I know this takes place just before the French revolution, but could political leaders really be that vulgar and buffoonish? Oh wait..

They lost me at, "Let's split up and hunt these dangerous aliens
unaccompanied, and I'll see you at coffee break." and "Oh look, unknown
alien biological material. I'm going to rub my fingers in it."

I haven't read the book, but he does seem to be a character that can be a hero or a douche bag at any moment in time from what I've seen so far.

I disagree that it would be hard for Claire to be sympathetic toward Dougal because of the assault. Firstly, she's had to adapt to 18th century standards of behavior, with boorish males everywhere, even her own husband's ancestor. Secondly, in her own time (especially just after the war) acts while intoxicated were…