Episode 705: Singapore

Well, it’s settled. When I grow up I want to be Rachel Hunter. Shall we discuss Episode 705?

Warning- Contains spoilers from Outlander Episode 705: Singapore.

Over two thousand years ago, Chinese military general Sun Tzu wrote of warfare: “Appear where you are not expected.” Conversely, you must expect your enemy where you think they are least likely to appear. One might think that thousands of years of wars may induce leaders to take heed of such advice, but alas: pride goes before a fall. Whether it’s the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the Battle of Singapore, or just a bunch of misogynistic hydroelectric plant workers, mankind’s hubris is its greatest weakness.

Multiple characters find themselves caught unaware this episode: the Hunters and William (in the creepiest house since Fannie Beardsley’s), Brianna on her first day as plant inspector, the near-entirety of Fort Ticonderoga’s leadership, and Ian with a surprise encounter of his (probable) young son. Even Mandy is startled to the point of screaming near the episode’s end (put a pin in that). For some of those surprises a battle of emotions ensues. For others, well, an actual battle ensues. Like the British, whoever ends up the “winner” in each storyline is the one who achieves the literal or moral high ground.

Frustration was the tone of this episode, as it is chock-full of people who think they know better—Rob Cameron, Brigadier General Fermoy, Jem’s school teacher, and wannabe-physician Lieutenant Stactoe. As is the case with most know-it-alls, they are deaf to those who actually know more than they do. Brianna understands the dam’s schematics, Jamie has more battle experience than most others, Roger understands that Gaelic is a language worth saving, and Claire knows Stactoe’s skills pale in comparison to her own. An appropriate subtitle for this episode may very well be: lessons in the Dunning-Kruger effect.

But if we’re talking war strategy, then the Frasers and MacKenzies know sometimes it is best to let your enemy show himself the fool. Walter Woodcock’s healed leg speaks for itself, as does the outcome of Ticonderoga. Roger and Jem may have to wait a few decades for vindication, but the Gaelic Language Act of 2005 will someday be on their side. Swiftest of Lizards exists as proof that the dissolution of Ian’s marriage was not Ian’s fault. It would be easy for our characters to lay blame where it is deserved—or outwardly declare that they were right all along—but ultimately they choose not to. They keep silent…they take the higher ground.

And really, taking the moral high ground is essentially an act of mercy. “She is begging for mercy,” Rachel says of Mrs. Johnson. “The British will have to show you mercy,” Claire assures Walter Woodcock. (As a side note, given Claire’s personal history with the British army, this seems somewhat dubious). “Mercy,” Woodcock whispers back to Claire, offering book readers a small Easter egg.

Mercy is our arguable theme this hour, as everyone makes deliberate decisions to not punish or humiliate those who are in the wrong. Jamie does not rat out Fermoy, Ian does not confront Emily, and Brianna does not immediately fire her subordinates. William allows that Rachel was right about the brutality of violence. Rachel, in turn, acknowledges that William’s willingness to commit violence saved their lives. There is no gloating by anyone who is ultimately proven right. In the words of Sun Tzu, “to perceive victory when it is known to all is not skillful.”

What gives some the ability to accept victory without glory, while others cannot accept defeat with dignity? Why are some capable of owning their mistakes, while others cling to their beliefs even after they are proven incorrect? I’d argue it’s a person’s willingness to give themselves the grace to error. “I’m sorry I didn’t make that clearer from the start,” Roger apologizes to Brianna as he affirms how proud he is. Sometimes the greatest battle we face is the one with our own ego; it is a a brave thing to admit when we have been wrong.

And in the name of humility, I admit I had other thoughts on this episode but couldn’t quite find a way to work them in (summer head colds- the worst!). So here are some quick bullet-points:

• Sugar Loaf (aka Mount Defiance) is only about 800 feet tall. So while I’m sure man and goats alike could scale the hill, I’m fairly certain a dachshund could also manage.
• My teeth for the unseen scene in which Jamie explains sperm to Ian.
• Little Swiftest of Lizards…what a total cutie!
• Brianna’s grief at Lallybroch mirrors Claire’s own grief at Lallybroch in 1968. There is some comfort in knowing our loved ones live on in the past, but in the present we still have to grapple with the loss.
• As I mentioned at the start of the post, I absolutely adore Rachel Hunter and Izzy Meikle-Small has done a superb job of bringing her to life. Diana Gabaldon has described Rachel and Denzel as having an “emotional honesty,” which I think is a great trait toward which to strive.
• Finally, while the hydroelectric plant workers demonstrate just how petty some men can be, elsewhere in the Outlander universe we have constant reminders that good men exist no matter the century. Perhaps there is no better demonstration of a confident man than one who is willing to raise another’s child, or one who entrusts the care of his child to a trusted friend. In this episode, Ian joins the long line of Outlander men who know that child-rearing is a community effort and love is paramount to pride.

Slàinte .

Screencaps provided by Outlander-Online. (p.s. Go give them a donation if you have the means. They have an amazing site that I know takes a ton of work and is truly a service for us fans!)