The previous episode of "Outlander" saw Claire requesting Jamie to spare Black Jack Randall's life so as to enable the birth of Frank, her future husband. This strange request has undoubtedly strained her relationship with Jamie, and next week's episode titled "Best Laid Schemes" will delve more into how Jack has come in between the Frasers.
Saturday's episode saw Jamie preparing for a duel with Jack, but Claire meddled into his affairs once again, stripping Jamie of the opportunity to seek revenge from the knight for brutally raping him back in Scotland.
"The fact that she asks him to do this thing really tests him, and the moment that Jamie is kind of given this new lease of life, he's trapped again, and he's trapped by his actions. That really has some dire consequences further down the line," Sam Heughan told Variety about how Claire's request has affected his character's relationship with her.
But according to Caitriona Balfe, Claire is justified in making the request as she has a history with Frank. "Claire has asked something insane of him, and it's so much to ask and as Jamie says, it's too much, and she realises that, but she has a very sacred place in her heart for Frank and feels very strongly about trying to protect him, so it's great stuff."
The episode also saw Claire meddling in Alex and Mary's budding romance by telling Jack's brother she isn't fit to court Mary. She does this so Mary will eventually marry Jack and further the Randall line, resulting in Frank's birth.
The official synopsis for "Best Laid Schemes" (via TVGuide) reads:
Claire's medical knowledge is used to devise a plan to halt a deal that would fill the war chest, but she learns Jamie has reneged on his word, and that leads to problems for both of them.
"Outlander" airs Saturdays on Starz.
