‘Outlander’ Author Diana Gabaldon Explains Jamie’s Life-Saving Deal – And the Major Catch

In Outlander’s “Send for the Devil,” the story leans into something the series doesn’t always promise—that doing the right thing might actually come back to save you.

That rare payoff arrives through Mr. Whittaker, the father of the twin babies Claire and Jamie once helped deliver. His gratitude turns into something far more valuable than thanks: a warning that could save Jamie’s life.

Cunningham’s Quiet Coup

Whittaker brings word of a quiet but deadly scheme. Captain Charles Cunningham is planning to abduct Jamie and hand him over to Captain Ferguson, where a charge of treason would almost certainly end at the gallows. The real prize? Control of Fraser’s Ridge.

Jamie, never one to wait for fate to strike first, reads the situation clearly. The attack will likely come after the upcoming Lodge gathering—a setting where loyalties blur and whispers spread fast.

His response is calculated, but risky: he prepares a counterstrike… and makes an uneasy alliance with Cleveland—a move that feels dangerously close to bargaining with the devil.

But strategy alone isn’t enough. War, after all, is a numbers game.

Jamie has already been beyond the Ridge trying to rally support, knowing full well that his current manpower may not be sufficient. The looming question isn’t just whether he can outmaneuver Cunningham—but whether he has enough men willing to stand with him when it counts.

According to Outlander creator Diana Gabaldon, Jamie’s position is stronger than it might seem—but far from secure:

“As per book, Jamie does have enough men still on his side—he’s the landlord and knows everyone who lives on his land, most of whom also know (and like) him, though some may be swayed toward Cunningham, either because of political beliefs, or doubt as to who might come out on top in a struggle (self-preservation being usually No. 1 when it comes to making this sort of decision),”

Yet loyalty in this world is rarely declared openly. Politics are whispered, not proclaimed. Gabaldon continues:

“On the other hand, he can’t be sure how many men will follow Cunningham; most folk in those days wouldn’t share their political opinions outside their family and close friends. This is why the Masonic Lodge is important; Masons acknowledge a mutual loyalty, and the gathering [outside of the formal meeting] brings all the men in Lodge [nearly every male of age on the Ridge] into close contact with each other—things can be spread in a very short time. On the other hand, it also means that Cunningham is betraying the brotherhood of the Lodge, which presumably he would only do if he had a real belief in loyalty to the Crown.”

And then comes the ominous confirmation:

“And yes, Jamie’s deal with Cleveland will take him to King’s Mountain. (Thus adding to Jamie’s sense of impending doom).”

That sense of doom isn’t paranoia—it’s rooted in prophecy.

A Man Who Believes He Cannot Die

Cunningham’s boldness isn’t just ambition—it’s belief. He is convinced he won’t die for seven years, a conviction born from what he claims was a message from his deceased son.

And he doesn’t doubt it.

Gabaldon sheds light on the kind of man Cunningham truly is:

“Captain Cunningham does indeed believe it. As per book, Captain Cunningham was a sea captain. The show decided he should be an army man, presumably so they could play up his having fought for the British at the same time Jamie was fighting for the Americans, so, a natural animus.”

But the more revealing detail lies in his mindset:

“The thing is…Cunningham is a sea captain. A man who will take on the sea is a man who will take on anyone else, too. More importantly (for purposes of the book), a sea-captain is used to making his own decisions in the midst of chaos and danger—unlike an army commander who’s always within a day’s ride of Headquarters.”

And then there’s his faith:

“But he’s also (in the book) described (by himself) as a ‘Blue Light’ captain. A Blue Light captain would be an evangelical Christian, who insists that his crew abide by his principles, i.e., no grog, no swearing, etc. Ergo, we know (if we have been reading the book…) that Cunningham is a) very tough-minded and independent, and b) has a deep belief in Christianity, including a belief in the afterlife.”

That belief reaches its peak in the story of his son:

“So yes, when his son (apparently drowned) suddenly opens his eyes and tells his father that he’ll see him again in seven years—and then promptly closes his eyes and dies for good—he certainly believes it.”

It’s this certainty that makes him so dangerous—a point Jamie himself captures perfectly:

“A man who believes he can’t die is dangerous.”

William’s War: Loyalty, Love, and Consequences

While Jamie faces external threats, William’s conflict is far more personal—and arguably just as volatile.

His world shifts dramatically after encountering Denzel Hunter in a Patriot camp. What begins as a passing observation from Bree—that many of his acquaintances support the Patriots—quickly turns into something far more shocking.

William comes face-to-face with his cousin Ben… who isn’t dead after all.

Instead, Ben is alive, dressed in a Patriot uniform, and branded—at least in the eyes of the Crown—a traitor.

The emotional whiplash is immediate. William embraces him, then strikes him. Relief collides with anger. Family loyalty clashes with military duty.

And as if that weren’t complicated enough, there’s Amaranthus—Ben’s wife—with whom William has already crossed a line.

The question now isn’t just what William feels—but what he does next.

Should he confess? History suggests that honesty doesn’t always end well in this world.

Gabaldon offers insight into William’s emotional inexperience and tangled relationships:

“Well, William has had relatively little experience with women. He had sex (and something emotional going) with Jane [Silvia Presente], but then failed to save her from death, which would probably dampen anyone’s spirit for a bit…”

She adds:

“He has rapport with Rachel [Izzy Meikle-Small], but she’s a) in love with, and b) married to Ian [John Bell]. Fanny [Florrie May Wilkinson] has a crush on him, but she’s much too young for him to consider.”

But the real conflict lies in his relationship with Ben:

“As to his relations with Ben, he’s outraged: 1) Ben pretending to be dead, thus causing deep sorrow to his family, and 2) having done it to conceal the fact that he’s changed sides (which is even worse, to a more or less career soldier like William — and Ben’s father and uncle).”

And then there’s the unavoidable truth:

“On the other hand, since Ben has (apparently) abandoned his family, what’s going to happen with Amaranthus (for whom William has a strong attraction, evidently reciprocated). So, he more or less has to go home and tell Lord John (at least) that Ben is alive, and — not being without finer feelings — doesn’t feel he should go on messing with Amaranthus…”

Which leads to the inevitable conclusion:

“So, if he has to tell Lord John, for reasons of conscience and family loyalty, I don’t think he can reasonably ask Lord John to NOT tell Amaranthus.”

The Calm Before the Collision

“Send for the Devil” is less about action and more about positioning every piece on the board before chaos erupts.

Jamie is preparing for a battle that may already be written in history. Cunningham is charging forward with the certainty of a man who believes fate cannot touch him. And William is caught in a deeply human struggle—torn between duty, desire, and the weight of truth.

Everything is moving toward a collision.

The only question now is: who survives it—and who was never meant to.

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