We’re back! Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 ‘Send for the Devil,’ pits Jamie and his men against Cunningham and his militia in a pitched battle where only one can remain, and the devil is closer than they think. Meanwhile, Roger, Brianna, and William face their own battles. Ready?
Here we go!
Tempting Fate in Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 ‘Send for the Devil’
In Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 ‘Send for the Devil,’ the entire Fraser family waits, holding their breath. Brianna for Roger and Claire for Jamie. He has prepared for battle with Cunningham. Even though Claire begs him not to go, she knows it’s a futile plea. Jamie has to go. He will go. He’s no coward, and those men are threatening him on his own land. They betrayed him. He can’t allow it. And he’s never been afraid of a fight.
Claire knows all this, and yet she tries. Because she can’t help it. She can only hope things turn out alright, but if they don’t… she can’t even bear the thought of losing Jamie. So Claire, too, prepares for a long night of waiting… but she’s not alone. Elspeth came to her. Against her better judgment, Claire became a friend, someone she cherishes, someone she respects.
The war made them enemies, but on that stormy night, the reality is that both await the unfolding events as if they were facing a death sentence. Claire could lose Jamie that night, and Elspeth could lose her son. At least they can spend those agonizing hours together. And that’s exactly what they do in Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 ‘Send for the Devil.’
Elspeth is truly fascinating to us. She keeps telling herself that what her son is doing is, in some way, honorable because he’s being true to his oath to the crown. And that Jamie brought his fate upon himself by allying with the rebels. She repeats it so often that a part of her has ended up believing it. But there’s another part of her that knows the truth: they’re betraying a man who gave them a home.
And she truly, genuinely doesn’t want anything to happen to Jamie, nor does she want Claire, whom she sincerely cares for, to suffer. But the reality is that her son is the cause of everything that’s happening in Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 ‘Send for the Devil.’ And she can’t bear it. So she clings to the mantra that her son is doing the right thing, the honorable thing, because it’s the only thing that allows her to keep her cool and continue looking Claire and Jamie in the eye while her son wants to stab them in the back.
MORE: Outlander Season 8, Episode 4 Review: ‘Muskets, Liberty, and Sauerkraut’
The Devil Answers the Call
On another note, we realized that Cleveland answered Jamie’s call in Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 ‘Send for the Devil,’ when he knew it was no longer necessary. He made Jamie pay for his rejection with his lack of protection. But Jamie called him. So he made sure to go to the Ridge so that, if he was still alive, he could demand payment…for help he never actually provided.
Jamie knows this. But what else can he do but make deals with Cleveland? The question is, what will happen now? Will Jamie join Cleveland’s militia? Frankly, we don’t see Jamie following his orders, or at least not for long, since he clearly opposes Cleveland’s brutal methods. And Cleveland isn’t one to tolerate insubordination.
But at the same time, it’s very clear in Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 ‘Send for the Devil,’ that Cleveland is a powerful enemy…and Jamie can’t afford to openly defy him. And, as if that weren’t enough, Jamie was already forming a militia; will he continue to do so now that Cleveland has entered the picture?
We think so, and that Cleveland will be an uneasy ally from afar, one that Jamie will be forced to deal with. Ultimately, Cleveland can’t ask too much of Jamie. It’s not in his best interest to push things too far, because even though he responded to his plea for help, he did so belatedly. So we’re eager to see what happens next.
MORE: Outlander Season 8, Episode 3 Review: ‘Abies Fraseri’
Other Stuff in Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 ‘Send for the Devil’
- William seems to be enjoying talking to his sister Brianna. We need many more of these scenes in the future.
- They’re there, but they’re too superficial. They barely give time for anything. We need Brianna to tell William the whole story, what she felt when she met Jamie, how she came to love him.
- That said, William is slowly coming to his senses. His visit to the Ridge is getting closer.
- We loved how William tried to comfort his sister. And how he accompanied her where she needed to go.
- We miss Lord John.
- We expected much more from Roger in the battle. Why did he ask for a sword if he wasn’t going to use it?
- At least he helped the men as Minister. Surely this made his calling even clearer.
- We’re glad he and Bree were reunited and that little Christopher is okay!
- Hey Denzel, it’s been a while!
- William didn’t expect to see him there…or find Ben!
- Ben deserved the punch. After the joy of seeing him alive came the realization that it was all a lie.
- We’ve confirmed he’s alive, now we want answers. And so does William.
- Everything works out for Amaranthus, doesn’t it? She hadn’t counted on the battle accelerating William’s acceptance of her marriage proposal, but just in case, she made sure he wouldn’t back out after sleeping with her. She knows William would never back out after what happened between them; he’s an honorable man…and too naive for his own good.
- The only thing Amaranthus hadn’t planned for was William and Ben meeting. We’re sure she knows everything. And secretly, we want Ben to tell William, but even if he doesn’t, it’s clear this will change things for William.
- And the only thing that saddens us is that William will suffer when he sees the real Amaranthus. He really feels something for her and is excited…but it was just another lie.
- We realized that William hasn’t forgotten Rachel, though. He’s happy for her… but he still has very strong feelings for her; he can’t forget her, not completely.
- Cunningham is a snake, and we feel no pity for what happened to him. He deserved it for betraying Jamie like that.
- Just like all his cronies. Jamie banishing them is the least they deserve.
- Jamie and Claire gave them a home, and how do they repay him? By going after him to kill him. May they all rot in h**ll!
- Elspeth thinks her son is more honorable than he is.
- That woman should be begging Jaime and Claire for forgiveness on her knees, not slapping him!
- We really care about Jaime there. Thank goodness he has loyal men by his side who are truly worthwhile.
- Jamie in a kilt, ready for battle. Hot!
- Jamie called the devil… and the devil answered.
Outlander Season 8 air at midnight on Thursday on the STARZ app and Fridays at 8 PM ET on linear.
