Mary & Blake recap and give reaction to Outlander Season 8 Episode 9, "Pharos."

In this episode, we discuss why Lord John Grey finally gets the emotional spotlight, why the Jamie and Lord John chess scene may be the best payoff of Season 8, and why "Pharos" works as both a literal lighthouse clue and a symbolic title for the episode.

We also get into Richardson's reveal as a time traveler, Claire letting him go, Lord John shooting him anyway, Percy's betrayal, William's two-fathers reckoning, Bree giving birth, Claire writing "our story," and whether this episode actually works as the penultimate chapter of the entire series.

Plus, Mary brings the heat on Under The Tuscan Sun, cannoli, cribbage, Kelly Clarkson, mouth farts, and why Lord John walking away from Percy may be his Miss Independent moment.

In this episode, you'll hear:

Why "Pharos" is a strong episode title
How Diana Gabaldon's writing shapes the Lord John material
Why the chess scene between Jamie and Lord John works so well
Whether Percy's betrayal and death hit hard enough
Why Richardson's plan feels underbuilt
Claire's hope that history can still change
Lord John as the emotional engine of the episode
William's complicated love for both Jamie and Lord John
Whether "Pharos" gives enough momentum going into the finale

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Mary & Blake discuss listener feedback for Outlander Season 8 Episode 8, "In The Forest."

In this episode, we go through your reactions to one of the strongest episodes of the final season — including why so many listeners felt like Ron Moore helped get the show back on track, why Jamie and William's hug absolutely broke everyone, and why Fanny hearing the buzzing has people very, very nervous.

We also discuss the lingering fallout from Episode 8.07, whether Fergus's death worked better than the book version, Marsali leaving the Ridge, Frank's "Deadeye" reveal, Lord John walking into yet another trap, and why the final two episodes still have a LOT to pay off.

Plus, Angie gives us the quote of the season, Mary gets emotionally wounded by Apple Podcast reviews, Blake compares Outlander's spin-off energy to the DCEU, and we somehow end with tuna melts, Mr. Feeney, Chantilly cake, and "I'm not a Hulk, I'm a person."

Mary & Blake recap and review Outlander Season 8 Episode 8, "In The Forest."

In this episode, we discuss why this hour felt like a massive breath of fresh air, how Ronald D. Moore's return to the writer's chair changed the emotional temperature of the show, and why Jamie and William's forest scene finally gave us the father/son material we've been waiting for.

We also get into Roger somehow becoming one of Blake's favorite parts of the episode — yes, really — Fanny possibly hearing the stones, the very convenient Frank "Deadeye" reveal, Claire's lack of screen time, Marsali's next step after Fergus, and why the Lord John cliffhanger feels a little too late in the season.

Plus, Mary has serious issues with the condition of Frank's book, Blake is fully wearing Ron Moore footie pajamas, and Five Questions That Got Nothing To Do With Outlander somehow leads us to Jars of Clay, leftover pizza, mac and cheese, and the Universal Epic Universe How To Train Your Dragon soundtrack.