Rewatching Outlander since we are getting to the end of it.
Jamie met two extremes of the same spectrum: Black Jack and Lord John Grey. Both wanted him but that’s the only similarity.
Black Jack is desire without restraint. Control for its own sake. He sees Jamie’s strength and tries to break it. There is no conflict in him. Only intent.
John feels just as strongly but never crosses the line. He holds his position and desire with restraint. And chooses dignity over possession. Every time.
What is striking to me is what Jamie experiences through them. With Black Jack, he loses agency. With John, he gets it back. Same starting point. Different use of power.
Curious how others saw this. Did John feel like a counterbalance to Black Jack for you or something else entirely?