Jamie Makes A Deal With The Devil

The excitement really kicks up with Outlander season 8, episode 5, “Send for the Devil.” In this installment of the romantasy series, we see Jamie and Captain Charles Cunningham officially come to odds, and it’s essentially an all-out battle on Fraser’s Ridge. That’s not all, of course, as Roger gets caught up in the Siege of Savannah, all while Brianna waits anxiously at Lord John’s house. What’s more, we get some development in William’s investigation into his cousin Ben’s death. Add in the arrival of Benjamin Cleveland to Fraser’s Ridge, and there’s a whole lot to dive into.

Previously in Outlander season 8, Jamie discovered that Captain Cunningham was raising a Loyalist militia on Fraser’s Ridge. The supposedly retired Redcoat invited Jamie to join him, but Jamie instead heads out to recruit men around the county for his own militia. At that point, he was reluctant to accept the help of the bloodthirsty Benjamin Cleveland. However, going into Outlander season 8, episode 5, Jamie gets news of Cunningham’s plans, and he can no longer resist the assistance of the devil.

Captain Cunningham Mounts An Attack On Jamie At Lodge Night

At the start of Outlander season 8, episode 5, Mr. Whitaker, the father of the twin babies Claire delivered, shows up at Fraser’s Ridge with a warning for Jamie. He had been hunting with the Cherokee when they were approached by white men attempting to recruit them for Ferguson’s Loyalist militia. The men stated that, very soon, Cunningham would be in charge of Fraser’s Ridge, not Jamie. Whitaker understood this to mean that an attack on Jamie is imminent. Of course, he is right.

Jamie surmises that Cunningham will attack just after their Lodge meeting. He gathers up as many men as possible, and while the men finish up their prayer in the church, Jamie escapes into the woods. There, he and his men lure in and mark down the names of the tenants who took Cunningham’s side. The intention isn’t to harm any of them, but they’re sure to be evicted in the coming episodes of Outlander.

As for Cunningham himself, he and Jamie have a showdown at the trading post, and it doesn’t go particularly well for either. Cunningham is confident that he cannot die, since his deceased son told him that they wouldn’t see one another for seven more years (five years from Outlander’s present). What Cunningham didn’t count on was getting permanently injured.

Cunningham’s Fate In Outlander Season 8, Episode 5, Explained

Initially, Cunningham only planned on capturing Jamie and bringing him to Ferguson to be hanged. However, when it becomes clear that Jamie won’t go easily, it becomes an all-out battle between the two men. Cunningham fights like a man who thinks he is invincible, which makes him immensely dangerous. He very nearly kills Jamie, and he would have if Buck hadn’t turned up in the nick of time to deliver a bullet to Cunningham’s lower spine.

Jamie and Buck bring Cunningham to Claire, and she confirms that he might never walk again. She’s able to remove the bullet, and the wound may heal, his spine along with it. However, it’s pretty clear that Claire doesn’t expect this to be the outcome. Precisely what this will mean for Cunningham is uncertain. Jamie is only slightly safer on the Ridge, since his primary enemy is disabled and his men’s identities have been revealed. Still, he knows that Cunninghams is only an agent of Ferguson. The danger isn’t over.

Roger Survives The Siege Of Savannah & Is Reunited With Brianna

In Outlander season 8, episode 4, Roger traveled to the Continental camp outside the city of Savannah to request help and weapons for Fraser’s Ridge. However, he wound up unable to leave as the rebel soldiers prepared for battle. This is the historical Siege of Savannah, which took place in 1779. Roger knows the Continental Army is doomed to fail in its attempt to take the city. Still, he feels the call to be there, in the thick of things, to serve some larger purpose.

Whether Roger’s presence in the battle has larger consequences is unclear, but he certainly saves at least one life. He carries a young drummer boy to safety (leaving him in the care of none other than Denzell Hunter, Rachel’s brother) and heads back into the warzone to help more. It’s then that he is blown backward by an explosion. We see Roger experience a sort of flashback as he is blown off his feet. As just a young child, he is experiencing a similar disaster, but is caught by a mysterious man.

Regardless of what this means, Roger survives that battle. Brianna was too anxious to wait for news at Lord John’s residence, so she heads to the Continental Camp for answers, and the couple is reunited. Brianna was escorted to the camp by William, and that’s ultimately rather fortunate for him since the visit provides him with some long-sought answers.

William Discovers That His Cousin Is Alive & With The Continental Army

Throughout Outlander season 8, William has been investigating the death of his cousin, Benjamin Grey. Ben, a Redcoat, supposedly died from illness while being held captive by the rebels. However, when William came looking, he found that another man was buried in Ben’s grave. This led William to believe that his cousin was still alive. However, without any more evidence, he gave up the search.

William’s suspicions are ultimately confirmed when he sees Ben at the Continental Camp. Denzell calls him General Bleeker, and he wears the blue uniform of the Rebels. At first, William is thrilled to see Ben alive. However, he quickly pieces it together and becomes enraged. Ben faked his death, left his wife and son, and has taken on a false identity with the opposing side. He’s a turncoat, and that’s unlikely to sit well with William. Of course, the fact that he only just had a rather steamy moment with Ben’s widow isn’t likely to help the situation.

What Benjamin Cleveland’s Arrival At Fraser’s Ridge Means For Outlander Season 8

The final moments of Outlander season 8, episode 5, see Benjamin Cleveland finally arrive at Fraser’s Ridge. Jamie had sent for him before the ill-fated Lodge Night, hoping Cleveland would arrive in time to help in the battle against Cunningham. Things didn’t work out that way, but Jamie still needs Cleveland on his side. The conflicts in the backcountry are far from over. After all, Jamie knows that the Battle at King’s Mountain is on the way, and that he is fated to fight alongside Cleveland—and perish.

When Jamie first read in Frank’s book that he would fight with Cleveland, he couldn’t believe it. They may both be rebels, but Cleveland is a truly despicable, violent, and bloodthirsty man. Having him at Fraser’s Ridge will bring Jamie and Claire no pleasure at all. Still, it’s quickly becoming clear that Jamie must ally himself with devils if he hopes to defend his home and those he loves from other men like Cunningham. Outlander season 8 is slowly pulling Jamie closer to the battle meant to take his life. A friend like Cleveland could, at the very least, mean that Fraser’s Ridge will be safe.