#outlander speculation

[frxserwife]

I’ve seen the theory that the reason Claire feels so instinctively at home in the 18th century—more so than in her own time—is because she was actually born there and traveled through the stones as a child. And while I understand why some might find that an appealing idea, the timeline just doesn’t add up. By the time Julia and Henry go through the stones, Claire is already a child living with Uncle Lamb. If she had been born in the 18th century, the sequence would require Julia (and possibly Henry) to go through, have her, return to the 20th century, and then go back again—which clashes with the genuine confusion and disorientation both Julia and Henry show during their first crossing.

It’s also easy to overlook a key point: Claire is already alive when Julia is pregnant. And Julia isn’t pregnant with Claire—she’s pregnant with a second child. That detail alone shifts the entire conversation.

To me, the stronger, more elegant explanation for Claire’s sense of belonging isn’t that she’s “from” the 18th century in a biological sense—it’s that she’s lived it before. Diana Gabaldon herself has described Jamie and Claire’s story as a timeloop. When they die, their story begins again, over and over, a Möbius strip with no true beginning or end. Jamie’s ghost watching her in Season 1, Episode 1 isn’t just a romantic mystery—it’s a quiet vigil. He’s waiting for her to come back to him, to begin their story once more. She’s already lived this life, and stepping through the stones simply placed her back at the start of a path she knows by heart, even if she doesn’t consciously remember it.

[beefsteakclub]

When is the show actually going to show the book Jamie who is a deeply traumatized bisexual who actually kisses his boyfriend occasionally. Because I swear to God if it's John who cracks and that's why he gets beat up I'm going to scream.

Of course the more likely option is. Never.

[mia1989]

I got to thinking Jamie and Claire’s lack of proper goodbye to Bree/Roger/Jem on the show makes me definitely think that their plan to go back to the future was unsuccessful and that they will be involved in finding Claire.

[lerayon]

I love it when Jamie has to go all Battle Kilt Mode. We better fck the Browns up thoroughly next week.

And also, wtf is up with Brianna and Roger and Jemmy? Did they not land where they should? Is the future all fcked up like in Back to the Future Part II, dystopian Hilldale styles?

[hollanovskat]

The lack of the Christie's make me wonder what they're gonna do about the claire k******* and weird Brown thing and then the f***

Hi anon!

I don’t know why, but I could have sworn they announced casting for Tom Christie, but alas, upon digging by myself and others, it appears not one Christie has been mentioned anywhere by production. So, it looks like all of that may be reworked for other characters and/or cut entirely.

The things that I dislike about the Christies in the book pertain to the plot lines of Malva, Alan, and all the drama they create. I’ll remain vague on what those are because #spoilers, but that whole thing just makes me shudder.

I do enjoy Tom Christie and everything he brings to the story. His relationship with Claire makes me giggle, and the contrast between him and Jamie adds to the story. I will be sad if he’s entirely cut, or if they don’t use another character in his place.

As for all the things you’ve mentioned, I wouldn’t be too worried. They’re adapting the books and not completely copying them, so I’m sure they’ll make do.

xo

[doyouknowthemuffinmaam]

Outlander 4x10 The Deep Hearts Core: Spoilers!

Ok so it looks like it’s unpopular outlander opinions time again... I loved this episode. There were a few things that I think could have been done better and I’ll get to those but overall I think this was one of the stronger episodes of the season.

Pros-

•Jamie and Bree: the scene with Jamie and Bree where he overpowers her to prove a point was one I was worried over because that could have gone very wrong. But it was actually one of the highlights because of Sam and Sophie. They killed it. Sam especially. You can just see on his face how much Jamie hates this while he had her in a lock. Brilliant performances.

• Roger: I have had issues with Rogers character a few times but never with Richards performance and this one is a winner. I enjoyed getting to see how smart he is to track where he’s going. The increasing danger of his situation cut with the ‘happier’ moments at Frasers Ridge really hikes up the tension, and makes it so uncomfortable in a good way waiting for the ball to drop on the Ridge. And his face and reaction to finding the stone and hearing that buzz at the end made me cry. If you didn’t then you have no heart. Bravo Richard.

• Mama Claire and Bree: ooof. Claire explaining to Bree ALL of her options and the lack of time she has to choose, was somehow simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting. All the C&B moments this ep were gold especially since we have seen in the past how tense their relationship was before. Them drooling and laughing over all the things they miss from the future was again heartbreaking and uplifting. I love them. Bree brings out the Claire in Claire that we’ve been missing. Bree’s “I’m sorry for making you leave me” and their embrace and parting shattered my heart.

• The Confrontation and Rescue Plans: I am apparently super in the minority here but there is very little about those scenes I didn’t like. Bree has a temper. She has Jamie’s AND Claire’s tempers. And she is still dealing with a significant and ongoing trauma. Learning that Roger came back for her and was then beaten half to death and sold into slavery and death by her family, and then to have Jamie yelling in her face accusing her of lying, after she was woken from a nightmare where her rapist is attacking her again...he earned that slap. And while Bree will regret the things she said she wasn’t wrong to say them in her anger in that moment. Especially since it was partly true about Frank. That scene was fraught with anger and confusion by all and the tension was palpable.

Brees line when Jamie is raging..”No! You do not get to be more angry than me!”... that was the best moment of the ep. and my favorite line of the season. It sums up the true issue with the entire situation. Not only is she feeling guilty and horrified, but J&Y.I. did this thing to her husband, behind her back, for revenge for her, without actually considering her. Even having the best of intentions, Jamie and Ian made Brianna’s trauma about their anger. It harkens back to season 1 when J&C first got to Lallybroch, and he thought weeJamie was BJRs from raping Jenny and how he was disgusted for the dishonor to him. Remember that? Yeah. Its a reoccurring theme with the men of the show that sucks but makes for good moments when Claire, Jenny, and now Bree have to point out to them and to the audience that it’s not about them! It’s a good message to not make yourself the center of another persons trauma and once again Sam and Sophie killed it. They played off each other perfectly and your heart aches for both. Just wonderful.

• Young Ian and Murtagh: Ian being smitten by Bree is funny. He’s a puppy but he’s a puppy who’s getting to remind us of his range again. John Bell did a fantastic job with Young Ian’s guilt, remorse, and horror about what they did. Murtaghs presence will never not be appreciated. stepping out for the confrontation and stepping in to take Bree to Jocasta were perfectly timed and a good display of someone who knows their place and role in this family.

Cons-

• Claire: While I do support Claire being firmly TeamBree, and she was right to honor Bree’s wishes that she not tell Jamie about Stephen Bonnet...I don’t know... It felt like she was supposed to be feeling torn between the two and Cait should have played that up a bit more. We keep getting these moments about how happy she looks and feels here but it doesn’t always translate. Instead we have reating bitch face/scowly Claire instead of happy/worried/torn Claire in a lot of scenes. Remarkably enough Cait was by far the weak link in an episode of strong performances.

• Jamie and Murtagh: Jamie never fucking learns. How many times are the women of his life going to have to yell at him about making their pain about him before he gets it! Asking Murtagh to hunt down Stephen Bonnet is an astoundingly stupid thing to do and I hate it. Murtagh is not in any position to be hunting down criminals right now since he kinda is one! The whole reason he is on the mountain right now is to lay low from the law! Do I want Stephen Bonnet to fucking die? You damn right I do! But does it feel like going after him now is going to put Murtagh in a terrible position? Absolutely it does. Let’s not forget that Murtagh is not technically supposed to be here! He was supposed to die at Culloden so any risk taking from him makes me extremely nervous for his fate in very uncomfortable ways!

On The Fence-

• Jocasta: I love Maria Doyle Kennedy and she plays Jocasta well but that woman makes me want to roll my eyes out of my head. She’s snobby, but kind, and her obvious plans for meddling are already tedious.

• Murtagh and Jocasta: I have seen some theories about a possible romance between the two and I have no feelings about it. It’s so very ‘eh, sure’. I don’t know what it would add but I also don’t think it would take away from anything so I guess we will just have to see.

Overall this was a great episode driven by absolutely brilliant performances almost all around (come on Cait). What I’m getting is that people need to stop:

A) letting Frank be noted for being a good father and an important part of Bree, make them think it’s somehow a slight against Jamie. It’s not. People seem to think Bree talking about Frank to Jamie is some terrible, disrespectful glorification of his character. It’s not. The writers have been very clear about all his shortcomings in his marriage to Claire. Frank may not have been a good husband, but he was by all accounts (including Claire’s!) a great father who adored Bree and she him. To ignore that IS disrespectful to that memory and that’s rightfully and realistically not something Bree is willing to do. Get over it.

B) thinking that any episode where Jamie and Claire aren’t banging it out constantly is automatically a bad episode! This was a good episode! This is so far a good season overall because of the story! Are there some clunky parts and not great CGI? Yes. But are those few in comparison with the rich and full story being told through some of the best performances in the whole show so far? YES! If all you want is a constant J&C bone-fest then go read some, and then kindly fuck off while the rest of us enjoy a good story.

[elescritora]

It's a nope from me to Murtagh and Jocasta

There's speculation that Murtagh might take over Duncan Innes's character and end up with Jocasta. Here's why I am not keen on that idea.

If I was madly in love with someone, who married my best friend, stayed friends with me, and then died... her sister would be the last person I'd be interested in. Like even if all the extra stuff didn't happen and it was just unrequited love. Still nope to the sister. Especially since we know Jocasta resembles Ellen. It would feel like Murtagh is replacing Ellen. Surely Jocasta would feel like second choice (even if it is a business decision - and I suppose her Mackenzie wiliness might override her 'second best' feelings). But I think Murtagh would feel like he's settling, which is clearly something he's not been willing to do up to this point - so why start now?

I also don't think Murtagh would be comfortable with someone knowing those kind of intimate details about him. He's very private now, but he must have been fairly open about his feelings for Ellen once (hello boar tusk bracelets). Jocasta would know. I think that would make him feel exposed.

It mightn't be so bad, her knowing, if she weren't also a Mackenzie, who might manipulate him with that knowledge - or in a million other ways that suit her purpose. She seems most like Colum of all the siblings, and Murtagh didn't trust Colum as far as he could throw him. I don't think he'd be comfortable being that close to someone so sly. How could you sleep at night married to someone you didn't trust?

Plus there's the slavery thing. Murtagh lived as an indentured servant for what - 12 years? That was essentially slavery. I can't see him comfortable with the enslavement of others. And he would be massively on the outs with the Frasers if he became a slave owner. They've already discovered there's no easy fix to the situation legally, so there's not that excuse - for Murtagh to become involved to free them. I don't think he'd risk his relationship with Jamie, Claire, and Bree.

Also, he's a known Regulator, totally against the crown - whereas Jocasta is a staunch Loyalist who would not risk her financial contracts with the government by marrying a leader of the Regulators.

Aaaand I really don't want to see Murtagh go through all the weird shit that later happens and move to Canada.

Just go home and live with your family on the Ridge, Murtagh. You'll be happier and so will we.

[frxserwife]

A while back, I talked about Diana Gabaldon describing Jamie and Claire’s story as a time loop—or more specifically, a Möbius strip. The idea being that when they die, their story simply begins again, following the same path over and over, with no true beginning and no true ending. In that context, Jamie’s ghost at the very start of the series isn’t a mystery at all—it’s him waiting for her, standing on the edge of their story as it starts anew.

With Season 8 approaching, the question of Jamie’s ghost is still one of the most discussed mysteries in the fandom. Many theories exist—some quite compelling. A popular one is that Jamie isn’t truly “dreaming,” but rather astral projecting, which is why he knows things about the future he shouldn’t. Personally, I don’t think that’s the case. My theory ties directly back to the Möbius strip.

Take Jamie’s so-called dreams: Claire standing at the window, the strange glow of electrical lights, even Brianna’s birthmark long before he meets her. To me, these aren’t mystical visions or astral journeys. They’re fragments—his subconscious loosening and revealing pieces of lives he’s already lived before. If their story is indeed cyclical, then his mind is simply letting echoes of past iterations slip through.

So why don’t they remember everything if they’ve lived it before? The simplest explanation is the subconscious. Consciously, they can’t remember, and perhaps they aren’t meant to—otherwise every cycle would just be a repeat, not a life of new choices and moments. But the subconscious leaks through. That could explain their pull to one another, the way they’re always able to find each other regardless of time, space, or circumstance.

Claire’s subconscious seems to manifest in how at home she feels in the 18th century, and how quickly she adapts after first passing through the stones. Jamie’s manifests in his “dreams,” which aren’t really dreams at all, but fragments of memory from a life already lived.

Obviously, this is just a theory—not a definitive answer. But it’s the one that makes the most sense to me, especially given Diana’s own words about their story being a Möbius strip, endlessly repeating. I do hope Season 8 gives us some resolution about Jamie’s ghost, even though it’s not explained until the 10th and final book. Until then, this theory is the one I’ll keep holding onto.