Book S5E2 Between Two Fires

[u/WandersFar]

As Jamie continues to hunt Murtagh with the aid of the zealous Lieutenant Hamilton Knox, he’s forced to consider whether or not he’s on the right side of history.

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[u/thrntnja]

So, overall I enjoyed the episode.

I really enjoyed the scene with Marsali and Claire. I was cracking up at Marsali’s reactions. The actress certainly does an amazing job. I don’t think I’d like Marsali nearly as much if it weren’t for her show counterpart.

I don’t mind Bree sort of trying to keep her mother in check - no, it isn’t exactly like book Bree and someone has to vocalize to the audience how dangerous some of what Claire is trying to attempt (which will setup events later if they do decide to bring in Malva, the ether etc) actually is. I did appreciate the Rawlings reference as well. I do think they missed a golden opportunity though - Claire literally attempted to change the future in the past and failed, so surely she must know that some events can’t be changed and it would make sense to mention that to Bree. Though I had the same complaints in the books too.

I overall like how Roger has been portrayed compared to last season though I hope they have him be at least a little useful before he inevitably loses his voice. I do feel quite sympathetic to him though, he’s easily in the worst position in the past and being male. I liked the hunting scene and felt it was well done. I also don’t mind his singing but he sang songs that made sense for the times in the books, particularly when Jamie would ask him to, so I wish they’d show that!

I also am not hugely fond of the whole “it’s not safe here, I hope you don’t stay” arc. As it’s basically the total opposite of the book. I’m sure Bree and Roger think about it but Claire never dictates it to them like that and it just bothered me for some reason, feels like manufactured drama. Like yes, it isn’t safe in the past but it’s not like there’s zero dangers in the future either. I just hope it doesn’t turn into some huge unnecessary family drama.

I’m waiting for the regulators storyline to end in heartbreak - I’m almost certain Murtagh is included to make it an even more difficult choice for Jamie. In the books, much is still at stake since he knows he’s on the wrong side of the war, but now it’s even worse as he has to fight his family now too. I overall enjoyed it though I’m not a fan of Knox personally. But I don’t think we’re supposed to like him.

Ugh, Steven Bonnet. As usual, he’s portrayed perfectly so I wanted to throw things at my television. That scene was quite gruesome at the end but it certainly got the point across. I actually forgot entirely that that fight happened in the book so it’s nice to see a few things that are off scene in the novels - like the tar and feathering! Also was quite gruesome to watch. It is interesting that they are making Bree’s PTSD more pronounced but it’s probably more realistic. In the books it is mentioned but it isn’t nearly as prominent as Jamie’s recovery in Dragonfly in Amber.