It’s about to get all spoilery up in here, sassenachs. If you haven’t watched the newest episode of Outlander, “La Dame Blanche,” avert your eyes now. Also: you might have noticed I’m not Alicia; she’ll be back telling you what’s what about Paris soon.

Starz’s Outlander is a treasure for a few reasons, one of them being they so often take the unexpected route. “La Dame Blanche” did that time and time again. Though I’ve read the books by Diana Gabaldon, I can still appreciate how they turn down roads you don’t see coming. Case in point: Jamie’s reaction to the news about Jack Randall being alive.

Claire and Murtagh spent several minutes in last week’s episode discussing the many disadvantages of telling Jamie his torturer and nemesis survived. They knew they had to come clean, but they were rightfully worried about the consequences. However, the update on Randall’s status put Jamie in the best mood he’s been since before he was taken by Randall in the first season. I’d say it even put a spring in his step.

The reaction seems incongruous with the pain he’s been experiencing, but his reason for being accepting and excited made sense: he was thrilled because now he’ll have the chance to take Randall’s life. He was disappointed about not witnessing it first hand, and now he can cause it. He was so enticed by the prospect and so rational about it; Jamie even realized he couldn’t run off to Scotland to track Randall down. It’s incredibly twisted and rooted in unhealthy reasons, I know, but I couldn’t help but be pleased Jamie had found some measure of peace.

Finding out about Randall was a weight off Jamie’s shoulders in many ways. He came back to Claire–not just as far as sex but also as far as being present. The two had a knock-down argument that was superbly performed by Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe in which Claire called Jamie out for leaving her alone in pregnancy. Their fight was passionate and heavy with emotion. The talk was long overdue, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Jamie and Claire’s relationship will evolve now–especially among the dangers in Paris.

And speaking of those dangers, Claire was threatened repeatedly in the episode. The obvious suspect was Comte St. Germain. He has a grudge against Claire because he blames her for losing his ship in the premiere episode. No one gives threatening looks quite like St. Germain, but was he responsible for both giving Claire an herb to make her ill and for ordering men to rape and maybe kill her? Maybe he’s too obvious a suspect.

Claire saw an identifying mark on her attacker, and her reputation as “La Dame Blanche” scared them away. It was a minuscule victory, but I’ll take it. Given the attackers surprise and fear, I can’t help but wonder if they were ordered to attack Claire and her party. They were scared; there’s no way they would have agreed to take the job knowing the identity of their prey. Was it merely happenstance? They were brigands and could have been waiting for any wealthy-looking party to wander along.

Random observations:

• Was anything more precious than Fergus explaining the subtleties of women to Murtagh? I was charmed by how Murtagh tried to brush him off. He told Fergus the affairs of women aren’t for men to worry about and then immediately asked the boy for thoughts about Claire’s lady maid. a.k.a. his lover.
• Of course Louise thought being sent to a convent was worse than being sent to jail.
• I liked how Jamie studied the crowd when he brought Claire down to dinner to see if anyone was surprised to see Claire present and well.
• Everything about Dominique Pinon as Master Raymond is delightful.

What are your thoughts on the relationship between Alex and Mary? What about between Charles and Louise? I think Louise is far too good for him. Head to the comments and share your opinion.

And watch our Q&A sesh with Outlander‘s Stanley Weber!

Images: Starz