Outlander Review: Savages (Season 4 Episode 5)
Despite what the episode’s title might suggest, Outlander Season 4 Episode 5, “Savages,” is not referring to the Native Americans introduced on the last installment.
No, the true savage on this episode is the man who fears what is not his will be taken from him — and wow if Outlander isn’t downright savage in its depiction of the ignorant American settler.
Not only does this episode clarify the harsh reality that the rest of America still does not welcome Native Americans on their stolen land, but it is also brimming with joyful reunions and impending war.
Outlander operates in this weird void between time travel shows like Timeless and historical shows like Downton Abbey — yet not once does the show stray from this grey area it has built for itself and that is impressive.
Claire can go through the stones to reunite with her true love and Brianna can go back in time to save her parents. Yet despite the impossible happening to call Outlander unrealistic seems bizarre with all the work that goes into accurately portraying its history.
While myth can only have a small hand in the plot, this show has a beautiful way of continuously reminding the viewer that we can never be too sure everything in the world is linear and sensible.
On this newest installment, that reminder comes in the form of healer Adawehi telling Claire that her daughter is here but never once indicating that she means in Claire’s heart. The exchange between the healer and Claire suggests this woman might sense Brianna’s presence, but the moment is just vague enough to be suggestive and nothing else.
Even Jaime’s dream hinders on the impossible, yet never fully crosses that line into the absurd.
These clever little reminders are handled with such delicately they only amplify the unique situation Outlander has created for these characters, rather than overpower their sensibility in moments where reality needs to be tangible.
Honestly, I hope this show never stops finding little ways to stand out like this.
Not that the historical aspect of this show needs any accompaniment as it faces America’s ignorance through the eyes of open-minded Claire.
Her time spent with Adawehi at the beginning of the episode is warming and fascinating as the two women learn to communicate in each other’s languages.
That moment, unfortunately, gives Adawehi’s character enough emotional leverage over the audience to kill her off in an emotional reveal at the end of the episode.
Despite wanting to spend more time with the native healer as we get to know the Cherokee Warriors, one has to understand that she is the only character whose sacrifice would illuminate the savagery of the settlers who have invaded the Native Americans’ land.
Now, let’s talk about that shocking reunion, shall we?
Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser is back people and he is as fine as ever!
When Outlander made the choice to stray from its source material and spare Murtagh’s life at Culloden, most fans were not angry in the slightest. After all, it meant more time spent with the only man that loves Jamie as much as Claire and now we finally get to see how this new storyline for the character will play out.
Of course, no one expected Murtagh to reunite with Jamie in a smithy. The moment between the two men is just as heartwarming as one could hope for and makes me clutch my chest with glee just thinking about it.
The pure joy Jamie has when he shares with Murtagh that he reunited with Claire pales in comparison to the joy Murtagh has when he finds out. You don’t realize how much you missed these two together until they find their way back to each other and you never want them to split up again.
Getting to see Jamie talk to his beloved godfather about Brianna living in 1971 and time travel with a huge smile planted on his face is enough to make all this waiting and changes to the book material worth the hassle.
I hate to say it but as much as Jamie and Murtagh reuniting is a breath of fresh air for viewers, Murtagh’s reunion with Claire is the real tear-jerker here.
You almost forget just how close these two grew on the road when Jamie was taken by the redcoats. That is until Murtagh sneaks up behind Claire whistling to the tune of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and our hearts completely melt at the sentiment of his song and dance. It is a direct reference to their little roadshow and a nice throwback to Season 1.
Murtagh is back and the OG Scottish gang has reunited — hopefully for good this time! But as a war approaches and Jamie finds himself fighting on the opposite side as his godfather, one can’t help but be wary.
Murtagh’s return isn’t the only sentimental moment for Outlander on “Savages.”
Roger goes to Inverness in hopes of catching Brianna before she can travel through the stones and in return we are treated to even more Season 1 vibes as he walks the same cobblestone streets that Frank and Claire first walked during their honeymoon.
It’s just another reminder of how beautiful and iconic these Scotland sets were in the beginning — and how much we’ve come to miss them.
And Brianna finally travels through the stones to save her parents, which plays further into the Season 1 sentiments while promising for some action-packed moments to come as she finds her way back to them.
“Savages,” has shocking deaths, loving reunions, and enough riveting action to have us wanting the next episode as soon as possible.
But we would be lying if we said our eagerness didn’t have something to do with the promise of more silver-haired Murtagh.
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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Alicia Gilstorf
Alicia is a writer from Canada. She credits her passion for TV and film to superheroes, workplace comedies, cheesy holiday movies, and coming-of-age stories. Keep a lookout for her coverage of Ghosts.