'Outlander' Recap 7.13: One Wedding, Two Reunions & Jamie and Claire Prepare for War, Again
Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for Outlander Season 7, Episode 13, “Hello, Goodbye.”
The Frasers are due for some happiness, a little break from their achy breaky heart ache. With Jamie back from the dead, Lord John almost dead, Roger and Buck roaming in time looking for a son and a dad, Brianna looking for her son, and imprisoning a man, William raging somewhere thinking about who his real Dad is, wondering where his fake Dad is, there’s a lot going on. Jamie and Claire (Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe) are reunited and have maybe worked through the whole, “I slept with your best friend when you were dead for a day” oopsie. But one other couple, Young Ian (John Bell) and Rachel (Izzy Meikle-Small), are done for one episode with the trauma and instead get to enjoy a little happiness. What’s that you say? Joy.
This episode brings together Jamie, Claire and their extended fam for the wedding of their nephew Ian and Rachel. It’s a good time that will have you Quaking in your boots. In a good way. But as we know, Outlander will not allow complete joy, so while Ian and Rachel are being Qute in the past, Brianna (Sophie Skelton) is fighting Rob Cameron terror in the future looking for her missing son. While last episode ended with Jamie and Claire “having dinner,” and Lord John running for his life, this episode has plenty happening in the past and the future. Here are the highlights, strap in. Spoiler: Claire and Jamie are the best wedding guests you could invite to your wedding.
Roger and Buck get closer to finding something but not sure what
Okay, Roger’s detective skills just sent shudders down my spine! At first, I thought he had discovered the stones and the link between the dam and Jem, but he instead was thinking of his father. Again, Roger remember your son is missing bro.
The Slap Queen is Back!
Brianna enters the place she’s keeping her hostage, a tied-up Rob Cameron, who makes the mistake of saying, “You f-ing b-tch.” Language, sir. Then Brianna goes all Claire Fraser and threatens to kill him. Like how a sword-wielding Claire threatened to kill those body snatchers who were about to kill Jamie.
So, Brianna slaps Rob Cameron across the face. That’s right, the Slap Queen who we haven’t seen since season 4, when she slapped Ian and Jamie in their cabin, is back and she’s better than ever. Now usually, we don’t condone violence or excessive slapping. But this man deserves all the slaps. “Where is my son?” Brianna spits at Rob, who is tied up btw! He’s not really in a position to be swearing and making threats against Brianna. He refuses to help. Brianna kicks Rob in the face before shutting the door. “Slap cabin” Brianna is back and this time it’s warranted.
Mandy looks on and Bree realizes she might have heard or known she has a man trapped in the cellar! Ruh roh. Brianna realizes the phone is dead. Damn it, Rob Cameron. Then she looks at Jem’s toy plane, then at Mandy and says, “Can you feel Jem now?” Ooh, sibling link up? They jump into the car!
Jem is alive
Jem starts calling, “Mama, Da, anybody? Help! Help!” He’s in the wet tunnel! Uh oh. This episode is scary! Rob Cameron is trash. Who leaves a kid in a dark tunnel? Oh, the guy who did the same thing to his mother. Remember Rob trapped Brianna in the tunnel, as a hazing when she first became his boss. Trash.
Jamie, Ian and The Virgin Sex Talk
Ian looks at Rollo and says, “Sorry, you’re so old,” basically. Actually, he notes Rollo is not as young as he once was. Jamie says, “None of us are.” Ian tells Jamie he built a cairn for him. (When he thought Jamie was kaput). Jamie says he’s glad he came back from the dead to attend his nephew’s wedding. Ian looks sad about his dad, Jamie reminds him his parents wanted him to be here with Rachel. Ian says I hope Denzell makes it. Ooh, me too, love Denny.
Then Ian tells Jamie he’s nervous about his wedding night because it will be Rachel’s first time. “Your Aunty Claire had been married before she wed me, so I was the virgin on our wedding night. I was given a great deal of advice beforehand, from Dougal, Robert and Angus.” …” Um, I love this scene. So much. Jamie’s face when he was thinking back, perfect. Hilarious expression on Heughan’s face. Ian asks if any of their advice was good? Jamie says, “God, no.” I think we all recall this terrible advice from season 1, “The Wedding,” episode. In fact, one of them told Jamie, “Women don’t enjoy it.” Murtagh, maybe? Which says more about Murtagh than women! Sorry RIP Murtagh, didn’t mean to insult you about how you were in bed when you’re dead.
Jamie tells Ian to be gentle and says, “The only useful thing was what my wife told me on the night, ‘Go slowly, pay attention.’” This is why Jamie and Claire Fraser are legends. That man, who was just 23 years old, only remembers what his wife said to him that night. Again, Claire’s the coolest wife, and a very effective sex coach.
Ian asked “Was she gentle with you?” And Jamie says, “God, no.” This we know, see wedding episode. (As if you don’t already have it memorized).
Bride to Be
Claire helps Rachel get dressed and Mercy Woodcock is there. Love this girl gang. Claire and Rachel’s mother-daughter vibe is great. Meikle-Small fits seamlessly with the cast, that you forget Rachel only was introduced this season. Balfe and Meikle-Small’s dynamic fills a gap that Brianna’s absence in this time has left. Twitter fan Pam wrote, “Crying over this parallel of Claire helping all her girls get ready for their weddings.”
Claire tells Mercy, Jamie and Ian have to go to war, so they will have to leave shortly after. But do they really have to go to war? Rachel asks Claire if it gets any easier “watching the man you love” go to war, and Claire says, “No, but you do learn to live with it.” Then she says this great quote, “Love becomes a shield, your armor. You wake up every day and then you fight too.”
But seriously, Jamie and Claire, stop with the war already.
Claire drops some more mom marriage wisdom on Rachel. “A marriage is made not in ritual, nor in words, but in the living of it. Every day. Whether you are together or apart.”
Listen to Claire about marriage and sex. Lesson learned. Wait, why didn’t Rachel and Claire have the sex talk? Rachel you really missed out!
Denzell and Jamie
Denzell arrives! Phew. He made it for his sister’s wedding. Henry comes in carrying a chair, and Denzell questions whether he should be carrying a chair in his condition. Henry says, “Mistress Fraser says I must.” And Denny is all, “I would not argue with her.” Denzell is a Claire Fraser fan first. And so is Henry. Mainly because Claire poked into his large intestine and pulled out a musket ball. You’re kind of bound to someone after that.
Denzell asks Jamie if Lord John is back and Jamie looks super guilty and says, “No.” and Denzell looks freaked out, Jamie says, “You’ve seen him?!”
Denny says John was in bad shape and Jamie says, “Last I saw him we had words.” Actually, you had punches. Lord John said two words and then you punched him a lot. Now, his two words were “carnal” and “knowledge” about your wife. So, I get the punching a little bit. But like John Grey is tiny man. You’re a giant, James Fraser. Denzell is all, “I know bro, unhinged zero f-cks to give LJ told me what happened.” Then Denzell tells Jamie Lord John was about to be hung. Jamie looks shocked but also maybe doesn’t hate the idea. He’s still not over it. Let it go man. Wait ‘til Claire finds out. You in trouble James. Jamie says, “John can take care of himself.” But he looks freaked out. I think because of Claire factor.
Ian and Rachel’s Wedding
Aunty Claire and Uncle Jamie look adorable as the stand in proud parents. This photo below was this pic was released early and always looked like a BTS photo because Balfe and Heughan are smiling so much. But that’s actually how happy Claire and Jamie were. (Or how much Balfe and Heughan were trying not to laugh). Both can be true.
Ian is nervous. Denzell walks Rachel in. I love this wedding, it’s low key, and Mercy Woodcock is there! I love that character. So is Mrs Fig, and of course, Rollo. Rollo yawns, he’s bored!
Rachel announces that they should all listen to each other. Everyone closes their eyes and prays, except Claire who looks at Jamie then she closes her eyes. That’s me in church, Claire is me, I am Claire. Wow, they keep their eyes closed a long time and Claire whispers to Jamie, “How will they know when it’s the right moment to speak?” Claire at any religious event is funny. Also, if she thinks she’s whispering, she’s really not. This is a great scene. Rewind it and watch it again, because it’s all you’ll need.
Jamie replies, “They wait to be moved by the spirit.” Claire says, “I know that, but what if the spirit doesn’t move them?” These two are hilarious comedians, invite them to your wedding. Pause Heughan’s expression after she says this line. It’s similar to Jamie’s face thinking back on all the bad pre-wedding sex advice Jamie got. Jamie and Claire’s inability to keep a straight face whilst waiting for the spirit cannot be matched!
Denzell calls out Jamie and Claire, tells them there’s no need to whisper, and says, “The spirit has moved you speak!” Claire and Jamie look like they just got talking in class! So, Jamie gets up and gives a sweet speech about young Ian and holding him as a baby and ends with, “I’m proud to be your uncle.”
Next up is Denzell. He gives what can only be described as the worst wedding speech maybe ever. Sidenote: Denzell and Rachel say thee a lot.
Denzell says he blamed himself for bringing Rachel into a life of war and violence. Then puts his foot in his mouth and accidentally insults Ian. Jamie wants to take responsibility but Claire says, “Don’t let the spirit move you, stay out of it!” Actual comedians.
Denzell recovers well and says he sees that her following him into war made her find Ian and love. Claire holds Jamie’s hand and Mercy looks longingly at Henry. Aw, Greycock. Did we decide on that couple name? Or am I alone?
“It is true that I’ve known darkness, but Rachel, you’ve given me light.” This is very reminiscent of Jamie seeing Claire for the first time on their wedding day and saying, “It was like the sun coming out on a cloudy day,” Please let Claire and Jamie reminisce about their wedding, mid-wedding as they love to do. Give us the flashback, Outlander! We love it. Or a one-hour documentary just showing Claire and Jamie waiting for the spirit to move.
Ian and Rachel say their vows, it seems the spirit moved both of them! Claire is relieved! Aww, Claire is crying! Jamie kisses Claire’s hand. He has tears in his eyes too, I’m crying as well. But this is a good Outlander wedding. Mercy Woodcock is happy too. If Mercy is happy, I am. Perfect mix of love and humor and Denny’s terrible speech. I’d invite him to speak at my wedding. I like chaos.
Outlander fan Sarah said on BlueSky, “By far, the best part of was Jamie and Claire whispering during the wedding like naughty children at mass. “If the Spirit moves you to. Personally, I’d advise you and the Spirit to stay out of it. Oh, how I’ve missed the humor!” Nádia on BlueSky also wrote, “They’re like school kids caught by their teacher talking during class.” Pam also captured Jamie and Claire watching each of their children’s weddings in this photo.
Jem and the tunnel
Oh gosh, we’re back to Jem and his tunnel terror. He says to himself, “On your feet soldier as granny would say!” What kind of stories was Claire telling him! How did this tiny man know that?!
Jem then remembers his mom telling him when she got locked in there, by Rob Cameron, too! That freaking guy. Slap him again, Brianna! Jemmy turns the light on in the tunnel and navigates his way through remembering what his mother said. Jem’s memory is exceptional.
In the car, Brianna asks Mandy, “Hot or cold? Do you feel Jemmy now?” And then they drive closer to where Mandy says he is. I really hope she’s a reliable GPS. Roger and Buck make their way to the same place, in a different time. Jem goes right in the tunnel and grabs his ears.
Rogers and Buck find the buzzing stones. Roger finds his father’s airplane goggles, and other keepsakes. He screams Jeremiah! Is he looking for his Dad or Jem? Jem walks into the tunnels. And he hears Roger! Jemmy screams, “Da!!” Roger says, “Is that a boy?” He sees a tiny man in the distance.
And Mandy tells Brianna, “He’s gone!” Omg. Oh my good God. I am so stressed. What is happening! Did Jem time travel?!
Then Brianna sees a sign where Rob trapped her and turns her car in that direction. Mandy says, “Hot! Really hot!” And then Brianna almost hits Jemmy with her car. Phew he didn’t time travel.
Roger chases the boy, and then Brianna hugs Jemmy. Roger and Buck catch the running boy. And Buck’s like, “Why you running?” And the boy says, “Because you were chasing me!” Fair point, agree with him. Imagine two random men chasing you through the woods. Now we see yet again why women pick the bear. Roger asks why he has his father’s helmet. Long story, short, the boy tells Roger he saw his father run into the woods.
Ian and Rachel’s wedding night
Hello! It’s sexy time for Ian and Rachel. They’re adorable and compliment each other’s cute bums. Ian really takes his Aunty Claire’s advice and goes slow, this is a long scene! Is she going to take her hair down? It seems uncomfortable to have a bun. Oh, she does. They have a cute, awkward teeth incident with Rachel using her teeth too much. Eek. Then they do the deed. Not bad. But I will just add, often on Outlander, they want all the junior couples to sort of mimic Jamie and Claire. And there’s no need for that. It’s impossible to match couples to another couple’s glory. Let Ian and Rachel live their own love story. They stand much stronger that way. They’re a good couple, so let them find their own way.
Jamie and Claire
Jamie and Claire are in bed. A very small bed I might add, for these two sexy giants. Claire says, “Are you thinking about John?” Jamie replies, “What’s become of him, and what you did with him in this room.” Uh oh. Claire says, “Jamie.” He tells her he can’t sleep there. Claire says, “If you don’t hold it against me, you can’t hold it against him.” Jamie disagrees, but says he doesn’t wish him dead. And then he says he feels guilty about John almost being hanged because of him, and also about William. He feels he failed William. Claire assures him William will come to understand why they kept it from him. Jamie says, “How can you be sure?? She says, “Because I see so much of you in him, and you would understand.” The way Claire loves William and always reminds Jamie that William is basically him is the best. I’m so glad she’s Willie’s double stepmom. Who slept with both his dads. Okay, that part I could have done without.
Jamie kisses Claire and says, “Room be damned!” They kiss. Good, he’s getting over it. Wait, this scene is entirely too short. I’m not saying we need to see them “damning the room” if you catch my drift. But just longer scenes with them. He was like dead for a few months, they have a lot they need to catch up on. Gossip, working through the John thing, etc. That should warrant more than a 3 minute scene.
Lord John Lives to Lord Another Day!
Lord John is found by soldiers. He says he was captured and gives them a fake name. Smart. He still has that eye patch and looks like he really needs a shower. And a doctor, preferably his one-day wife.
Back at the Lallybroch, the police roll in with Brianna’s car. Good get Rob. I bet he’s gone! Argh. Jem blames himself for Roger going through stones. The police call out to Rob, he’s def not in there. Yup. He’s gone.
Brianna tells the cops someone obviously is helping him. The cops question Brianna about where her husband is. Then they accuse her of having an affair with Rob! Brianna, end these cops. She gets mad, and the male cop says, “No need to be hysterical, Mrs. Mackenzie,” Bree’s self-control against that male cop is amazing.
Roger and Buck back in the woods
Buck tells Roger he never knew his biological mother and father, and Roger says “Is that right? That’s totally new information to me!” I need Roger’s inside voice to come back. Also, I really like Roger’s outfit.
They suddenly see Roger’s father, who gets scared and starts to run. He says, “Who are you?” Roger says we are here to help. Roger proves he’s a time traveler too, this is making me tear up a little. Aww, a little Rog reunion. Is he going to tell him?! “Dad, I’m your son from the future!” Nope. Instead, Roger tells his dad he’s looking for his son. His father tells him he has a son too. He says I need to get him, and Roger says he’ll be ok. This is sweet.
Wait, actually this is confusing, is this going to upset time? Before they go any further- dogs start chasing them, so they start running! His dad falls, they must carry him. Buck grabs his heart.
Roger sends his dad back through the stones, and says to say hi to his wife. He says “How do you know my wife’s name? He doesn’t tell him who he is, but he sends him back to the future! What just happened? And hello, Jem? Your son, find him?
The New Mr. and Mrs. Ian Fraser Murray
“Good morning, husband.” Rachel says to her new hubs. “Good morning wife,” Ian replies. And then they do it again. What Denny said at wedding has clearly affected Ian. He says he doesn’t want to pull Rachel into the violence of war, then tells her he won’t kill anyone unless he has to. Like war is bad. Don’t go. They do it again, she’s going to get pregnant fast.
Jamie models his hot new war outfit for Claire
Jamie comes dressed in some new attraction royal blue war shmar outfit and he looks good. Fine, Claire agrees that blue really brings out his eyes. But still war! Jamie says, “You’ve seen enough war for two lifetimes, sorry to drag you back into this.”
“Bloody men!” Claire says about Jamie and Denzell worrying about dragging her and Rachel into war. She tells him they’re not dragging them anywhere. Claire says, “If given the choice, sleep next to you on an army cot every night for the rest of my life, or in a real bed without you, I choose you. Always.” Claire is really dropping so many quotable bangers this episode. That might be my favorite. Swoon. They kiss. And she says, “At least this time it’s the right color,” about his outfit. Bluesky fan Annmarie captured one of her favorite moments of the episode.
Brianna’s packing and not for a trip
As a van pulls up, Brianna tells the kids they’ll stay with Aunt Fiona and Uncle Ernie. Then Brianna says she’s going to meet the locksmith at Lallybroch by herself! No, Brianna you need backup! She says he has a gun. No, Brianna. You can’t be your own back up! Brianna tells Fiona, who also doesn’t want her to go alone, that she’s concerned Roger will not come home without their son.
Roger tells Buck he doesn’t think his father ever made it back. He only has one quick memory of him. Buck is like we’re both here, everything has already happened. Buck tells him not to put much stock in memory. Good point, Bucky. I really like Buck, sure he had Roger hung and that wasn’t cool. But he seems like a nice guy to roam aimlessly around in time with. I hope his heart doesn’t kill him. Eek. So, where did Roger’s dad go?
Rogers realizes he thought of his dad before they touched the stones. He says we have to go back, maybe Jem isn’t here. Yes, great Roger, head back, but Sir Bucks-a lot, Buckity Buck won’t make it, his heart can’t take it.
Overall, this episode had some real strengths, one being the joy of the wedding. 10 out of 10 for that. The pacing and the allotment of scenes seemed a bit off overall. I liked the tension of Brianna dealing with Rob and looking for Jem, but Roger and Buck’s search seemed a little aimless. Perhaps, the Roger’s dad of it all will be explained, but so far the threads aren’t being woven together. Brianna’s scenes are too short as well as seem like filler scenes compared to the length of Roger and Buck’s.
The weakest part of the episode is probably the brevity of Jamie and Claire’s scenes. The reason the audience craves more Jamie and Claire substantial scenes is because time is limited in how many episodes are left of this show. And, most importantly, they are the reason people fell in love with the show. At this point, they should have prominence in all remaining episodes, and be the thread that is woven through. Instead of being relegated to the background, or quick bites in between B and C stories. There are only 13 episodes of Outlander left. Ever. Let’s make it count. Give the audience what they fell in love with, and why they’ve stuck around for 11 years. There’s always time for that.
Catch up with what Balfe, Heughan and the Outlander cast had to say about season 7 and each other in The Outlander Issue cover story, as well as the cast’s exclusive photoshoot and video interviews.
Before you go, click here to see all the best Outlander quotes that’ll make you believe in love.