‘Outlander’ Episode 5: 6 Amazing Moments

“Outlander” returned on Saturday night as Claire hit the road with the MacKenzie Highlanders.

There were plenty of big moments on the group’s rent collecting journey, many of which were set against the silent star of the episode — the breathtaking Scottish countryside.

Here are the ones (in no particular order) that captured our attention most in “Outlander” Episode 5, “Rent”:

PHOTOS: ‘Outlander’ – Our Favorite Pics From Season 1

Meeting Ned Gowan: A perfect introduction! Claire met longtime lawyer to the MacKenzies, Ned Gowan (Bill Paterson), when he joined in as she recited “Present in Absence,” by John Donne, in front of a lovely Scottish loch. While the rest of the men teased a younger clansmen — road virgin Willie — Claire found a different kind of fun, bonding with the refined Ned. With Jamie busy with rent collecting and traveling duties (hauling grain, tying up goats and tending to the horses), Claire grew to trust Ned (sorry, Geillis), going so far to share with him a warning about the future for the Highlanders. That put a wee kink in things, but we’re hoping to see their friendship stay the course and grow.

(Photo Credit: Starz/Sony Pictures Television)

Jamie Vs. The Tree: It was more than watching Jamie use brute force on a tree trunk (lit only by campfire) that had us captivated during this scene in Saturday night’s “Outlander.” It was the honest exchange between Jamie and Claire that grew their bond just that little bit more that really sucked us in. It warmed our hearts when Claire showed she was on his side, sharing her sympathies over his situation (Jamie and his scars being used as a tool by Dougal). And Jamie charmed us again when he explained the difficulty of his the position he is in (Dougal’s his uncle), before throwing in a bit of humor before bedtime. “Dinnae worry. Trees are safe, Sassenach,” he said, promising to punch the bark no more.

Chivalrous Redcoat Lt. Jeremy Foster: She was shot at multiple times by Redcoats shortly after arriving in 1743. Then, there was the nasty encounter with Dragoons Captain Jonathan “Black Jack” Randall. But finally, in Episode 5, Claire had her first encounter with a Redcoat who seemed to be one of the good guys – Lt. Jeremy Foster (Tom Brittney). He attempted to come to her aid when he saw her struggling with the MacKenzie Highlanders as they collected rent during a stop. “Do you treat all your guests this way?” he asked, the young man squaring off with the imposing Dougal and Angus in a moment that had us rooting for the other side. After he was outnumbered, Jeremy backed down temporarily. Eventually, he got numbers of his own, finding her again as Dougal confronted her. And again, he offered his help. “Tell me, madam; are you here by your own choice?” he asked, as she and Dougal saw a host of Redcoats surround them. We can’t wait to see what her answer is next week.

(Photo Credit: Starz/Sony Pictures Television)

Dougal’s Rallying Speeches: While we didn’t know exactly what Dougal said to the MacKenzie land tenants to get them to hand over their precious pennies for Bonny Prince Charlie, we felt his political passion thanks to Graham McTavish’s masterful delivery of those Gaelic words. Dougal used Jamie and his scars again and again as a tool to get the tenants to donate to the cause, but it was his last crowd address that didn’t use Jamie that had the biggest impact. Watching Dougal’s powerful speech — the one that came after finding two Highlanders on crosses — stirred our emotions.

Claire & Jamie’s Inn Encounter: Another swoon-worthy Jamie/Claire moment happened when the Sassenach found the hunky Highlander trying to sleep outside her door to protect her from a taproom “full of townsmen half gone with drink,” as he explained. We loved how had he trouble keeping eye contact with Claire as she spoke to him in the doorway and we giggled when he experienced a shock to his moral sensibility when she invited him in to sleep on the floor in her room (her reputation!). And then, there was the extended touch as she handed him the blanket, as Jamie chose to continue his slumbers outside. “I’ll be right here,” he said as they parted. Sigh!

(Photo Credit: Starz/Sony Pictures Television)

The Brawl: Claire spent weeks on the road with the MacKenzie clansmen, listening as they told what we assumed were vulgar stories in Gaelic, ignored her sometimes and threatened her at others, but the tables really turned, quite literally, at the taproom. As Claire sat at a table discussing with Ned Gowan the impending rebellion (and trying to tell him the revolution to put Charlie on the throne would be fruitless), her traveling companions were keenly aware that Gaelic insults were being slung her way. We cheered with pure joy as Angus (seriously, Angus!) was the first one to get up to defend her honor after the neighboring table suggested she was a whore. We shouted “Hurrah!” as they (including Dougal!) broke serving pitchers, plates and noses to stand up for our Claire. Three split lips, two bloody noses, 12 smashed knuckles, four loosened teeth, some hurt ribs, and a whole lot of love for those MacKenzie Highlanders.

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(Photo Credit: Starz/Sony Pictures Television)

“Outlander” airs Saturday nights at 9 PM on Starz.

— Jolie Lash