I opened my Twitter feed the other day and saw someone had wished a fellow fan a happy birthday with one of those Outlander memes featuring Jamie. I smiled because it was impossible not to! The meme was of Jamie smiling shyly at Claire when she brought him lunch at the stable. His megawatt boyish charm is blinding! I thought to myself, “well, there was a simpler time”. Then I chuckled because I’m not sure Jamie has ever had a “simpler” time. He and Job seem to be brothers from another mother. Yes, he was an outlaw and yes, he has had the skin flayed off his back, but he still seemed so young, fresh, unaltered by what had happened to him.
I found myself still thinking about that meme today. I found myself thinking about the evolution of these characters and how necessary, however heartbreaking, it was for us to see the time between the stones and the reunion. Once again, I find myself having my understanding of the story deepened by seeing it told on a screen.
They are not the same people who said goodbye at those stones.
This man
has become
this man
This scene in “All Debts Paid” was for me the culmination of all that has gone before. This is a man sick at heart. Much of what was happening here was related to Black Jack’s abuse and I’m sure Jamie is deeply resentful that he has been made to feel those feelings, but there was more.
I read a comment by Sam Heughan that there was sadness there in that moment. I definitely felt that. We saw Jamie smiling over a remembered taste, playing chess by a warm fire, enjoying camaraderie with another man. Basically, we see him participating in something that smacks of normalcy, able if only a short while to be no one, but himself. We see him trusting. When Lord John asked about his wife you can see Jamie struggle with the decision to talk about her and then he consciously lay aside his glass and spoke her name…
and then…it is all taken away with a touch. He can have nothing. Even this small moment is taken from him.
Despite all that happens to him, Jamie manages to survive and retain his core beliefs and values. I know it is flippant and hurtful to suggest that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It is one of the ways we continue to re victimize the abused to suggest that suffering trauma is somehow character building. But, Jamie does go on and overcomes and in some ways, becomes a better man because of his experiences. Unfortunately, Jamie probably knows more about himself than most of us ever will. On the other side of his life experiences, Jamie emerges a sadder, but wiser man. He is different. He doesn’t expect to find his life filled with happiness and is resigned to that reality. But, he is also no longer afraid for himself and that gives him the freedom to speak power to truth. “There isn’t anything you can do to me that hasn’t already been done”, Jamie tells John Grey. I don’t think he has been afraid of anything for a very long time. His personal losses have been too great. Oh, he still cares about those around him, but those things that were his and his alone, “Lord that she might be safe, she and the child”…are gone. We are about to witness the beginnings of Jamie finding his new normal, a life less than he wants, but more than he had.
The same can be said of Claire. Her years of living a life she no longer wanted, trying and failing at her marriage, becoming a doctor, the guilt she feels about Frank, never being able to openly grieve, keeping secrets, knowing she will never again love and be loved the way she was with Jamie has taken its toll. You can see her struggle to navigate living and interacting in a life she feels a stranger in. She throws herself into service to others, but her heart and mind are never fully there. A part of who she is has been cut off, deliberately. Unlike Jamie, she does have something to live for and love, but even that relationship is strained because there is always a part of herself that she can never share.
This woman
has become
this woman
The next part of the “Voyage” back to love
Another chapter in their journey of learning to live without their hearts has come to an end. Claire is now no longer trapped inside a marriage of convenience and Jamie is no longer behind the walls of a prison. The next episode of Outlander, “Of Things Lost”, will give us a glimpse into the next chapter in this voyage, we will see how each learns to say goodbye and accept their new reality. And, finally, move on to create a new life resigned to their loss. I suspect we will see each continue to think of and long for each other, but I also suspect we will see this longing change to a tempered melancholy.
Luckily for us all, a reunion of these two lost souls will happen and not a moment too soon! I don’t think I could take much more! We will see Claire struggle even with the choice to look for Jamie, and risk getting hurt again. And, the choice to leave Bree for what she has to believe is forever? Unfathomable. Jamie, on the other hand, has NO idea what is about to walk through that print shop door. The reunion will be amazing. Our couple has longed for each other for over twenty years. A dream is about to come true. What once was lost has been found. That moment when they see each other and know it to be true will be so emotional that I’m pretty sure I will sob. I’m too invested in these characters not to. The show and the actors have done an excellent job of letting us see how empty and lonely Jamie and Claire are without each other. But,… the shock will fade and they will perforce begin to forge a new life together…with the people they are now. Twenty will change a person and I’m sure they will have some struggles in getting back to the people they were when they were together and I’m thinking that will be bittersweet to watch unfold. That they will fight for each other and fight with each other, I have no doubt. They are soul mates, their other’s half, meant to be. But, I’m thinking Josh Horowitz might be right, they probably really will need couples therapy! Go ahead and click on the picture…you know you want to!
Hang on guys it’ll be worth it in the end!
My Outlander Blog! 
Love your blog! I’m a new Outlander fan, and have watched the first two seasons on Netflix. 😊 I, too, feel attached to Claire and Jamie. I can’t wait for their reunion. We know it’s coming, but the anticipation is almost gut-wrenching hehe
I know! I get so excited to see each episode!
Me too! I can’t wait for tomorrow night’s episode. And especially the reunion one. And, when I can’t stand the wait, I watch one or two old episodes..hehe
These first 3 episodes for me has been all about the faces of these two characters. My God you don’t even need dialogue to know what they are saying. I am so looking for happiness as the episodes continue. Thank you Beth again for your exceptional commentary.
IKR! the emotion!
Yes! What an eye opener seeing those comparison photos. WOW. Thanks for doing that. What amazing actors have been found to portray our beloved book characters. I am SO loving this season! And wasn’t the couple’s therapy a HOOT!
Dawn
It was! and thanks!
I agree!!! ❤️
Bravo! I am crying! 🌹🌹❤️❤️
awwww
Thanks Beth. I’m not sure how many times I’ve read the entire series (more often than I care to admit) over the past 20+years. I’m now 20+ years older than I was when I discovered “Outlander”. I’ve noticed that my perception of Jamie and Claire’s relationship has changed as I’ve aged.
They are soul mates and are destined to be together but for the last 20 years both of them has been in love with the memory. I can now totally understand the fear Claire has that Jamie will no longer love the older version of herself. OMG I get butterfly’s in my stomach for her as she fights her fears. Jamie, bless his heart has accepted his lot in life and expects to spend the rest of his days alone. I wonder if he would have suffered the same self doubt as Claire if he was aware their imminent reunion!
I’m so excited for them. I know they are fictional characters but to me they represent the hope, fears and undying love some people are fortunate to find and hold in their hearts for ever!
I feel the same!
Thanks, Beth, you do have a talent for putting things into perspective. Tears are normal for me while watching Outlander, I am so touched by the incredible acting as well as the story itself. I have read all 8 books several times and even knowing the series and the books are not and cannot be exactly the same, I am enthralled with every new episode.
It is hard to let go. We can never really separate our knowledge from the story , but I’ve learned to appreciate the TV story telling
I said it in an earlier post. The last episode was all about facial expressions for me. So much was conveyed and yes, to the post above, no dialogue needed to feel it. No longer young – no longer young at heart. I needed at least three episodes (maybe four) to really feel Jamie and Claire’s loss and pain. The reunion will be everything and more. Once again we will get to experience this incredible youthful love in older and wiser characters. Ooh. This season is amazingly rewarding. Thanks, Beth, for being you and for speaking so articulately for all of us!
Thanks Nancy!
I love this! Nothing else to add. Thank you.
Tired after a 14 mile hike today. Didn’t mean to sound abrupt…
you were fine!
Your blog is so spot on! As a long time reader of the book series, I thought I knew this couple, but the show has shown me depths of character I was not aware of until Sam and Cat brought them to life. So the couple’s therapy season is the funniest skit I have aver seen! I wonder how much prep went into it as they seem so natural with it. Thanks
TY!
Great blog Beth. I love the complex relationship they share and cannot wait to see them reconnect.
Thanks for sharing that Couples therapy clip. I had not seen it. That was hilarious!
It was a lot of fun!
You’ve captured it all. Beautifully written analysis! I’m anxious to see how they overcome the awkwardness of separation for so many years and disclosing to each other all of the events that have taken place while living apart. Can’t wait. Couples therapy for sure!
Love your posts! Good analyses.
Sent from my iPad
TY!
Definitely, a great blog and analysis! You wrote exactly what I’d been thinking, only better :-D. That episode, particularly the scenes between Frank and Claire which were painfully real to me, was the hardest yet, or at least as hard as the ending of Season 1. Do you remember (I think it was in the show rather than the book but not sure) Brianna saying her mother always seemed to be “in another world”? Your thoughts about Claire jogged that. Now we know why, or have had it illustrated I should say.
The show and yes!
Beth – your words are always what my soul is thinking. Seeing Sam move into each season with another layer of emotion and acting skills/chops ! is beyond what I could have imagined. Reading his personal story and experiences has layered him and thus his acting. I am amazed each episode how it can become richer, layered beautifully. Thank you for this weekly joy to an Outlander reader since 1993. Not to just single Sam out – all are exceptional. But I bonded with Sam/Jamie in 1993 – he reminds me of my brave father who fought in WWII. Hugs.
hugs to you!
Lover of both Book and Show, and THIS Blog ! Thanks Beth outa the Park again ! Laughed like a Loon at the “Therapy Session”Video….those 2 are SO Excellent in their Craft !!
I think Sam deserves an an Oscar for his role in the “therapy” skit!!! His nuances are so, so perfect!!
agree !
Tears of sorrow, then tears of laughter. Beth, your’re a wonder!
🙂
In fact, back in 1700s Scotland, Jamie and Claire will be each other’s marriage “therapist” because they talk. The key is that Jamie talks about his feelings, unlike many men who are warriors. He is in fact more open than Claire all along to baring his inner soul and so poetically too. Of course in the beginning, Claire is hampered by loyalty to Frank. But even later, Jamie is that little bit ahead of the more reticent Claire, giving her the safety of reciprocating after Jamie has made it clear that he’s enthralled by her. Mind you, having lived an over-eventful life he has always kept secrets but has never made a secret of how much he loves and admires her.
I am a huge fan of the books and the series; however, season 3 has been a huge disappointment. To me, the third book was far from riveting, as were the first two books. So, the screenplay and direction for this third season had to be exceptional. It just isn’t. The actors are still incredible, but they’ve not been given much to work with. The omission of the emotional scene after Jamie fainted in the printshop was unforgivable – to me.