Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 Review: Send for the Devil

The devil is in the details for this heart-pounding episode of Outlander.

Outlander Season 8 Episode 5, “Send for the Devil,” flies across battlefields, immersing us in the mindset of a devious villain and ambitious plans.

After several episodes spent preparing for a war that seemed ages away, this Fraser’s Ridge standoff is an exhilarating change of pace.

The brief teasing of Brianna and William’s sibling bond becomes a full-fledged feast for this outing.

It’s lovely to see someone who has gone through almost the same parental situation as William (insane, is it that this charade happened twice), give him perspective on what a few years of healing can do for the grief of Lord John’s lies.

William is just starting his journey of understanding who Jamie is as his “father,” and Bree offers him valuable insight that will inevitably lead him to reach out to the Scotman later on.

And as the only two removed from the battles of this episode, this newly forged sibling duo offers a comforting reprieve from the action.

Hopefully, we will see even more of William and Bree’s delightfully juvenile-type bond as the war draws the rebels and the British to each other’s doorstep.

Similarly, Cunningham’s antagonistic agenda has established his rivalry with Jamie as a highlight of this season’s first half.

The devious, delusional foe brings out the best in Jamie’s performance, putting Sam Heughan smack dab in the middle of his character’s wheelhouse.

Charging through the forest in a kilt with his knees exposed to the wind and a pistol drawn at the hip, Jamie Fraser has never been more in his element. He has the upper hand, and he knows how to use it, much to our delight as he shouts commands at his loyal tenants.

The stakes are also incredibly high with Cunningham threatening to take the Ridge from Claire and Jamie’s family, as well as take Jamie to the British to be hanged if successful.

The stressful lead-up to Jamie and Cunningham’s standoff is as excellent as it is excruciating.

It’s almost worse knowing conflict is coming because Outlander gets to draw out the suspense, putting us through an incredibly intense meeting of the Freemasons before turning Fraser’s Ridge into an all-out warzone.

At the same time, seeing this peaceful and quaint set turned into a haunted, almost dystopian-looking outpost is thrilling. There’s nothing dull or expected when it comes to this episode’s pacing.

A set we’ve spent years getting familiar with suddenly looks unrecognizable in the darkness of night, adding to the polarizing victories of this action-packed standoff.

One could argue that Buck is the best part of this violent outing, simply because watching him play hide and seek with the children is so gosh-darn wholesome. Also, he is really good at saving the Frasers, which is a nice change from his parents’ legacy.

That said, it’s difficult to ignore the allure of Elspeth and Claire’s bizarre friendship.

Against Claire’s will, she has acquired a relationship with her husband’s attempted killer’s mother. Alas, the woman could use more female friendships, and women supporting women is a rarity in Jamie’s time as it is. 

Sensing this, Claire embraces this oddball exchange, and what transpires is a fascinating trading of dialogue between shots of Jamie and Cunningham battling it out.

We have witnessed many things from Outlander over the years. Yet, this episode manages to break new ground on the battlefield and, more impressively, between the loved ones left behind.

---

What did you think of this episode of Outlander? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

Critic Rating:

Audience Rating:

 

Outlander airs Fridays at 8/7c on STARZ.

Check out our latest TV recommendations, updated weekly!

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