Outlander is renowned for its unpredictable plots, frequently stunning viewers with horrific sequences, devastating moments, or simply impossible connections. The first installment of Outlander Season 7 debuted in June 2023, and on November 22, the drama series’ second installment finally began airing weekly on Starz.
Not that it wasn’t expected, but Outlander has been doing the most with season 7 so far. Laughter, shock, tears, and confusion are only a few of the emotional states the series has put its viewers in, and it seems as though the widely loved series has even more in stock. Three episodes later, Outlander surprised everyone with a massive twist, sending Claire on an entirely new path.
The Most Devastating Moment in ‘Outlander’ Season 7 So Far
Episode 11 of Outlander Season 7 was not for the weak, and there is no doubt that it left fans shocked to their core. During a heartfelt conversation between Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Lord John (David Berry) as well as the Captain of the HMS Roberts, (Spoiler Alert!) she was told the devastating news about Jamie’s death. According to papers that the captain was in possession of, Jamie (Sam Heughan) boarded the Euterpe, a different ship, in order to join Claire in Philadeliphia, but the ship sank. The news crushed Claire in indescribable ways, and left her uncertain of her future.
Making the entire situation even worse and putting viewers in even more worry next to questioning if Outlander’s Jamie will be a ghost the next time they see him, was the fact that, just shortly after, Claire was caught helping a rebel. Hence, she was also declared one and was about to be arrested and hanged for treason. Lord John volunteered to marry Claire in order to shield her with his name and prestige because he was Jamie’s close friend and even harbored romantic affections for the Scot. A move that undoubtedly brings back memories of Jamie and Claire’s early marriage, but in the case of Claire and John, genuine affections would never be involved, much less develop.
‘Outlander’ Season 7’s Massive Twist
A marriage between Claire and Lord John as a protective measure is essentially the only way to keep Claire from being hanged, as was originally suggested in the previous episode of Season 7. Claire agreed to marry her buddy against the wishes of everyone, really everyone, although it was uncomfortable to see the wedding. The day of Claire and Lord John’s wedding took an even more unexpected and shocking turn, as if the marriage itself wasn’t already a huge twist. Even though the informal at-home ceremony lacked any affection or tenderness at all, the evening was a little different.
The two newlyweds retreated to their own rooms, drowning in their own sorrow, and finding their own ways of dealing with the devastating loss of Jamie. While Lord John was sitting in front of a chess board, a game which he had always associated with Jamie, and drinking his wine in order to relieve himself of the emotional pain, Claire found her scalpel and came close to ending it all. The only thing stopping her was Jamie’s voice in her head, telling her that her death would hurt him the most.
Lord John put an end to it, but the word “tragic” doesn’t even begin to describe what is happening in this episode. Declaring that he would not weep alone, he walked to her room. There were a few potentially upsetting instances where the two vented their anger and grief on one another. But gradually, their rage evolved into a craving to sense someone’s presence. I could feel Jamie’s presence. Because they were both genuinely picturing Jamie returning to their lives, their night became intimate—but not with one another.
The Ending of ‘Outlander’ Season 7, Episode 11
The ending of episode 11 of Outlander’s Season 7 is certainly throwing everyone in yet another loop. Spoiler Alert! Just after Claire and Lord John sealed their marriage and spent a rather wild night together, guess who decided to just burst into Claire’s room later that day? Yes, our beloved, grandstanding Scot. Throughout some of the best seasons of Outlander, James Fraser has survived the craziest instances, so putting him on a sinking ship seems like the least dangerous one. That is, if he had even boarded the ship, which clearly he didn’t.
There are some clear questions raised by Jamie’s return. For starters, Redcoats were pursuing him as usual when he entered Lord John’s home. The exact cause of this is still unknown, but it’s possible that the British soldiers became suspicious and started looking for answers after a previously declared dead rebel returned. In addition to this, there comes the huge revelation of Claire and John’s marriage and consummation. Given that John is his friend, Jamie would undoubtedly understand the former, but it’s still unclear whether the latter will present any problems.
Since episode 11 of Outlander Season 8 featured some of the best narrative twists, including one involving John’s son William Grey, it is nearly impossible to imagine that there will be much more drama. Jamie, Claire, and Lord John were discussing Jamie’s biological son, William, when Jamie returned. William was standing just outside the room when he unintentionally learned of the secret they had been keeping for ages. He apparently had an identity problem after learning the knowledge, which made him strongly indifferent to both his biological father and his father.
The chaos in Outlander is never-ending, it seems, but, let’s be honest, we are all here for it. The excitement for the next episode is certainly present, and it will hopefully answer some of the questions that episode 11 has brought along. One thing is for sure, though, and it’s that Jamie and Claire will get out of this situation stronger than ever. Outlander airs weekly on Starz.
