Recap / Outlander S 7 E 3 Death Be Not Proud

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Recap of Outlander
Season 7, Episode 3:

Death Be Not Proud

Jamie discovers that the Bugs have been keeping a secret, the discovery of which leads to an unintended tragedy. The MacKenzies readjust to living in the 20th century but are happy to discover one remaining connection to the past.

Tropes

• Actually Pretty Funny: Roger thinks it's hilarious that it was Bree's matches and Claire's ether that led to the Big House burning. Bree initially doesn't agree, but when Roger points out that Bree defied history by ensuring that there would be nothing left to burn on the destined night of the fire, Bree can't help but join into his laughter.
  Roger: The 18th century was lucky to have survived you.
• Anachronistic Soundtrack: For Mrs. Bug's funeral procession, Claire sings Ave Maria, a song that will not be penned until 1825.
• The Bus Came Back: Fiona comes back for the first time since mid-season 4.
• Call-Back: The Frenchman's gold. It has been discussed off and on ever since the request was made back in season 2. At one point, Lord John requested Jamie's help in finding it, Jocasta mentions it, and now it has been brought back up, revealing that the money actually was sent but too late. With it not arriving in time, a group of men decided to split it.
• The Caretaker: During the funeral procession, the Ridge residents talk about how Murdina will now be the graveyard guardian. The most recent person to be buried in a graveyard watches over the cemetery until the next person dies and takes their place. They agree that Murdina, a natural caretaker, would like this.
• Comically Missing the Point: When Jamie says that Ian's parents might be shocked by his appearance, Ian questions if he's really gotten that much taller. That his face tats and mohawk might be shocking to his parents who have never even seen a Native American doesn't seem to register.
• Continuity Nod: While panning through the burning house, several key items are highlighted, including: Claire's bath tub where she bathed after the traumatic events of the season 5 finale, the nameplate from her Dr. Rawlings medical kit, the vanity where she often sat as she and Jamie had nighttime discussions in their bedroom, and Jamie's chest where he keeps his tartans and fighting weaponry.
• Crusading Widow: Archie vows revenge on Ian for the death of his wife.
• Due to the Dead: The Ridge residents hold a funeral service for Mrs. Bug.
• Face–Heel Turn: Archie Bug has been fairly supportive of the Frasers but he is absolutely willing to flush their friendship to keep the gold that he has managed to recover.
• Grave Robbing: Jamie explains that this is what the ghost who serves as graveyard guardian is guarding against.
• House Fire: The fire that was foretold of three seasons ago has finally come to pass.
• I Did What I Had to Do: Invoked by Claire, reminding Ian that he hadn't set out to kill Mrs. Bug. He was simply trying to protect Jamie.
• Immortality Through Memory: Brianna chooses to ration the letters from her parents because as long as she and Roger have letters left to read, they can imagine Claire and Jamie still alive in their respective time period.
• Last Words: Murdina's last words were to ask for her husband.
• A MacGuffin Full of Money: A chest full of Frenchman's gold is introduced and everyone wants it.
• Match in a Bomb Shack: It has been expressed multiple times across the series how flammable the sulfur in Bree's matches is as well as how flammable Claire's ether is. Wendigo foolishly decides to combine the two with the inevitable consequence as a result.
• My God, What Have I Done?: Ian is devastated when he realizes that he's accidentally killed Murdina Bug. He only intended to defend Jamie from an attacker he believed to be Archie Bug.
• Not Afraid to Die: Jamie is not afraid of dying and doesn't particularly care what happens to his body afterwards. His only fear is outliving Claire.
• Outrun the Fireball: Jamie, Claire, and Mr. and Mrs. Bug have to flee the house before Wendigo passes out and drops the match into the pool of highly flammable ether. Just as soon as Jamie and Claire are clear of the doorway, a huge fireball plumes out, sending them flying off of the porch.
• Secret-Keeper: Young Ian reveals that he'd realized that William was Jamie's son back when the boy and Lord John visited back in Season 4, but he knew that he wasn't supposed to say anything.
• Shout-Out: Robert Frost
• These Hands Have Killed: Ian is devastated to have killed Mrs. Bug.
• Voiceover Letter: Brianna reads the first of Jamie's letters, which is narrated in voice over by the actor.
• Write Back to the Future: Jamie has a box of letters sent to Jemmy that has been waiting in a bank vault for over 200 years.
• You Can't Go Home Again: Invoked. Ian says Brianna told him of a poem that says once you leave home, you can't go back again. Claire says she prefers Robert Frost's take.
  Claire: Home is the place where when you have to go there, they have to take you in.