Outlander Season 7 Episode 3: Mrs. Bug’s Death & The Gold Curse Explained

The third episode of Starz’s historical series Outlander season 7, titled ‘Death Be Not Proud,’ revolves around the aftermath of the fire at James “Jamie” Fraser and Claire Fraser’s house at Fraser’s Ridge. Although Jamie and Claire manage to escape from the house before the explosion, their house gets burnt down. While going through the debris, Jamie notices a significant thing, which paves the way for severe consequences.

Outlander season 7, episode 3 also investigated the reason behind Mrs. Bug’s unexplained gold. However, her death supplied even more evidence of the Jacobite gold curse. Also known as the Frenchman’s gold, the Jacobite gold was already featured in Outlander season 5, as its being divided in three ways benefiting Jocasta and Hector Cameron once they reach America.

Between Jamie writing in the letter to Brianna to have the gold blessed by a priest and Roger’s remarks about it being believed to be cursed, the Jacobite gold had a long history of causing problems. Still, even though not directly linked to Mrs. Bug, her dealing with the Jacobite gold caused her death in Outlander season 7, episode 3.

Throughout, Outlander talks about how the Frenchman’s gold came and went, and more often than not, people died in the hope of keeping it hidden.

How is Mrs. Bug’s Death connected to The Gold Curse?
Hugh Ross and Sam Heughan in Death Be Not Proud (2023) | Source: IMDb

1. Would Mrs. Bug be alive if she didn’t return for the gold?

Jamie considered the Bugs thieves after finding the Frenchman’s gold hidden in his house in Outlander season 7, episode 3. Arch Bug framed his taking from Hector Cameron’s tomb as following orders to share with the rest of the clan. However, the reason Mrs. Bug returned to retrieve the gold had more to do with the belief that they deserved it after faithfully serving the Frasers for years.

Mrs. Bug’s hubris finally condemned her because she tried to shoot Jamie, but her reasons made her more similar to the others dying in a bid to get the Jacobite gold than Arch Bug.

2. Why does Brianna’s Coworker kidnap Jemmy?

Brianna’s Coworker Kidnaps Jemmy Because Of The Jacobite Gold In The Books

The details Jamie left in his and Claire’s letters to Brianna in Outlander season 7 will likely paint a target on Jemmy’s back. The book An Echo in the Bone detailed Rob Cameron’s kidnapping of Jemmy in 1980 once he realized that by threatening the Mackenzies, he could have found the mythical Jacobite gold.

Cameron’s layered plan to get Jemmy to unveil the secret location entailed multiple steps, including Roger’s time-traveling to the past and relentless dangers to the Mackenzies. Cameron’s willingness to endanger Jemmy without thinking of the repercussions he might suffer only to prove the Jacobite gold’s existence adds to the belief that the gold could be cursed.

3. Why did France Send the Gold?

France sent the gold to help Bonnie Prince Charlie with The Jacobite Rebellion.

Jamie and Claire went to France in Outlander season 2 to disentangle themselves from the upcoming Scottish rebellion. However, the permanence of Outlander’s Bonnie Prince Charlie was to garner financial aid and sympathizers for the cause of Scottish independence.

While the money got to Scotland too late, many Scots still believed the Jacobite gold should have benefited the clans, especially after the battle of Culloden ended so tragically for many. The Frenchman’s gold passing through many hands never let it serve its original purpose in Outlander, making Arch Bug’s commitment to sharing it with his fellow Scots admirable even if Jamie hid it for Jemmy.

How is Mrs. Bug’s Death connected to The Gold Curse?
Sam Heughan in Outlander | Source: IMDb

4. Why Does Jamie Hide the Gold in the Cave?

After finding a part of the lost Jacobite treasure, Jamie takes a part of the gold bars from the same and hides them in a cave in a box. He reveals to Claire that the cave is one he used to explore with his grandson Jeremiah “Jemmy” MacKenzie. Jamie hides the gold after dreaming of Brianna, Roger, Jemmy, and Amanda, who are living a contented life in the future.

He reveals to Claire that Amanda was well in his dream and Jemmy was playing with things. The dream must have evoked strong feelings in Jamie, making him want to do something for the sake of his daughter and her family.

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5. About Outlander

Outlander is a historical drama television series based on the ongoing novel series of the same name by Diana Gabaldon. Developed by Ronald D. Moore, the show premiered on August 9, 2014, on Starz.

It stars Caitríona Balfe as Claire Randall, a former Second World War military nurse in Scotland who, in 1945, finds herself transported back in time to 1743. There she encounters, falls in love with, and marries a dashing Highland warrior named Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), a Tacksman of Gabaldon’s fictionalized version of Clan Fraser of Lovat, and becomes embroiled in the Jacobite rising.

Epic Dope Staff

Epic Dope Staff

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