him a handkerchief. He thinks it smells surprisingly of girl flesh. She asks what he meant about teaching her to play with fire (p945, Nook). Brianna tells him Claire thinks John might hurt Jamie. She asks if he has seen the scars on her father's back. He shocks her by saying he did that to Jamie. John tells her about their relationship at the prison and Brianna thinks John flogged Jamie for not having sex with him. John is rightly affronted. John says Jamie did it to himself (p947, Nook). He does not accept her proposal, but in front of watching eyes, he puts a ring on her finger and kisses her. They are engaged to buy time and get her aunt off her back. I have far too many thoughts about this chapter to type them all out. You'll need to listen to the podcast to get them. Chapter 60 Trial by Fire Roger and the priest were alone without food or fire. The waiting was tormenting. Finally, men came in the late afternoon. The sachem did not speak to Fr. Alexandre; he simply painted his face black from forehead to chin. The men left, and the priest sat on the floor. The priest asks Roger to pray for him that he might die well without crying out. After dark, they heard the drums. Roger could feel the beat in his bones. The Mohawk men returned for the priest. He went with them without a word or looking back, wearing only his bare skin. Roger stood in the tent praying and listening. He knows what power a drum has. He was frightened. He sat without knowing for how long then the drumming stopped, and there was yelling. He made his way to the door, but the guard was still there. He stood frozen listening to the hellish noises and fighting. Something smashed into the panel of the tent and tore a hole in it. He only saw a small area of the clearing outside and figures fighting. Then he heard something terrifyingly familiar (p951, Nook). Roger was determined to get free and to the Scots. He pulled apart the bed cubicle to make a weapon from the splintered wood. Roger charged out of the tent narrowly missing being hit by a war club. He struck the Mohawk who smelled of whisky. He turned toward the fire (p952, Nook). Roger was on the floor of the longhouse. There was someone with him. He got onto his hands and knees and squinted to see who the other person was (p953, Nook). Jamie was alive. Roger cleaned his face with his plaid until Jamie woke up, vomited, and stared at Roger with hand on his knife (p954, Nook). Jamie apologizes to Roger for doing him wrong (p954, Nook). With a truce, Roger asks what happened. Jamie didn't know and was shocked to find out the burned man was a priest. Though the white people weren't invited to the execution, they were not asked to leave either, so he and Claire stayed. Jamie explains to Roger what he saw and that he had tried to get Claire away for fear of being attacked next. Father Alexandre had died well. Roger was having a hard time believing the priest was dead. Pushing the thoughts away, he asks Jamie how many men he brought with him (p956, Nook). Roger gave Jamie water and sees how worried for Claire he is (p957, Nook). Jamie pressed back against the longhouse pushing Claire behind him. He was fighting then woke up in the longhouse with Roger and no notion of where Claire was. Jamie's arm might be broken by taking a hit from a war club. He hopes and believes Claire and Young Ian are safe. If the boy were dead, he would rather have his heart torn out and eaten than face his sister. Jamie looks for distraction from his thoughts. Jamie watches Roger (p960, Nook). Roger wants to know why Claire came with him but not Brianna. Jamie tells him Claire refused to be left. Roger doubted Brianna would be any easier to leave behind (p961, Nook). Roger killed a man. The priest was executed. The priest's love went into the flames to join him after handing her child to Claire. All hell broke loose. Roger and Jamie ended up in the same longhouse. In-law relations are not getting off to a good start.     What's Coming up? Chapters 61-62 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.

Drums of Autumn Chapters 57-58 Week 29 “Difficult Negotiations”   Summary: With the help of Young Ian and his friend Emily, Jamie agreed to offer a ceilidh to be hosted by the Pretty Woman with a whisky tasting. Claire became acquainted with the Pretty Woman and her granddaughter. The conversation began with, Claire searching for the truth about the opal and soon revealed who the ghost was that saved her and his purpose in the past. The ceilidh was a hit, and no damage was done. Roger was likely going to be given to them in a few days. Brianna prevented a proposal from one of the male suitors. Brianna met a lord. An alliance was being forged. (1:20) Inside the Chapters: Chapter 57 A Shattered Smile Jamie was hot and heavy in negotiation with the sachem for Roger's release for the past few days even though no one admitted Roger was at the village. Jamie believed Roger was in the village or nearby. They had whisky to exchange for him. The whisky was a challenging offer to make because of the mayhem it could cause when the men drank it. The upside is the alcohol could be used to trade by the Mohawk if they feared to drink it. Young Ian was proving a great intelligencer by sharing hearth in the village. It turns out Roger was a hot commodity among the young women, more than one wanted to take him to their longhouse cubicle (p904, Nook). Remember discord in the other Mohawk village surrounding the priest is what brought them to this village to get a ruling. A unified tribe was very important to them. Jamie and Claire discussed the opal as an alternative offering to the whisky. The response to the opal had been anger, and no one would touch Jamie while he held it. He wanted Claire to keep the gem for protection against harm (p906, Nook). Young Ian agreed with the opinion that something else was going on in the village that had nothing to do with them. There had been a disagreement in the council house the night before, and Emily, Ian's interest wouldn't tell him what it was (p906, Nook). Young Ian affirmed he and Emily liked each other. Emily had the idea to have a whisky sampling that night. Young Ian suggested a ceilidh to be hosted by the Pretty Woman and managed by Emily (p907, Nook). Claire asked Young Ian to ask Emily about the opal.  Jamie and Claire wondered about who's bed he was sleeping in. (6:15) The ceilidh began after dark with high-level council members. Jamie and Young Ian sat with the sachem. Emily sat on the whisky barrel. The rest of the women present did not take part in the tasting, only Emily. Claire could feel Roger's presence somewhere in the village and knew the burden of importance this gathering held. Claire marveled at the manner in which Works with Her Hands served the whisky. She took it in her mouth and spat three mouthfuls in a cup as a way of portioning out the whisky. Claire wondered how much was absorbed through the girl's mouth. A young boy came in looking ill. Claire could tell immediately he had a dislocated shoulder. She approached the wary mother and boy (p908, Nook). Claire easily relocated the shoulder with the boy surprised at the immediate relief from pain. He handed back the gemstone. Claire became aware of the ceilidh once more. Young Ian was singing in Gaelic. The others joined in. Music transcended the language barrier. (9:25) Claire felt Tewaktenyonh (the Pretty Woman) watching her. She turned, and their eyes met. The Pretty Woman sent a young woman to summon Claire to her (p910, Nook). The young woman translated between Claire and her grandmother. The Pretty Woman asked about the opal. Claire showed it to them, and gooseflesh rose on the elder woman's arms at the sight of the stone. The young woman asked how Claire procured the stone. Claire told them it came to her in a dream. The old woman sang and rubbed tobacco over the fire. Claire could hear the men at the hearth in the distance and wondered if Roger could get hear them too. The scent of smoke and tobacco jarred memories in Claire. She thought of battlefields and high school football games. The old woman asked Claire to tell her about the dream (p912, Nook). The description disturbed the two women. The young woman translated the story that went back forty years of the man Claire saw in her dream. His manner of speech was unusual, but he spoke their tongue. He was brave, intense, and handsome. He only spoke of coming war and to kill all the white men, the French men (O'seronni) before it was too late. He told them of the British and French fighting each other in the future, and that was when they should strike to save their people. The man's name was Tawineonawia (Otter Tooth), and he told them they were shortsighted and lazy. He would not tell Pretty Woman how far in the future he could see. He tried to convince the tribe, but to no avail. He became more erratic and would not stop returning with his message. Eventually, the men of the village decided to kill him because they believed he had an evil spirit within. He did not understand that he remained a stranger to the tribe and he was in danger. (14:40) Claire noticed what was going on in the ceilidh, but her spine was prickling. Otter Tooth looked like the Mohawk, sounded like them, but he was a stranger with fillings in his teeth. He hadn't understood because he believed they were his people and wanted to save them. They had meant to harm him and did. They tortured his bare body, and he ran away. The warriors from the village followed behind and after four days; they caught him (p917, Nook). The legend surrounding the opal was told to Claire (p918, Nook). Claire who had always tried to disbelieve the supernatural was certainly steeped in it. After they ate and drank, Claire left the longhouse. Jamie was waiting for her outside. He thought progress had been made and Young Ian was right to throw the ceilidh. Claire looked at the longhouses wondering where Roger was. It had been seven months. Winter was ending, and they could get back to River Run in time for the birth. Jamie asked Claire if she learned anything about the opal. Claire said she would tell him inside the longhouse. The tika-ba had been the man's ticket back to the future if needed; it was now Claire's legacy. (21:50) Chapter 58 Lord John Returns River Run, March 1770 Phaedre brought a dress for Brianna to change into. A lord was coming for dinner, and Brianna had to hide her growing belly under heavy stays and flounce. Brianna wants to know who the lord is. She wants nothing to do with the whalebone stays (p920, Nook). This culture is completely foreign to Brianna and us. She allowed Phaedre to dress her even though she couldn't breathe, and she worried about the baby. The lord in question was none other than Lord John Grey of Mount Josiah Plantation in Virginia (p922, Nook).  She pondered this lord being a friend of her father's. When Brianna went down for dinner, they were a few familiar faces, but no Lord John Grey. Brianna entered the room without the whalebone stays and showed off her burgeoning belly. The group was polite if not hiding the surprise at her improper dress. Lawyer Forbes entered the courting ring with a bang. He showed her four jewels and asked which she liked best. He was clever and would present her with one as an engagement ring if she gave her preference. Brianna's head swam, and nausea spiked. Precious gems could guarantee her passage back through the stones. Brianna knew the game Forbes was playing at and declined to say which she preferred. She wondered if she could steal the stones and run away. She could hide in the mountains and wait to hear of her parents return or go straight to Wilmington and a ship. Forbes asked her again which she preferred, and she declined under the guise of having simple tastes. Jocasta wanted dinner to proceed even though Lord John hadn't arrived. Just then Ulysses announced the visitor. He was to sit next to Brianna at dinner. (28:50) Brianna was surprised by Lord John's stature. Her mother had never described it only his jobs and attributes. He was slight, delicately boned with beautiful eyes, and near a half a foot shorter than her. He startled at the sight of her (of course she knows not why). He quickly turned on the charm and clever anecdotes, but he never mentioned her father. Brianna was tired of the well-meaning visitors; she wanted to be left alone. She realized they were Scots and could never leave her alone in her current situation (p926, Nook). Brianna woke to find herself on a sofa being tended to by many. Once they left her alone, she wanted to cry, but she couldn't. She decided in her stubbornness that they were all coming back to her. That was that, and her half-Scottishness couldn't believe anything else. (33:20) Jocasta came in with Ulysses and Lord John, and of course, tea. Jocasta offered to call Dr. Fentiman, but Brianna vehemently declined. Lord John wished to speak to her since he was leaving in the morning. After leaving the tray, Jocasta and Ulysses left them to chat. Lord John inquired after her well-being (p927, Nook). Brianna told him Roger wasn't on a ship. He kept talking and planned to travel to Wilmington to make more inquiries. Brianna told him he didn't have to go (p929, Nook). She went on to ask him if he knows what hand-fasting was and if it was legal in the Colony of North Carolina. He didn't know but would find out. Brianna believed she was married, but Jocasta did not, hence her many attempts to find her a husband. Brianna thought he was the latest candidate when he showed up. Lord John now understood why the odd company was assembled for dinner. John explained to Brianna what Judge Alderdyce's mother had in mind (p930, Nook). Lord John saw Brianna as blunt as her mother and full of honor like her father. Brianna's ire rose at the idea of her father's honor (p931, Nook). At that, Lord John decided he would stay on at River Run and they would speak again. (41:20) There's so much whirling in my mind about the village, the negotiation, Young Ian's burgeoning relationship with the young woman, Claire's conversation with the Pretty Woman and all that was revealed. Claire was right that Otter Tooth had tried to save his people from the future. He was a traveler like her. He was her people too. Hopefully, in three days Roger would be in their hands and headed back to River Run in time for the birth. Lord John showing up at River Run has shocked Brianna thinking he was a suitor like the other men, but he was only trying to fulfill her father's task of finding her young man. His humor, charm, and kindness drew her in. It looks like friendship and alliance is forming between them. What's Coming up? Chapters 59-60 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.

Drums of Autumn Chapters 54-56 Week 28 “Prisoners of Circumstance”   Summary: Roger met a priest. His situation became direr as he was thrown into a hut with the man. The priest was on trial. The priest was tortured. Roger became more worried and comforted the man the best way he could. Brianna was trapped at River Run in a gilded cage. Jocasta was parading her to the eligible men in the area because she didn't think Roger would return. Brianna found out she was now the heir to River Run. She didn't want it for the same reasons Claire and Jamie hadn't. The priest believed the Mohawk would kill him. Roger took his confession, but the priest sought no absolution. (1:35) Inside the Chapters: Chapter 54 Captivity I Roger tracked his time in the Mohawk village by tying knots in his string. Nearly three months had passed. When he arrived, he didn't know what type of tribe they were. He was made to strip bare and endure a ceremonial, ritualistic trial.  He was hit, poked, and lashed. His body was punished until he reached the longhouse and stood before them. This brutal scene highlighted the depth of his strength. They barked and laughed at him but then gave him means to clean himself and food in the longhouse. He slept with his hand over the gems his breeches still hid.  He became the longhouse slave. If he ignored them, they beat him. It was an effective tool to gain his obedience. They did, however, feed him well and give him a comfortable place to sleep. Even though they didn't speak to him often, he picked up some of their language by listening carefully. He practiced words on a young girl and her friends. They taught him the language over the weeks. He learned from them what tribe he was with, the Kahnyen ‘kehaka, also known as the Mohawk. They called him a not so endearing term that meant dog face because of his beard. His foot was tended to by one of the girl's mother. The women began to talk to him when he brought them supplies. He wanted to escape but the timing was wrong, so he patiently waited. His nightly dreams were of Bree or at least the smell of her. (5:00) Late in winter, a Jesuit priest was brought to the village by another group of Mohawk. The man's robes were tattered, and though not appearing to be a prisoner, Roger believed he did not come on his own accord. The priest was taken into the longhouse where the sachem held council meetings. He went on a hunting trip to help carry the kill back and returned to find men waiting for him. He was grabbed and taken to the small hut where the Jesuit priest was being held. Roger learned the man's name, Père Alexandre Ferigault. They exchanged basic information, and the priest invited Roger to eat with him. Roger didn't know why he was brought to be with the priest. They discussed Roger's situation (p866, Nook). The priest had only been in the hut a short time before Roger. This concerned Roger. The priest told Roger they were deciding whether he lives or dies. Later Mohawk men came into the tent and made the priest strip and tormented him with a hot brand before dragging him away. Roger tried to pray for the priest as he asked of him. He could only wonder if someone would pray for him when he was taken away. (6:29) Roger slept by the fire. The priest returned or rather was returned to the hut. He was still naked and bleeding. The priest had been tortured but was alive. Roger tried to soothe him but was helpless (p890, Nook). Roger held the man and rubbed him to provide comfort. Roger couldn't stop talking to the priest as a way to soothe himself, and thought not even a dog would be treated so harshly as the Mohawk had treated the priest. (9:30) Roger must be in abject terror thinking they Mohawk are going to kill him too. How did he go from guest to prisoner? What changed? He is hopeless. Chapter 55 Captivity II River Run, March 1770 Brianna was working on a painting when Jocasta and Ulysses came up behind her. She loved the company of Aunt Jo, but she didn't want Ulysses sharing every detail of what she was doing to her aunt. She didn't seem to like Ulysses very much as he was her aunt's eyes. She didn't like being watched and reported on. She took her sketchbook with her to avoid prying eyes looking through it. There was a visitor, and Aunt Jo wanted her to change for lunch. Bree did not appreciate the number of visitors and social obligation she had to see them at her aunt's request. The most recent visitors were men. Phaedre told her there were minimal single women in the area, especially not younger women, and women set to inherit a plantation. Bree insisted Phaedre tell her all about the inheritance (p893, Nook). Once a MacKenzie, always a MacKenzie. Since Jamie left to live in the mountains eschewing Jocasta's proposal, Brianna was it. Brianna was slow to realization. Jocasta was trying to pick a suitable husband for her (p894, Nook). It didn't matter what Brianna wanted; it was all about Jocasta. (15:20) Bree opened her sketchbook; she had drawn a picture in the profile of Roger. She could bring him near when she looked at the sketch. The sketches of her parents caused fear in her. Would they come back? Ulysses came into light the candles, so Jocasta could orient herself in the room when she came in. Brianna watched him setting everything precisely, so Jocasta would know where it was.  She knew he placed furniture back in its proper location for Jocasta's safety and movement through the house. His life was devoted fully to Jocasta (p896, Nook).  She blurted out a question to Ulysses, then was immediately embarrassed and apologized. Did he want to be free? He answered by telling her his life story. He was born free, but after his father died, his mother sold herself into slavery, and he with the money was given to a carpenter to become an apprentice later to learn a trade. When he came of age, the carpenter insisted he was the child of a slave, so he was a slave and refused to apprentice him. He was sold (p897, Nook). (20:00) Chapter 56 Confessions of the Flesh Roger woke without the priest near him. The priest was certain he would die soon. They would kill him. Roger didn't believe it. Père Ferigualt asked Roger to hear his confession. He explained that in time of need any man could act as a priest. Roger agreed to hear the confession. The priest told Roger where he came from, and where his mission had been. He spent two years with the Huron. He met a chief and was invited to his village. Knowing the Mohawk resisted religious conversion he jumped at the opportunity. This was his first sin, pride. Many converted, including the chief, but the sachem disagreed with his influence. His second sin was falling in love with one of the converts. He lived with the woman for many months until one day he saw a vision while bathing in the stream. He immediately moved out of the longhouse and into the wilderness and had left her pregnant. This in itself was not an issue because the Mohawk viewed coupling differently than Christians (p901, Nook). The problem was that he refused to baptize his child because he was not in a state of grace. He offended the village chief. The village was torn by disagreement and the priest was brought to the village where Roger stayed so an impartial council could decide his fate. The priest was not seeking absolution from Roger, merely to tell his story. He believed he could not be returned to a state of grace because he refused to reject the sin of loving the woman. (27:10) Roger taking the priest's confession foreshadows matters of faith in the future. Roger is a man who is protective of others and wants to help whenever he can. He and Jamie are not very different, though the way they individually show this protectiveness and need to care for others differs. Both Roger and Brianna are stuck in a prison of sorts. She is no less free than he is, and as Roger faces uncertainty about the future, so does she. She could die because of childbirth, and the Mohawk could kill Roger. Why is the priest important? What is the message here? I am unsure. I love how Jocasta is patently a MacKenzie in all her manipulation and force of will to her ends. Roger is related to her. He doesn't know the force of will he possesses. He is not done being tested. Remember Claire, Young Ian, and Jamie are in the village while Roger is sharing the hut with the priest. The situation is about to reach the denouement. (36:10) What's Coming up? Chapters 57-58 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.

Drums of Autumn Chapters 51-53 Week 27 “Betrayal and Blame”   Summary: Roger found himself a prisoner. He was concussed and battered. He forcibly traveled with the Tuscarora for more than a week. He escaped hoping they would not pursue him. He found a stone circle. He was recaptured. Brianna was at River Run until her parents returned. She was angry and distant from Jamie. She fell into the rhythm of River Run, and Aunt Jocasta loved her company. She and Claire had a difficult goodbye. Jamie offered his promise before they left to find Roger. Claire was reunited with a familiar face. Young Ian had a heart to heart with Claire. The Tuscarora pointed them north to a Mohawk village. Jamie and Claire finally made peace with each other and themselves. They reached Snake-Town and hoped to find Roger and secure his release. (1:45) Inside the Chapters: Part Eleven: Pas du Tout (not at all) Chapter 51 – Betrayal – October 1769 Roger woke with vomit in his hair, thinking he was on the Gloriana. He was tied up, in pain, and vomited again. He was on the back of a horse, lying across it on his belly. His captors took him off the horse, and he fell face first into the leaves. He grappled with memory to figure out where he was and what had happened. The pain in his head and his body was excruciating. Then he remembered. Indians. Where was he though? His memories swirled. He remembered the Gloriana and Bonnet, then Brianna and the handfasting. A face like Brianna's came into his mind, but it was fleeting when one of the Indian men grabbed him. Roger thought the Indian meant him harm and he fought. The man had meant to loosen Roger's hands not hurt him. He was in the mountains with four Indian men. He drank from a nearby brook. His teeth were loose; there were cuts in his mouth and upon his chapped lips. A jolt of memory, Claire, Brianna, and Jamie Fraser. He had been at Fraser's Ridge. The face of Jamie seared in his mind. He remembered it now. The meeting, the fight, and how Jamie and the other man had meant to kill him. He thought they had given him to the Indians, but to what end? As he stood and relieved himself, he couldn't look at the men around the fire because it filled him with rage (p854, Nook). (4:00) As he shared dinner with the Tuscarora, he tried to speak with them in various languages, but they responded to none of them. When it was time to sleep, they tied him with a noose around neck and feet. He had a little room to move before he would choke himself. He slept restlessly as his dreams were filled with violence. The next morning, they left the camp. Roger walked with a noose around his neck and wrists tied to the horse's harness. He thought they headed north and couldn't have traveled very far from Fraser's Ridge. He memorized landmarks, so he could come back this way after he escaped. Days were passing as if in a trance, so Roger made a small knot in his coat for each day. He was going back to Fraser's Ridge no matter what it took. (4:59) He found his opportunity to escape on day 8. He cut his hands free and ran. They called after him, but he didn't stop. He saw them and kept going. He was terrified when he found cover. He had no idea what direction he had come. His foot was bleeding from a gash in it. He made a makeshift bandage. He found a place to rest. He slept. When Roger woke, he was hungry and thirsty. Surely, they didn't follow him? He picked a direction and went. He cautiously listened for pursuit. Roger scrabbled around a rock face and in the clearing in front of him was another set of standing stones. He couldn't hear them and tried to remember what the date could be. As close as he could figure it had to be near to just past Samhain. He didn't know if this circle worked on the same dates as Craigh na Dun. He had the gems in his pocket, and if they were open, he could escape. He struggled with the thought of abandoning Brianna. Could he leave her behind? He decided if he wasn't going to step through the stones then he had to go back to hidden safety or climb the cliff face. When he looked up, a face was looking down and a noose settled around his neck again. (6:25) Poor Roger. He has a concussion, loose teeth, cuts, bruises, scrapes, and was a prisoner of the Tuscarora. Even though he escaped, he gashed his foot and was caught again. Even though his attempt was foiled, he found a stone circle. That might serve for future purposes. Chapter 52 – Desertion – River Run, December 1769 Brianna stood outside of Hector Cameron's tomb. The inscription read Semper Fidelis. Had he been a faithful man and to whom? She and Jamie hadn't spoken to each other since that terrible day. Brianna had screamed at him in her final words of rage, and he had left the cabin and not returned that night. She wanted to follow him and comfort him even in her anger, but she blamed him for that too. Brianna hadn't slept that night after wrangling her emotions into a tightly sealed box inside of her. In the early morning, Jamie had returned and called for Claire to come out. They brought her to River Run to be safe as they planned on going after Roger. It was winter and not safe for her to travel to the mountains or to stay at the Ridge on her own. She thought she might have had a chance at getting her mother to agree, but not with HIS stubbornness supporting her. She replayed the fight in her mind, his reproach of her (p864, Nook). She missed Frank and thought if he hadn't died none of this would have happened (p865, Nook). She had kissed her mother goodbye and vowed to wait in the garden until she knew they were gone. She DIDN'T want to see HIM. He found her regardless of her desire (p866, Nook). (11:40) February 1770 Brianna became accustomed to daily life at River Run. She even found ways to use her talents in drawing. It felt luxurious. A servant prepared the bath for her while she was still in bed. She should feel guilty about being waited on by slaves. She rolled over in bed and took inventory of her body to ensure she didn't become a stranger to herself. The baby within her greeted her with a stretch and movement. She took off her flannel nightgown, feeling every part of her body. She lay back and heard the noises of the household waking up around her. The sound of Frank on the weekends or Jamie speaking outside the cabin to the horses used to make her feel safe and protected. She didn't feel this way any longer. She was the protector now and didn't need anyone to make her feel safe. It was her job.  She stood by the window looking out and listening to her body. She could almost hear the baby's heartbeat and feel it separate from hers. No matter what happened, she would never be alone. (13:40) Brianna is a Fraser through and through. Stubborn. Ill-tempered. She can hold a grudge with the best of them. How do you think the word desertion applies to this chapter? I am unsure and have many thoughts running through my mind. Chapter 53 – Blame They arrived at Tennago a Tuscaroran village. Jamie barely spoke since they left Fraser's Ridge. She felt guilty, worried, and pained. The issue of blame was on her mind. She thought Jamie blamed her for not telling him the truth about Bonnet. Claire blamed herself for it. On the journey to the village, they slept separately when they camped at night. They had brought whisky with them. A king's ransom Claire thought. It had to be enough to trade for one Scotsman. Claire hoped Roger had been taken here, but Jamie had told Young Ian to be sure Roger would never come back. Claire had brought the amulet and opal. The amulet to return to someone and the opal to supplement trade if needed. Jamie also brought along every small belonging he might use to up the trade except for this father's ring. The ring had been left with Brianna in case they didn't return. Having the ring gave Brianna a travel insurance policy of sorts. She could get back to her own time if needed. (16:00) Claire replayed the last moments she'd had with Brianna at River Run. Brianna trusted Claire to find Roger but was unsure about Jamie's intention. Claire knew Jamie would do anything to find Roger and bring him back to her. His honor wouldn't allow otherwise. His honor. These words brought words from Brianna (p871, Nook). It was time to leave as Young Ian called for Claire. Claire and Brianna had an emotional goodbye (p871, Nook). Claire urged Jamie to talk to Brianna. He needed to say goodbye. Jamie went and returned within a few minutes. They were all mounted and left River Run. (18:10) It was night and Jamie was still with Nacognaweto. Young Ian came in with someone behind him. He had brought Pollyanne the ex-slave woman they had freed and taken to the Indians to live. She had a child on her arm. Young Ian translated, and Claire learned the Tuscarora had taken her in as their own. She took a husband, and the baby was born a few months earlier. Pollyanne was free and happy. Claire wanted Young Ian to ask who she should give Nayawenne's amulet to. Pollyanne said no one would want it (p873, Nook). Pollyanne wasn't frightened by the amulet and the ghost of Nayawenne because of her past spiritual beliefs before becoming an Indian. Claire was comforted by the idea of Nayawenne walking with her. They talked until Jamie's return surprised them. Pollyanne said her goodbyes and said something to Young Ian in a parting word (p874, Nook). Jamie and Claire barely missed preventing the death of the young woman in the sawmill. Jamie touched Claire, and she took his hand. It had been almost a month since they touched purposely. Murchison had a wife in England, and a pregnant mistress would not have been desirable. Jamie thought he might visit the Sergeant alone when they returned to River Run. Claire had a sharp response (p874, Nook). Jamie went on to share what he had learned about Roger. He was given to the Mohawk and was far to the north. Young Ian's friend Onakara would be their guide. Jamie went to their assigned cubicle in the longhouse. Claire went to go after him, but Young Ian stopped her (p875, Nook). Quite the eye-opening conversation and shows a level of maturity by Young Ian to speak up.  (25:35) On her way back to their cubicle Claire pondered what Young Ian said. He was right of course. Her guilt about the gold ring had kept her silent, not Brianna's request (p877, Nook). I think Claire needs to apologize for her part in it. And yes, he could have come to her and sought her out.  Once in their cubicle she defrocked and climbed in next to him asking him to warm her. I do this very thing if I have been the distant partner. She wanted to comfort him with her body and presence. She didn't care about herself in the wordless dark but became as needful and desperate for him, and he was for her. They were alone in the darkness surrounded by others. She could hear things like the hum of bees. This small cubicle was their singular space. It was then they talked for the first time in almost a month. She apologized. He didn't blame Bonnet. He felt a failure as a man. He was jealous of a dead man (p878, Nook). He wants to know if Brianna could forgive him if he brings Roger back to her? Claire says she will. Then it dawned on Claire, Brianna's words meant for Claire to bring Jamie back and not Roger. What do you think? (31:30) The traveling north was difficult, and some days it was impossible. They finally arrived at the Mohawk village of Snake-town in mid-February. Brianna would be six months pregnant by now. Claire hoped Roger was here and they could leave quickly after negotiating his release, so they could be back well before Brianna was due to deliver. Claire worried he wasn't here or was dead.  Their guide refused to go into the village with them. Jamie paid him with a horse, a knife, and a flask of whisky. The rest of the whisky was buried for later retrieval. Claire asked if the Mohawk would understand what they wanted. Young Ian said the Tuscarora and the Mohawk languages were similar as were Spanish and Italian.  They likely had a bit of English as well. Off they went into the village. (33:10) What's Coming up? Chapters 54-56 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.

Drums of Autumn Chapters 49-50 Week 26 “Truth and Consequences”   ****Warning: This podcast contains discussion about abortion, rape, and hastening death**** Summary: Claire contemplated offering and performing an abortion if Brianna wanted it. She and Jamie fought over the mere idea of it. Brianna wanted to keep the baby. Young Ian proposed to Brianna at the behest of Jamie. Brianna refused the offer. A fight ensued between her and Jamie. Later the truth came out after Brianna described Roger, sketched a likeness, and gave his true family name. The fair fight on the mountain was discussed. Jamie and Young Ian gave Roger to the Iroquois. Jamie accused Brianna of crying wolf. The gold ring was revealed. Bonnet was the rapist. Claire felt guilty. Jamie internally raged. Young Ian was stunned. Brianna was brutally honest. Inside the Chapters: Chapter 49 Choices - November 1769 Claire was going through her medicine box that used to belong to Daniel Rawlings. She was going through the contents contemplating offering Brianna an abortion. She said something aloud but didn't expect a response. When Jamie answered the question, she jumped and sliced herself with the blade she was holding. She told Jamie she was going to use the blade to cut up the root, but he'd only seen her use the blades on people. He asked her what she was doing (p824, Nook). She went on to tell him about her patient Graham Menzies that she helped to die. He thought of Graham as a mercy killing and even duty to help him out of his misery. He reminded her of Dougal easing Rupert after Falkirk and hastening his death. Isn't it the duty of a doctor who cannot heal a patient and save the man from pain?  Claire agreed and tried to explain why she wanted to offer the choice to Brianna (p825, Nook).  The conversation turned ugly as they discussed the various aspects of the situation (p826, Nook). So that was it, not the question of paternity, but that Brianna would have to stay in the 18th century. They argued more. The other truth was revealed that Jamie wanted nothing more than a child of his blood. More tension arose as he grabbed her bleeding hand and held it above her claiming her arrogance believing she had power over life and death. To Claire, it was about offering the choice. To Jamie, it was about murdering his grandchild. Claire believed it was no different than Jamie acting in a manner to protect another even if it meant a death occurred. Jamie left with only the word, please. Claire was upset by the fight. She wondered if it would be safer to take Brianna to Cross Creek, but decided her daughter was safer with her. She thought about what Jamie's “please” had meant (p829, Nook). Claire thought about the procedure and how she would do it. Claire saw Brianna's horse in the penfold and went to offer her the choice. Brianna had thought about it when she figured out she was pregnant. Claire explained it would have to be surgical with the gestation of the pregnancy. Brianna asked if Claire would have aborted her (p831, Nook). Brianna went on to tell her how she felt about the pregnancy (p831, Nook). Claire explained implantation and Brianna said at the moment of implantation she knew someone else was with her. Claire remembered Faith and how she was given two miracles though no longer part of her physically had never left her completely. Claire worried Brianna didn't know how much she loved her. Brianna knew and had always known. Brianna could not and would not abort the baby. Claire didn't want to offer the option to Brianna but felt compelled given all the circumstances. Claire confuses me a bit in this situation, she had never been able to perform abortions in the twentieth century but could offer it to her child out of fear and concern for her future. This chapter is meant to show us the complexities involved in abortion. It is not black and white. It isn't a question of whether or not the fetus is living for Claire; it is her being terrified Brianna will be stuck. To Jamie, who has killed countless men, a matter of unnecessary murder in taking the life of an unborn without exigent circumstances. To Brianna, she carries a baby, her baby, and she cannot choose to part with him or her. Women carry the joy and burden of being the ones who grow and birth the children. The burden is in the physical risk, and alteration women must undergo in the process of pregnancy and birth. The burden is in the cultural, religious, governmental, and individual mindset surrounding sexuality, marriage, and procreation. The burden is in not being able to hide it. The burden is in the responsibility and consequences being held entirely by women because we get pregnant, not men. Vilifying women is easy. It is easy for men to hold no burden. A man can have children by multiple women, and it is fine, a woman to have children by multiple men is a whore. Someone is having sex with the women who become pregnant. It has happened since time began, but only women are held to an untenable standard and punished. I loathe abortion for what it is and that women feel it is the only option. I never judge the person and only offer love. I judge our culture that perpetuates the need for women to have abortions because we are held in the crosshairs of the societies in which we live. Chapter 50 In Which All is Revealed There was still no word about Roger Wakefield. Brianna did not discuss him any longer, but it was obvious she thought about him. Claire took stock in the pantry to hide from the mood in the cabin. The winter preparations of foraging, preserving, and stocking had been done. The pantry was full and ready for the long months ahead. Young Ian popped in and asked for a mirror and comb. He had bathed, scrubbed his skin, and slicked his unruly hair back. He wore his best outfit too. Claire wondered where he was going. He planned to court someone and needed to look good. Claire asked if she knew the girl (p835, Nook). He was doing it to give the baby a name, save Brianna's reputation, and no, he didn't love her. It also was not his idea; it was Jamie's plan. Claire didn't like this one bit. Brianna returned, and she didn't allow him to finish his proposal. She was angry and left the cabin in a whirl of skirts. Ian was thankful Brianna hadn't hit him. The Fraser temper was about to strike (p836, Nook). Brianna refused to marry anyone, not even for the sake of the baby. Jamie took it to a whole other level (p838, Nook). Tempers were flaring higher with Jamie angry and she (Brianna) believed he wasn't trying to protect her. He called her reckless. She called him a bastard (p838, Nook). Young Ian told Claire she needed to throw cold water on them or let them at it. Eventually, they would become hungry. Jamie stormed off and took a horse to Fergus's place. Brianna stomped back to the cabin. Claire silently cursed Roger Wakefield. Brianna went to look for eggs in the bushes and returned in better spirits. Jamie returned at dinner time sweaty and also in better spirits. Jamie and Brianna ignored each other. There were glares and limited dinner conversation. Claire instructed Jamie to apologize (p840, Nook). He went over to Brianna and apologized.  The walls were broken down, they talked and made up. She planned to wait for Roger. She knew he wasn't dead. Jamie told her how far he had sent word looking for Roger. What else could he do? He had an idea to have Brianna draw a broadsheet with the likeness of Roger on it. Brianna began to describe Roger (p842, Nook). Brianna drew the sketch. Jamie and Young Ian acted oddly (p843, Nook). THE TRUTH IS ABOUT TO COME OUT. Claire fetched brandy. Brianna explained about Roger's adoption and asked if they heard of a Roger MacKenzie. In fact, they had (p844, Nook). Jamie further explained what happened after Lizzie told him about it. Young Ian and Jamie told her it was a fair fight. She screamed at them (p845, Nook). Brianna felt ill. Young Ian assured her it could have been worse since they had meant to kill him after all. Brianna needed to hear the whole story, including what Roger had said during the altercation (p846, Nook). Jamie was under the misguided assumption that now she cried wolf and was never raped. He could not allow himself to kill a man when he wasn't sure if it was rape (p847, Nook). Imagine being in the room while this was going on! Claire realized what was happening and pulled the gold ring from her pocket (p848, Nook). Jamie stood rigid in the middle of the room. Young Ian could only say the name. Claire retreated into the corner knowing she betrayed Jamie and Roger by not telling Jamie about the name of the rapist. She had betrayed Brianna having assisted in damning Roger. Brianna looked into Jamie's face and muttered cruelty (p848, Nook). Well, how was that for a happy family meeting? Claire feels guilty for not telling Jamie that Brianna had slept with Roger then was raped later by Bonnet. Is she guilty? Brianna felt betrayed by Jamie and Young Ian's sense of honor and duty. Who holds the bulk of the responsibility in this horrific mess? COMMUNICATION and assumption are at the heart of all of this. What are your thoughts? Jamie should never have acted out of assumption and partial knowledge. Brianna should have said she was raped after being handfasted to Roger and consummating their marriage. She still hadn't divulged that wee detail. Claire should have said more. Brianna and Claire should have said Roger's full name. Was Brianna right in being so angry and saying something so cruel? Can you picture yourself in that position? What's Coming up? Chapters 51-53 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.

Drums of Autumn Chapters 47-48 Week 25 “Of Partial Truths, Protection, and Forgiveness”   ****Warning: disturbing content and discussion of rape**** Summary: Jamie needed doctoring upon his return. Brianna told her news. Jamie and Brianna bonded.  Claire and Jamie walked and talked. Claire kept the rapist's identity secret. Jamie lied and kept his secret about the man MacKenzie. A ghost from the past rose. Claire left to attend a birth. Jamie and Brianna attended a delivery in the stable. Brianna feared the future. Brianna asked difficult questions. Jamie showed her a valuable lesson. Jamie couldn't make Brianna fully understand. Jamie surrendered and forgave. (2:00) Inside the Chapters: Chapter 47 A Father's Song Claire is aggravated waiting for Jamie to return. She and Brianna were waiting to tell him Brianna is pregnant and maybe by a rapist. Claire had been pondering Jamie's possible reactions since learning of the pregnancy and how it may have come to be. Though controlled at the moment, Brianna could let loose the Fraser temper when pushed too far. Up until then, Jamie and Brianna had been delicate with the other as they built a relationship, but this news needed to be dealt with head-on. When Jamie came in it was clear he had washed at the creek. This always seems to be the remedy in the books for returning home with something serious going on. Being clean may take the sting out of it. Jamie lied to Claire when she asked why he was out so late. He needed her to mend his hand that he damaged by dropping a stone on it. That fourth finger needed examining. Claire closed her eyes, so she could see the finger in her mind through her hands and experience. She found the fracture.  Master Raymond teaching her how to still and see the inner workings of the body has proved to be a useful gift. It is an awareness that can be learned. I do this when I examine a baby at full term or during labor. What is the baby telling me? What is going on? What is her body telling me? It is part intuition and part sight. Jamie likens Claire looking like a priest seeing past the bread to the body of Christ. It was only a minor fracture. Claire thought Jamie was giving off an odd vibe. She knew he was hiding something. (4:05) Brianna wondered if she should tell him or not. Claire told her she needed to tell him tonight. Claire splinted his finger and Brianna placed ointment on the abrasions. She is mending him after he pummeled the hell out of Roger. Jamie spoke to Brianna in Gaelic. He'd been giving her lessons. He asked her if she was pregnant, not having enough Gaelic she answered in English.  She apologized and didn't think it could ever be okay (p789, Nook).  Brianna sobbed into Jamie's shoulder. Claire went out to get milk from the shed into the quiet, cold darkness. She sent a question into the dark and heard back they had each other to get through the situation. Claire gathered everything for dinner as Jamie and Brianna sat together in front of the fire. She thought about some wise advice a monk had given her about the helpfulness of a meal. She heard Jamie talking to Brianna (p791, Nook). What a beautiful moment to hold close between father and daughter. Brianna informed him that he could not sing, but she didn't want him to stop. He then told her she weighed as much as a full-grown deer, but he didn't want her to get up. As they nuzzled close, Claire was thankful they were both hers. (9:20) Brianna slept after dinner, but Claire felt terrible and out of sorts and didn't want to deal with any other the things that had to be managed. She longed for peace. She longed to bed down with Jamie, but trouble was in the air with no peace to be had. Jamie acted like a caged animal while Claire cleaned up the dinner dishes. She wanted to talk to him but had promised Brianna she wouldn't tell about Bonnet. Both restless, he asked Claire to walk with him. She felt his tension, the anger below the surface, and finally asked what he had done to his hands (p795, Nook). They talked without giving detail. Then Claire asked what he was thinking (p796, Nook). He kissed her hard then but couldn't be with her. He couldn't be with her after rehashing what transpired between him and Black Jack. She understood (p798, Nook). A gentle kiss and utter stillness enveloped them. Claire thought for a while and spoke again. Jamie asked if Roger would accept Brianna and the baby. Claire hoped so. She had liked him when she knew him from the twentieth century. She asked Jamie if he would accept the situation if it was her (p799, Nook). They went back to the house as Jamie hoped Roger was a better man than him or Frank. Then Jamie said if he weren't he would beat him. Well then, there is that. Claire asked Jamie if he knew she loved him since she didn't say it often (p802, Nook).  (23:20) What a complicated chapter. It is difficult to unpack and process. Jamie is not divulging what he had done. Brianna is not saying who raped her. Claire is not sharing Bonnet's name, or the ring Brianna had reclaimed. Chapter 48 Away in a Manger Brianna and Jamie were in the stable. I love the description of the stable being a refuge, the scents, a safe enclosure. There was a cow in labor. She had found Jamie laying down in the straw. Claire was at a birth and hadn't returned, so Brianna brought dinner to Jamie. He shared the food with her, though she had already eaten. She remarked on the amount of pregnant or newly birthed animals in the stable and called it a maternity ward. She explained what it was to Jamie (p805, Nook). Then she thought about all the complications that could befall a woman in the 18th century while birthing and postpartum. Jamie assured her that Claire's stubbornness wouldn't allow any harm to come to her. There were definite risks to women in childbirth, from what I can find the stats due to difficult deliveries, pre-eclampsia, hemorrhage, and postpartum infection made up 4 or 5 out of 1,000 births (which is a staggering number) with upwards of 24 out of 100.000 women die today from childbirth-related complications (this is considered very high for the westernized world). I don't know where Claire got her 50% rate stats from but given she knew how to decrease infection risk and how to control hemorrhage better than most, her patients were in excellent hands. (29:25) Brianna asked after the laboring cow, Jamie thought she would be okay, but the cow may have been too young to breed yet. The white sow had many piglets feeding on her. Brianna felt reassured by the confidence the sow displayed (p807, Nook). Brianna worried for the cow, but of course, she was thinking about her predicament of being a first-time mother just like the cow. She couldn't understand how Jamie could whisper sweet somethings to the cow knowing if things went wrong he'd have to butcher her after trying to save the calf.  Brianna had something to ask Jamie, so she stayed at the stable instead of going back to the cabin. She asked if he killed Black Jack Randall. Startled Jamie asked where she heard that name. She said Claire told her about Wentworth. Had Claire betrayed him by telling her? She tried to explain that Claire didn't think Brianna would ever meet Jamie. What did she want to know? Did killing his rapist make it better for him? She wanted to kill her rapist. Had she killed a man before, Jamie asked. Her anger flared. She could kill him; she knew she could. She struggled with wanting to kill him and being haunted by the rape regardless of him being alive or dead. Jamie answered (p810, Nook). The problem was Jamie didn't know whether he killed Black Jack Randall or not. He couldn't remember. It was true he came to consciousness with Randall, dead, on top of him after the battle of Culloden. He showed her the scar on his thigh. He recounted the aftermath of Culloden and not caring about vengeance having looked upon the field of dead men. He believed he would die within hours of the wound he sustained. Purposeful forgetting or not, he didn't know. He assured Brianna not many die from rape, he didn't, and she wouldn't either. But the nagging horrors Claire had spoken of clouded her mind. Jamie again told Brianna she would handle childbirth fine. She commented on her likeness to Jamie's mother. Ellen died in childbirth. Brianna was certain she would die when she gave birth, and nothing could be done without hospital and drugs except try and save the baby. (34:20) She blamed herself for the rape. She should have fought harder. She wasn't brave enough. She had been scared and was more scared now. Maybe if she killed the man, she could forget. She wouldn't forget Jamie said, but it would be okay. He would find her a husband, so the child has a name. Or perhaps she would marry the man who got her pregnant (p813, Nook). Jamie incited Brianna to fight with him, saying terrible things about her lying about the rape. She fought and struggled against Jamie as he held her wrists and dug a thumb in between her ribs. He taunted her into lashing out at him. He finally had her in a painful position on her knees. He told her he could break her neck and kill her if he wanted. He had her at his behest (p815, Nook). The whole point of this horrific exercise was to prove to her no amount of fighting would've stopped the man from raping her and using her as he wanted. He had tried to tell her it wasn't her fault, so he showed her it wasn't her fault. Then she believed him. She realized Jamie didn't fight back either. He did it for her mother's life without regret. Would she never forget? Never, but it would change over time. He told her she was strong and explained it through Jenny becoming the woman of the house when their mother died. The laboring cow caught Jamie's attention. Brianna saw how alike Jamie and Claire were in one way, compassionate and ruthless at the same time. Claire knew how to balance living after holding life or death in her hands. Jamie was more brutal to himself than anyone else could be. Jamie stripped down as he awaited the delivery and prepared to assist if needed. It comforted Brianna knowing he was there to offer the good fight of protection. (39:50) After the calving, Jamie carried a sleeping Brianna back to the cabin. He ached and was bruised from their fighting. He found pride in her strength. Even so, he wrestled with the old hurts. He had to face the ghosts to lay them back to rest. The voice took a while to return, but then it did (p819, Nook). Jamie surrendered and let go over and over and over. He recited the Lord's Prayer. He surrendered and let go again and again (p820, Nook). The sounds of the night returned to him. He wished he could make Brianna understand that to forget is an act of forgiveness that must happen many times over. It was a matter of conscious constancy of practice. Maybe Roger could be her refuge as Claire had been his. If Wakefield didn't return, he would find another way to protect Brianna and the child. He wrestled with what he did to MacKenzie. He believed he did it to protect his daughter. That was that, and down the hill, he went. (42:55)  What's Coming up? Chapters 49-50 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.

Denver Comic Con 2018 An Outlandish Outlander Fan Panel We, Karen Daugherty, Courtney Williams, and I had a good turnout and excellent attendee participation for our first ever Outlander inspired fan panel. It was incredible fun to discuss our favorite books and television series with other fans.  We discussed the television show and the books surrounding season's 3 and 4. We gave away books courtesy of Random House and had a gathering afterward.  Please enjoy this special live recorded episode.  What's Coming up? Chapters 47-48 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.  

Drums of Autumn Chapters 45-46 Week 24 “The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions”   *****Warning: There is a discussion about rape during this podcast. I have notated the time where it occurs in the podcast below.*****  Summary: Brianna is pregnant. She doesn't know who the father is. The pirate raped her days after being hand-fasted to Roger. She recovered Claire's gold wedding ring. Roger is near Fraser's Ridge. His horse and supplies were stolen. He was on foot without a weapon. He is met in the clearing by two men. A case of mistaken identity will possibly prove deadly. (:45)    Inside the Chapters: Chapter 45 Fifty-Fifty Brianna and Claire were foraging in the woods. Claire was also teaching Brianna important landmarks not altered by the seasons. Claire watched Brianna and wondered what was causing her inner turmoil. This was a planned trip into the forest so that Claire could get Brianna alone. The cabin was full of people coming and going. Claire found the perfect time to ask Brianna what was on her mind. She could still read Brianna's mind and asked her how pregnant she was. She was two months pregnant. As she looked into Brianna's eyes, she could see the child within all grown up and relieved to share the burden. The thought of Roger startled Claire then she told Brianna she had to go back through the stones. Brianna was confused. Going through the stones was a terrible thing (p 765, Nook). Brianna is worried she cannot go to the right time with Roger in the 18th century. Claire was adamant about them all guessing how the stones worked (p765, Nook). Claire realized Brianna had already thought about going back. There might be another way, Hispaniola – Abandawe. Claire explained why she had been to the cave. Claire thought she could feel Geillis' gaze upon her sometimes. Claire asked how Brianna got pregnant (p767), Nook). At the core of Brianna's worries, was how Jamie would react to her pregnancy. Claire reassured her it would be okay and there was still time to find Roger. Then Brianna dropped a bombshell. She said the baby wasn't Roger's. (8:00) On that interesting note, Brianna pulled something from her pocket and handed it to Claire (p769, Nook). That was a game changer. She hadn't planned on telling them after hearing about the robbery on the river by Bonnet. She told Claire the story even though she didn't want to. She recalled how she went to the Gloriana during the day thinking it would be safer. Bonnet was fresh-shaven, but his clothes were dirty and been worn since the day prior. He paid her a compliment about her looks. She immediately asks about the ring and if he would sell it to her because it reminds her of a ring her mother had. He was a big man and hid something behind his eyes when she asked where he got the ring. He took her by the hand and led her to his cabin. (9:15) He offered her brandy and claimed the ring was a love token. Bree is relieved to know her mother is alive and well. Bonnet has a different payment in mind for the ring (p771, Nook) (10:20).  Brianna fights back, he slaps her hard and forces her to her knees. She nearly vomits as he forcibly presents her with his unwashed penis. He forced her to perform oral sex with threats and grabbing her hard. He suddenly pushed her away, causing her to stumble and spit. He wasn't done with her yet. He grabbed her, kissed her, and roamed below her waist. She butted him in the face with her head and ran out of the room. The cook tripped her giving Bonnet time to reach her. Back to his cabin they went. She told her mother she stopped fighting after that. Except in her mind, she still fought. When someone is raped or sexually assaulted there are several common reactions that can occur, Bree seems to be experiencing some of them. It only took a couple of minutes, and it was over, along with his humming. She was frozen in place, then he rolled off her, leaving her dazed. He made a comment that tells us he doesn't think he did anything wrong. He told her the ring was on the desk, as was money. She is affronted he is offering to pay her. He told her to help herself to what was on the desk because she was worth it and promptly left. Her hands shook preventing her from picking up the ring from the bowl, so she poured the contents into her pocket, and walked out. (16:00) Let's take a breath for a moment. Brianna tried to be safe but she was unable to prevent what took place. Even if she would have had a weapon, he was stronger and bigger than her. She couldn't have stopped him. This is an all too common reality for many women. Brianna had tried to pretend it didn't happen. It had been two days since she had sex with Roger multiple times. They used the withdrawal (coitus interruptus) method. Claire said people who used that method were called parents. Properly used, withdrawal is as about as effective as condom use, BUT that is if the timing of the male partner is perfect, he ejaculates away from her genitals and washes the head of his penis before another each encounter. Did Roger wash off his penis between the several encounters? (20:20) Brianna is traumatized by the rape. She is worried about Roger not returning. She is worried about who the father is. She didn't have the best entrance into sexual activity given the fight she and Roger had afterward, then the rape only two days later. (21:30) Chapter 46 Comes a Stranger Roger was in fact, on his way to Fraser's Ridge. He stopped for a drink of water at a spring. He was annoyed because his horse, gun, a bit of food, and water had been stolen. His clothes were a mess, and he was not clean shaven because the razor had been in his saddlebag. He was only worried about what Brianna thought of him. Claire and Jamie were not on his radar of concern. He hoped she would forgive his betrayal of not telling her about the death notice. His thoughts ran wild (p778, Nook). Roger was temporarily removed from his thoughts by birds' dive bombing him. He had ventured too close to a nest. He hoped the encounter with the ravens was not a bad omen as Scot's folklore depicts. He then thought about how exciting it was here, seeing history firsthand. Only for Brianna did he have regret.  He placed a hand over his pocket; he had stolen two gems from Stephen Bonnet. Of course, he didn't know those had been stolen from Claire and Jamie by Bonnet. They had taken them from Geillis Duncan after saving Young Ian at Abandawe. The girl at the mill told him he would reach Fraser's Ridge by sundown. His thoughts pestered him again (p779, Nook). He reached the spot as it was described. His stolen horse was there. A young man had come into view with Roger's gun in hand. Poor Roger. There was another man in the clearing who looked familiarly like Brianna and how Claire described him. It was Jamie Fraser in all his size and fierceness (p781, Nook). Roger was confused and alarmed. What had Jamie been told about him? Roger claimed to come for his wife. The situation escalated as Young Ian weighed in with a gun in hand. Jamie asked for the truth (p782, Nook). It has gone from bad to worse for Roger. It seemed Jamie was trying to kill him. Roger fought back (p783, Nook). They continued to brawl. Jamie was besting Roger. He tried to get Jamie to stop but he wouldn't. Roger believed he was going to die before he was born. (29:45) It seems Jamie is working out more than anger about Brianna on Roger. His rape perhaps. Since Brianna and Claire had told Jamie Roger's last name was Wakefield, MacKenzie was a whole different person according to Lizzie. What a horrific mess. This is one of Jamie's biggest mistakes in all the books in my opinion. He acted without talking to Brianna or Claire. He reacted instead of making sure he had full and true information. It is a prime example of how clear communication matters. (30:30)  Brianna's good intention to get the ring back brought a hellish nightmare to her in the form of Stephen Bonnet. Jamie's desire to protect his daughter placed Roger in hell. Jamie's actions also continued Brianna's living hell of Roger not returning. The ramifications will go far and wide. (31:00) What's Coming up? Chapters 47-48 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook Any images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.    

Drums of Autumn Chapters 43-44 Week 23 “It's All in the Name” Summary: There's a stranger inquiring about Jamie's whisky. Worry increased over Roger not showing up yet. The small distillery was Marsali's responsibility. Wee Germaine is a full-throttle toddler. A mysterious button was found. Brianna was a hot commodity. The winter preparations were underway. Lizzie saw a familiar man at the mill. Lizzie shared the misinterpreted event. Jamie and Young Ian went out to stop a visitor from reaching the Ridge. Inside the Chapters: Chapter 43 Whisky in the Jar Claire is most displeased with how Ronnie Sinclair was looking at Brianna. Claire is ordering casks. Ronnie tells Claire he's hearing the word that someone is asking around about a Jamie Fraser. Brianna reacts sharply. It wasn't Roger; it was Hodgepile. Jamie has already put the word out that they are looking for a Roger Wakefield. Being mid-October Brianna is growing worried and anxious. She saw him in a couple of months. This Hodgepile was asking after the whisky. Hodgepile was pretending to be a fur trader, but it was obvious to the man he was talking to this wasn't the case. Claire told Sinclair she would tell Jamie one of Murchison's men was asking after him. Claire left with Brianna and hoped their remoteness would be the protection Jamie thought it would be. She could not imagine soldiers coming deep into the mountains to get one low output illegal distillery.  Lizzie and Ian were outside collecting kindling from the trash. Lizzie surprised Claire by asking a question. The girl spoke sparingly. She asked if inquiries were being made after her father who should be a bondsman of someone in the southern colonies. Brianna rushed off to tell Sinclair about Lizzie's father. When she returned she is upset, Young Ian is concerned Sinclair did something to her. It turns out he was drawing naked women on pieces of wood when Brianna interrupted him. Claire had a gentle response to the information because she understood loneliness (p741, Nook). Claire's mind wandered back to Brianna and what would happen to her if Roger didn't return. Then horrified she wondered if Roger had chosen not to return. With Brianna refusing to talk about the argument she and Roger had, Claire, is worried about the months passing. Jamie showed off his small whisky distillery to Brianna. It was placed near Fergus and Marsali, so she could oversee and work the operation. They had a bigger share than the other farmers who supplied the raw barley and helped with distribution. Meanwhile, young Germaine was trying to eat a cockroach to his mother's dismay. Young Ian pipes in about eating them with the Indians and they're not so bad, though smoked locusts are better. They finish spreading the unspoiled raw barley. Next thing Germaine is choking on something, Brianna did the Heimlich maneuver in the nick of time. Marsali takes him to their cabin for supper and bed. The offending item looked like a button, but they couldn't figure out who's button it was. On their way back to their cabin, they ask after the Lindsay's to see if the button was from Kenny's coat. His wife said it wasn't. Mrs. Lindsay eyeing Brianna asked if they were going to the gathering this year. Seems everyone wants to make a match for Brianna since her intended had not returned. Jamie is concerned about the button because of the information they received from Sinclair. What if it was a stranger who knew about the illegal still? They walked back to their cabin as the sun went down. They approached Claire picking beans from the garden, hair golden bright from the descending sun (p748, Nook). Brianna's heart squeezed knowing as Jamie watched Claire with bees returning around her.  Jamie, Lindsey, and Duncan were tasting the batch of whisky and settling on a price per cask. After performing an inventory in his head, Jamie agreed to send a dozen casks to the upcoming Gathering. In the book, Diana calls it Mount Helicon, in real life, the games are held at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. Duncan would take the casks to the Gathering to sell or trade for the many items Claire and Jamie could use. Brianna is concerned the alcohol will go to the Indians who are known for not being able to hold their drink. Claire explained to Brianna that alcoholism doesn't exist at the time, the only weakness of character. Jamie asked Duncan to find out about Hodgepile at the Gathering. Brianna asked him to inquire about Roger Wakefield too. ARGH! Seriously she knew he was going by MacKenzie. This frustrates me to no end. Claire added Joseph Weymss, Lizzie's father to the list too. Kenny Lindsey asked about the name Bree (p750, Nook). With the shortage of eligible women, Brianna is a hot commodity, pregnant or not. It means she's fertile and will make a good wife. There are the issues of Roger not returning, the mysterious Hodgepile asking after the whisky, and the whereabouts of Lizzie's father. Lizzie and Young Ian seem to be getting cozy. We get to meet toddler Germaine in all his feistiness and learn Marsali is heading up the distillery.  Ridge life doesn't seem like a good fit for Fergus being a one-handed and a pickpocket by trade. Chapter 44 Three-Cornered Conversation October 1769 Jamie chopped wood while Young Ian went to the mill where there were three eligible Woolam daughters. Jamie thought to flirt with virtuous Quaker lassies a fair better than bold Indian lassies. It bothered Jamie knowing Indian women took men to bed at their choosing. He sent Lizzie along to the mill to get some color in her cheeks. As he stacked wood, he thought about how much he enjoyed chopping it. It was a satisfying pursuit one could quantify as the work went on. His mind wandered to Brianna and her keen sense of smell. She wrinkled her nose and said “phew” when he was sweating and fragrant. This expression and face was that of his own mother (p752, Nook). I have noticed these echoes of those who came before in my children. He took off his shirt without a worry for who might see him and resumed chopping wood, His thoughts deepened. He loved the Murray kids, especially Young Ian. But, Brianna was his flesh and blood. The gift he and Claire had given each other. Like other times, Frank Randall came to mind (p753, Nook). Jamie gave Frank the respect he deserved. Even Jamie understood the importance of Frank. The sacrificial love he had to raise Brianna as his own and love her. To stay with Claire, who no longer loved him the way she did before meeting Jamie. Jamie had jealous and envious thoughts over Frank, but there were only respect and no hate. By reflex, he let go of the ax into the clearing mid-swing to avoid hitting his foot as the handle broke. He crossed himself in thanksgiving as he reached for the ax head. He noticed the wilted plants because the rain lacked recently. The well was half dug, but firewood was more important to the wellbeing of the families just now. Claire and Brianna came out of the cabin with baskets in hands to go foraging. Jamie warned them about Indians hunting not too far from there. Claire assured him they wouldn't go far. Though reluctant, Jamie thought the Indians were peacefully preparing for winter just as they were. There would be no concern if he knew which tribe the Indians came from since they were friends with Nacognaweto's people. Brianna looked at his bare chest for a moment and placed her hand on his bare shoulder as she kissed him goodbye. She gave no sign of recognition, question, or concern for the scars she saw or felt. Claire must have told her about Black Jack and the days before the Rising. Claire explained what food was available for snacking on and what was for dinner. He took Claire's hand in his and kissed her knuckles before she kissed him goodbye on the mouth. Off they went as Jamie watched thankfully for their kisses on his face. He sat on the wood stump and worked to repair the ax handle. He thought about the scent of food he smelled earlier coming from the Woolam's cabin and of the winter to come. The Indians told him it would be harder than the last. How would hunting be during a heavy snow-laden winter? If he could kill another bear, they would eat the whole winter, and the skin would go to good use as well. He imagined Claire's pale skin against the glossy black of the bearskin. His mind circled back to earlier thoughts. What had Claire told Brianna? How much did she know? He and Brianna were not fully accustomed to each other and sometimes used Claire as a go-between. He thought how much he would like some privacy with Claire. It was growing tiresome and too cold for their romps in the wild, or the herb shed. If Young Ian got back soon, they could notch some of the logs. Brianna needed a cabin of her own to share with Lizzie. Lizzie came up behind him, obvious she had something to say, but her shyness around him made it difficult. Young Ian stood near her to offer support. It turned out she recognized a man at the mill, she'd seen him before with Brianna in Wilmington. Oh no. Here it goes. His name was MacKenzie she said. He seemed educated and maybe a Highlander. Jamie asked her questions (p758, Nook). So little miss Lizzie told what she knew, but she had it quite wrong. Jamie now thought it was rape by the MacKenzie man that not only took Brianna's virginity but got her with a child.  Jamie was angry and sick over it. He hadn't known she was with child, but he ventured Claire had known. Lizzie told them Brianna had no cycle for two months. When she saw the man, she had to speak up in case he came to claim Brianna as his. Under the law, a man could claim a woman to be his wife under common law and use the pregnancy as evidence. Jamie's parents had used this tactic to get married. Lizzie and Young Ian had taken MacKenzie's horse to prevent him from getting to the main part of the settlement quickly. Jamie and Young Ian talked about Brianna's demeanor as of late (p761, Nook). This cannot be good. Jamie asked Young Ian to fetch his pistols and for Lizzie to lie to Claire about where they've gone. Lizzie watched Jamie, and Young Ian leave. Jamie had a serious menace about him (p761, Nook). I could go on about how aggravated I am about this plot device. Of course, Lizzie would know him as MacKenzie because that's the name he used when he found Brianna. Again, why oh why did Brianna use Wakefield to describe him? The situation is about to spiral out of control. A father's rage. A cousin's anger. It cannot possibly go well. What's Coming up? Chapters 45-46 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook All images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.

Drums of Autumn Chapters 41-42 Week 22 “Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition” Summary: Brianna and Lizzie get safely upriver to Cross Creek, though the girl had yet again become ill. Brianna borrows a mule to scout out Cross Creek. She meets Jamie. He's dubious at first. Then filled with utmost joy. To River Run, he takes her and Lizzie. Fergus is victorious at his trial. Jamie takes Brianna to Fraser's Ridge. Claire is shocked and happy. Jamie takes Brianna hunting. They become more comfortable with each other. Jamie is fretful. Memories are shared between Claire and Jamie in the moonlight. Inside the Chapters: Chapter 41 Journey's End Brianna is aggravated that Lizzie is ill again. Brianna woke after that night with Roger to cleaned clothes, a tidied space, and Lizzie fevered. She is restless knowing she only has eight days to get to Cross Creek or she could miss Jamie Fraser. Lizzie might be ready to travel in a couple of days thought a frustrated Brianna. She went down to the taproom to get tea for the sick girl and a man with roaming hands tried to grab her behind. Squeezing through the crowded tables she notices a gold ring at a gambling table. The light hit it just right and she knew the engraving pattern within. She stopped and approached the man who held it. She pretended to rub it for luck and she was right, she did know the ring. “From F. to C. with love. Always.,” it read. She was eager to find out where he, the Irishman got it from. She was worried for her mother. She planned to see him the following day in the daylight for safety. He agrees and tells her to go to the Gloriana. Yes, you remembered it correctly, it is Captain Stephen Bonnet. The man who Jamie and Claire saved from execution when he was found hidden in their wagon. The man who later stole from them when they were headed upriver to Auntie Jo's. This cannot be a good thing Brianna ran into him. The kind Dutch woman is in awe of the amount of food Brianna ate. She had not eaten in a couple of days. She accepted a second helping of food. Lizzie's fever had returned two days upriver. Brianna thought she might die. They had made it to Cross Creek, tomorrow she would find Jamie Fraser. She felt the ring in her secret pocket. Knowing her mother was alive was all that mattered. The Dutchwoman was the sister of one of the men she traveled with upriver. She would take care of Lizzie while Brianna borrowed the mule for a trip into Cross Creek to find the courthouse and to gain familiarity with the city. She didn't want to take any chances she might miss Jamie Fraser. She had not noticed anything on the second half of their journey. Her mind had been occupied with Lizzie and painful thoughts of her own. Now that she was riding, she could see the countryside and how it changed. She wonders how it will be to meet him, Jamie Fraser. Would he be happy to see her? What might he say? She could hear the echoes of Laoghaire calling him a liar and a cheat. She rode into town. Most people were inside to escape the heat of the day. She made note of landmarks, like the sawmill and a tavern. She feels hollow after searching for money in her pocket and finding something else. She stops at the tavern and gets a beer. The landlord asks if she's come for the trial. Brianna asks whose trial it is. Fergus Fraser is accused of attacking an officer of the Crown. The tavern owner is sure he'll be acquitted since Jamie Fraser came down from Fraser's Ridge to be at the trial. He is there at the tavern and should return in a minute. Brianna leapt up and ran out the door. She spies Jamie peeing against a tree. When he turned toward her from the tree, he tensed seeing her standing there thinking she was a man at first. She was wearing breeks of course. When she saw him face on, she knew without a doubt who he was though smaller, his face was her face. He speaks to her (p708, Nook). Imagine him hearing those words, “I'm your daughter.” He became flushed red, a sight she found recognizable. He stopped and looked her over more closely (p710, Nook). He reaches out to touch her stunned by her being fully grown. He thought of her as a wee bairn from the pictures (p711, Nook). Such emotion gripped them both. She had no idea how to address Jamie.  Frank was her daddy and always would be. He tells her to call him Da (p712, Nook). To be hugged by the father she had only known existed for a couple of years. I LOVE THIS SCENE TO MY CORE. Jamie is meant to be a father. He's meant to be her father. He's right Claire will be mad with joy. What do you love about it? Everything was a blur from here on out. They had retrieved Lizzie from the Dutch woman's home. As they rode toward River Run, Jamie told Brianna about the house he's building for Claire and the glass in the back is meant as a surprise for her mother. He's putting windows in the big house for her. It seemed a long ride down the dusty roads, but she slept with her head on his shoulder and his arm holding her close. River Run was a big house and she met Aunt Jocasta tall with a face like hers, but eyes that looked beyond her. Everything seemed to happen like magic. So many hands to help and make jobs quick. The haze of hands and faces of black slaves were in Brianna's mind. They bathed, dried, and dressed her in a fresh cotton gown. There was food, tea, and her father's joy-filled eyes upon her. There was a pretty blond girl who seemed familiar somehow. Her name was Marsali. Lizzie too was cleaned up and wrapped in a blanket with hot tea in hand. Barely coherent Brianna hears the names of Farquard Campbell and Fergus before strong hands of her father lifted her and took her to bed. Fergus Fraser looked like a French noble on his way to the guillotine to Brianna (p713, Nook). That's because he is French, and his name is Claudel. Jamie renamed him. Marsali is worried about the treatment Fergus may have gotten while in jail. There was a crowd filling the courthouse, not a seat to be had. There were soldiers guarding the doors and one seated by the Justice's bench. The man caught Jamie's eye with a malevolent air of satisfaction. Jamie kept his poker face seeming indifferent. The Justice arrived, and the proceedings began. Brianna thinks she has a handle on the people present, Phaedre, Marsali, Young Ian, and Fergus. The Justice calls for the charges to be read (p715, Nook). Hugh took the stand and described the events of that day. Apparently, he was wickedly lashed by the tongue in French. The Justice gives Fergus the opportunity to speak (p715, Nook). After this exciting testimony by Fergus, the Justice asks if James Fraser is present. Jamie is sworn and answers all questions regarding the land deal he had with Governor Tryon. Brianna intently watched the proceedings and noticed the officer who leered at Jamie earlier was looking at Hugh. There was a nod of the head. As the Justice was about to acquit Fergus, Hugh stands up and objects based on no proof of the land grant deal (p717, Nook). With evidence in hand, the Justice acquits Fergus. Before stepping down, Jamie asks the Justice if Berowne's charge fully described the attack?  The Justice read the original complaint and had a light bulb moment (p718, Nook). After concluding the trial, they went to Jocasta's house for a celebration feast. As they discussed the trial, it's revealed Marsali had been the one to assault the officer. She kicked him in the face when he tried to take her from her horse. The officer took Germaine from her and she had to get off the horse. It was Murchison wanting to make trouble for Jamie that set the farce of a complaint in motion. Jocasta was annoyed that Farquard Campbell, the usual Justice in the area was taken off the trial. Jamie explains why (p719, Nook). Jamie is always a step ahead of Murchison. Jamie looks at Brianna asking her if she thinks him to be rich. It's not something that had entered her mind. He explains to Brianna the state of life on Fraser's Ridge (p720, Nook). Back at the Ridge, Claire is going through her jarred stores making sure none were moldy. this makes her think of having a penicillin plantation. If she were lucky she could isolate the Penicillium mold of the hundreds that grow on stale bread.  Would any spores survive, or would she recognize it if they did? She'd had no success in over a year, but she would keep trying. She found it impossible to keep vermin out of the pantry (p720, Nook). Though she could lock all the edibles in the hutch Jamie built, the stale bread samples required air. Nayawenne came to mind as she thinks about how every plant could cure illness if only it was known what it was. She regretted not being taught more by her friend, but not as bitterly as the loss of Nayawenne from the earth. She knew she needed to keep trying to grow the elusive penicillium. Much of the year she couldn't leave samples out because of the vermin, but in winter the air was too cold to allow for spore growth. She would try again in the spring. The new house was taking shape up on the hill. It would be done by spring (p721, Nook). Clarence the Mule shrieked with ecstasy. Claire hastily cleans up the bottles and corks. She hoped it was Jamie returning with Fergus and Marsali.  She worried that Jamie's confidence about the trial hadn't come to fruition.  After placing the last of the bottles in the cupboard, she went to the door. She saw no one. She saw nothing but evidence someone had come through. She wished she hadn't left her knife on the table. Someone was there. Jamie spoke behind her (p722, Nook). Bree knocked her off her feet with a bone-crushing hug (p722, Nook). Of course, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! Poor Jamie left out again with a modern-day reference. Claire must have almost had kittens to see Brianna. I love how we are reintroduced to Marsali as a high-spirited young woman. Fergus with his French contempt is priceless. The character of Murchison is like a fever blister. He pops up when you least expect it. We meet Jocasta and the household staff through the eyes of Brianna. she accomplished her quest. She found her father, her Da. What happened to Brianna that she had painful worries? I wonder what Roger is up to.   Chapter 42 Part Ten Impaired Relations Moonlight Jamie wakes Brianna in the pre-dawn morning asking her to come hunting with him. She dressed and went to the privy. The sky seemed dreamlike in quality. She could almost touch the stars. It was very early she thought as dark and quiet as it was. She gulped the fresh air as she returned to the confines of the cabin. Jamie was ready with hunting gear in tow. She watched him kiss her mother as she slept in bed. She felt like a voyeur (p725, Nook). She waited for him to come outside. With a nod of his head, she followed on the path. The quiet broke to sounds of birdsong, screeches, and other noises. Daylight rose with subtlety. They sat together eating apples and bread. Wiping her hands on her coat, she felt the presence of the conker in her pocket, a touchstone, a link to another life for the one who planted it. Were her links to the past severed for good?  She followed Jamie uphill. At the top of the steep climb, she felt she could float away (p726, Nook). The climbing became easier as she found the “rhythm of the ground.” They reached the place he meant to take her. There was a split rock that caused her to hesitate for a moment. It reminded her of THE stones. This caused Jamie momentary distress and he had to watch her safely climb through. He touched her to be sure she was still there. His timing was perfect (p727, Nook). That gives me shivers. I love to listen to the land and see what presents. Sometimes nothing shows up and sometimes... They sat for a long time watching as the sun came to full light. Jamie said a Gaelic prayer to the spirits. Brianna speaks first (p728, Nook). He learned to value the solitude. They sat and listened to nature speaking around them. She spoke of Roger and Jamie's heart squeezed. She didn't think Roger understood being alone. She mentioned not minding being alone had to do with her and Jamie (p729, Nook). Jamie thinks she had doubts about Wakefield (ahem MacKenzie), Brianna had told them about her search, the death notice, her journey, (damn Laoghaire) and this Wakefield. He knows she didn't tell them everything though. Why and the hell did Brianna use the name Wakefield when she knew Roger was using MacKenzie?  Jamie's mind was troubled with the thought of Frank (p729, Nook). Brianna brought him from his thoughts by pointing out two does. The does step out without fear of them. Jamie was content being along with his daughter. Brianna asked what they are hunting for. They had seen many animals throughout the day. He replied bees and she wonders how bees are hunted. It turns out by finding certain types of flowers and watch what direction the honeybees go. They finally found what they were looking for in the late afternoon (p731, Nook). After sharing a meal, he showed her how to load and shoot the musket. She needed a little practice to get used the feel of the musket. She was a good shot. Jamie asks how she learned to shoot (p732, Nook). She moved the conversation back to the bees. He will blow smoke into the hive to stun the bees. He'll then wrap the hive in his plaid. He'll nail it to a piece of wood and in the morning the bees will go out looking for flowers. He said they'll be content in the new place. They sat in silence again until Brianna asked if Claire would worry about them. He shook his head no. He asked her about men going to the moon. She told him they will go to the moon. He was curious (p733, Nook). Brianna continues her description of the Apollo mission. (p733, Nook).  He makes a joke about the moon sounding like Scotland. She can tell he misses it. It was time to get the hive and get back to the cabin. The night was warm enough to sleep with the window covering rolled up. Jamie had been smiling since returning from Cross Creek, but that night he wasn't sleeping even though he'd been up before dawn. Claire reminded herself to stay away from the side of the garden where the bees would be irritable. The moonlight wasn't keeping him awake, but something was (p735, Nook). She didn't belong there just like Louis camel did not belong at Versailles either. Claire reiterates a child cannot be lost and asks if he remembers Faith (p736, Nook).  A bonding moment through love and tragedy. They have Brianna, but it is a fleeting experience. They believe she must go back to her time. They grieve for something that hasn't happened yet. What about Roger? I am aggravated they are not calling him MacKenzie. Brianna knows he was using his birth name in the 18th century.      What's Coming up? Chapters 43-44 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook All images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.

Drums of Autumn Chapter 40 Week 21 “Virgin Sacrifice”   Breaking News: Outlander S4 will premiere in November 2018 with 13 episodes based on Drums of Autumn and adapted for television. The television series has been renewed for S5 and S6 with 12 episodes each season. S5 is expected to be adapted from Fiery Cross and S6 from A Breath of Snow and Ashes. I will be doing a read-a-long for FC in 2019 after S4 ends.  Summary: Brianna and Lizzie make it to Wilmington. The girl has been sick with fever multiple times. The next stop is Cross Creek. Lizzie learns Jamie Fraser will be at his Aunt's at River Run for a trial. Roger arrives mere days after Brianna in North Carolina and reaches Wilmington on her heels. He finds her. She is happy and upset. They are handfasted in the Scottish tradition and consummate their marriage multiple times in a shed. Brianna learns a truth. Feeling betrayed she storms back to her rented room. Roger vows to return to her. He leaves to secure a gemstone. Lizzie thinks MacKenzie raped Brianna.   Inside the Chapter: Chapter 40 Virgin Sacrifice Wilmington, the Colony of North Carolina, September 1, 1769 Brianna and Lizzie are in North Carolina waiting for Lizzie to improve from another attack of illness. Poor frail Lizzie is fevered and weak. They were riding from Charleston when the illness struck again. Brianna was terrified her companion would die in the wilderness but pressed on to Wilmington the next day when the fever temporarily broke. Brianna needs to find her mother to help with Lizzie and for herself. Taking care of Lizzie helped Brianna appreciate her size and strength. Nursing is tough work. Brianna decides it must be malaria-causing the fevers. Mosquitoes were a plague upon them once the land was in sight. Brianna could feel her mother's presence as she cared for the ailing girl (p666, Nook).  Quinine and other derivatives were the chief medicines to combat malarial fever since WWII; Claire would use Jesuit bark (cinchona bark) in the 18th century. When they arrived in Wilmington, the landlady at the inn called for an apothecary when she saw how ill Lizzie was (p667, Nook). The man left with fright and warnings. Brianna didn't exactly know how to care Lizzie but knew bloodletting wasn't the answer. She reflected on how the bugs stayed away from her, and she had vaccinations for many diseases, including malaria before she went through the stones. She wondered how many other diseases were prevalent in the sweltering city and caused by bug bites. Exhausted, she was too tired to change out of the many days worn clothing. She knew she had to find her mother as quickly as possible to help Lizzie. The small maidservant could die from another round of fever. She planned to sell the horses and take a boat upriver to Cross Creek in search of Aunt Jocasta's home, River Run. The thought of meeting more family gave Brianna a thrill. Certainly, she would be able to tell Brianna how to find Jamie and Claire. Finally, she undressed and lay naked on the quilt on the floor, drifting quickly to sleep.   The next morning Lizzie remained weak but fever free. Brianna pays the landlady extra money to keep an eye on the sick girl while she goes out to tend to the business at hand. Brianna managed to sell the horses and obtained the name of a man who took people upriver to Cross Creek by boat. When she returned to her room, Lizzie was dressed and eating. She is much better. Lizzie had been doing the washing and ironing. Brianna worries the girl will overexert herself and become ill again. When the girl explains the discovery, she'd had Brianna listens (p670, Nook). This MacNeil knows her father, mother, and Jocasta Cameron. Lizzie explains what the man said about Claire (p671, Nook). It turns out Jamie is in Cross Creek because of an upcoming trial he must attend. Brianna starts calculating the time needed to get upriver, so she doesn't miss Jamie. Roger arrived in Edenton just ten days after Brianna arrived in South Carolina. She must be in Wilmington by now, and he is determined to find her.  Roger details his journey to Wilmington (p672, Nook). He knew she was here. She had to be. It was the most logical place to secure a guide to go into the mountains to Fraser's Ridge. He learns there are twenty-three taverns where she could have taken a room or maybe in a private residence he thinks. By the time he had reached the fifth tavern people had begun sharing their sightings of her (p673, Nook). Roger was considerably worried for Brianna after hearing the stories. He was also hungry, thirsty, and lacking funds. He decided on a place to spend a couple of pennies on dinner, and maybe, just maybe he would be allowed to sleep in the stable. He saw a newspaper office and wanted to throw a rock through the window. That damned notice is what got both into this situation. Entering the Blue Bull, he sees Brianna sitting by the hearth (p674, Nook). Roger tries to make her come with him. A seaman from the cargo boat yells at Roger (MacKenzie) to let her be. Brianna finally tells the protective man she knows Roger. The man reluctantly backs off. Lizzie freaks out that Brianna may go with him. Brianna assures her it's okay and she'll be back later. Once outside, she wants to know why he's there. He takes her to a shelter. Again, she demands to know what he's doing there (p675, Nook). He kisses her, hard and tells her it will be alright. She is horrified that he is there (p675, Nook). Around and around they go. She has the temper of both her parents. Instead of throttling her back, he grabbed a handful of hair and kissed her as hard as he could, she fought him, at first. Then gave in ending in tears and sobs (p676, Nook). There it is, she didn't tell him she was going because she loved him. Now they tumble on the ground like wrestlers.  He let go of her hair, she took her arm off his neck, but Roger couldn't stop touching her neck. He makes her say it (p677, Nook). She lay in his arms weeping. They are dirty, bruised, and he is most certainly hungry. They will find a way back to the twentieth century, somehow. She is happy to see him regardless of not wanting him to follow her. He asks how long she'd been planning the trip, though he probably knew the answer based on the changes in her letters. Six months past when she went to Jamaica instead of to Scotland to see him. Of course, she had asked him to come with her, but he refused. She kept dreaming about her fathers, Frank and Jamie. There was one dream that stood out (p678, Nook). That dream is what caused her to go to Jamaica. Since the trail of Jamie and Claire was lost after 1766, she figured she would give it a shot. Maybe they had gone to Jamaica first. She began to search cargo ships since The Indies were a trade spot. She found the Artemis with a Captain James Fraser that “sold five tons of bat guano in Montego Bay on April 2, 1767.” She explains further finding the solution to Jamie being a Captain of a ship with known crippling seasickness (p680, Nook). She didn't find the freed slave, but she did find the death notice dated 1776. They are there early enough to warn her parents. Roger understands at this moment why parents or a spouse would beat them (p681, Nook). He was angry. He thought she found someone else because of her letters. He wanted to beat her because she made him think he'd lost her. She apologizes. How did he find out she'd left anyway? He tells her about the boxes arriving and the last-minute conference that had kept him in Oxford longer than expected.  She realizes he followed her even though he thought she'd found someone else (p682, Nook). He touched her under her loosened shirt. Did she mean it? The unspoken words of her body tell him she did mean it. Then her words urged him (p682, Nook).  He takes her to the nearby shed. For a moment, Brianna thinks about Lizzie. Roger didn't know who that was and didn't care either. He had her in a safe, private place behind the inn. Before they go further, they are handfasted as is a Highland's custom because a minister will be difficult to find on short notice. Roger will not lie with her unless they are married (p683, Nook). The handfasting allows for marriage for a year and a day before a final decision is made to wed or being married in the church legally. They are wed in a shed behind the Blue Bull tavern. They explore each other in the dark of the shed. She reaches down, and humor invades the exploration (p684, Nook). She quivered in his arms, but not from laughter. She was naked, and the feel of her amazed him. He remarks how he's never been able to kiss a girl without stooping down. Brianna's nervous humor invades again. He couldn't stop kissing and touching her to get undressed. She helped him out of his breeks and shocked him by reaching down to grasp him. His senses were filled with the tastes on her lips, the smell of her body and hair. He asks her to let go of him for a moment; she has a bit too strong of a grip. When she moves to her knees, he is stunned (p686, Nook). His coherency and blood leave his brain in quick order. She asks if she's doing it right. He thinks so. This is the first time anyone has done this to him. So yeah, he thinks so. He likes it well enough. Before he completely loses himself, he disengages, pulls her to her feet, and lays her down on the straw. He has only tried giving oral to a woman once, but she smelled of Sunday church flowers. Brianna did not. She drove him to abject lust. Instead, he kisses her on her lower belly (p687, Nook). He gets to his work enjoying the myriad of sensations and tastes. He felt a quiver move through her into him. He asks if he is doing it right (p687, Nook). He wonders how exactly she KNOWS he's doing it right. She laughs. They work through the awkwardness of her eagerness.  Finally, she relaxes into him. He tells her he loves her. She simply puts her hand on his face and opens to him. At the point of no return, he takes it slowly, she urges him forth. She asks if he is big. He thinks average and asks if he's hurting her a lot. She needs stillness for a minute. She reaches down his back touching his behind. She gives him the go-ahead (p689, Nook). I call this maneuver the pull and pray technique.  She declares her love for him.    After they recover, tangled together they talk (p689, Nook). He is astonished she learned so much from a book. He tells her it's terrible books go around telling young women how to do sexual things. How else would she learn if not for books? Roger must check his Victorian Presbyterian thoughts on female knowledge. He tells her there's more to it than what books can say. She's eager for him to show her more. When she woke from a light sleep thinking about how they fit together, how he had made love to her three times through the night, how she was sore and happy (p691, Nook). What a beautiful piece of writing.  Roger apologizes for them not having a proper wedding and proper bridal chamber to consummate their marriage. She assures him it was very good for her. She reaches for him, but he needs a rest. She's not the only one who might be sore. She tells him she's never been so happy and if they never get back to their own time, it is okay as long as they're together. He tells her he thinks there's another way and explains his trip through the stones and the diamond Fiona gave him. Gemstones might help to steer the traveler. He recited a poem from the grimoire (p692, Nook). Brianna thinks the poem is bonkers, but Roger points out insanity doesn't mean it isn't correct. The poem has old Celtic ritual and witchcraft within it. Roger doesn't think the blood sacrifice is needed, but the metal and gems might be necessary. He asks Brianna what she wore when she went through. The bracelet he gave her and the pearls. They discuss the possibilities of traveling through the stones and how the gemstones assist travel. They need to get a hold of some to help with their eventual travel back to their own time. The thing is, it is difficult to find gemstones outside of a large city, and the expense is too much as well. Roger has an idea where he can get one, but he must leave immediately to have a chance at it. Brianna cannot wait for Roger there, because she found Jamie Fraser. Roger wants her to wait instead of going to Cross Creek without him, but with Lizzie being sick she needs to find her mother as soon as possible. He agrees but asks her to wear a dress instead of her breeks.  She doesn't want him stealing the stone, but he says it's no big deal since the man likely stole it from someone else. The dispute was ended by one more role in the hay. Roger speaks sometime later saying he thinks he married his great-aunt six times removed. It had just dawned on him that they are related way back through the MacKenzie bloodline. The method of birth control they used throughout the night caused him to think of Geillis Duncan becoming pregnant. Brianna figures they are sixth or seventh cousins or something near that. Brianna doesn't care if it's nothing near incest. Roger couldn't give up the thought though (pp696, Nook). When Brianna learns Roger hadn't been to Lallybroch, she wants to know how he found her. Then she becomes angry realizing he had found the blasted newspaper article and never told her. She is in a rare fury. He tries to explain when he found it and why he hadn't told her. He doesn't think they can change the past (p698, Nook). He couldn't stand the idea of her being hurt. She felt betrayed that he kept it from her. It was not his place to choose whether she knew about the death notice. This reminds me of Claire yelling at Jamie sometimes.  Roger digs a deeper hole for himself (p698, Nook). She is Fraser angry now. She pulls on her breeks while cursing under her breath. She yells at him, tells him to get hanged I he wants to and that she is going to save her parents with or without him (p699, Nook). That is a terrible way to end things. It's not as if communication is simple in that era. Lizzie isn't sleeping when Brianna returns in a flurry of emotion. Brianna says she's fine, but from outside the window, Roger Mac can be heard (p699, Nook). Lizzie was frozen for a moment. She could see the change in Brianna's expression. She looked as if she had the blood fury like soldiers had. She was a Highland she-devil. She asked in Gaelic if Brianna was okay. Brianna told her to go to sleep. Lizzie simply lay awake worried what Brianna might do. Then she realizes Brianna is shaking and she feels guilty for allowing her to be hurt. Brianna finally fell asleep. Unable to sleep, Lizzie slipped from the bed, opened the shudders, and began to tidy things up. She picks up Brianna's discarded clothing (p701, Nook). She thinks Roger assaulted Brianna. She smelled Brianna's clothing, and it wreaked of a man. As she washed Brianna's clothing with lye soap, the water turns to red. She's sure Roger took Brianna's virginity and thought it by rape.   Oh, the boy has Lizzie got this wrong, but she has so little information to go by it's a logical conclusion. Roger and Brianna fighting is no good thing with separate tasks ahead of them. Where do you think Roger is getting the stone? The seaman had called Roger, MacKenzie. This is the name he is going by in the eighteenth century. It is the name Lizzie knows the dark man by too. Will Brianna tell anyone she's wedded by handfasting? Will she get to Cross Creek and meet Jamie in time? Four sexual encounters in a night, pull and pray or no, could she be with child? Will Roger get the gemstone? Will he return to her? As the last point, I love how Diana wrote the whole scene surrounding their coupling. Roger is a man of honor. He wants all of her forever.   What's Coming up? Chapters 41-42 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook All images are from Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.

Drums of Autumn Chapter 37-39 Week 20 “A Wolf in Captain's Clothing” Summary: Roger learns what being a seaman means. It's tougher and lonelier than he expected. His goodness and love for others cannot be helped. He must do what he must when others are in trouble. His good Samaritan ways are found out. The good Captain shows his teeth. The coin is flipped. Roger lives to see another day. Inside the Chapters: Chapter 37 Gloriana Roger is quickly disabused of the idea his physical health and prowess pose an advantage over the less nourished crew members. By the end of one shift he is exceedingly hungry, bone weary with hands chapped and chaffed, and muscles incredibly sore. The work conditions were hard and difficult though others didn't seem to take much heed of it. On the second day, his size proved to be useful (p630, Nook). Once the cargo was loaded, the passengers came aboard. Many had indenture contracts the Captain would sell once they reached the Colonies. They would be given passage, but only fed if they could pay for it during the voyage. Roger helped passengers board. He was struck by the women layered with all the clothing they owned. The people had all their earthly possessions desperate to find a better life for their children and families across the ocean. He notices one young family of a man, woman, and baby. The woman has something different about her that tells Roger she is a fighter. His pondering is disturbed by the call to get the last of the cargo aboard. After the initial weather departing from Scotland, the weeks passed with a smooth voyage and rhythm. Many of the passengers had been seasick. The smell of vomit comingled with all the other scents aboard the Gloriana. Roger is thankful he was able to acclimate his keen sense of smell quickly. Our 21st-century sensibilities for cleanliness are unlike any other time in history. We're so obsessed that we over clean and disrupt proper good bacterial levels on our skin and surfaces that are there to combat the bad or dangerous bacteria. Just the body odor and bad breath might fell a modern-day person. Though Diana writes it that the travelers all have some form of illness or disease immunity, it's not true. They likely would cause mass illness among everyone they met until their biome changed to something more like those of the period. They would all be veritable plague carriers. He notes his crewmates are leery of him though not hostile. It could be his accent or size that keeps them slightly away from him. With the shipmates at a distance, Roger had plenty of time to think outside of his expected work. The captain is hard but fair and always turns a profit. Roger ignored the reputation of the captain and Gloriana before signing on (p633, Nook). He noticed the invisible barrier that seemed to surround the Captain. Only two crew members directly spoke to him. The other crew members did their best not to be noticed by him. Regardless of the disposition of the Captain, Roger is more interested in the passengers who came up top to the deck only a couple of times per day (p634, Nook). He fondly remembers Mrs. Graham having used dried toad as a treatment for a wart he'd once had. A passenger asks if her children may touch the iron horseshoe. Roger agrees. He knows there is a belief to gain luck and to help heal illnesses or disease. There is a lucky iron fish that heals anemia in parts of the world where iron-rich foods are in short supply. It's an economical and easy way for families in need to get enough iron. Roger thinks the intake of iron would prove more useful than touching the horseshoe. The limited diet offered to the passengers resulted in loose teeth, itching boils, and fever. I expect their immune systems to quite low with the living conditions, stress, lack of fresh foods, and malnourishment. The passengers did not complain about the food and water given; it was enough. Though the crew was fed somewhat better, Roger noticed the impact of vitamin deficiency because of the lack of fresh vegetables was having on his gums. Manning the water line and doling out the provision to passengers, Morag, the young woman he noticed on the quay before she boarded at Inverness came up in line. They discussed the weather before she went to go back below. Another woman prods her to ask for more water rations since she is nursing a baby. Morag was deeply embarrassed by the public nature of the request. With the extra provision in her bucket, she gave him a warm smile in appreciation before going below. When the water line concluded, Roger was sad to see the passengers go. He envies the connectedness they seem to share. He misses Brianna each minute of each day. He chooses the illusion of solitude after eating in the mess hall. He had the second watch, so he inhabits his small hammock inches away from the next seaman. His hammock was near the bulkhead, so he only had one other person to deal with. He reflects on the musical sounds of the ship drowning out everything else while he conjures up Brianna. He thinks of his peace of mind being taken away when she went through the stones. He remains in a state of fear, anger, and betrayal (p638, Nook). He thinks Claire understands the loneliness and made sure Brianna wouldn't be left alone and to be loved well. He tried to love her well. Thinking of her made his body grow uncomfortable in response. His need for her ever-present. He didn't hesitate when he realized she had gone through the stones and he had to follow her (p639, Nook). The rhythmic sounds on the other side of the bulkhead resumed. Whoever the couple was, they had sex nearly every night after everyone else was thought to be asleep. At first, the sounds made him feel isolated because he had no access to such physical or emotional warmth. Eventually, the sounds of tender words or furtive affirmations brought him a sense of not being a voyeur, but as a participant in some way. Not knowing who it was, he liked to think it was the fair-haired man and his wife Morag because of the way they looked at each other. “He would have sold his soul to know such certainty.”     Ah, poor Roger. Having Brianna leave without word or explanation after putting off his proposal brings up his insecurities in their relationship. He is without a doubt risking everything following her. To know he was doing the right thing. To know she would be happy to see him. To know she would accept his love and return love to him. He isn't sure at all, yet he followed her anyway. After the years of being an only child, then losing the Reverend, Roger understood the connection love could bring. He felt that with Brianna. He is a good man. Chapter 38 For Those in Peril on the Sea Roger is utterly exhausted. His muscles quivered heaving the cask of water to the deck. He splashed precious water on his face fearing he wouldn't be able to ladle the water rations without falling in. The boat rocked and pitched in the post-storm seas. The passengers coming to fill their jars and buckets looked worse off than him. The young girl he helped aboard, came to deck skipping and singing without any ill effects from the movement of the boat. She starts a conversation about the storm and the cirein-croin with Roger (p641, Nook). The girl shrieks thinking she sees a sea monster in the water, Roger assures it nothing but a shark like they ate last week. The girl calms down and must leave Roger to do chores as her mother call for her. For the most part, Roger can forget the Gloriana is merely inhabiting the surface of the vast sea that could destroy her in moments if it chose to. He worries that the Phillip Alonso didn't arrive safely. He thinks of the prayer, “for those in peril on the deep, Lord, have mercy.”  It's meaning quite vivid in understanding to Roger now. As he finishes water duty, a mother asks him if the captain would rub his ring on the poor baby's sore eyes. He hesitated because he liked to steer clear of the Captain, but he takes her anyway knowing the captain had offered such a blessing before. He found the Captain in conversation about some spoiled tea and how to salvage the rest. The Captain obliged the request rubbing the gold ring over the baby's eyes. The ring seemed smaller than a men's ring to Roger. Perhaps a woman's ring. It seemed odd to see a love token on such a man's finger.  Dixon, the mate, thinks the baby is ill even though the mother says it's milk fever and nothing of concern. Roger grows concerned over the length of time it might take to get to Wilmington because of the many stops Bonnet would want to make to make the most of selling his cargo. He hopes they would make North Carolina in 8 weeks because they've been making good progress. Roger would disembark at the first stop. Since he wouldn't be taking wages, he thinks not finishing the offload would be a fair trade-off. Roger still had hours to go on his shift, and his exhaustion hadn't waned. He thinks of the cargo, and something about it makes him uneasy. There was something about the smell that reinforced his desire to be off the ship at the earliest opportunity. He was woken out of a deep sleep two nights later by shouting above. Dixon kept him from going up the ladder. Roger wonders if they've been boarded, but Dixon says to stay below because there are passengers with the pox. To the horror of the others, Roger insists on going above to see what is happening. He is immune and cannot become ill, so his curiosity wins out.  He discovers there is no other ship and there is no mutiny. Roger is ordered below, but he stays having had pox as a child. There is the threat of throwing an ill child overboard. A row between the shipman and the mother ensues with Roger grabbing the child. It was the baby from two days earlier who Dixon swore was ill. Someone rammed into Roger causing him to fall as men from below deck came up to join the fight. Sheer confusion and chaos overcame the deck. Finally, after taking an injury, Roger is helped up by some of the crewmen. Roger promptly vomited over the side of the rail. He made his way below, refusing to answer questions, covering his head in his bunk. One of the men spoke to Roger (p648, Nook). The ill were being thrown overboard. Roger couldn't stand knowing this. Roger went down to the hold at his first opportunity. He made up a reason in case anyone asked. He was compelled to look for someone hiding out down there. There was someone there; it was Morag and her baby. Roger has no idea who Morag is, but her husband is a MacKenzie. She is frightened and fearful he's going to kill her baby (p651, Nook). He follows her when the baby starts to cry hungrily. He tells her he will not harm them and wants to know what she's doing down there. The baby has a rash. She's sure it's not the pox but is in terrible fear for his life after the prior event. She stabbed Roger when he reaches for the baby. It was life or death in her mind. They plan for Roger to help her while the baby's rash improves. Roger examines the baby, and he doesn't seem sick, but he does have a rash with pustules on his cheeks. She tells him a few days, and it will pass. He helps her to her feet and asks her age (p654, Nook). Roger has taken on a huge and dangerous responsibility. He cannot help himself, the son of a reverend. He must help people. This is like Brianna taking on Lizzie because of the desperation of the situation. Chapter 39 A Gambling Man It was a foggy morning. It seemed the Gloriana floated rather than sailed through the sunless day. Roger used the fog to his advantage to visit the hold bringing necessaries to Morag.  Diana's description of the fog brings it to life. The baby is red-faced with pustules though not fevered and appears overall healthy. Morag looked too thin, pasty, and worn from the strain. She needed only a couple more days for the child to be completely well. Roger was sure Morag was right. The baby did not have the pox. He returned to the deck unseen. As Roger moved toward the stern, he heard the whoosh of a whale in the water. Someone yelled whale and heard the sound again. Roger wondered how big the whales were. Again, a whale jolted the ship. Cries of fear could be heard. The voice of the Captain rang clear to Roger (p657, Nook). Roger worries Bonnet could have seen his subversive activities. He asks if the whales won't harm the ship. Bonnet doesn't know whether they will or not. He'd seen a ship smashed to bit from an angry whale. Bonnet refuses to worry about such things (p657, Nook). Bonnet is in full command of his ship and everyone on it. His grip tightens on Roger's wrist. Roger breaks free, but he knows he could die right there (p659, Nook). The exchange coolly escalates. Roger waits for a punch to be thrown. Instead, Bonnet pulls a coin from his pocket (p659, Nook). Roger's mind goes sharp and clear. He sizes up how he would move quickly to throw Bonnet overboard. The coin is flipped (p660, Nook). Somehow, he stayed upright and walked with Bonnet. Roger drifts back to his senses realizing Bonnet is telling his life story. The Captain was orphaned in Sligo and worked as a cabin boy on trading ships. During one winter he found work in Inverness digging the foundation of a grand house (p660, Nook). He was not popular with the other workers until it was the day to lay the foundation. Suddenly he was invited to drink with them. He became drunk quickly, and they tossed him over the wall into the cellar (p661, Nook). Bonnet realized they meant to kill him (p662, Nook). Roger felt ill for the telling. Bonnet continued (p662, Nook).  Bonnet survived that day with wages in hand along with the coin. Bonnet found them all one by one and made the men pay for what they did to him. Bonnet asked Roger again if it is a fair chance (p663, Nook). Roger realized he was standing alone. Luck was with him once again. Holy hell poor Roger Mac. He helps someone in need because he cannot help himself. He put his life in jeopardy for being kind. Twice he missed the hand of death. Bonnet is not safe in any regard. He's the most kind of dangerous person. He has his code. He is mercenary and merciless. He's a wolf in Captain's clothing that Bonnet.  What's Coming up? Chapter 40 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook All images are Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.        

Drums of Autumn Chapter 35-36 Week 19 “Not So Hot on Her Trail” Summary: Brianna and the Murrays secure her passage to the Colonies. She shows her big heart and Fraser stubbornness when she insists on taking the contract of a young teenage girl instead of a strapping male to be her servant. She leaves Scotland with sadness and loss for the place and family she has known for such a short time. Roger experiences déjà vu as he walked through Inverness in 1769. He finds Brianna in the passenger books and secures himself passage as a seaman. He'll be on his way to the Colonies the next day. Inside the Chapters: Chapter 35 Bon Voyage At the port of Inverness, the desperate and needy people remind Brianna of puppies at the pound. She wants to help all of them. Young Jamie and Ian Murray are helping secure her passage and encourage her to find someone who can travel with her as a servant to keep her safe and assist her with anything she needs. Of course, she didn't think she needed a servant. That stubborn Fraser bloodline. Though annoyed with the Fraser/Murray menfolk, she is thankful to know her mother is safe in the Colonies with Jamie, her father. He sprang to life for her when she read his letters. Young Jamie tries to get her to choose a manservant. She is not impressed with the pickings on the dock (p608, Nook). Distracted by delicious smelling hot beef pastries, Brianna pushes her way through to buy one. Her height makes quite a stir (p609, Nook). Feeling self-conscious, she retreats to eat. The self-consciousness does not abate with her knowing she lacks undergarments as is the 18th century way. As soon as she bites into the warm bridie, she forgets about everything else (p610, Nook). She notices a slight, fair man looking to get her attention. He is looking for someone to take on his daughter as a servant. He cannot afford to keep her, and a man will ill sexual intent is going to buy her contract. The man is embarrassed by what he's certain will happen to his daughter if he doesn't find someone quickly to secure her contract. A veritable “pound puppy” is wheedling into her heart. She cannot say no even though her Murray relatives are unhappy with her taking on Lizzie Weymss. Clever Brianna has it her way when she has Lizzie eat some of her food. The girl owes her. Brianna presses her advantage over the men (p615, Nook). Young Jamie and Ian reluctantly agree. She too has the Fraser stubbornness (p615, Nook).  Joseph Weymss loved his daughter so much he put her on a ship to the Colonies with a stranger, so she could have a better life even though he might not see her again.  As the ship leaves shore, Brianna is feeling sad about leaving this place and the family she barely knows. Regardless of the newness of knowledge about her paternity and culture, she feels no less grieved than saying goodbye to her mother or losing her father, Frank. Lizzie, on the other hand, was seeming not distressed in the least, though Brianna suspected deeper feeling underneath the veneer. The two shared the arisaid Jenny had given Brianna for warmth.  She knows it will be okay. She has survived all the parting of ways up until now, and she will no doubt survive this. Though she wished she could've stayed longer in Scotland. She would return to Scotland and Roger after she follows through with her plans. She feels the bracelet of silver Roger gave her warmed from her skin. Tears fell silently from Lizzie's eyes. Brianna wiped them away without a word. They stood there still as could be until they could see Scotland no more. Chapter 36 You Can't Go Home Again Inverness, July 1769 Roger walks around Inverness. It is different and the same. He notices the similarities and what's missing, like Reverend Wakefield's church and manse. Where the manse would be built the area is filled with foliage, cinquefoil, sweet broom, and a small rowan sapling. The smell of car fumes was replaced by the distant tang of raw sewage. The churches were missing, but Loch Ness looked much the same. As he walks, he notices Mountgerald a large home at the end of High Street that was built with human sacrifice in the foundation (p619, Nook). He opens the door to a pub with a sense of déjà vu. The name of the pub was different, but it smelled like beer. His first sip was surprising in its strength. He heard the business of a port pub being done around him. He notices a ship's captain interviewing those who wanted to emigrate to the Colonies. He listened unobtrusively to see where the ship was heading and what the different levels of passage entailed and cost. If money were an issue, people would enter indenture as a means to travel. Roger witnesses a family getting sized up for this purpose. Roger leaves the pub and knows he doesn't have enough funds for travel. He was only able to collect a small amount of coin before going through the stones. Roger ponders the ways he could travel to the Colonies. He could work for more passage money. Unfortunately, it could take him a year or more to earn enough. First, he must find her among the passenger lists, so he's sure where she's gone. The harbormaster's office is in the same location it is in the future (p623, Nook). Roger painstakingly goes through the passenger ledgers looking for Brianna Randall. It took more than one slow read through. He wonders about some of the names he sees on the pages. If he didn't find her in the pages, he would head to Lallybroch. Finally, he reaches a name, Brianna Fraser. She was going by Fraser. She had taken the Phillip Alonzo to Charleston, South Carolina on July 4, 1769.  Why South Carolina? No other ships went to North Carolina in July, so she must have picked the closest destination with the plan to travel overland once she arrived. He struggles with surety that it is her, but he presses forward. It was a big enough risk for him to follow her through the stones, and now to board a ship to the Colonies without knowing for certain. He's a driven and brave man. Roger learns there's a ship heading to the Colonies in short order, the Gloriana. Captain Bonnet is the man to see to secure his spot as a seaman. He finds Captain Bonnet in the pub. He gives his name as MacKenzie, thinking he could do what Brianna had done. Roger finds Bonnet to disconcert him. His green eyes penetrated Roger uncomfortably. With position secured, Roger is to report for duty by sundown. Roger sizes up Bonnet as a man who seeks out and takes advantage of any weakness (p628, Nook). Both chapters are building tension, expectation, with the action rising. We are going to see exactly what Roger is made of during his journey. We already are seeing the grit Brianna has within. Imagine Brianna's response to What's Coming up? Chapters 37-39 Drums of Autumn (DOA). How can you participate? Send your comments to contact@adramofoutlander.com or call the listener line at 719-425-9444 by Friday of each week. If you're reading ahead, you can leave comments for any part of the book too. Comments or messages may be included in the podcast or a written post. The Outlander book series is written by Diana Gabaldon. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook All images are Wiki Commons. Click on picture for attribution link. Follow A Dram of Outlander Thank you for sharing posts, joining the discussions, and following this website or pages listed below! Facebook,  Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+ To financially support the podcast, go to my Patreon page. Call 719-425-9444 listener/reader line to leave your comments.