All of Outlander Season 1 Episodes: Ranked

11. “The Garrison Commander” Episode 6

In the episode, “The Garrison Commander” Claire feels like she might have gotten the upper hand on her Highland prison guards when she’s invited to wine and dine with her fellow Englishman. Of course, Dougal is not too far away. He’s more concerned over what exactly Claire will tell them than her safety. After meeting the redcoats and charming them, they have promised to give her safe passage to Inverness. Claire can’t hide the glee from her face until Jack Black Randall saunters into the room. That’s the moment Claire’s plans go right out the window with Lord Johnson’s Claret.

Although the episode wasn’t filled with action, the drama between Claire and Randall is starting to boil over. Claire, for the most part, believes being an individual from the future makes her instantly the smartest person in any room. She might be smart, but no one tops Randall when it comes to the mental game. Let put it this way. Claire is playing Chutes and Ladders, and he’s already won Monopoly twice. What makes him so scary is his blasé demeanor about how he dismantles his prey. Here we get an inkling of how dangerous Randall is, we see it in action in the episode “Wentworth Prison.”

I must highlight after such a dark episode Dougal delivered the second best line never written by Diana Gabaldon.

"“Well, I must admit the idea of grinding your corn does tickle me, but it’s not myself I’d be nominating for the position.”"

Dougal has a way with the ladies and with words. This is just another instance where Dougal on the show is so much better than in the books.