Outlander Review: Between Two Fires (Season 5 Episode 2)

The wedding may be over but the fiery cross keeps on burning with this explosive sequel.

Outlander Season 5 Episode 2, “Between Two Fires,” lights a fire under this series before the honeymoon even has a chance to get underway. The byproduct is a burning passion and urgency, unlike anything we’ve yet to see from this layered drama.

This episode is completely different in tone from the upbeat premiere with its suspenseful music and strained tensions. But it is a perfect continuation of the story we were promised in the first hour.

This darker Outlander is one we know all too well — and one we will happily rejoice in when it is executed so brilliantly.

Life after the wedding is no honeymoon. Regardless, it does still involve plenty of action for Brianna and Roger.

Brianna’s short hunting expedition is certainly a highlight. It allows these two newlyweds a chance to talk openly and organically without an entire clan around to hear. It also allows Brianna the opportunity to demonstrate that she wears the pants in this dynamic — and she sure looks good in them.

Although I have to say, her argument about knowing their child will never be hurt in a car accident is hardly a reasonable one. Literally everything can kill your child in the 18th century, Brianna.

Roger dressed as a pioneer man of the 18th-century and singing modern show tunes is everything you could want when the very fabric of this episode revolves around talk of time-travel. The use of modern-sounding music in a historical setting continues to be the most outlandish, yet brilliant, use of this show’s unconventional premise.

Talking about Roger’s complicated lineage only adds to the fun of this new spin on our favourite fish out of water tale. We get into more of Roger’s life before Brianna and what makes him tick. We also get to see a great deal of the future discussed, more so than we’ve seen in a long time.

Talk of the future has always been a luxury for this series and one to be indulged in sparingly. It’s understandable, given too much talk of time-travel rules and altered futures would stray too far from the elegant and simple sci-fi premise Outlander has cultivated.

So when we get this much discussion of antibiotics, safety-awareness squirrels, and autopsies, it feels like winning the lottery.

We even get talk of attempting to see if Jem, and possibly Jamie, can go back through the stones, which is a daring leap in the conversation for this careful footed series. But it is one I am greedy to hear more of immediately.

None-the-less, each and every conversation is handled with a caution that allows even the craziest time-travel plans to feel grounded.

Times are changing. We have three players on the board now who are time-travellers. Seeing these new dynamics lead to implications of modern world concepts in a foreign time is something we are not only ready for, but greedy for as the series evolves.

Claire is introducing a very modern concept to a traditional world and I am fascinated by every moment.

Claire’s walk-in clinic is a writing dream come true as a revolving door of ailments allows her character and this episode the opportunity to shine at every turn.

But it is Claire’s decision to conduct autopsies on bodies in the 18th century when the practice isn’t acceptable for years to come that demonstrates the real value of this newest journey for her — and the values time-travel continues to bring to this series.

Even better, she chooses Marsali to be her partner in crime. I love the number of religious statements Marsali can spew in under a minute. I also love how quick she is to pull the witch card on Claire. Ah like mother like daughter, am I right? 

This newest endeavour of Claire’s allows for some fascinating conversations between her and her daughter over what should be left to time to decide. It’s always fascinating to see Claire put her modern-day knowledge to work again and even more fascinating to see her dodge the very real and ridiculous stakes of being labelled a witch — again.

You can take the highlander out of Scotland but you can’t change the way he dismounts a horse. Yes, Jamie is all elegance and beauty as he saunters into this episode on his trusty steady wearing a rugged uniform that is enough to almost make us forget about the kilt — almost.

Jamie’s role as a man in the middle is a juicy one that allows Heughan the luxury of a heavier performance, something he pulls off quite well. It is in these moments of moral dilemma that we find ourselves rooting for Jamie the most.

While it is refreshing to have Outlander jump right into the thick of this brewing war, I can’t say I am too fond of where this storyline is heading. 

Murtagh’s continued defiance — pouring hot oil on people is not exactly the definition of “be hard to find”– and Jamie’s willingness to stand with his enemies is barreling towards a confrontation we may not like, regardless of the outcome.

This balancing act could easily become the strongest aspect of this season with Jamie playing his part as the struggling peacekeeper well, but like any balancing act, there are signs of strained conflict that could tip the scales past the point of enjoyment if they become too convoluted.

“Between Two Fires,” is a testament to the ambitious season Outlander is laying the groundwork for and to Claire and Jamie’s continued allegiance to humanity’s greater good.

This episode comes in swinging and goes out with one perfect punch. It’s all the bad and bloody of this new world mixed with the knowledge of a better one pushing it further into chaos.

Claire and Jamie are used cleverly as a source of good amongst the evils of an escalating war, while the reintroduction of the vilest man alive is used to tip the balance entirely in favour of these two fires. (Welcome back, Bonnet. We did not miss you.)

Time, space, and history be damned. Outlander is throwing caution to the wind and we couldn’t be happier.

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

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Outlander airs Sundays at 9/8c on Starz.

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