The second part of Outlander, “Unfinished Business,” is an emotional and suspenseful continuation of the story that is both shocking and heartbreaking. It’s been more than a year since the midseason finale, and now Claire, Jamie, and Young Ian are back in the 18th century, where they have to deal with personal problems, family problems, and a lot of unresolved problems.
At the start of the scary episode, Jamie thinks about a storm that is coming, both literally and figuratively. When the group gets to Scotland, they are excited to see their home country but the problems at Lallybroch quickly take away their happiness.
Lallybroch: A Bittersweet Homecoming
When Jamie, Claire and Young Ian go back to Lallybroch, they feel a mix of happiness and sadness. When they get back together with their family, they find out that Ian Sr., Young Ian’s father— is dying of tuberculosis. His illness casts a shadow over the homecoming, especially for Young Ian, who feels bad about leaving his family so many times.
But Ian Sr. is thrilled to see his son and learn more about his grandson, Swiftest of Lizards. He tells Ian Jr., with tears in his eyes, to put his own happiness first, especially with Rachel— the Quaker woman he loves. The contrast between Ian Sr.’s unwavering support and Young Ian’s inner pain shows how close father and son are.
Jamie Faces Laoghaire
At the same time, Jamie wants to settle his “unfinished business” with Laoghaire, his ex-wife. Their marriage, which began because he missed Claire, was full of pain and anger. Jamie says sorry and admits that he was emotionally dead during their relationship, but the argument quickly gets out of hand.
Laoghaire lashes out, throwing things and insults because he is still angry from decades ago. It’s a heated argument that shows how hurt they are from their troubled relationship. Joan, Laoghaire’s younger daughter, steps in to help, though. She points out a flaw in Jamie’s deal with Laoghaire: if Laoghaire gets married again—she has to pay Jamie no more alimony. Joan hopes that Jamie can change the terms of the deal so that her dowry can pay for her to go to a convent.
Jamie offers a new deal: Laoghaire will marry Joey, her lover and farmhand, but she will give up her alimony in exchange. In exchange, Jamie will give her the keys to her house. Laoghaire reluctantly agrees—which lets Jamie end this part of his life.
Claire’s Shocking Revelation
Claire decides it’s time to tell her family the truth about where she came from now that she knows more about the future. She tells Jenny, Ian Sr., and Michael that she was born in 1918 and has been to other times. Jamie and Young Ian are with her.
The news is met with stunned silence at first, but eventually acceptance as Claire’s family pieces together the strange rumors that have been going around for years. Jenny, on the other hand, begs Claire to heal Ian with her “future magic” because she wants to save her husband. Claire tells them in a very sad way that there is no cure at this time. Jenny is so upset that she lashes out at Claire and then goes to cry alone.
After that, Jamie comforts Jenny in a touching moment between siblings. Jenny tells Jamie in the woods that she is afraid of living without Ian and Jamie tells her that she is strong. It’s an extremely moving scene that shows how close a brother and sister really are.
Ian the Younger’s Problem
Young Ian has to make his own choice. Jenny wants to make her son feel better, so she takes him to the gravesite they made for his late daughter Iseabaíl. She tells Ian to enjoy life to the fullest and to get back together with Rachel. Ian decides to go back to America and tell Rachel he loves her, even though it’s a risky move because Rachel might not leave her Quaker community.
An Urgent Mission for Claire
Just as Ian is getting ready to leave, Lord John Grey sends Claire an important letter. He is dying in a Philadelphia nursing home because his nephew Henry was badly hurt in the war. John thinks that Claire is the only person who can help him get away.
Jenny tells Claire to save as many people as she can, which makes Claire decide to go to America. Young Ian chooses to go with her, so Jamie stays behind to take care of Ian Sr. and Jenny. It breaks your heart to see Ian Sr., who is weak, get up the strength to say goodbye to his son for good.
Roger and Buck’s Misadventures
At the same time, Roger and Buck’s plan to save Jem takes an unexpected turn. They find out they are in 1739 instead of 1778 after going through the stones at Craigh na Dun.
When Roger knocks on the door at Lallybroch and is met by Brian Fraser—Jamie’s father, that’s his first clue. Roger meets Jenny when she is young and finds out that Jamie is in Paris for school. Roger hears rumors of a “fairyman” dressed in strange clothes while looking for Jem. This makes him think that Rob Cameron might also be there at this time.
But their plans are thrown off when Buck gets sick from traveling through time. They go to a nearby herbalist for help, and it turns out that person is Geillis Duncan. It’s a shocking turn of events that makes their story more interesting.
What’s to Come
Claire and Young Ian leave for America at the end of “Unfinished Business,” leaving Jamie to deal with the storm that is coming to Scotland. The sad goodbyes and shocking turns set the stage for what looks like it will be an exciting end to Season 7.
This episode has everything Outlander fans love: drama, suspense, and a little humor. There are touching family moments and shocking encounters. In Outlander, there is no such thing as unfinished business. The story is hurtling toward its climax. There will be more.
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