8 Burning Questions Outlander Needs To Answer Before Its Season 8 Ending

Before the long-running, beloved fantasy series comes to an end, Outlander must answer some pressing questions as season 7, part 2, and season 8 loom. Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe have played Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall Fraser in the Starz adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s book series since the premiere in 2014. After many years and instances of time travel since then, Claire and Jamie have found themselves in the thick of many revolutions and world events. As Outlander Season 8 draws closer, how the series will wrap up the story is of great importance.

It’s been confirmed that Outlander season 8 will change the book’s ending since Gabaldon likely won’t be finished writing the last book in the series before season 8 premieres. As Outlander season 8 has already wrapped filming ahead of the premiere of season 7, part 2, the story’s finale has been set in stone, and hopefully, the creative team has worked to wrap up every loose end. Though season 8 won’t get the extended run that season 7 received, that doesn’t mean every episode can’t be action-packed and deliver the satisfying ending that fans deserve.

8 Will William Find Out The Truth About Jamie?

Jamie’s son should learn about his lineage from his father

William Ransom (Charles Vandervaart) has been raised by Lord John Grey (David Berry) all his life, but his biological father is Jamie, with his mother being Geneva Dunsany (Hannah James), who passed on after he was born. Jamie had to protect William’s identity as his son, as he was illegitimate, and Geneva’s husband, Earl Ludovic Ransom, nearly killed William as a baby. However, Jamie has never forgotten about their connection. Throughout season 7, Jamie has been carrying William’s portrait and looking out for him.​​​​​​​

Hopefully, William will learn the truth about Jamie in Outlander season 7, part 2, but if he still doesn’t realize his true lineage by then, he must in season 8. One of the most shocking moments in season 7, part 1 conclusion, was when Jamie was shooting at the British during the Battle of Saratoga and almost hit his son. Though Jamie has found happiness with Claire, his relationship with his children and the fact that they’ve been scattered across time has been difficult for him. Before Outlander ends, Jamie and William deserve a moment of catharsis together.

7 Where/When Is Jemmy?

Will Roger find him in the past?

Bree (Sophie Skelton) and Roger (Richard Rankin) might not be in the 18th century, but they’ve been going through just as much in the 20th century, especially after the horrible kidnapping of their son Jemmy. Rob Cameron (Chris Fulton) suspiciously enters the MacKenzies’ lives and infiltrates their family to get access to Jemmy. This is because Jemmy is one of the only people who know the location of the gold buried near Fraser’s ridge. Upon learning this, Rob steals Jemmy and takes him through the stones into the past.

Roger immediately readies himself to go through the stones and rescue Jemmy, along with Buck (Diarmaid Murtagh), who recently came through the stones to the 20th century himself. While it’s safe to assume Rob took Jemmy to the location of the gold in the 18th century, nothing is known for certain. How Roger will find his son and bring him to safety and what exactly Rob plans to do with the gold are still important pieces of the puzzle the characters will have to solve.

6 What Will Brianna And Mandy Do Back Home?

Now that Bree and Roger are split up, they will have to make do without each other

Brianna will be staying back in the 20th century with her daughter Mandy while Roger and Buck search for Rob and Jemmy. However, it’s unlikely that Brianna will be left without any drama while she waits for Roger to return with their son. Though it seems the extent of Rob’s plan is to have Jemmy lead him to the gold, that doesn’t mean he won’t try to trick Bree and Roger and lead them astray to distract them from his true intentions.

Bree is a major protagonist in Outlander, so there’s no way she’s not going to play a significant role in the next installments of the series. Whether she ends up going back through the stones and finding Roger to help in the search for Jemmy or if an additional threat arises in the 1980s, there might be something ominous looming on the horizon for Bree. Regardless, it would be nice to see her reunited with her parents one last time before the show ends.

5 What Awaits Claire And Jamie Back In Scotland?

Will they lend a hand in rescuing Jemmy?

After his cousin Simon (Angus Macfadyen) passes on the battlefield, Jamie is asked to transport the body back to Scotland, and this is where the audience leaves Jamie and Claire going into season 7, part 2. Jamie and Claire’s relationship timeline in Outlander began in Scotland when Claire was first transported back through the stones. Going back to the place where it all began will be a homecoming for the characters and the audience.

Since Jamie and Claire will make their way back to America before long, the episodes in Scotland will likely move at a fast pace and include plenty of action. If something terrible happens and the pair has to flee back to America, this would be an intense development. Conversely, they might be arriving at the perfect time to find Roger and help him rescue Jemmy before it’s too late. Rob will be no match for the united front of the Frasers and Roger.

4 Will Ian And Rachel Finally Be Together?

While it’s not the biggest love story, it has a lot of potential

Ian (John Bell) and Rachel’s (Izzy Meikle-Small) budding love story is one of the best new romances to come out of the last few seasons of Outlander. Introduced to each other in season 7, Rachel and Ian immediately have sparks as they spend time together traveling with the Continental Army during the American Revolution. However, lots of extraneous forces come between them, as Rachel is a Quaker, and giving in to desire, or even marrying Ian, would change her life forever and might sever her connection to her community.

However, this forbidden facet of the romance only makes the tension between the two even more explosive, especially now that they’ve shared an unexpected kiss. While there are many barriers in the way, it would be shocking if Outlander season 7, part 2, or season 8 didn’t give the audiences even more scenes featuring the chemistry that’s been building between the pair. While the central couples of the show will always be favorites, young love like Ian and Rachel’s is extra compelling.

3 Will Claire And Jamie Be Separated After They Return To America?

Season 7, part 1 saw them heading back to Scotland

An enduring facet of Outlander is that for every moment of bliss that Jamie and Claire get to spend together, they’re separated by fate, time, and oceans for just as long. Season 7, part 1, left off with the Frasers making the journey back to Scotland after the fallout of the Battle of Saratoga, and there are many questions about what awaits them back home. However, it’s almost certain that they’ll soon make the trip back to the U.S. based on Gabaldon’s writing.

It’s expected that Jamie and Claire will have to go through some more significant strife before they get their happy ending, but seeing them back together is a crucial part of season 8’s success. Lots of turmoil awaits them back in America as the Revolutionary War is in full swing. Additionally, Jamie has to think about William, and Bree and Roger’s storyline will likely come crashing into theirs before long. Seeing Claire and Jamie present a united front as they navigate their futures would be exciting, but it could take a long time before they’re together for good.

2 How Will The New Characters Effect The Plot?

Adding new actors in the final season can be a risky move

It’s already been revealed that in addition to the many existing characters and storylines swirling in Outlander season 8, the series will bring in new actors and characters. While these individuals are part of the book’s story and play important roles in the plot, it’s vital that the show handles its introductions well. Kieran Bew, Frances Tomelty, and Carla Woodcock are a few of the performers who will appear in season 8 and change the course of the story forever.

The new characters in Outlander season 8 are worrying because adding new faces means additional exposition and context. This means more dialogue and scenes dedicated to learning new information, and Outlander season 8 doesn’t have any time to waste. It’s already likely that the final season will be pressed for time to do justice to every storyline and provide a satisfying ending. Outlander must be careful not to split the audience’s attention. Jamie and Claire are still the most compelling couple, and their narrative must take precedence.

1 Will There Be A Tie-In To Blood Of My Blood?

The upcoming prequel series will continue the franchise

While it’s sad that Outlander is coming to an end after season 8, there’s still plenty of franchise potential that the universe is taking advantage of. Outlander: Blood of My Blood will follow the stories of how Claire and Jamie’s parents fell in love in their respective timelines and what led up to the births of the original series’ protagonists. Touching upon the events of World War I in one timeline and early 18th century Scotland in the other, there are plenty of historical moments to mine for stories in Blood of My Blood.

Though there’s plenty of excitement built in for Blood of My Blood, it could be interesting to see some hints and crossover with the next series in the last season of Outlander. When Claire and Jamie look back on their lives and all the events that brought them together, they might reminisce about how their parents came together and made all of this possible. Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy will play Jamie’s parents, and Hermione Corfield and Jeremy Irvine will portray Claire’s, and they have their work cut out for them.

Based on the novel series, Outlander follows combat nurse Claire Randall from the year 1945, who is mysteriously transported back to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world and sees her life threatened. However, when Claire is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a genuine and passionate relationship is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two different men from two clashing lives.

Release Date

August 9, 2014

Seasons

7

Writers

Ronald D. Moore , Matthew B. Roberts

Directors

Metin Hüseyin , Jamie Payne

Showrunner

Matthew B. Roberts

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