Outlander Season 7 Episode 12 Review: Carnal Knowledge

Outlander Season 7 Episode 12, “Carnal Knowledge,” or the one where Jamie is kind of the worst.

No, that’s not true. Everyone is kind of the worst throughout this outing, taking their frustrations out on each other in escalating fits of melodrama.

These emotionally driven character portraits are tricky because some will love indulging in the over-the-top bouts of drama, and others (like me) will struggle to see the characters through these continuous bursts of outrage.

Sometimes, melodrama can lend a much-needed oomph to these conflict-heavy storylines. Interview with the Vampire is a drama with fantasy elements that have embraced melodrama well, lending intense dialogue to theatrical performances so the over-the-top conflict doesn’t leave a sour taste in our mouths.

I can’t say Outlander manages to do the same with this outing.

The dialogue doesn’t help the performer in these more egregious moments of anger, forcing the performance into a stale place that disconnects the actor’s emotional performance from their words.

No actor is safe from this critique. Every confrontation is emotional, heart-pounding, and professional in caliber. Still, the dialogue pushes them too far into soap opera territory.

The stakes of their conflict have never been higher, but sadly, the anger feels hollow, and the conviction far too much at times.

Critiquing a plot or actions in a show that closely follows the source material is difficult. However, this episode’s events seem out of character for Jamie Fraser.

His deadly rage and jealousy are nothing new, so it’s not misplaced when he first attacks Lord John. And, to be fair, Lord John is begging him to do it with the “We were fucking you” line. That moment is melodrama done right.

However, everything else feels like too much.

Beating John to the point he can’t see is a choice, but Jamie leaving him with the rebels so casually is a head-scratcher. Even when he finds out the man was recalled to duty, he is unbothered by the decision to leave John in the hands of people who will surely kill him.

Jamie’s lack of concern for whether or not his friend dies is bizarre, especially since he put him in that situation. His urgency and loyalty to save Ian and then call it a day don’t frame this decision in a better light, either.

And as if things couldn’t get more bizarre, he goes from abandoning John to hang to condemning his wife for drunkenly mourning him. This side of Jamie isn’t attractive. His misplaced anger towards her is one thing, but adding this false sense of ownership over her never sits well, regardless of what time this show takes place.

I can’t help but feel like there were dozens of better homecomings to explore than this bitter one.

Outlander wants this fight to feel like a heated parlay between the lovers with that feisty Season 1 spark that transitions so well into ravenous sex scenes.

After this many years together, it’s exhausting to see Jamie jump to the conclusions that he does with Claire. His insulting language zaps any romantic tension.

We witnessed Jamie come back on such a high note, brimming with joyful energy as he lapsed into piracy, running away with Lord John as Claire grinned at him like a dork.

It is deflating to immediately kibosh that mood with an insufferable Jamie who is taking out his anger on the two people who love him most. Outlander is creating momentum, and instead of running with it, the show takes several unnecessary steps back.

Nothing Jamie does during this episode furthers the character or the storyline. This episode coasts on his anger, regardless of whether it is justified or misplaced. However, when we compare the end of Episodes 11 and 12, almost nothing has happened in the larger seasonal arc beyond George Washington’s brief appearance to promote Jamie.

Every development is strictly emotional. From that perspective of criticism, I wouldn’t say I like the choices made for most of these character-driven arcs.

Jamie’s homecoming paints him in an antagonistic light that feels misplaced and childish. Characters deserve their flaws, but when a warrior is known for being fiercely loyal and brave, I expected those better qualities to thrive in such a challenging time for his loved ones.

Instead, that stubborn sense of honor rears its ugly head once again.

Not all is lost with this conflict-heavy installment.

Charles Vandervaart’s William has a justified identity crisis that leads him through several excellent chemistry-fueled scenes with Arabella. Silvia Presente is a standout, and I hope we see more of her because she grounds William’s performance beautifully.

Unfortunately, the dialogue leaves Vandervaart drowning in the same heavy conviction that swallows Jamie whole. He does his best to navigate these extreme showcases, but that doesn’t make them any easier to watch. With each escalation, the episode pushes him too far into soap opera territory.

Of all the people who could thrive during this episode, somehow, it’s Denny.

He saunters into John’s tent, hand on hip, giving master medical advice. Then, he gives the man the means to escape. His kindness is a palate cleanser, and his grounded, quiet performance is needed.

Alas, this episode isn’t for everyone. If you enjoy a good flying-fist, tantrum-throwing squabble, you have a feast before you.

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

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Outlander airs Fridays at 8/9c on STARZ.

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