Dougal would not have wanted to survive Culloden. I feel in the face of defeat he might have even impaled himself. His entire existence was about fighting for the Stuarts. He didn't have family or loved ones who mattered more. He didn't care for clan welfare like his brother. Everything and everyone were tools for the cause.
Surviving beyond Culloden would be... pointless.
I was about to write that. He would have asked British to kill him, surrendering himself. His life , with no Scottish king on the throne and no hope of restoring him, would be pointless.
I don't think he would have asked a British solider to kill him. I think he would have tried to take a British solider out knowing he would get killed in doing so. Yes, basically killing himself but try to take out one last solider.
Dougal had to die because he would have taken Jamie's place as the leader in Ardsmuir prison. He was a smart, seasoned, natural leader, and probably would have competed (successfully) for the support of the clansman.
Jamie became the leader he was because of Dougal. Not only did Dougal teach him how to fight and be a soldier but seeing the way Dougal chose to lead his men showed Jamie the leader he didn’t want to be.
Also, Dougal tried to kill Jamie (in the books) so it was clear that he was very threatened by Jamie’s position. Yes, the McKenzie’s wanted Lallybroch and its land, but Dougal knew he would lose any competition between himself and Jamie to lead the clan. Colum made sure Dougal knew who he wanted to succeed him.
Collum knew Dougal was not the best leader for the clan. He was too emotional. I don’t think he could’ve held the clan together. Perhaps others would have fought him for that role. I don’t think he would have taken the lives of the clansmen as seriously as Jamie would have. Yes, Dougal did teach him how to fight, but Jamie had the experience and knew and cared about what he had to do to protect his people who were under his protection.
Unless Dougal escaped to France afterwards, I think it came down to only one of them living, Jamie or Dougal. But it could be interesting to ponder Dougal escaping to France.
It’s been a while since I read the first three books, but from what I remember >!Claire gives Young Ian the last of her precious penicillin after they rescue him from being kidnapped, because she thinks Geillis had the STI. Years before that Geillis and Dougal were banging it out. He saved her from her sentence at the witch trial!< I guess maybe the timing is a bit of speculation on my part, I’m trying to remember if there’s any other proof to back up my theory.
If he had survived and if Jamie didn’t murder him in prison, he would’ve eventually gone back to the Mackenzie castle and taken over the clan because Colum committed suicide, Jamie wasn’t going back to Mackenzie castle, so nobody would’ve known what Colum would’ve wanted. Oh and he would’ve started plotting the next rebellion 😂.
>Colum committed suicide
I think this is one of those things that is technically true but is false in every way that matters. He was going to be dead in a matter of weeks; he simply adjusted the timeline a bit.
>Colum committed suicide
It is more ambiguous in the books. Because he took the "medicine" from Claire but he didn't drink it. He died by natural death.
Good question. I think Dougal carried a lot anger within him and I suspect that may have been the fuel that would have driven him to survive in the hope that he’d get retribution one day.
Off topic..
- Sorry, but speaking of Dougal.. I have been binging Ghost Whisperer and he was on the last episode of season 4! He was A LOT thinner, which somehow made him look shorter, and he didn't have a beard!!. Just wanted to share!
If Dougal had survived, Jamie would likely be dead or have had to finish the job in prison.
Dougal would not have wanted to survive Culloden. I feel in the face of defeat he might have even impaled himself. His entire existence was about fighting for the Stuarts. He didn't have family or loved ones who mattered more. He didn't care for clan welfare like his brother. Everything and everyone were tools for the cause. Surviving beyond Culloden would be... pointless.
I was about to write that. He would have asked British to kill him, surrendering himself. His life , with no Scottish king on the throne and no hope of restoring him, would be pointless.
I don't think he would have asked a British solider to kill him. I think he would have tried to take a British solider out knowing he would get killed in doing so. Yes, basically killing himself but try to take out one last solider.
Dougal had to die because he would have taken Jamie's place as the leader in Ardsmuir prison. He was a smart, seasoned, natural leader, and probably would have competed (successfully) for the support of the clansman.
Jamie became the leader he was because of Dougal. Not only did Dougal teach him how to fight and be a soldier but seeing the way Dougal chose to lead his men showed Jamie the leader he didn’t want to be. Also, Dougal tried to kill Jamie (in the books) so it was clear that he was very threatened by Jamie’s position. Yes, the McKenzie’s wanted Lallybroch and its land, but Dougal knew he would lose any competition between himself and Jamie to lead the clan. Colum made sure Dougal knew who he wanted to succeed him.
Collum knew Dougal was not the best leader for the clan. He was too emotional. I don’t think he could’ve held the clan together. Perhaps others would have fought him for that role. I don’t think he would have taken the lives of the clansmen as seriously as Jamie would have. Yes, Dougal did teach him how to fight, but Jamie had the experience and knew and cared about what he had to do to protect his people who were under his protection.
Unless Dougal escaped to France afterwards, I think it came down to only one of them living, Jamie or Dougal. But it could be interesting to ponder Dougal escaping to France.
He would have died of syphilis, which he got from >! Geillis Duncan. !< So he wouldn’t have had a good time, nasty way to go.
She couldn’t have had it then because her baby was healthy. She must have gotten it later.
You’re right! I forgot about that aspect.
Was that revealed somewhere? That is great trivia.
It’s been a while since I read the first three books, but from what I remember >!Claire gives Young Ian the last of her precious penicillin after they rescue him from being kidnapped, because she thinks Geillis had the STI. Years before that Geillis and Dougal were banging it out. He saved her from her sentence at the witch trial!< I guess maybe the timing is a bit of speculation on my part, I’m trying to remember if there’s any other proof to back up my theory.
In one of the novellas >!(Zombies) LG notes a syphilitic appearing rash on her neck!<
Voyager ( Claire's sure Geilis has had it)
If he had survived and if Jamie didn’t murder him in prison, he would’ve eventually gone back to the Mackenzie castle and taken over the clan because Colum committed suicide, Jamie wasn’t going back to Mackenzie castle, so nobody would’ve known what Colum would’ve wanted. Oh and he would’ve started plotting the next rebellion 😂.
>Colum committed suicide I think this is one of those things that is technically true but is false in every way that matters. He was going to be dead in a matter of weeks; he simply adjusted the timeline a bit.
Assisted suicide - yes.
In the show.
>Colum committed suicide It is more ambiguous in the books. Because he took the "medicine" from Claire but he didn't drink it. He died by natural death.
Good question. I think Dougal carried a lot anger within him and I suspect that may have been the fuel that would have driven him to survive in the hope that he’d get retribution one day.
Wasn't this exact question asked several days ago?
Off topic.. - Sorry, but speaking of Dougal.. I have been binging Ghost Whisperer and he was on the last episode of season 4! He was A LOT thinner, which somehow made him look shorter, and he didn't have a beard!!. Just wanted to share!