Outlander Season-Finale Recap: You Gotta Have Faith

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Man, I was all set to cheer on here about Claire being alive, but then “Outlander” had to throw a curveball and kill off a significant character. The death was gruesome, and its impact will be felt throughout the series. It was so heart-wrenching that I ended up crying buckets. Sadly, Rollo is no more. He was the kindest, most noble creature ever, and now he’s gone!! To make matters worse, Rollo’s death happens just after Rachel tells Ian she’s pregnant, and they decide to abandon the war and return to Fraser’s Ridge in North Carolina with Jamie and Claire. In tears, Ian says to Rachel, “I think he waited until he knew you were here for me.” Rollo was looking after Ian right up till the end! “Outlander” sure knows how to add insult to injury, doesn’t it?

It’s delightful that Jamie and Claire are returning to the Ridge with Ian, Rachel, and their descendants. Interestingly, there will be more family members for them to care for in the homestead soon: Bree, Jem, and Mandy successfully pass through the stones and rejoin Roger (and Buck) at Lallybroch. Instead of returning to 1980, they opt to return to Claire and Jamie’s time. Given this show’s history, it’s safe to assume that both couples may face challenges in their journey home. However, having the Frasers back together will undoubtedly be heartwarming. It would also be touching to see Bree inform Jamie about meeting his father. The emotional bond between granddaughter and grandfather was beautifully depicted, and it hints at a potential prequel for Outlander. Moreover, listening to Brian lament over his love for Ellen was heart-wrenching, but imagine experiencing their full love story on screen — I am eagerly waiting for the prequel, ready to shed tears if needed.

If Fraser’s Ridge seems set to be bustling again in season eight, just wait until you discover its latest inhabitant. For now, though, let’s focus on Claire’s recovery journey.

I’m absolutely thrilled with how things are going! Hearing that Claire is back on her feet soon has Denny breathing a huge sigh of relief. Once she’s up and about, he can’t wait to share his feelings with her – the anxiety he felt while operating on someone so close to him, someone he cares deeply for. She reassures him, saying that if she ever finds herself in a similar situation with family, she hopes she performs as skillfully as he did. The mentor-mentee dynamic between them has been one of the highlights of season seven, and although there are no immediate plans, I genuinely hope Denny eventually settles down here in North Carolina. What a formidable duo they make!

It’s not just Denny who has recently played a part in saving Claire’s life; others have been involved as well. At last, the peculiar and intriguing love triangle involving Claire, Jamie, and Lord John finds some resolution. Upon learning that Claire has been wounded, Lord John rushes to her side. Claire appears both grateful and irritated at Jamie’s timely arrival, expressing her displeasure by reminding Lord John that he is not allowed to call her “my dear” and inquiring about his purpose. Fortunately, Lord John does not intend to provoke Jamie’s jealousy and ego; it seems he wishes to avoid receiving another blow to the head, a reasonable assumption. The two men do not part on friendly terms, but they acknowledge that there is no further discussion needed about the incident and choose to move forward.

In a poignant turn of events, Claire signals the appropriate moment in this chaotic scenario by summoning John back to her side and holding his hand. Despite Jamie’s intense emotions that almost seem on the verge of causing destruction, he manages to restrain himself. With tears streaming down her face, Claire expresses heartfelt gratitude to John for all he’s done for her, revealing how he had saved her life. “We saved each other,” John replies. A flicker of understanding crosses Jamie’s face, hinting at a possibility of reconciliation between him and John in the future. However, as Jamie departs from the makeshift hospital, there’s an undeniable sense of finality to his departure. The question lingers: Will this be the last time Claire and Lord John Grey see each other? Let’s hope not!

Despite some of Jamie’s actions throughout the episode, it’s challenging not to be moved by his affectionate behavior towards his wife in this installment. The romantic moments between Claire and Jamie on Outlander are plentiful, but the tender scene in the finale might just take the cake. I must confess, a husband supporting his wife as she relieves herself post-gunshot wound is undeniably endearing. Granted, I don’t think Dr. Claire Fraser would be embarrassed about peeing in front of her husband after everything they’ve been through, but that look she gives him before saying “I love you” makes me set aside my skepticism. When Claire wakes up to find Jamie dozing beside her and asks if he’s been there all night, his response – “Where else would I be?” – is enough to make me forgive him for any transgressions. In fact, it reminds me of when they first met, and Jamie would sleep outside Claire’s door to keep her safe. After 40-odd years, he’s still doing that. Their love story is one of a kind!

Apart from the obvious reason, Claire also needs to confirm if Jamie was with her throughout the night because she had an odd dream that seemed real. In this dream, Master Raymond, the enigmatic apothecary from Paris in season two (and possibly a time traveler), appeared and requested her forgiveness. She asked him why, but he only replied that she would understand someday. As usual, the enigmatic character never disappoints when it comes to being cryptic!

Because Master Raymond was present during another critical moment in Claire’s life, when she nearly died giving birth to her and Jamie’s stillborn first child, Faith, it leads them to believe that he might appear in a dream. However, this encounter seems more real than a dream, leaving Claire haunted by the memories of losing Faith. As the Frasers ready themselves to return to the Ridge, Claire’s daughter starts appearing in other places.

Upon an urgent knock one night, it’s William standing before me, seeking my aid—a request I seldom receive from him, for he values his independence deeply. This predicament must be grave indeed, or else he wouldn’t turn to me. It involves Jane, the girl who once saved her sister, now wrongfully accused and imprisoned in a nearby meetinghouse.

A confession she signed declares her guilt in the murder of Captain Harkness. With martial law in effect, there won’t be a trial; she’s scheduled for execution. Lord John, understanding the futility of further resistance, implores me to accept this grim reality. Yet William, driven by the blood that binds us, is convinced there’s still hope. He yearns to rescue Jane from her cell.

Moved by my love for him and our shared bond, I agree to join forces with my son. As we race towards the meetinghouse, however, it becomes painfully clear—it’s too late. Jane has taken her own life, slashing her wrists before we could reach her. William refuses to abandon her in this state; instead, he tenderly lays her body to rest on a bed and removes her restraints, offering her the most dignified farewell possible.

In her place, I clip a lock of her hair for Jane’s sister as a token of our failed attempt to save her life. The weight of our loss is heavy upon my heart, but I find solace in the knowledge that, at least, Jane died knowing she was loved and valued by those who cared for her deeply.

The following day, William accompanies Frances to meet Jamie and Claire. It seems the Frasers have consented to take care of Frances, allowing her to reside with them at Fraser’s Ridge, where Jamie guarantees her safety from harm as long as he is alive. However, William spoils the tranquility by requesting another private conversation with Jamie and inquiring once more about his conception. Really, man, get a hold of yourself!! Jamie responds patiently, providing most of the information he’s already shared, while also offering kind words regarding William’s mother’s courage and bravery, which might have been what William truly yearned to hear — that there is good within him. Jamie also mentions his deep affection for Geneva during their conversation, reaching out to touch William’s face. This sentiment isn’t explicitly stated, but William comprehends it nonetheless. As for William, he reassures Jamie that he will never address him as father. Sam Hueghan delivers this scene exceptionally well; Jamie manages to maintain his composure in front of William, but the pain from their past remains evident in his eyes. To be frank, I could care less about what William thinks!

Instead of hurrying through the poignant incident as there’s not much time to spare, they delve into discussing Frances. Jamie and Claire escort Frances to visit her sister’s grave, where she cries uncontrollably, overwhelmed by guilt since her sister sacrificed her life for Frances. Claire comforts her, assuring Frances that her sister adored her deeply and that this unfortunate event wasn’t her fault. Frances confides in Claire about memories with Jane, such as chasing dragonflies together with their mother. Interestingly, Claire recalls that she shares a fondness for dragonflies herself. In an effort to help Frances keep remnants of her sister, Claire gives Frances some of Jane’s possessions, including their mother’s locket engraved with the word ‘Faith.’ Indeed, it’s peculiar, isn’t it? The name ‘Faith’ inscribed on the back.

As the Frasers prepare their wagon for their return journey, Claire recognizes a strangely familiar tune coming from within, sung by Frances. Approaching the girl, it becomes clear that she is singing “I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside,” a song Claire remembers singing while holding Faith’s body. This song was written in 1907 and there’s no way Frances could know it, but she does. When Claire asks how, Frances explains her mother used to sing it to her. Claire is left stunned, tears streaming down her face, glancing at Jamie in disbelief. Could Frances and Jane’s mother…be Claire’s long-lost daughter Faith? “I believe Faith lived. I believe our daughter lived.

It appears utterly bizarre under any circumstances. To start, if Faith somehow survived birth, the question remains: How did she learn that song? Was it Master Raymond who taught it to her? Does he even have the ability to sing? The upcoming eighth and final season will undoubtedly bring forth several crucial questions needing answers: Why would Master Raymond, assuming this is his motivation for seeking forgiveness, want to take Faith and make Claire believe she perished? What was Faith’s life like? How will Claire and Jamie react if this information proves accurate? For now, however, a single query lingers in my mind during our next break from the series: If this is genuine, how will William cope when he learns they had a sexual relationship, given that she would be his niece? I truly hope they never reveal this truth to him. Poor William has already experienced enough identity crises for one existence.

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2025-01-18 06:54