The 10th episode of the British romantic time-travel drama TV series “Outlander” aired on Starz on June 11 and it turned out to be the favorite episode of actor Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser on the popular show.
His reason is quite legit because the episode entitled “Prestonpans” saw the hero in Jamie finally coming out of the shadows of his psychologically scarred and physically beaten self, notes Variety.
In a recent interview, Heughan confirmed that Jamie was really hiding behind his persona who has struggled mightily with the duplicity required to carry out his mission of changing history.
But the return of Jamie and Claire Fraser, played by Caitriona Balfe, from Paris to Scotland has re-energized the change in the attitude and zest of Jamie.
Every fan of “Outlander” knows for a fact that the psychological anxiety of Jamie emanated from his rape at the hands of Black Jack Randall, deliciously portrayed by Tobias Menzies, in Season 1.
However, it was also his recent encounter with the perverted fellow in Season 2 which allowed Jamie to find peace and regain his confidence. So much so that comes the 10th episode, Jamie has become the leader of men that he was supposed to be.
Foreboding of imminent bloodshed
Jamie already has the loyalty of his men as well as the trust of Bonnie Prince Charlie but as the Jacobites come closer towards the historic catastrophe that awaits them at Culloden, the situation becomes more desperate, as if foreboding an imminent danger or bloodshed.
He and his men were victorious in the battle against the British at Prestonpans but it came with a dear price. They lost many men including Angus and Kincaid. Towards the end, Dougal MacKenzie, played by Graham McTavish, was forced out of the main army after an unfortunately timed outburst in the presence of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, played by Andrew Gower, details Access Hollywood.
Earlier, Dougal rode across the marsh to test out the ground and determine whether it was okay for a Highlander assault. He was fired upon while approaching the Redcoats sustaining a cut to the head.
He made it back to the Highlander camp with the news that the marsh was not good enough for the proposed attack and he was greeted with a hero’s welcome and hug from the Prince.
Commending a great actor
In a recent interview, Graham McTavish was all praises for Andrew Gower because the actor physically created the Prince.
In particular, he cited the scene where his character Dougal MacKenzie rode down into the teeth of the guns of the enemy to test the ground and he comes back being embraced by the Prince.
Graham said that they did not rehearse the scene but Andrew just grabbed him at the moment which is why he got a genuinely strong reaction from him.
While the hug obviously caught Dougal off guard, Andrew explained that it was the perfect move for the sensitive Prince Charles.
Gower said that one of the conscious things he did from the beginning was to make his character incredibly tactile which is why his acting comes from the heart.
He also said that watching Dougal on the battlefield testing the range of the Redcoats’ weapons was a thrill for Prince Charles. Gower said that the Prince loves to battle and he does want to be on the front line because he sees himself as a fighter, though he is slightly deluded in that sense.
Meanwhile, three episodes back, “Outlander” gave viewers a rather traumatic watching experience worst than the rape of Jamie Fraser by Black Jack Randall during the Season 1 penultimate episode.
The episode featured the rape of the young boy Fergus Fraser, played by French kid Romann Berrux, by Jack Randall once again, highlighting yet again the despicable cruelty of the Englishman.