One thing Outlander does remarkably well, is show the experiences and point of view of Claire and other women in the historical past. Travelling back in time is hard enough on ones sense of where to fit in socially, but being an independent woman makes things even tougher on Claire when she arrives in 1700’s Scotland. At first it appears she won’t make it. Her modern views seemingly come up hard against the mores of the time, but at a certain point the past gives way, and she’s able to exert her own will, and be her own person without too many checks on her freedom. At points it appears a woman’s role in 1700’s Scotland is valued more than it is in 1940’s America or Britain.

In both her marriage and her social life with Jamie, Claire is allowed an opinion, and to state an opinion without fear of it being dismissed solely because of her gender. Sure part of it is the people she surrounds herself with, but her peers recognize her as being knowledgeable and insightful. Back then she’s at least listened to and not dismissed offhandedly as being the weaker sex. While in France, Claire worked at a hospital helping the sick and caring for the dying. Her talents were acknowledged and appreciated, something that isn’t taken into consideration in the 1940’s even when it comes to her own body. What Outlander does in the premiere of the third season, is show how Claire’s position in society has regressed even though 200 years have passed.

The awkwardness of the home life, and the expectations of a wife, let alone a pregnant wife in 1940’s America, is so much more restrictive than what she experienced in the Highlands and in France. Watching Claire try to cook dinner for Frank and be the homemaker society expects of her to be is contrary to everything we’ve seen of Claire since the first episode of the series. She’s accepted this role for the time being, even though it goes against everything she stands for. One of the most telling instances of her limited position in society is when she offers an opinion about the current American political environment to Frank’s boss at a Harvard social gathering. She’s quickly belittled in front of everyone. When she brings up the fact women were admitted to Harvard Medical School, the man makes light of the fact, and believes women are unsuited for that kind of work. Even after Frank lets the man know Claire worked as a medic during the war, the man condescendingly dismisses her medical training and contributions to the war effort. According to him, she can now go back to a more fulfilling role for a woman such as raising a family and keeping house. This isn’t a caveman talking, this is an educated man who is the head of the History Department at Harvard.

Even more frightening than the beliefs of Frank’s boss, is the way Claire is treated when she’s brought to the hospital to give birth to her daughter. Claire knows her stuff, and has helped deliver babies before, but the attending physician only asks questions about her contractions and medical history to Frank, ignoring Claire and the answers she gives as if they don’t matter, as if she doesn’t matter. When the doctor does arrive she tells him she doesn’t want any anesthetic. Claire wants to be awake for the childbirth, and informs them she doesn’t want any injections. Unfortunately the doctors don’t care what Claire wants, and they inject her with anesthesia anyway. At this time a German technique for childbirth called Dammerschlaf or Twilight Sleep was popular. A woman was completely knocked out during the entire childbirth, and when she awoke had no memory of the labor and childbirth whatsoever. The drugs caused a form of amnesia during the birthing process, so when Claire wakes up alone with an empty belly, she’s scared and worried the baby died. This act was one of the most subtly cruel things ever done to Claire in the entire series, rendering her more helpless than during anything Jack Black Randall attempted. You’d think that 200 years would change a lot when it comes to a woman’s situation, but Outlander is here to let you know not much has changed for women between 1740 and 1940. If anything it may have gotten worse.

Find my Tracking Board review of the season premiere here.