The next installment of Outlander season 7, part 2, starts with a bang and is the most action-packed addition to the season yet. After leaving off on the cliffhanger that Jamie didn’t perish on his ship heading back from Europe to America, he and Claire hardly get a moment to celebrate before he’s already on the run from the Red Coats. Of course, that’s not the only bombshell that was dropped in the first three episodes of Outlander season 7, part 2, as William now knows that Jamie is his father, and he doesn’t handle the news well.
Fans of Jamie will enjoy episode 12, “Carnal Knowledge,” as Sam Heughan takes center stage in the story. This is easily the best-paced installment of season 7 so far, as it focuses solely on the events of the Revolutionary War in Philadelphia, leaving Roger’s plotline out for an episode. While it’ll be interesting to catch up with Roger in the coming episodes, Outlander is at its best when the show’s attention isn’t divided, allowing it to focus on the most important storylines. Claire, Jamie, Lord John, and William take center stage, with Rachel and Ian making an appearance.
Jamie’s Return Marks The Turning Point Of Outlander Season 7, Part 2
His Short Absence Helped Set Up The Conflict & Now The Series Can Focus On His Character
It’s clearer than ever that the first three episodes of part 1 were primarily set up for the rest of the story. In episode 12, the series finally gets to dip into the meat of the conflict. Everyone is on their worst behavior in episode 12, making for high stakes and drama that keeps us on their toes. While violence and aggression don’t equal compelling television, Outlander strikes a good balance throughout the narrative, allowing the characters to put propriety aside and act with their feelings. As the war heats up, personal issues prove just as explosive.
While the point of the series isn’t sex, as the episode title, “Carnal Knowledge,” signifies, we do get a taste of the old Outlander in the episode, with more than one intimate scene. When words can’t do the trick and feelings are too big to grapple with, the characters take comfort in each other, with the war waging in the background. But accusations of treason, spying, and responsibility are brought up throughout the episode, and it’s clear that the characters are going to have to decide what side they’re on very soon.
It seems that Outlander is teeing the characters up for another faceoff in battle, as Jamie would never turn his back on the revolution.
Though we, Jamie, and Claire know how the war is going to play out, Lord John and William have no idea they’re on the wrong side. William has one of the most intense arcs of the episode, as finding out his parentage has thrown his entire identity into turmoil. His sense of honor and self are scattered and he behaves accordingly. There’s clearly no love lost between him and Jamie at this time, and it seems that Outlander is teeing the characters up for another face-off in battle, as Jamie would never turn his back on the revolution.
By the end of the episode, we get the Jamie and Claire scene we’ve been waiting for, and it has a decent payoff, with impassioned speeches and tender moments alike. Ian and Rachel still appear to be on track to take the place of Jamie and Claire as the young couple in love, but it will be a hard journey to find someone to marry them within Rachel’s faith. However, once they’re together, there’s no question that Outlander will provide the romantic scenes that define the early seasons of the show.
“Carnal Knowledge” Has The Most Action Of The Season So Far
Outlander Still Has Many Stories Left Unfinished, But It’s Heading In The Right Direction
Though “Carnal Knowledge” still takes its time setting up the coming plot points of the season, it’s a refreshing change to see so much action and intensity in the series. Additionally, this installment sees some of the most character development of the season, particularly in William and Lord John. The two men and their complicated relationships with Jamie and their country’s cause are stirring inside them, and each of them could be turned to fight for or against our heroes. Fortunately, at this point in the series, there’s nothing that could shake the bond between Claire and Jamie.
One of the most exciting moments to expect from the rest of the season is when Jamie and William finally have it out and discuss what their father-son relationship means to them. Now that William is breaking down the strict rules and regulations he put upon himself, he’s opening up to the parts of himself he got from Jamie, which could make him a compelling fighter and potential romantic lead. Outlander is drawing us deeper into the narrative with every episode, and the Starz series is only getting better.