I liked your review and agree with most of it. My comments here are kind of all over the place, but it is fun to talk with others who love the books and the show and my thoughts just keep jumping from one thing to the next. It was an episode so full of memorable moments. Regarding the opening scene, I don’t think they needed to show Black Jack or hear him to depict Jamie’s nightmares. To me it was one more opportunity for Ronald D. Moore to give Tobias Menzies screen time.

I am a Jamie person. Absolutely love him. I was so happy to see some of his wit and humor returning. They appear to be showing that he is healing at least in some respects. I loved the scenes between Jamie and Murtagh throughout. Mary, I loved the way Murtagh talked about Scotland. At times something cuts through the gruffness and you see the heart of the man, and that was one of those times. The dialogue in epiosode two was often clever and showed a bit that Jamie is coming back into himself. Actions, too. I loved when he raised Murtagh’s kilt with his sword and told him he could at least wash his knees or when he gave him a little shove for staring a bit too long at Claire in the red dress. (Which was beautiful, but I think it was too short. That kept bothering me.)

Facial expressions were so great in this episode, especially between Jamie and Claire during the scene with his old flame. “A small, insignificant duel” indeed. That scene was one of my favorites of the night. I loved her raised eyebrows, but I also loved his embarrassed expression when he realized he was being a bit too exuberant in his greeting of Annelise. Jamie and Claire had a whole conversation with just expressions. And speaking of Murtagh, loved his expression as he watched it all.

So many people are talking about Master Raymond. For me it was kind a of a non moment. Well done, but I thought too much time was spent in the apothecary, but then, any scene without Jamie seems a bit too long to me.

I am so with you, Hope. So much missing from the end of season one that now has to be drawn out in season two. For me what feels off is the balance between Jamie and Claire. While they provide time for him to heal, she is being too controlling. It bothers me that book Jamie was the one doing all of the planning and plotting. Series Jamie abdicates his intelligence and cunning to Claire. It was better this week, but I hated the way she dismissed Jamie to take Murtagh somewhere so she could talk privately to the slimy Duke of Sandringham. They could just as easily had that be Jamie’s idea to leave. I get they wanted Claire to find out about Black Jack before Jamie, but it could have been done without again making Jamie the child and Claire the parent. What makes their love story so extraordinary is that they are equals in every way.

They need to heal Jamie. I hope they don’t draw this out too long. Loved the “honeypot” scene. Not as long or funny or Jamie and Claire-like as the book, but it was good (I missed “oxters”). I don’t know about you, but I am sick of Black Jack’s face appearing at all, let alone in that particular moment.

I agree with you that I could have lived without as much of the brothel scene, or how about cutting a bit of King Louis’s constipation. I was heartened by the way Jamie is navigating the French Court and also the Minister of Finance and Bonnie Prince Charlie and I mentioned too, I thought Charles Stewart would be better looking. The actor has the character down though, I think. The King is handsome but meeting him on the “thrown” was a little uncomfortable. Louise was a breathe of fresh air, and I, too, detest the Duke of Sandringham. No real thoughts on Mary Hawkins and Alexander Randall as of yet. Can’t wait to meet Fergus this week and wonder how that will impact Jamie and Claire’s relationship. Also can’t wait to meet Bouton. So much to get in this season. Watching episode two on Starz as I type. We are in the brothel.