Michelle and Mandi on 'Outlander': The Devil's Mark

Mandi:"No one is coming Geillis."

One of the more suspenseful Outlander episodes puts Claire and Geillis on trial for witchcraft. And "on trial" back then really meant — prolonging your burning at the stake by a few minutes. Obviously, Claire can't be burned alive because the story would be over! (And we'd no longer get to see Jamie shirtless — this would be the real travesty.) But I still sat on the edge of my seat and waited, and waited for Jamie to come to the rescue. It took him long enough!

With Dougal banished, Jamie was gone escorting him off Mackenzie lands so they didn't know what was happening to their women. Claire gets tricked into going to Geillis' house, and they both get arrested on suspicion of witchcraft. They get put away in a dungeon hole of sorts, with no hope of escape.

Their only ally is Ned Gowan, clan Mackenzie's lawyer. Ned tries his best to convince everyone that Claire and Geillis are not witches. But with everyone — the changeling woman, the housekeeper, that darn Laoghaire — coming to speak against them, it's an uphill battle. Plus, Claire can't keep her mouth shut (shocking!) and gets herself into more trouble. The only plan Ned can come up with, which made me shiver, is to put all the blame on Geillis, and save Claire. I found this to be such a chilling scene. I'm not Geillis' biggest fan, but she is carrying Dougal's love child!! I don't want her to be burned at the stake.

Finally, Jamie comes rushing to Claire's aid — just after Claire realizes Geillis herself has the smallpox vaccination mark!! Geillis is from the future! And she sacrifices herself for Claire. Oh my heart.

But the drama isn't over yet. Claire and Jamie flee, and then Claire tells Jamie everything. That she is from the future and all of the events that led to her becoming his. After Claire tells Jamie everything, and he believes her, he comments that it would have been easier if she had just been a witch. That made me chuckle. Then Jamie, my selfless, adorable Highlander, gives Claire the opportunity to go back to Frank. Oh, Jamie — your selflessness knows no bounds! Even my husband commented that Jamie just might be the perfect hero. DUH, husband!! Sorry, Frank, but Claire chooses Jamie, and off they ride to Lallybroch, Jamie's childhood home.

Michelle: Geillis is practical. She's not hysterical. She's a strategist. With more than an ounce of bravery, Geillis marches out with "And it looks like I'm going to a f***ing BBQ," followed by a raucous declaration of her witchy self in order for Claire to escape. Then she practically (could be) crowd surfs to the stake like a (doomed) rock star. Gosh, I'm loving this character interpreted by Lotte Verbeek.

There is a bit of the dark comedic element to this witch trial. The backstabbing and two-faced admissions from the women during the trial are a bit like a historical housewife reality show with a boisterous, most times hostile, live audience. This scene does reiterate the point that this bouncing back in time is not all fun and games and sexy men in kilts.

And Laoghaire, the stalker fangirl from hell, shows up and has zero remorse with her tearful mourning over losing Jamie's heart to that dastardly British woman. Gosh, she's a brat, a dangerous one. "I will dance upon your ashes" — now, what do you say or do to that bit of spew? For me, I would have had to tap into the latest MMA moves and put her in a headlock.

Ned Gowan, full of honor and a tad smitten with Claire, comes roaring in to save the day. But he's no Jamie. Only one superhero to the rescue, Ned. But Ned is a tad quick on the hand toss of Geillis Duncan to the mob to save his crush. Funny, but I think the lawyerly tactics remain the same in the 21st century.

And finally, the symbolic gesture of Jamie bringing Claire to the stones — paving the way for her to make a choice. Of course, he wants her but not on terms of convenience. Hand in hand, he escorts her to the point of departure. Jamie is all kinds of wonderful because he does this for the first woman he's ever loved, ever married, and he's willing to let her go, at the risk of a broken heart. Get the tissues.

Now, my only criticism is that neither Claire nor Jamie talk or worry about Geillis or Ned. Maybe because I'm a Geillis fangirl, I wanted some type of remorse or consideration shown on her behalf. Not asking for much. Here's hoping she uses her wiles to escape.

Mandi Schreiner started romance review blog Smexy Books in 2009. She is obsessed with reading romance novels and collecting fictional boyfriends.

Michelle Monkou loves writing her sexy, complex heroes. Her website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.