I know you guys are probably *shocked* to hear this, but I have O P I N I O N S about that episode. No screencaps this time because I'm at work, but still, let's do some #SmashingTeatime for 5x08, Famous Last Words, shall we?

First of all, some praise, because to be fair there actually were some great moments:

I would like Jamie & Claire playing in the woods with Jem for an entire episode please. Literally an entire episode of them snuggling their grandson, giving him/explaining Gaelic nicknames etc.

Marsali. *Father Fogden stoned voice* Maaaarsali.

Seriously, Lauren Lyle could save any scene you plop her in. Charisma for days. At the dinner table I couldn't stop watching her, and her scene on the steps with young Ian, being Claire Jr. with her astute manner and empathy:

For that matter, YOUNG IAN. John Bell is a GIFT to us and I've missed this man of worth so much.

But there was an error made when Jenny named her sons. "My-wife-isna-dead-but-lost-to-me-so-let-me-just-die" Jr. was meant to be Wee Jamie, his elder brother Young Ian, just saying.

In that vein, I love how Jamie always quietly comes to an understanding of the lad. He knew he needed to be useful to find purpose, so immediately gave him a task. He understood that loss can be beyond words, so just offered to sit with him in silence. I love this relationship.

I also was very moved by the quiet moment of grief between Jocasta and Jamie on the steps, and by the (TOO F'N SHORT but also beautiful) scene of Jamie asking Claire if there's a cure for grief in her time. I'm angry that there was apparently more of that scene that was cut.

And - to be perfectly fair - Rik Rankin is a great actor. Truly. He did extremely well with this episode.

... I have many longstanding issues with Roger as a character, but that has little to do with Rik's ability to perform a scene. His PTSD was believable and well performed.

I think we now know what Caitriona meant about risky artistic choices and needing to see how they played out before making a call. Clearly she meant this, and... I get what they were going for, it probably sounded cool on paper (silent film theme for a man who is silenced), buuut

It didn't work for me. I thought it felt kitschy where it could have been powerful. When you have good actors and strong emotionally evocative material, use it. Again, I understand the artistic idea behind it, it just fell flat for me. I'm sure some will like it, and that's fine!

I think my problem with this entire arc boils down to the fact that I just. Don't. Care. About Roger & Bree. I just don't. When Jamie was traumatized and said he wanted to die, we couldn't HANDLE it, because we desperately love him as a character, and beyond that, so does CLAIRE.

When she sat sobbing opposite him and told him "and I will die, with you, right here now," we BELIEVED her. We believe in this incredible, world shaking, time bending love story - in part because Sam and Caitriona are incredible actors, but also because of their insane chemistry.

I realize this is polarizing, but I just... have never felt any chemistry between Roger and Brianna. It feels forced, it feels like acting, it feels strained. Three seasons later, I'm not remotely invested. If he went off and died, I was like eh, Brianna and Jem will be fine.

In an episode that's supposed to be about Roger's struggle to recover from PTSD, I cared infinitely more about what became of Young Ian. That should not be the case re: a minor character vs. one of the lead four. I don't know how they fix that, or if they can, tbh.

They've certainly tried hard with the Roger Redemption Train this season (and to be fair there have been moments where I felt sympathy for him), but I think a great deal of my issues with Roger is just down to the character himself, and there's nothing to be done about that. So.

OH and one more thing.

... So Brianna was apparently (we are meant to assume) mad at Jamie for not telling her about Bonnet... so she gave him the cold shoulder with no resolution... but now they make small talk over dinner and... wtf are they doing with this relationship?!

LET. JAMIE. BE. A DA. TO. HIS. ONLY. LIVING. FLESH. AND. BLOOD. CHILD.

What the hell, season 5 writer's room? What the actual hell? I'm not usually one who thumps the book in anger, but *THUMPS THE BOOK IN ANGER* None of this is canon, so where the fuck is it coming from?

.... anyway. That's the tea on THAT.

So.

Welcome back Young Ian, you precious perfect boy. More Marsali always, please.

And thank the lord for a J&C-centric episode next week, and one that they've all named as one of their favorites. Come save us, 5x09, PLEASE!