Outlander Review: Do No Harm (Season 4 Episode 2)

Outlander Season 4 Episode 2, “Do No Harm,” is one of these peculiar episodes where the storytelling is great but the subject matter of the story can’t help but cause negative feelings to ensue.

There comes a point where you have to separate your distaste towards the topic at hand from your feelings for the episode itself. That can be difficult to do, especially when you have an episode such as “Do No Harm,” that is attempting to be deliberately polarizing.

Coming away from this newest installment feeling irritated and uncomfortable is essentially what episodes like this strive for.

When it comes to portraying slavery in a time where owning people as property wasn’t just accepted it was expected by society, there is no enjoyable way to attack the topic and unfortunately, there is no enjoyable way to watch it either.

“Do No Harm,” is not meant to be enjoyable, nor is it necessarily meant to be entertaining.

In a show where each time period poses difficult subject matter to address, Outlander is at its best when it is tackling these issues with historical accuracy and topical poignancy — which is especially true for this episode.

Claire’s boldness in her distaste towards owning slaves provides Jamie’s aunt Jocasta with a great introduction as she dives right into the subject with Jamie and his wife as a plantation owner.

The conversations that take place within this episode are topical and fascinating. Yet not nearly as fascinating as Jocasta’s friendly relationship with her slaves, which despite still being unethical is considered progressive for her time — just not Claire’s time, unfortunately.

Even after all this time, Outlander is happy to remind it’s audience of the time traveling factor and how it is the most fascinating aspect of this story even if it is not always present.

However, sometimes other topics such as the one covered in length during this episode can overwhelm the present plot and take the episode in another direction that, while important in its message, is not necessarily so important to Claire and Jamie’s current journey.

Slavery is not a foreign topic for Outlander. The topic has been dealt with in small and powerful moments throughout all four seasons, becoming an underlining thread in the overall plot much like in history itself.

But considering the prominence of slavery throughout the series, is it necessary to try and shove the entirety of the matter into one episode?

With the premiere of this season acting as a rebirth of sorts for the show in a new world with new rules, discretions are to be expected between the Frasers and the traditions of the American people.

So yes, an episode centered around the harsh laws and philosophies surrounding slavery seems like a good idea given America’s history and the theme of this show. But the timing of the episode is far too close to the premiere.

The earlier episodes should spend more time developing these new characters, and yet we only scratch the surface of who Aunt Jocasta is and what role she will play in the upcoming season.

Sadly not much time is spent with Jamie and Claire together either, something we desperately need after the events of Season 3. Now would be the best time for them to have their honeymoon moments before the momentum of this season picks up and their romance is inevitably pushed to the side.

A standout moment for the couple comes at the end of the episode when Jamie convinces Claire to ease Rufus’ pain.

The scene is such a genuinely human moment for the two and appreciated when there is a literal mob of vicious townspeople outside their window ready to attack.

I never get tired of seeing how loyal Jamie is standing by his wife regardless of the situation. I just wish we could have seen more of these two together to take the edge off such a heavy premise.

That being said what truly stands out in this episode are the costumes and sets.

This could be said about every Outlander episode, but the outfits in the premiere are grittier and surrounded by the gloom of a hanging. “Do No Harm,” provides a southern wardrobe with plenty of lace and bright fabrics to appease the eyes.

I’m starting to think Claire’s little black dress is actually a gorgeous red gown after seeing her in another beautiful red number similar to the one she wore in Paris.

The vibrant shades of each character’s wardrobe stand out brilliantly in contrast to the bright white pillars and siding of this traditional and grand southern architecture that I just can’t get enough of seeing.

“Do No Harm,” takes a daring approach to this new season by focusing on the heavy topic of slavery and in doing so exceeds in every way but one. 

In putting so much emphasis on problems within the plantation, focus on the primary story that began developing in the premiere is unfortunately shoved off to the side.

Regardless, Outlander still delivers an exceptional second episode worth praising for its harshness and historically accurate take on slavery — even if the episode loses its way a little in the process.

What did you think of this episode of Outlander? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Outlander airs Sundays at 8 E/P on Starz.

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