Outlander Season Finale Review: Man of Worth (Season 4 Episode 13)

Outlander made a quiet return to television with the premiere of Season 4, but the finale isn’t looking to go out without making some noise.

In grand theatrical fashion Outlander Season 4 Episode 13, “Man of Worth,” plays out in riveting spouts of violence, desperation, and endearment that grip you tightly and make it even harder to let go knowing Droughtlander is upon us once again.

No question, the best has certainly been saved for last.

Let’s not kid ourselves, there were times during Season 4 where Outlander lost itself in the vastness of this new world — or lost track of Jamie and Claire all together.

This is not the case for “Man of Worth”, an episode that takes two Scotsman, a scruffy dog, and a time-traveling British lass and puts them at the mercy of a Native American tribe. What could possibly be more on brand and outlandish for this show than that?

The finale takes a disheveled Jamie and Claire and uses their outsider status amongst the Mohawk to really drive home the theme of the show when it is needed the most.

We may be on different land and the war between the Scottish and British may be over, but the circumstances for our favorite couple have hardly changed. The characters are still very much at their best when they are foreigners to their own world. As long as Outlander continues to keep sight of this it is nearly impossible for them to lose their audience.

It is no surprise the greatest worth the finale has to offer is its phenomenal cast.

Jamie and Claire were notably absent for several episodes this season and now that they are back, it’s even harder to say goodbye to this dynamic duo and the inevitable presence they have.

Their chemistry is just as intoxicating as it was when they first met and that couldn’t be more apparent during the moment the couple share after Jamie announces he will take Roger’s place with the Mohawk.

Claire and Jamie’s emotions spilling over is such an unflinching and sad affair it’s almost enough to keep us from seeing the real MVP of this episode take shape in the background — almost.

While Young Ian’s fate has been laid out before him since the moment he stepped on American soil, that hasn’t stopped the boy from running away with this show every chance he can get.

We talk about Lord John Grey (who sadly did not stick around for the finale) stealing our hearts but Ian has been just as charming and just as loveable every second of this journey.

Which makes his departure all the more heartbreaking.

Arguably one of the most foreshadowed events from the source material this season, Ian’s deal with the Mohawk was inevitable.

But everything about the execution, from having Ian quietly approach the Mohawk in the background as Jamie and Claire pour their hearts out to the gut-wrenching moment Ian breaks the news to Jamie, is a welcoming and thrilling surprise.

Ian and Jamie play off each other brilliantly as the two men acknowledge their past together and establish an understanding that they have to part ways. That bond stays long after they are separated in a beautiful scene that plays off the brutality of both Ian’s trial to join the Mohawk and Roger’s unleashed rage on Jamie.

This scene holds no punches and is truly a great send off for a character that has been nothing short of a delight to watch grow up in this new world.

Young Ian, you were arguably the best part of this entire season. One can only hope we won’t have to miss Rollo and that cheeky smile of yours for too long.

Speaking of cheeky, Murtagh and Jocasta decided to throw everyone a curve ball and shack up together amongst all this chaos. It’s a decision that seems so wrong and yet it couldn’t feel more right for these two oddball characters.

The two are equally as stubborn and set in their ways that seeing them in bed together seems like a no brainer once you come to terms with what’s happening.

Honestly, I’m just glad the show has found something to do with Murtagh outside of the Regulators storyline.

Romance is really all that justifies Jocasta and River Run’s presence in this finale because other than having her child, Brianna’s most important moments are spent forgiving her parents and rushing swooningly into Roger’s arms.

It is going to take a lot more than one dreamy reunion to justify these two being together, but this cute little moment between Brianna and Roger is a good start.

It is incredibly hard to adapt a book into a successful and satisfying tv show but it is even more difficult to continue to deliver excellent content to viewers for four seasons.

Sure, there were some pacing issues with the way this season unfolded.

The Mohawk could have been portrayed in better detail instead of thrown into the mix with Otter-Tooth during the finale. The rest of this New World could have been better integrated into Claire and Jamie’s time on Fraser’s Ridge, instead of giving the side characters their own separate episodes.

All that aside, Outlander should be praised not for the little inconsistencies here and there but the huge accomplishment of producing another strong season of this show that didn’t compromise the vision of the books.

“Man of Worth,” is the kind of finale that leaves you wanting more with stakes that only get higher and an ending that can’t get much better than that thrilling cliffhanger. Pinning Jamie against Murtagh, that’s a bold move!

Outlander has taken us to new places this season and while it was scary to leave the comfort of the Scottish Highlands, this New World has shown to be just as promising.

Hang in there clan, our favorite Scots will be back before we know it for Season 5!

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

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

Outlander airs Sundays at 8 E/P on STARZ.

Follow @telltaletv_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

26 Fantastic Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Horror TV Shows from 2018