First thing’s first — this is a recap, which means there are plenty of spoilers for the penultimate episode of Outlander this season, “Wentworth Prison.” On top of that we’d also like to add a bit of a warning about the content of this episode itself, which contains an ample amount of sexual and physical violence, in addition to abusive situations. If this isn’t your cuppa, then we’d highly suggest not reading on.

Well, Outlander is certainly not going gently into that good night, my friends. We were promised darker dealings this season and that has turned out to be quite the understatement in these last two episodes. Because — horror of all horrors — Jamie Fraser has been captured by the British. And, even worse, Black Jack Randall has heard of his pending execution, using his wealth of power and influence to get a stay granted in order for a far more grim fate to fall upon poor Jamie.

But before we get to that, let’s talk about all the ways in which those who love him went above and beyond the call to try and rescue the poor lad. Claire, in her infinite wisdom and cunning, absconded with a fake story about being a distant relative of Jamie’s in order to get covert intel from the Wentworth Prison guard, Sir Fletcher. She was not only given the grim news of his execution stay, but also his personal affects, essentially signifying that his fate was surely sealed and there’s nothing she — not even a proper English lady such as herself — could do.

Thankfully, the motliest of Scottish crews — including everyone’s favorites Angus and Rupert — did manage to squeak a bit of information out of the locals at the pub, because drinking is the greatest uniter/spiller of secrets. Hooray booze! And it all came in very handy when Claire eventually stormed the castle and tried her darndest to set Jamie free.

Now, let’s talk about what’s happening with Jamie and Black Jack. And just be prepared because this one’s gonna be a doozy.

Outside of the physical harm Black Jack inflicted upon Jamie, it was, perhaps, the emotional and psychological torture that made us most uncomfortable. With Black Jack throwing lines around like “Do I haunt your dreams?” and “You did not escape me,” and “How is it to be alive and wear so much dead flesh?” and “Now kiss me,” there was no way Jamie was going to come out of this event unscarred on a deep, deep level. And as he stated towards the end — was it before or after the terrifying scar licking? I cannot recall/tried to block it out — “I haven’t even begun,” which means we’re only in for more of the horrible same (if not worse) during next week’s finale.

And how heartbreaking was it to see Claire get there and nearly save Jamie only to be thrown out with the dead bodies by Black Jack? For a moment there we were hopeful that Marley might help a girl out after how spooked he looked by Black Jack’s sadistic and sexual actions (kinda weird he doesn’t use the same evil henchman every time, right? Like, there’s no way this is Black Jack’s first time to this particular hellrodeo), actions that, one would think, might make people a bit more compassionate to the “let’s save Jamie Fraser!” cause. Claire even tried to ply someone with Jamie’s mother’s pearls only to learn that the man she tried to recruit with them actually gave them to the lady Fraser and will not accept them — it doesn’t feel like a coincidence. No one wants to go up against Black Jack Randall.

And considering Randall’s aware of the attempted petition to the Duke of Sandringham, well! Things really don’t look good. But we sure are glad Claire used her future knowledge to scare the bajesus out of Black Jack, telling him the day and hour he’ll die.

Also: CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE SCOTTISH COWS?

So, folks: what are your thoughts about tonight’s episode? And how are you feeling about what’s in store for next week? Will Claire be successful? And even if she is, will Jamie ever be the same? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments.