> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Fug the Show: Outlander recap, S2 E8, "The Fox's Lair" - URL: https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/fug-the-show-outlander-recap-s2-e8-the-foxs-lair/ - Published: 2016-06-02T18:00:30.000Z - Updated: 2016-06-03T22:16:42.000Z - Author: Heather - Tags: #wp, #wp-gallery, #slideshow, #Import 2026-10-07 07:46 ## Foxlander ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bf/b9/bfb99790-924d-4e41-a7e6-5e3c6e04fe57/content/images/static-gofugyourself-com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap.jpg) The episode is called "The Fox's Lair" as a reference to the dangers of Jamie's grandfather, but of course, the show uses the main-title button to show an actual fox turning dramatically toward camera and appearing to narrow its eyes. Yes, it's A Fox Who Knows Too Much. ## Lallylander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-1.jpg) Ahoy, we're back home to Lallybroch, and Jenny appears to have run it beautifully in Jamie's absence. NOT THAT SHE WILL GET CREDIT FOR IT. ## Familylander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-2.jpg) The return to Scotland has healed everything. They brought Fergus with them, which was chief among my concerns last week, and Fergus is completely fine and emotionally healed from his trauma. (There was a lot of helpful notes in the comments about how Fergus's character in the books was frequently sold for sex at the brothel, and that he may even have initially consented to Black Jack, and so he wouldn't have been as scarred by the experience. My beef, then, is that the SHOW did not portray any of that. It's like the show chose to portray the book's aftermath but none of the backstory, which means that 1 plus 1 ads up to negative four.) Jamie and Claire, by the way, are very nuzzly. And Jenny had another baby while they were gone, which... if Claire was three months pregnant and miscarried before she was quite done, and Jenny had JUST had a baby before they left, and a train leaves Ian's vas deferens traveling at 5 miles and hour while one leaves Jamie's going only 3 mph... I just am totally lost as to how much time has passed. They may have said and I just missed it. I think we all know I am only ever 70 percent solid on details on ANY show that I cover. I just don't have the memory and I forget to take notes. WELL DONE ME. I also keep forgetting to take my gingko or whatever, so obviously this isn't going to get better. ## Traintorlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-3.jpg) Murtagh, by the way, also apparently -- despite being in the middle of what was described as a months-long odyssey to sell ill-gotten wine in Portugal -- has not only been located but returned to Scotland with them. Jamie is angry because the mail just arrived, and it contained a letter in which Bonny Prince Charlie forged his signature on a note supporting his father as the true king. It's a play to get the clans to fall in line, but if it falls into the wrong hands, it brands Jamie a traitor. And Jamie can't call out the prince on it, because of Reasons. So essentially, Charlie remains The Worst, like an early Fitzgerald Grant except without any actual office to hold. ## Broodlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-4.jpg) Jamie broods so beautifully in a kilt, on a log. (That sounds like a Dr. Seuss book. "I brood beautifully in a kilt, on a log. I brood in a tilt, on a hog. I brood in a pilt on a sog and a hilt on a jog, and I snood with a grood and a krood in a quilt on a rog.") He's like, "I canna believe Taylor and Calvin broke up. Them's the Starbucks Lovers I trusted would make it." ## Sweaterlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-5.jpg) I am in love with Claire's sweater-wrap. The French costuming was glorious, but I've always loved Caitriona Balfe with the simpler hair and the woollier clothes. Y'all, Jamie's plan is terrible. It is... to fight Culloden, and just not lose it this time. OH, IS THAT ALL. OKAY. I guess he's decided that HE is the difference maker because he knows they lost the first time, so despite Claire being shaky o the details, he thinks he can... intervene, and make Charlie be smarter, or something. Jamie doesn't seem to realize that EVERY SINGLE PLAN OF THEIRS HAS FAILED. So why anyone thinks Jamie could successfully achieve the aim of "Fight same battle as before, just without dying this time" is beyond me. I suppose all the little things they've done could add up to a larger... nope, doesn't feel true. ## Jennylander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-6.jpg) Step one is for Jamie and Claire to travel to see his grandfather, the Laird of Lovet, to get him to commit his men to the cause so that Jamie can travel to the Bonny Prince and look a hero. Troublingly, Lord Lovet is apparently a deeply dung-infested crackpot of a shithead, and Jenny thinks this idea is the worst, because he's unpredictable and playing both sides and will ask too steep a price for his fickle loyalty. Jenny might be the smartest person on this show. She popped out three kids while keeping Lallybroch afloat in all of Jamie's various absences, and correctly notes that their grandfather sucks. And she gets to wear shawls. Team Jenny. ## Chestlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-7.jpg) Jamie does a lot of good thinking without his shirt. Here, though, he's giving Claire his backstory: His father was the product of a tryst between Lord Lovet and the help, and Lovet acknowledged him as his heir. But then Lovet tried to have Jamie's eventual mother kidnapped to prevent the union -- she was, after all, a hated MacKenzie -- and it was all very Romeo and Juliet, except without as much immediate death. Mostly, Jamie is deeply afraid to admit to Claire that he's "a bastard," and she almost laughs in his face about how unimportant that is to her. In fact, she may ACTUALLY laugh in his face. She's like, "Girl please. I'm from THE FUTURE and I HAVE TWO HUSBANDS." ## Sexlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-8.jpg) Also, they bang. ## Cuddlelander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-9.jpg) Claire wakes up to find Jamie snuggling up with Jenny's latest bairn, and Jenny shuffles out and says he couldn't sleep and was trying to be helpful with the baby so that Jenny and Ian could rest. Both women's ovaries melt into puddles of love as he pours out his heart to the wee one, and of course a piece of Claire shatters at the sight of him acting like the father he should have gotten to be. ## Leavelander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-11.jpg) And then Jamie leaves, because this whole show is about how Jenny never gets to be happy with her whole family. ## Ferguslander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-12.jpg) Fergus gets sent with Murtagh ahead to Prince Charlie -- I think -- while Jamie goes to round up a few good men. This is just to confirm for you that poor Gavroche is doing just fine thank you. His curls have taken to the highland air. ## Grandfatherladner ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-13.jpg) Lord Lovet does indeed turn out to be a gnarly sort. He isn't sure about pledging any which allegiance, and he's got the MacKenzies there too trying to get him on the side of neutrality. So he's going to play this situation for whatever he can. Also, I cannot look at this man without thinking how bad he must smell. They did a good job on that. I mean, that's not a stated character trait of his, but doesn't he just... ooze? Of feet and infrequent laundering? ## Columlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-27.jpg) We're also reintroduced to the head of Clan MacKenzie, Colum, a.k.a. He Of The Poorly Healed Broken Bones And Toulouse-Lautrec Syndrome. (You might recall he is the head of the clan, in the brains sense, and his brother Dougal is the muscle.) Colum isn't Claire's favorite person -- I can't remember how involved he was, vs Dougal, with keeping Claire at Castle Leoch as their healer against her will. I DO think it was Dougal who brokered her marriage to Jamie, to give her legal protection from Black Jack? I tried looking some of this stuff up but I got confused again. Basically, Colum is canny and cunning -- he for SURE got Geillis arrested for witchcraft, which almost also got Claire executed -- and he has no time for scruples, but he cares about Jamie. I also read that they achieve this effect by having the actor wear special socks they can then use for CGI manipulations, and he has special wedge shoes to give him the gait he needs. Magic. ## Boolander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-14.jpg) We also get Laoghaire again. She's the maid whose father was, I think, a Clan MacKenzie tenant, and she fell in love with Jamie and was positive he'd be hers. Until Claire. So she planted an ill wish in Claire's possession so that she'd be arrested for witchcraft, and that nearly got Claire killed. So you can imagine that Claire isn't that pleased to see Laoghaire, no matter how humble her bonnet. Laoghaire, by the way, is pronounced Leery. Which is apt, because she is both One Who Leers, and also Dawson-like in her annoyingness. Laoghaire prostrates herself to Claire (I guess she got sent to Lord Lovat's place for... personality rehab or whatever) and begs forgiveness and hopes that Claire will heal that part of her heart. ## Laughlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-15.jpg) Claire is all, "Bitch, please, I'd burn you right now if I had a match." ## Simonlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-16.jpg) Claire does notice, at Lord Lovat's big dinner, that his wimpy son Simon is hot for Laoghaire -- while also being pathologically incapable of inspiring respect in his father. There is a bit where Lovat also seems to notice Simon's infatuation, and takes it upon himself to stroke Laoghaire's chin, thereby either marking her or even implying that he's already dabbled with her. I can't tell. He might also just be a total dickhead. ## Soothsayerlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-19.jpg) Lovat also has a seer in his employ, and Claire sees him abusing her, claiming she's holding back a secret. Which she is, of course, for fear of a flick of the knife parting her head from her neck. She later tells Claire that she had a vision of Lovat's execution for treason, and Claire files that away for future use. It's helpful that Lovat's seer is still EXTREMELY talky despite being afraid for her life all the time. ## Woollander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-18.jpg) I love all the wraps. Drink more wine in them, Claire. You're honing a craft here that will carry all the way to Olivia Pope someday. ## Schemelander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-20.jpg) Jamie's grandfather, it seems, wants Lallybroch. He tells Jamie he won't hand over any men until Jamie signs over his family home -- for what use, Lovat won't say. But JENNY WAS RIGHT. It is important that such things be noted, for Jenny from the Broch never gets her due on this show. Lovat then threatens Claire with rape, because this show really likes to do that, although I also believe this complete scumbag would absolutely make that threat. ## Frightlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-21.jpg) However, Jamie scoffs in his face, saying first that Claire could totally kick his ass or the ass of any man who glances at her wrongly -- which is very supportive of him -- and then that Claire is La Dame Blanche. Lovat's obvious respect for the magical arts, both light and dark, prompts him to look respectfully terrified of Claire. I kind of wish I could La Dame Blanche myself all over town now. ## Firelander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-22.jpg) You need to know that this show spends an INSANE amount of effort adding Crackling Fire sounds to every scene. It's cosy-sounding, but also REALLY distracting, because it sounds like the entire house is about to catch. Jamie is tempted to take the Lallybroch offer. Colum, bless, is totally against it. He thinks this is all stupid foolish stupidity, and that they should retreat to their corners and be placid. Jamie's blood boils at the idea of not standing up for Scotland, without explaining that it's because he knows a battle is inevitable. Neither man, sadly, points out that if Jamie trades away Lallybroch he will leave Jenny and Ian and their three children TOTALLY HOMELESS. She keeps that thing humming for him for HOW long, and he nearly barters it away for a 0.01 percent chance that he can change history. UNCOOL. JAMES. ## Wimplander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-23.jpg) Claire promises Laoghaire Jamie's forgiveness if she'll use Wimpy Simon's infatuation to her advantage. Basically, Claire wants him to feel masculine and empowered enough to stand up to his father, and perhaps convince Lovat to donate his men. Claire is quick to tell Laoghaire that flattery will be enough and sex is not required. This kid is as thick as twelve planks, though, so he might not know flattery if it knelt down and spanked him. ## Unimpressedville ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-24.jpg) Wimpy Simon is also too drippy for Laoghaire to stand. She's bored senseless by him quoting verse, but her attempt to liven up the conversation by flashing her boobs sends Simon running for the hills. Oh, Laoghaire. First she shows Jamie her boobs and he runs, and now Simon. Maybe she should take a note and stop doing that. ## Bribelander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-25.jpg) Lovat lays out his blackmail: Either Jamie signs over Lallybroch, or Lovat signs a pact of neutrality with the MacKenzies and stays out of the Jacobite cause completely. And Jamie, that jerk, decides to sign it. WILL NOBODY THINK OF JENNY? ## Theatricslander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-26.jpg) Fortunately, Claire fancies herself a bit of an actress. And so she feigns a La Dame Blanche supernatural vision, and uses the seer's prophecy as her own. At Lovat's urging, she embellishes that he was being executed as a traitor to the Jacobite cause, thus implying Scotland is the winning side and that he'd better back that horse; Lovat is furious and tries to stab Claire, because the only breeches that were clean today were his cranky pants. You'll be pleased to note that Claire's skin remains unpunctured by his blade. Because, of all people, Drippy Simon stands up to save the day and declare that he'll fight alongside Jamie. So what does Lovat do? He walks back and signs the deal with Colum and scoffs in the faces of his son and grandson. Jamie manages not to be mad at Claire for preventing him from signing away his ancestral home while also apparently torpedoing his effort to get his uncle's men. Jenny ought to stitch her a pillow with a message of gratitude on it. Oh, but she can't, because she's too busy MANAGING YOUR LAND AND KEEPING THE BOOKS AND STUFF. She's at home doing MATH and you're all, "Oh, well, she doesn't need a home for her kids, let's give it to the dirtbag for his nefarious plans." Sigh. ## Adieulander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-28.jpg) Colum is glad Jamie didn't get the chance to do this terrible thing, and tells him again to go home and stay alive. Jamie's like, "Can't, but thanks. Must dash." ## Hisslander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-29.jpg) Claire then makes Jamie go thank Laoghaire, and he does it, albeit insincerely. He basically says, "Claire told me to come and say thank you, so I am, but I don't know why, and also I don't care and you bore me." As he walks away, Laoghaire calls out that she hopes one day to earn his forgiveness. "AND YOUR LOVE," she whispers to herself, as Melodrama whips up a batch of subtlety and drizzles her with it from a pitcher etched with Jamie's face. ## Menlander ![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap-30.jpg) And then, WHAT HO: Lovat's men meet them just outside town. Lovat sneeringly meets them and sends his son over to command his new men, then tells Jamie that this worked out perfectly for him: He'll get the credit if they use his men to win, but he can donate them -- under his son's command -- without running afoul of his deal with the MacKenzies. He has thoroughly covered his own ass. Claire makes a cute remark about seeing this kind of cunning streak in Jamie (to which he teases that he'd like to reconsider their promise to be honest with each other), but honestly, Lovat could scheme RINGS around them. Jamie and Claire failed spectacularly in France after months upon months, and Lovat outwitted them in 52 minutes. And so, on to the Bonny Prince we go, I guess. Mark me: I hope they are making him wear kilts. [Fug the Show: Outlander recap, S2 E8, "The Fox's Lair"Back in Scotland, things get comfortingly kilty, and then frustratingly Let's All Leave Jenny Again. We also get a visit from two Season One plotters and some cozy sweaters. In Terry Dresbach news, she wrote a wonderful piece on the agony and the ecstasy of being so exacting with details, when the show can hardly slow down to let us savor them. (In a totally lower-profile way, that's how we felt when compiling The Royal We's alternate UK history; we knew no one would ever really see it, but we had to do our homework so that what we built upon it would feel real and never jolt anyone out of the narrative.) There's also a chronicle of Le Comte St. Germain's clothes: a stunning yellow outfit, a bluish-purple one, the redder one he wore when he first was introduced, and then a piece with pictures of Claire's dress from the scene in which she and Jamie decided to go back to Scotland (which rendered dark blue to me on TV, but seems brown in her photos).![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bf/b9/bfb99790-924d-4e41-a7e6-5e3c6e04fe57/content/images/static-gofugyourself-com/uploads/2016/06/outlander-season-2-episode-8-recap.jpg)](https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/fug-the-show-outlander-recap-s2-e8-the-foxs-lair-06-2016/)