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Outlander  |  4x11 - “If Not For Hope”

Yet again, in 04x11 the Outlander writers deftly use a three-beat to advance a story. Case in point - Jamie’s letter to Brianna.

Beat 0 (not part of the three-beat, but a moment that perfectly sets it up): Brianna is short with Lizzie when Lizzie asks whether she will forgive her father. Brianna uses words like “if”, not “will.”

Beat 1: Lord John gives the letter to Brianna. She is surprised, and taken aback, and suspicious that Lord John knows more than he lets on.

Beat 2: That night, Brianna looks at the letter - it’s on her nightstand - but she doesn’t read it. Still full of confused emotions.

Beat 3: After the hullabaloo with Lord John - he tells her his impressions about Jamie (and Claire), and she realizes that he has no reason to lie. She learns a lot about Jamie through Lord John’s eyes. We see that she’s been carrying the letter in her pocket - perhaps a plot convenience, but more likely because she wanted his words to be close to her. And then we see her open up the letter.

Each time she sees the letter, Brianna is emotionally at a different place. Suspicious, hurt, confused. Not sure whether she even wants to read Jamie’s words. But her short experiences with Lord John - and his words, which she knows must be true - move her. She learns from him. And goes from being bitter, to being suspicious, to being at least open to seeing what her father has to say.

A three-beat is a simple, but so very effective plot device and I was so thrilled to see it used so effectively in 04x11. 

And the beat goes on…

Photo: @outlander-online 

I’m sorry.

your favorite power couple

Can you imagine if this marriage actually happened??!! John would be raising Jamie’s son, married to Jamie’s daughter and raising Jamie’s grandson!!😬😬😱

😁😁😁😁 LOL

It’s always been all about Jamie, as far as John is concerned.

BONUS: (poor lil tortured Lord John)

Lord John Grey is a gentleman and a good friend.  We love him!

I love you both so much.

outlander_starz  Oh, to be a fly on the wall during this scene’s filming with @sophie.skelton and @mrdavidberry! #Outlander #STARZ

Lord John Grey and Bree were great together.

Outlander, Episode 411 ||  “If Not For Hope”

Lord John Grey makes a grand and impressive entrance, but, clearly, not all are glad to see him.