That was an incredibly disturbing hour of television.

While Outlander Season 1 Episode 15 was definitely well done in terms of quality, it's not easy to praise what was almost a drawn out psychological and emotional rape. Yes, that's what happens in the books, but in terms of the penultimate hour of a season long arc, it's hard to imagine the whole season coming to an end so soon.

Because at the heart of Outlander is the love story of Jamie and Claire and it sure seems like we're going to end Outlander Season 1 in an...interesting place.

Claire was resourceful as ever as she attempted to free Jamie from Wentworth, but she had no idea what was going on inside the prison. She was, really, too late to save him. Black Jack did the job.

Everything about the man is terrible, yet you're left wondering if Jamie just gave himself sexually to Black Jack at the beginning of his interrogation if he would have been able to walk out of the prison and make a run for freedom. Is that something someone should have to do? Hell no.

Yet people (women usually) do things with their bodies to survive horrific circumstances all the time. I suppose people do what they need to do to survive and then worry about the trauma of the events later, much like Jamie did with the brutal lashings he received, also at Black Jack's hands.

Is there only so much one soul can take? Probably. Each person must have their limits. Jamie's limits were surely being tested after Claire left the prison. He did what he did to ensure she left unharmed. He probably reached the place Black Jack ultimately wanted, but suffered a hell of a lot more along they way first.

Everybody's acting was incredibly good. The tears, the straightforward discussions, everything was on point. The look on Jamie's face when Black Jack called his back a work of art was utterly heartbreaking. Kudos to Sam Hueghan and Tobias Menzies on their work together.

It's been a while since Claire has thought about Frank, and it would be a good time for her to swing back around and do a summation of her two lives. It would be almost impossible to imagine being married to a man with that face at this point in her life.

Watching a man with your first husband's face torture and humiliate your current husband and then force a kiss in front of you would be enough to change your outlook forever. It would seem there would be no turning back, but life is never quite that simple. When you least expect it, another curve ball comes your way.

There is little doubt that Claire and Murtagh and friends will be successful in rescuing Jamie, but what then? There is still a warrant out for Jamie and if they don't kill Black Jack, then he'll be angrier than ever. Will they ever get a moment of peace?

Is this where you imagined the season ending when it first started? I know the ending of the book, and I'm holding out hope, but right now it sure feels dire going into the finale, doesn't it?

I know I usually have a lot more to say, but when an hour is this dark, it's not easy to make conversation. "Wentworth Prison" pretty much stands on its own. I'm thankful for that, as there isn't a lot to cheer about after watching.

13 Mesmerizing TV Mad Men

Start Gallery

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.