The second episode of Season Two starts off with Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe) making love, then suddenly Claire morphs into Black Jack (Tobias Menzies), and Jamie stabs him repeatedly with a knife, getting blood everywhere. Jamie wakes up from the nightmare, shaken. Claire tries to comfort him reminding him that he's gone. Jamie knows he won't be able to get back to sleep, so he gets up to work on this week's receipts. Claire emphatically states, Black Jack Randall is dead! Jamie replies, I know. See you in the morning, Sassenach, then leaves their bedroom.
The next scene opens on an exterior view of Jarad's appartment. It is Paris, 1744. Claire's maid, Suzette (Adrienne-Marie Zitt) asks Claire why she persists in making her own bed, and folding her own clothes. The are walking down a grand circular stairway. Claire replies that it's habit, she's not used to having servants around attending her every need, but says "Fine. I'll endeavor to be sloppier in my personal habits." and Suzette is very happy.
Claire gets into a carriage and heads into town. She's reminiscing about that last time she had been in Paris, during the delerious celebration marking the end of the second world war. She had wanted to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but the Nazi's had closed it during the occupation. Now it is 100 years before it even existed.
She spots an apothecary shop and goes inside where she meets Master Raymond (Dominique Pinon), who calls her "Madonna" and knowing that she's English, switches to her language. She picks up a vial labeled "Sang de Crocodile" (Crocodile Blood), smells it, and deduces that it contains mustard and thyme in walnut oil. She asks Master Raymond, "What on Earth do you use to make it smell so nasty?quot; He says, "I see your nose is not purely decorative, Madonna. Then he confirms that it IS in fact blood, and she guesses that it isn't crocodile blood. He confirms that it is pig's blood, which is much more available. He says, "Fortunately the ladies and gentlemen of the court are much more trusting and foolish than you are." Claire asks if he carries Nepita cataria (a.k.a. catnip), and Master Raymond asks if someone is having trouble sleeping. Claire confirms it is her husband. Master Raymond asks a few questions about the cause of his insomnia. Claire reveals that it is due to nightmares, and Master Raymond picks up some bottles (sounds like "Parle Vienna Officinalis" and "Omolus Opulus") and has his assistant, Delphine (Marieme Diouf), measure some out into a mortar and pestle to be ground up. He assumes that she's a professional, and she says, it depends on what he considers a professional. She admits that she's a healer. He guesses that she's Claire Fraser and she's surprised, wondering if he's a mind reader as well. He says he just has a excellent memory for names, and has heard hers recently when the Comte St. Germain told him all about her part in the burning of his pox-afflicted vessel. She frowns and asks him if he's friends with the Comte St. Germain. He smiles and says they are rivals, a pleasant term for enemies. And since she is his enemy as well, she must be his friend. Claire smiles and says she could use a friend. He offers her the ground up herbs as a gift. If she infuses it in a cup of tea at bedtime, he guarantees that he will keep her awake all night with his snoring, then demonstrates a very cute snore.
Jamie and Murtagh (Duncan LaCroix) are sword-fighting two-handed on a beautifully manacured palace grounds with an audience of interested on-lookers. Murtagh is pushing Jamie to use his mangled hand, goading him on with insults. Jamie is struggling but breaks free. Murtagh yells at the crowd in French to go away. Jamie reminds him that he can't blame them for gawking as dueling is illegal in France. Murtagh is very uncomfortable being in Paris and can't tolerate the stink of so many people. He admits that he finds himself longing for the company of Lard Bucket and Big Head. Jamie is amused and assumes he's talking about Rupert (Lard Bucket, although Jamie said Rupert would call it muscle) and Angus (Big Head, Jamie admits wee Angus does sport an unusually large head). He tells Murtagh, "I'm sure they miss your sunny countenance as well. Dinna fash, we won't be here forever." Murtagh replies, "No, but it will seem so." Murtagh wants to just kill Charles Stewart and be done with it. But Jamie says he's no assassin, and even killing the Prince Charlie wouldn't necessarily squash the rebellion as his father, King James, is still alive. Should they kill him too? Jamie says that they don't even know if Charles is in Paris, but Murtagh says he'll find him. "Is your longing for home worth the murder of a prince, and the king? No, for all we know the death of his son would make James even more determined to sit on the English throne." Murtagh, frustrated, says, "I talk of action, and you give me logic." Jamie counters, "Aye, well, if it's action you crave..." and they both throw down their swords and charge into each other.
Later at home, Jamie removes the brace supporting his mangled hand and takes off his sword belt handing it to the butler, Magnus (Robbie McIntosh). Claire asks him how his hand is and Jamie tells her it's mending. Then she hands him a letter from Jarad that just arrived. He reads it and hands it to her to read out loud:
His Royal Highness, Prince Charles Edward Stuart requests the company of one Lord Broch Tuarach, James Fraser to discuss such matters as the current political sutuation amongst the Scottish clans. His Royal Highness will be expecting you on the 18th of this month at half past sundown at the establishment of Maison de Madame Elise.
Claire asks what is that, and Jamie informs her it is a brothel. They exchange looks.
On the night in question, Jamie and Murtagh head to the upscale brothel to meetup with the Prince. Lots of distinguished looking men are there with fancy women on their laps. Jamie, Murtagh and the Prince are sitting at a table drinking wine, and Jamie says to the Prince that he'd like to discuss the reason for the meeting tonight. Charles replies that he was just about to suggest that very thing.
Madame Elise (Michele Belgrande-Hodgson) brings the crowd to attention in French with, "Gentlemen of noble birth and noble distinction...for your entertainment...and edification, I present you with...your wives." A bunch of the men are startled and knock the prostitutes off their laps, worried. The prince is amused saying, "Look at their faces, they're terrified."
The three "Wives" (Sarah MacGillivray, Natalie Spence, and Amy Drummond) enter the stage pointing fingers to the men saying "Naughty, Naughty, Naughty." Madame Elise is sympathetic, "Zounds! Such anger...such frustration. Your wives are lonely. Unhappy. What they need...is...Dildos!" as Madame Elise uncovers a tray of them. Everyone's clapping and laughing. Madame Elise tells them to "Take these as gifts...from the husbands...you never need miss...ever again! Need I say more? Except to inform you that these items...are available in this very establishment. For purchase or for rent. Gentlemen... I thank you." The Prince jumps up clapping. Murtagh makes a disparaging statement about the French men not being able to please their wives, and the Prince says he doesn't remember asking his opinion or inviting him there. Murtagh nods at Jamie and says, "Where he goes, I go."
The Prince says his friend, Jarad Fraser, claims Jamie is a man of substance, that he speaks his true mind in all matters. Charles hopes its so as he doesn't need another sycophant added to his acquaintances as he has too many already. He asks Jamie what the state of affairs are in Scotland. Will the clans respond to his call to arms and rise up against the traitorous English king? Jamie tells him that the Scottish clans can't even agree on the color of the sky, let alone put aside their own grievances and band together to fight the Brittish. Jamie doesn't think they'd be ready for many years to come. Prince Charlie clearly doesn't want to hear this and tells Jamie it sounds like damnable defeatist talk from a so-called Jacobite. Jamie tells him that he hates the English as much as any man and he carries the scars from 200 lashes on his back. He reminded him he asked for the truth and assures him that the truth is what he gave him. He asks the Prince if he'd rather hear honeyed words that lead him and all of Scotland to disaster. Charles says, "God demands that a Catholic king sit on the English throne. My father is that king." Jamie brings up the Rising of the '15. Charles adamantly asserts that he would not repeat the mistakes of Lord Mar, who hesitated when victory was within his grasp. He said, "Above all else, a leader must be decisive." Murtagh asks him if he'd ever been to Scotland. And Charles replied that regretfully he hadn't. He spent his early years in Italy where his father was in exile. Murtagh tells him that Scotland is a beautiful country, and it's people are of the land, simple people with no great love of outsiders. They'll fight, each other more than not, but he's asking them to shed their blood for what? To put a more sympathetic ass on the English throne. Is that cause enough for a cotter to exchange his sythe for a sword and charge into cannon? Jamie says, "It appears you've now heard the truth from two loyal Scots." Charles, looking very uncomfortable, counters with his claim that God's truth is the only truth that matters, and that it is God's will that he unite the clans. He says, "It is God's will that I am the beacon of light for I am, by divine right, the outstretched hand of God." Jamie looks at him like he's mad, then crosses himself. Charles continues, "Our cause shall succeed, but it cannot move forward without money, and money it shall have." They'll need the support of Joseph Duverney, the French Minister of Finance. Charles is in France unofficially, and can't be received at court, so he solicits Jamie's help by going in his place. "I see you have the heart of a true patriot, willing to risk my divine wrath in order to safeguard your countrymen." He demands that Jamie go to Louie's court and be his advocate for rebellion. "For your Prince, for the rightful King, and for God who sits in judgement of us all." Jamie agrees and kisses his ring. Then Charles states baldly that he's in need of a woman, or maybe two. So of course one of the prostitutes saunters by and catches his eye and he's off. Murtagh says in Gaelic, "Not too late...to slit his throat."
Back at the apartment Claire, Jamie and Murtagh are talking. Claire says she's proud of him for speaking his mind and winning a place at his side. Murtagh says, "He's a blockhead, and a dangerous one at that. He'll get us all killed if we don't stop him." Jamie says, "I wouldn't trust the Prince with Lallybroch's vegetable patch, let alone the fate of Scotland." Claire argues that it was just one meeting, and that Charles is not ready to set sail for Scotland anytime soon. There will be time to open his ears. Jamie doesn't think so because Charles won't listen to him or anyone, only to God. Claire reminds them that wars cost money, and he's helpless without funds. All they have to do is keep his war chest empty. Claire proposes that they can stop the rebellion by going to court.
The next step in the play Claire proposes is getting an invitation to Versailles, and their best hope is her friend Louise de Rohan. Claire states that she had known her for three months since they'd come to Paris. Louise is warm and friendly, and like most people of her class, superficial and frivilous on the surface. So she heads to Louise's house where Claire is watching while Louise is having her legs waxed. Claire is looking at Louise's monkey Collette, who is in a cage. Louise calls Mary into the room. Mary is small and shy and feels naked in her shift. Louise is only wearing a robe and offers to take it off to show Mary what naked means. Louise introduces Claire to Mary, and Mary shyly introduces herself to Claire as Mary Hawkins (Rosie Day). Claire believes she's heard her name before, but Mary doesn't believe they've met. Claire says it will come to her somehow. Claire asks Mary what brings her to Paris, and Mary tells her that her uncle Silis Hawkins is there on business. Louise chimes in that Mary is going to marry the Vicount Marigny, a widower of means. Claire recalls him as an older gentleman with w--- and points to her cheek. Mary supplies "warts, Yes, that's him" Claire sees her dilema and why she looks so pathetic. She assumes her uncle has arranged the marriage.
The man waxing Louise announces in French, "And the legs are finished. Is Madame ready for her next bit...of torture?" Louise asks for a minute from the "Vile monster!" Mary looks sick and tries to leave, but Louise won't let her go, saying that her legs are hairier than Collette's. "And no French man will suffer to bed a monkey." Mary wonders why she says such horrible things, and Louise lifts up the corners of Mary's mouth forming a pathetic smile. Then Louise tells Claire that since she wants to go to court, she will accompany Mary and her to Versailles. Claire asks if she can bring her husband along, and Louise frowns saying, "If you must, though you'd have more fun without him," (giving her a look). Then Louise tells Claire that she'll make her an appointment with a woman who will make her a dress fit for a queen.
Louise heads back to the lounge and plops down with her legs spread open. Mary looks horrified, and Claire looks intrigued as Louise tells them that the wax feels so warm and wonderful when it is put on, but so painful when it is pulled off. She says "Ahhh..." and then screams as her monkey jumps.
That night Jamie is in bed rubbing his mangled hand. Claire slides in next to him and brings his hand to her lips, then slides it down below. He's very surprised and asks what she's done to herself. "Your honeypot is bare!" She shows him her smooth legs too. She thinks he'll like the difference. He's curious and takes a look stating that it's more complicated than it looks thatched over. Very smooth. He feels like a lucky man because she's so daring. They start to make love, but then he remembers Black Jack again and pulls away. She suggests they just go to sleep and he rolls off cradling his hand.
Jamie and Murtagh are waiting downstairs as Claire starts to descend the stairway in a daring red dress. Jamie is scandalized and slaps Murtagh for looking. He says he can see her navel, she says he can't and that she helped design the dress. He realizes they don't have time to change and says she's going to need something to cover up. She says she's thought of that and produces a small fan. He tells her she'll need a larger fan.
The group, Louise, Mary, Claire, Jamie and Murtagh show up in a large, very crowded and elegantly decorated ballroom. Louise tells them that she is intimate with all the noble families, their genealogies and allegencies, and will be happy to introduce them to whomever they want. Claire suggests Monsieur Duverney is an interesting gentleman. Louise frowns and says oh no, he is a man of rather gross sensibilities. But if he's there, she'll find him.
Just then a beautiful woman runs up to Jamie, throws her arms around him and kisses him. And he embraces her back smiling, calling her by name. Claire gives him a look with a raised eyebrow. Jamie notices her and makes the introductions. She's and old friend, Annalisse de Marillac (Margaux Chalelier). Then he introduces Annalise to Claire. Annalise congratulates Claire for having won such a strong, passionate man. She asks Claire if he fought many duels to win her affection, and Claire replies that he won her heart without having to draw his sword. Jamie tells the story of the small, insignificant duel he fought over Annalise which ended in her marrying his opponent. Louise said how romantic that was, but Annalise quickly told them that he died, of smallpox. Then Annalise asks if she can steal Jamie away to meet the King as he's being dressed. Claire agrees, but suggests that Murtagh accompanies them.
Then we see King Louis XV of France (Lionel Lingelser) sitting quite literally on his throne significantly constipated with a room full of noble men, including his Religious Advisor (John-Christian Bateman). Jamie asks the Minister of the House (Kola Krause) to be introduced to the king as he can ease his majesty's suffering. So the man introduces them. Jamie suggests the king eat only Parritch for his breakfast. The king is disgusted and says he's never acquired a taste for peasant food. Still no luck with his objective, so Jamie states that maybe now would be a good time to start.
Meanwhile, several noblewomen have gathered and are talking about male members. The first one noblewoman (Anna Marie Cseh) points out a nobleman who can't keep his in his pants. Another one (Katharine Gwen) asks Claire what the English call it. Claire says she's heard it called "Peter" <lots of looks> then she says, "though there are others who prefer prick." The ladies look disgusted and insult the English and Claire's language, "No offense intended." Claire responds with, "None taken."
Louise spots Mary smiling and talking to a young gentleman and says to Claire, "That wicked little minx, she's found herself a lover even before the exchange of wedding vows." Claire doesn't think that's the case and excuses herself waving her fan and telling them she needs some air.
Louise spots Joseph Duverney (Marc Duret) sampling a whole tray of wine and tells him, "My lovely English friend...Lady Broch Tuarach...the red dress...has been most anxious to make your acquaintance." She offers to introduce them, but he refuses saying that he can do it himself, then heads off in her direction.
Duverney finds Claire seated in an open grotto rubbing her neck tiredly. He comes on strong thinking she is yearning for him. He worships her by attacking her feet first. She pushes him off into Jamie's arms, and he pushes him into the pond. Claire tells him who he's just assaulted. Apparantly, Duverney takes it all in stride as he climbs out of the water holding his wet wig. We see him trying to dry it out while apologizing to Jamie and Claire, blaming it on the king's champaign, and telling them that his wife would kill him if he was caught trying to make love to another woman.
King Louis approaches them with his mistress Madame Nesle de la Tourelle (Kimberly Smart), breasts exposed in a scandelous gown. They make a leg to him, and the king admonishes Duverney to keep his private matters private. Then he notices Jamie and reminds him of his Parritch advice. Jamie tells him, on his word, he won't regret it. Then the king takes a good long look at Claire before moving on. Nesle looks over Jamie and Murtagh, who's showing uncharacteristic interest. Jamie frowns at him and Murtagh's frown returns.
Then Murtagh says, "Cheating coward of a villain" in Gaelic and rushes away. Jamie follows and they discover the Duke of Sandringham (Simon Callow). Murtagh says, "Judas, you'll pay for your treachery" and pulls his sword out. Jamie quickly tells him to put it away as it means death to draw a weapon in the presence of the king. He violently puts it away muttering something in Gaelic.
The Duke is very cajoling and appears happy to see Jamie looking so healthy. He explains that Captain Jack Randall forced him to give him the Petition of Complaint. He had no choice whatsoever. He asks what they're doing in France, and Claire tells him that Jamie has been employed by his cousin Jared. The Duke is leaving for England tomorrow, but when he returns he wants a port and is willing to pay 20% over the asking price. Claire connives to have Jamie and Murtagh leave so she can have a word with the Duke alone. Claire confronts him about being on the same side as the Jacobites. Then Alexander Randall (Laurence Dobiesz) approaches and the Duke introduces him as his new secretary, explaining that he IS the brother of Jack Randall Esquire. He spills the beans that Black Jack is still alive. The Duke leaves Claire looking like the cat that swallowed the canary. Claire wonders if she should tell Jamie, or try to keep it from him. All this happens while fireworks are going off!
Recap by Mary Girven
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