Perpetual Adoration is certainly not the best episode, but it is another solid installment in what is a really strong season. I think the episode is slightly diminished due to some of the cuts that had to be made in the source material. The Perpetual Adoration ceremony has much more importance in the books and actually makes its appearance in the first Outlander novel as Claire attends while trying to ransom Jaime's soul from the clutches of Black Jack's violent attack.
I also didn't favor the change to Mr. Menzies story, in that in the book, Claire actually assists Mr. Menzies in ending his life due to cancer. I can see why the show changed this, there is a big emphasis this season on Claire's oath to do no harm. In fact, one of Diana Galbadon's biggest complaints was that the showrunners changed Dougal's death to have Claire complicit in it, saying that it was inconsistent with her status as a healer. But, I don't agree with that sentiment. In the books and tv series, when Claire does take a violent action it is important because she is a healer and does have her oath. It has meaning and importance when she does hurt or kill someone. It affects her, but it is also a part of her character. Remember, Dr. Randall-Fraser kills Gellis Duncan to save her daughter, kills the Comte St. Germain by handing him poison. In the books she kills or injures a few other people as well to save herself or her family. I think that's ultimately the difference with Claire, she's not a Quaker, she is willing to fight if needed, she just doesn't want to. It's against her morals and against her personality but she is willing to do it.
I actually thinks this fits with the tenor of the episode as you see a situation in which Jaime is forced to act against his own honor and own code for his family. I think the character of Knox is some ways harkens back to Tarren McQuarrie in season 1, a glimpse of where Jaime might have been if not for Claire and his family. Knox is seemingly a man of honor, who believes that he is acting in accord with justice, in accord with his oath to King and Country. Jaime's word and his honor are equally important, and Knox is someone who you feel Jaime respects, but his word to his family is above all.
You see this quite a bit in Jaime's conflict with Roger, and why Roger does not measure up in Jaime's eyes. Remember the heaven and earth speech Jaime told Fergus in Season 3, that's what family is to Jaime. To him, he would move heaven and earth, he would burn in hell itself to protect his family without a moment's hesitation, without a second thought. When Roger gives up Morton, he does the unthinkable to Jaime, he gives up one of his own. When Roger doesn't return to Brianna right away it is impossible for Jaime to forget this, because to him, it's unthinkable not to.
I have to say this is why I love Season 5 so much, because while an episode like Perpetual Adoration may not the best episode, it is incredibly consistent and believable. Jaime's portion of the episode is the strongest because it is a reminder of who he is. He will betray a man he respects like Knox for his godfather and for his family. He does it without hesitation, just like we've seen him do so many times, when he marries Claire, at Fort William, at Culloden, during the voyage to Jamaica. And it is interesting to see how Jaime's view of love, view of manhood are at odds with Roger who is no less in love with Brianna but is a scholar, is a practical man, who has a different sense of duty and honor than Jamie might have.
As such, Season 5 continues to be one of the strongest seasons to date.
I also didn't favor the change to Mr. Menzies story, in that in the book, Claire actually assists Mr. Menzies in ending his life due to cancer. I can see why the show changed this, there is a big emphasis this season on Claire's oath to do no harm. In fact, one of Diana Galbadon's biggest complaints was that the showrunners changed Dougal's death to have Claire complicit in it, saying that it was inconsistent with her status as a healer. But, I don't agree with that sentiment. In the books and tv series, when Claire does take a violent action it is important because she is a healer and does have her oath. It has meaning and importance when she does hurt or kill someone. It affects her, but it is also a part of her character. Remember, Dr. Randall-Fraser kills Gellis Duncan to save her daughter, kills the Comte St. Germain by handing him poison. In the books she kills or injures a few other people as well to save herself or her family. I think that's ultimately the difference with Claire, she's not a Quaker, she is willing to fight if needed, she just doesn't want to. It's against her morals and against her personality but she is willing to do it.
I actually thinks this fits with the tenor of the episode as you see a situation in which Jaime is forced to act against his own honor and own code for his family. I think the character of Knox is some ways harkens back to Tarren McQuarrie in season 1, a glimpse of where Jaime might have been if not for Claire and his family. Knox is seemingly a man of honor, who believes that he is acting in accord with justice, in accord with his oath to King and Country. Jaime's word and his honor are equally important, and Knox is someone who you feel Jaime respects, but his word to his family is above all.
You see this quite a bit in Jaime's conflict with Roger, and why Roger does not measure up in Jaime's eyes. Remember the heaven and earth speech Jaime told Fergus in Season 3, that's what family is to Jaime. To him, he would move heaven and earth, he would burn in hell itself to protect his family without a moment's hesitation, without a second thought. When Roger gives up Morton, he does the unthinkable to Jaime, he gives up one of his own. When Roger doesn't return to Brianna right away it is impossible for Jaime to forget this, because to him, it's unthinkable not to.
I have to say this is why I love Season 5 so much, because while an episode like Perpetual Adoration may not the best episode, it is incredibly consistent and believable. Jaime's portion of the episode is the strongest because it is a reminder of who he is. He will betray a man he respects like Knox for his godfather and for his family. He does it without hesitation, just like we've seen him do so many times, when he marries Claire, at Fort William, at Culloden, during the voyage to Jamaica. And it is interesting to see how Jaime's view of love, view of manhood are at odds with Roger who is no less in love with Brianna but is a scholar, is a practical man, who has a different sense of duty and honor than Jamie might have.
As such, Season 5 continues to be one of the strongest seasons to date.
