WHAT IF ‘OUTLANDER’ ISN’T A LOVE STORY… BUT A TIME LOOP?
For nearly a decade, Outlander has followed Claire and Jamie Fraser through wars, revolutions, heartbreak, and impossible journeys through time. As the series approaches its final episode, fans have been speculating on how the series will conclude. While the creators have remained secretive—they even filmed multiple finales in case of leaks—some storylines and scenes will likely be part of the final chapter, given also the teaser trailer released at the end of Episode 9.
I have some questions that I hope will be answered in the finale:
Will Jamie survive the Battle of King’s Mountain?
The main plot of the episode will 100% be set around the long-anticipated Battle of King’s Mountain. And the main question fans need an answer to is: will Jamie survive it?
In my opinion, there are three possible outcomes. The first two are the most depressing and tragic ones: either Jamie dies and Claire can’t save him, or Jamie survives and Claire—in a very sick and twisted, ironic turn of events—dies.
But these are all speculations. I am leaning more towards a third option—one that is actually supported by the source material.
**SPOILERS for books**
If all the fan theories are right, Claire will be using her blue light magic one last time—on Jamie himself. But we don’t really need to scroll through miles of Reddit forums to know what will happen: Diana Gabaldon’s Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone ends with what the Outlander finale will likely show.
In the book, Jamie is mortally wounded at the Battle of King’s Mountain, just like the show implies. But once Claire finds him, she’s able to resuscitate him. It is heavily implied that Jamie survives thanks to Claire’s magical abilities.
I hope to see this same result on the show, given the last-minute introduction to Claire’s blue light magic in season 8 Episode 3. It wouldn’t make sense for the show to hint at her supernatural skills without utilizing them at the time a character—especially Jamie—might need them the most.
Will William find out about time travel?
After the emotional goodbye scene between Jamie and William in Episode 9, I honestly thought they wouldn’t bring the young Ransom back for the finale. But we’re sure to see him in Episode 10, since he makes an appearance in the teaser trailer.
Although his storyline is far from over, the penultimate episode left me with a certain level of satisfaction on his future. Since he will appear in the finale, I hope he will find out about time travel. The truth might come from Jamie and Claire, who will give William a last chance to say a proper goodbye to his father.
William might decide then to spend as much time as possible with his newfound family, in lieu of the possible outcome at King’s Mountain. I argued that learning about time travel might clear the doubts he has on his identity, and I still believe that could happen on the series finale.
Will Brianna and Roger stay or go back to the future?
While they have discussed the possibility of staying permanently in the past, Brianna and Roger still haven’t come to an official decision. While they seem to be leaning more on staying, Jamie’s death might make them change their mind.
I can’t really see them going back, though. With Roger finally coming to terms with his purpose in the 18th century and Brianna utilizing her scientific knowledge to bring progress to the Ridge, they seem pretty set on not leaving their family again.
Just like for King’s Mountain, book readers might already know what the MacKenzies will choose, and I am hoping for a similar outcome.
Will Fanny play a role in the final chapter?
They hinted at Fanny being a time traveler in season 8 Episode 8, but it hasn’t been brought up since. Honestly, I’m confused as to what this reveal will bring to the finale. It might make it easier for her to accept that half her family are time travelers, but was it necessary for her to be one, too? We’ll see how (and if) they’ll deal with this.
It will certainly buzz up the last chapter. Fanny’s time traveling might be the element of surprise for the finale, which feels predictable, especially for book readers.
Will Marsali be back for the final episode?
I already explained why Marsali’s quick dip-out felt wrong in Episode 8. I still believe Marsali and her kids should come back to the Ridge—especially because I need them to be in one last scene.
It feels right to see all the Frasers together again (minus Fergus—still not ok with that), having supper and laughing. It would be a perfect way to end a show that, at its heart, is the story of one unique woman and the incredible difference when she accidentally travelled to 18th-century Scotland.
It would also be a nice way to show off Outlander’s ensemble cast one last time. It would make sense to end the series with the visual representation of Jamie and Claire’s enduring strength of Jamie and Claire’s love rather than the large-scale action of King’s Mountain (which I believe will happen in the first half of the episode).
Will the mystery of Jamie’s ghost from season 1 be solved?
While most unresolved storylines are from recent developments, one scene still haunts (literally) fans: the mystery surrounding Jamie’s ghost from season 1.
In the very first episode of Outlander, Frank sees Jamie’s ghost staring at Claire through a window in 1940s Inverness. The creators have repeatedly hinted that this supernatural moment would eventually be explained.
Many viewers believe the finale may finally reveal that Jamie’s spirit somehow is allowed one final glimpse of Claire before their story truly ends. Such a revelation would bring the narrative full circle and tie together the show’s driving force—the fact that Jamie and Claire share a love that transcends time and space.
It is safe to say that one final episode will never be able to give justice to Outlander. But we sure hope they will try this week, on the series finale.
Watch the Outlander series finale on Friday, May 15 on Starz.
