Outlander Review: Wilmington (Season 4 Episode 8)

Despite the festive time of year Outlander Season 4 Episode 8, “Wilmington,” is here to deliver an installment that laughs in the face of cheer and happily deals our loving Frasers a bad hand — but in no way does all this doom and gloom feel like a stocking full of coal.

No, this episode is at the best of times a thrilling game of wit and high stakes that aims to leave no stone unturned in this new world.

With Outlander nearing the end of its fourth season, “Wilmington,” is the thrilling, fast-paced, and well-developed episode one can only hope to see from the show this late in the game. It sends a strong message that there is tension building all around these characters that could break at any moment — and don’t worry, it will.

Yet, despite how wonderful this episode can be there are just some flaws that can’t be overlooked in the grand scheme of things.

“Wilmington,” gives viewers one thing we will never get tired of seeing — Claire completely shattering the glass ceiling to save a man’s life.

Claire has been very vocal about her progressive opinions this season, especially when it comes to suppressing people of minorities. But every once in a while Outlander throws in a reminder that Claire is still a minority as a woman and it is usually followed by Claire telling someone where to shove it.

I particularly love her way of dealing with oppression in this episode.

There is something so mesmerizing and exciting about seeing a woman yell over a man saying she cannot operate because she is not a surgeon for someone to fetch her a needle and thread.

Claire completely shuts out the men around her and goes to work, proving why these type of topical scenes are still so entertaining regardless of how many times we have to see a man belittle Claire’s healing abilities while she’s out here keeping everyone alive.

Seeing Governor Tryon take back his negative opinion of Claire’s boldness and acknowledge her competence as a doctor is a nice touch to the entire scene.

Are moments like this necessary to a historical plot when George Washington himself is standing in the same room? No, but they are awesome none the less.

Unfortunately, Claire’s strong demonstration of her value makes the moments that come next with Roger and Brianna seem completely out of place.

Brianna and Roger have quite a large part in this newest installment as they find each other again, handfast, hookup, and split up all within the short span of a few hours. However, not everything about their blooming relationship is as easy to enjoy.

While there is this initial joy to see the two finally rekindle their love, what follows after their first embrace is a feeling of confusion as to why we should want to see them stay together. What is particularly problematic about these two characters being together is the show’s undecided approach to how we should perceive their couple status.

Roger and Brianna’s first fight in the cabin felt so out of character for both of them, especially Roger who turns cruel and strict rather quickly when faced with the word no. But it felt like his journey through the stones would set him on a path of growth, one where he might treat Brianna a little better and learn why his sudden proposal didn’t work out.

However, shortly after reuniting with her Roger’s grabbing Brianna when he gets frustrated, he’s still not willing to be with her if she does not commit herself to him, and he is talking to her as if she is his property.

I would expect a man from the 70s’ to be a little more progressive than the men in the 18th century, especially one as caring as Roger. And I would expect Outlander to call him out more for his behavior because Claire certainly would.

You keep waiting for that turning point where the two characters will learn to mature as people so they can be together but instead, it feels as if viewers are just supposed to accept these two as they are — which at the moment is a terrible toxic and unprogressive couple.

In a world where women still struggle for equality in every manner of life, having toxic masculinity like this in relationships and in no way attempting to show it as negative behavior or a problem of the times is not appreciated.

Neither is coming away from this episode feeling like Brianna is the one at fault for the way Roger was behaving.

Thankfully, Claire and Jamie don’t have all the fun at the theatre.

Murtagh gets in on the action too with a daring robbery plot that deserves to be so much more of a central focus to this episode than any of the other storylines.

What we do see of Murtagh and his righteous followers is quite exciting and while it would have been even better had Jamie been able to tell him of the spy in person, sending Fergus is almost better as it gives the character an opportunity to be a part of all this chaos.

Fergus and chaos go together well, but not as well as family does. Some of the cutest moments in this episode are spent with Marsali and Fergus as they introduce Claire and Jamie to their child. Not only is it nice to see these two living a happy domestic life together, but it is nice to see a young couple that actually has their affairs in order.

Roger should be taking notes.

But no moment can hold a candle to Brianna’s rape scene that finishes out the episode.

It’s raw, devastating, and very much a nightmare to listen to, let alone watch. It’s no surprise to anyone that Bonnet would be so cruel, but it is always a surprise to see how Outlander deals with sudden violence like this. This scene’s intensity is almost enough to rival Black Jack Randall suddenly punching Claire in the stomach.

The soundtrack that plays throughout this episode is particularly great, but it is in the silence where only Brianna’s cries and her quiet sobs can be heard that this ordeal really packs a powerful punch of its own.

Choosing to fade out with that devastating silence and then to a rather eerie end credit score is a rather brilliant detail that you just have to appreciate. Bonnet and the silence that follows his actions is looking up to be a recipe for powerful performances this season.

Outlander delivers another strong installment to Season 4 with “Wilmington,” that isn’t afraid to make waves with its characters or its storylines.

However, at times it feels like we are watching the same play as Claire and Jamie. Some scenes succumb to their flaws and others rise to the occasion, showcasing the best and the worst qualities of these characters in ways that can only benefit the overall story.

Here’s to hoping Roger and Brianna figure out what they want from each other before they inevitably reunite farther down the road.

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

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Outlander airs Sundays at 8E/P on STARZ.

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