Here it is! Our discussion of Episode 716 – hope you enjoy and let us know your thoughts! xo
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Our Season 7B discussions below…
OutlanderBTS The Discussion, Episode 715 ~ Written In My Own Heart’s Blood
OutlanderBTS The Discussion, Episode 714 ~ Ye Dinna Get Used To It
OutlanderBTS The Discussion, Episode 711 ~ A Hundredweight of Stones
OutlanderBTS The Discussion, Episode 709 ~ Unfinished Business
I am writing this before I listen to your podcast as I don’t want to be influenced by anything anyone says. I mostly loved this final episode. I did have problems with the Brian/Brianna scene. While I did appreciate the thought behind it, there was just something off about it. I can’t put my finger on it. I have always loved Sophie, but she looked & sounded too modern in this scene. It didn’t quite work for me.
So here is what I didn’t love. The last 2 minutes. I didn’t know how I felt about it and had to let it sit for awhile. Here’s my question. When they thought season 7 was the final one, how did they plan on ending the show? Were they going to go the Faith didn’t die route and end with a cliffhanger? Or was there going to be a hello the house happy ending? And then when season 8 was a go, did they decide hey, this is our final cliffhanger. Let’s make it a doozy!
I’ve decided I really don’t want to go on with the Faith SL unless it is resolved quickly. It sure has gotten people talking though, which is a good thing.
Claire had my favorite line. “Jamie, can we go home? Please?” I think it’s how we all feel. Back to the Ridge where we all belong!
Thanks to the 4 of you for these wonderful, enjoyable discussions. Till we meet again . . 😊
Susan i think you’ll find us in agreement with you on both of your points! And I’m just like you, I don’t read anything until I’ve had a chance to digest fully.
We will be doing 713 and then the first half of Season 7, so hope you stay around for that. It’s our pleasure. xo
I am happy you will be doing the additional episodes!
Please keep us posted when you do.
Will do!
Susan, I felt the same way about Brianna & Brian’s scene. Here she is, speaking to her Grandfather who is so taken back by the likeness she has to Ellen. It lacked and I wanted more emotion on Brianna’s part. Just my 2 cents. All in all I loved the episode. The possibility of Faith living took my breath away! I truly wasn’t expecting that ending.
Agree on both Christine. The writing was strange – and the delivery was flat. I think there’s more to the story here. I was also left gasping after the ending. Like oh! What?!?! In an excited disbelief – that was my first reaction.
Thank you.
Yes. The themes of Father and Family and sacrifice are woven throughout this season and the books. I so agree with you that Diana has done the world a service in showing us how a marriage can work and how families can work. Jamie is such a great example for the men of today.
I’m so excited that you are going back to do the episodes that you haven’t done yet. Thank you in advance. I’m going to rewatch those episodes before you do them.
Thank you for this lovely gift.
Ruth Ann I’m so glad you watch and comment. xo
Thanks again for a comprehensive and engaging overview. Again, you touched on many things I noted. However, I also have a few things to add and will start with the big themes of family and that Jamie is a rock. That would make him metaphorically the St. Peter of Outlander. “On this rock I will build my church [family],” though Charles in an interview called Jamie the “Jesus of Outlander” which is hilarious and the reason I mention it.
I loved the sassy and sarcastic Lord John under his veneer of impeccable manners during that pissing contest between him and Jamie at Claire’s bedside. Diana carries Jamie’s snit over that on to the end of Bees, so who knows what Starz will do with that. John very properly calling her “Mrs. Fraser” (and twice!) when Jamie knows full well he means “my dear.” Then quietly leaving alone until the Frasers need deus ex machina rescuing again. As a plot device goes, he’s one of the most suave and charming ever written.
The reporter’s question as to what “whoring” has done to Jane is more crass, but it’s in the same league (though more eloquently phrased) as the statement that bad clients are one of the hazards of that profession. Said by men of privilege who make use of women sold to brothels as young girls
without the protection of family, and under dire circumstances as if that were a career path or viable entrepreneurial option. Not recognizing the realities of poverty. Something both men can comfortably ignore.
I’ve seen a great deal of the discussion of the M. Raymond storyline raised as the season’s cliff hanger. I do hope that it’s a red herring and that they will push that manipulative tactic off the cliff before the end of S8 E1. Diana did say that she had considered that storyline, but that she had abandoned (her word) it. She did mention it to Matt, and the show ran with it. Probably because it’s sensational. When they have gone off piste like this in the past, it’s never been up to par with the excellence of the original storyline.
Alas, there is the confounded song. They’ll have to invent a good deal of stuff not in the books when there’s already more than enough in the books. That notion really put me off.
Something I noticed which did not receive your comment is that other than his words, M. Raymond made no sound on his entrance. All the other characters who entered the church did. We heard footsteps, rustlings of movements and so forth. All of those signal a physical presence. That gives me hope that this scene might be Claire’s dream as it’s unlikely that Jamie would not have heard it if a person had been n present. Having first hand experience of dream visitations, waking visitations, telepathic/vision encounters, that is one of the distinguishing characteristics of those experiences. There is no sound. Though I have very occasionally experienced spoken words as discernable sound through such experiences, most often speech in those instances has no sound either, merely an experience of thought not one’s own as dialogue in the mind.
BTS ladies I so appreciate your take on this and all the effort you put in. I have just finished watching your 716 recap. I am glad to be in agreement with Antoinette and Karmen on so many things this time. The Faith cliffhanger has made me so upset. I am a book reader as well as show watcher. I’m unhappy with Toni and Matt that felt the need for a cliffhanger. Maybe Starz put them up to it. I don’t want a season 8 filled with a storyline about Faith. What a waste if it is. Please drop it and move on.
I also think the Brian and Bree scene was horrible for Bree. Much agreed that it was like Bree was not acting well, no accent change and her lines were boring. Again, did Toni and Matt write this mess? It saddens me that this is what we will have forever, much like the lacking emotional response from Jaime when Claire almost died and they cut her hair. They didn’t really let him show much of anything. And we are stuck with it. (Or the horrible beard on Jaime in season 2 ugh). I much preferred episode 715 as a wonderful finale.
Thanks ladies for everything you do.
I agree, Donna. Faith adds nothing to the story’s development, nor does M. Raymond. Do showrunners feel they need to bring fan favourites back as they did with Murtagh? I can’t understand their reasoning or their motives when they run with their own inventions. None of those deviations have landed well. I sometimes wonder if they think they can do what Diana does better. They can’t. Book adaptations cannot replicate the books. I understand that; however, inventions that don’t enhance the narrative are unnecessary.
I also concur that the writers don’t give Bree much. I know there are those who fault her acting, but when she gets something meaty Sophie is bang on. You’re right. Her lines were boring. Everything about that segment was off: Ellen’s portrait, Brian’s hair, the entire conversation between them–and none of it consistent with Bree’s actions when she first saw Brian. He fainted thinking she and Jem were Ellen and Willy. That could have been handled another way. Look at what they managed with Roger’s voice overs in earlier episodes. This was a hot mess. I wonder how much molar grinding Diana must do at times. Or perhaps with the compensation she gets, she can shrug it off.
Hi Lynda, The Brian & Ellen scene seemed almost like something they stuck in after the fact – written by a junior writer. I think sometimes the writers want to invent something fun that will pleasantly surprise the audience. Unfortunately these big tangents don’t usually accomplish that. And especially ones involving Frank! 😅
I think it bothers Diana, and she usually speaks up against these ideas – sometimes they listen snd sometimes they don’t; I don’t think compensation softens the blow, but I do think she’s very good at letting things go. She _is_ Jamie, after all – so I’d say that “I willna say that it doesna bother me, because it does, and I willna say I won’t make a fuss about because I will…” is pretty accurate – but she doesn’t ruminate about it – is my experience.
Hi Donna,
I’m glad you brought up the Bree and Brian scene because during editing I thought – I want to go back and really pay attention to the writing in that scene, to see how much of it was that. I know Bree and Brian meet in the book, so I’m interested to see how much of it was from the book. Not much is my guess. I also don’t think Brian would just be pouring his heart out to this stranger. Anyway… yes the S3 beard – yikes. I mean it does say he goes to the house to eat and get cleaned and – I don’t think Jenny would’ve been down with that beard. It is not even smart to have if you’re living outside imo – stuff would get stuck in it. Ah well.
I agreed with most of your thoughts.
As a book reader, I think they often compromise the brilliant storylines when they write their own made up scenes. I have my own opinion as to why they make up or change storylines.
Agree. They seldom work!
Good point about Master Raymond making no sound – yes – I think this will be dispelled quickly – I hope!
I have had those experiences too – hmm – well – with people who are no longer living – and for me, there was no external sound that could be heard with my ears – but there is the experience of words having been said – with inflection and emotion, etc.; I never thought about what to call it or how to describe it. I’ve also experienced, felt? Vibrations that seemed like rumbling water – like if you’re underwater and a wave is coming over you, and they could be sound vibrations too. And light.
Agree that the scene with Bree and Brian was awful. That conversation would never have happened in the early 1700’s. I try, but I don’t like her. I don’t like her character at all. Please don’t remind me she was written that way. It’s something more.
The whole scene with Faith living feels like filler. Yes, I do think they’ll run with it next season. I hope not. Not that it isn’t interesting it just doesn’t fit. Not sure why.
I’m not very impressed with this season with the exception of any scene with LJG. Loved his saucy side with Jamie at Claire’s bedside.
I guess we’ll never know why Jamie wasn’t told they got married. Very strange. I thought they were holding it for a big blow up, but it never came.
Enough already. Let’s get to the end of J&C.
That best be exciting!
It’s not plausible to me that Jamie still didn’t know they were married. I don’t know if that’s what they intended us to think but I don’t think that’s plausible.
I agree.
I don’t think it is plausible either.
Did you notice that the “new” picture of Ellen is actually a picture of Jane?
It sure looks that way!
Here’s a link quoting some of what was on Diana’s FB page concerning the S7 16 Faith ending for anyone interested:
https://www.outlandishobservations.com/2025/01/episode-716s-ending-and-dianas-response.html
Could you feel the floor shaking? That was me jumping for joy at the news that you are going to go back and review some of the episodes you missed! That will certainly make Droughtlander easier to bear. Courtney, wishing you safe travels and a wonderful vacation. Catherine, I hope you feel better soon. I’m not clear on where any of you live, but hope you stay warm and safe during this topsy turvy winter. Many, many thanks to all of you for your thorough and thoughtful discussions of the show and books that give so much joy to so many of us.
Thank you MG! “See” you soon!
Loved your discussion as always! I rewatched the Brian/Bree scene. Great observation Courtney! It does appear to have been filmed separately & awkwardly. The one shot showing Bree & Brian together was filmed from a distance, with a stand in for Sophie as she is turned away from the camera & her face is partially hidden. Although Sophie’s delivery was very disappointing, I thought Andrew Whipp’s was heartbreakingly nuanced, full of pain & yearning. It’s hard to imagine that Joss directed this scene. Perhaps a last minute pickup? With a few noteworthy exceptions, Sophie unfortunately has struggled to inhabit her character throughout the entire series.
I loved all the Monmouth scenes. So incredibly raw, beautiful & deeply emotional. The acting was outstanding! The lighting, framing of each scene & cinematography was exquisite. Joss is a brilliant director! Looking forward to your future discussions.
Gail! Is that right? There was a stand in? I didn’t pick that up! I will go back and look to see. But I’m on vacation with my old computer that doesn’t play Starz. Rats. Thanks for this bit of sleuthing! Agree re Sophie and I wish that were not the case. And agree with the rest of what you said too.
I think that scene was awkwardly written and stuck in there as an afterthought – I agree. It’ll be interesting to hear what happened. I’d not want that scene with my name on it, if I were Joss!
I actually read somewhere that it was an afterthought, and their main purpose was to get fans thinking about Brian and excited about Blood of My Blood.
I will try to find it.
Oh I would like to see that. I don’t think it worked though… have to say.
What a finale, not sure where its going with the Faith story. I personally can’t see that Faith lived. Claire was holding on to her still born baby for hours ( or so it seemed in the ep 207). Some are saying, well MR took Faith, revived her but couldn’t find J and C to return her…If MR could find Claire and Jamie after the battle why couldn’t he do so with Faith? He’s a TT and ‘one of the old ones’ Nope.. I think it was all done for effect, end of season stuff!
Favourite scene without a doubt was the threesome! 😉 J&C and LJG, the humour and the eye rolling from C while the two bucks going head to head, loved it.
Followed by Claire weeing in the bucket, for the reasons Karmen said.
Amen Antoinette, about the show giving Claires lines and actions that should be Jamie’s and letting the scenes breathe.
I really struggled with the first 4 eps of 7b, for the simple reason they where so rushed (as much as i know the reason why they were). To me, they seemed more like snippets, a series of trailers. The last four eps. SOME of the scenes were longer thank goodness, breathing..
For me the best scene in the second half S7 was Sam and Caitriona go at it over her sex with LJG.. not only the acting but the length of it, breathing!
Agree with you over Sophie, but one thing in her defence, she can only say what the script writers give her to say.
But her lines were far to modern.
Yea to you lovely ladies doing more eps..
Enjoy your hols!
Thanks Susie! Yes – the writing was way off . Like Toni and Matt wrote Brian’s lines and someone’s niece or nephew who is in high school wrote Brees lines. And no one said “when I want to make a connection” in the ‘80’s. That was not an expression until recent times. Anyway, more breathing hopefully in Season 8 – we’ll see. Huge book and 10 eps 😬
Susie was the audio better on this one? I did more fine tuning. Hope so! x
Yes Courtney, the sound was much better… thank you.
Karmen mentioned the flowers that Bree was holding while talking to Brian, I thought they were Snowdrops 🤔🙃
I liked the twist of Faith being alive very much. I think it fits in well with the metaphysical aspects of Outlander (which are many) and it may tie in with the final season and understanding why Jamie is gazing at Claire at her window in Season 1. To me, Master Raymond is a spiritual traveler and his appearing beside Claire’s bed is meant to be understood as a real visit, yet one Jamie would not have seen because it was just meant for Claire. The lighting in that scene turns a light blue, to distinguish it from the “real” world to one of the spiritual. I also think Master Raymond is a character who is a traveler from a far distant future. That’s why it’s implied he knows when Claire will die and why he tells her it’s not yet her time.
I watched the episode “Faith” again, and Claire is in and out of consciousness when they deliver her baby. Just after, Master Raymond could have healed and revived Faith. The child that she holds could have been another baby that had died at birth. Or Master Raymond’s powers are such that he could have revived Faith even after a period of time had passed. In “Faith,” Master Raymond tells Claire she was right, and that he is in grave danger. He has little time and must flee right away. That’s why he didn’t have time to tell her about Faith or to give the child to her. Then she and Jamie left for Scotland. That’s why he apologizes to Claire in the final episode of Season 7.
The montage Claire experiences after hearing the song Fanny is singing makes the connection between Raymond, the blue wings of healing, and his “I’ll see you again.” I felt it was meant to say it was all connected with Faith having lived.
I love the Faith twist because losing Faith was so heartbreaking for Jamie and Claire. To know she lived would heal some of that pain. It’s such a gift to them. Also, they have Faith’s child to love and care for.
I like your take Lauren. I bought into it when I first watched, tbh. Afterward when I thought about the details I became less convinced. But I thought the same thing – maybe the baby they gave Claire was someone else’s baby – but the red hair… yeah definitely gets one thinking.
Hello! I so enjoy your thoughtful analysis. Thank you for taking the time. Everyone seems stuck in a linear fashion on bloodlines. Here’s a thought: I think Fergus is an ancestor of Claire’s through his mother and the Compte. As much as I would like to see Wm find true love, what if it’s Fergus’ son Germaine and Fanny that marry? Then Claire is raising one of her own great grandmas. Sounds like Diana’s intricate multi-level thinking😁
Forgot to mention that the flag with a square field of stars is the Saratoga Flag. I found one site that also called it the Trumbull and Yorktown flag. I really enjoyed seeing all the flags that were used.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gettysburgflag.com%2Ftrumbull-saratoga-and-yorktown-flag&psig=AOvVaw2Eje3V97k2KAof5Zx4FTV7&ust=1738257283148000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCJDljpG3m4sDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
Oh I’ll make sure to tell Karmen! And I’m glad you enjoy our chats. 😊
Hi Kate – that’s what the family tree that I saw asserted. Definitely mind boggling and explains in part why we will see Fergus and Marsali in Season 8! Yes, Diana has been weaving this intricate tail and it’s a huge family tree!
Courtney, where did you see the family tree? Is it in one of the companion books or is it elsewhere?
Joanne I found it online. I think I just googled outlander family tree. A reader put it together -not from the books.
THNK YOU Again!
As usual, I agreed with most of your comments.
I was especially happy to hear Antoinette’s feelings about the runners giving Claire Jamie’s book lines. I felt just like she did. I had been looking forward to the Jamie and Franny discussion. As she said, it was an outstanding intro into their tender relationship Diana described.
I don’t ever want to cause controversy, but I have my opinion about why they do that, and it upsets me every time.
I am just hoping we will see it Jamie and Franny’s tender bond in S8, but now I am concerned.
As a horse owner I loved your comments about Ian riding in on the horse. I did think to myself that he looks a little out of place on the horse, but I actually hadn’t noticed as much as you did.
Rewatching I paid closer attention and totally agreed with you. You are so perceptive!
I love to hear Karmne’ and Kathys’s medical comments, but sometimes the show focuses too much on ALL the surgeries. I thought this episode brought in the fact Claire is a good doctor without all the extra drama and elaboration.
I really appreciated and agree with your assessment and descriptions of Claire’s and Jamie’s dominant characteristics.
Claire is a strong, very good surgeon!
Jamie is a strong, caring, competent Father to many. He would and does sacrifice much for all his children!
Lastly, I think Charles does an amazing job portraying William, but I wanted to shake William and tell him to grow up.
Jamie had just returned from a dangerous mission helping him and reassured Franny he would always protect her. I thought Willam’s comment he would never call Jamie father was so hurtful, childish and self centered.
These are just my thoughts and opinions.
I absolutely love hearing thoughts and opinions and appreciate hearing you address in depth all of the things I missed.
Hi LaRayne – thanks for all your reflections Cause controversy! It’s ok. I’d like to know your opinion. I too was glad they didn’t show more of Claire’s surgery! I’m happy learning the details after the fact from Karmen and Cathy! 😅. And I wasn’t surprised they didn’t show more – they show Claire’s surgeries to show her Bawseness, they were not interested in doing that for Denzel imo. I don’t even want to see Claire’s most of the time, so I was happy with that choice.
Re Ian – that horse looks docile/ safe but not like a comfy ride! At least not without more rider connection – so I don’t think JHB was set up for success there. Oh well. I love horses – glad to know you do too. It takes a while to develop an eye for horse mechanics as I’m sure you know – I have ridden for years and then also have watched my daughter ride for years in lessons with very good trainers so I see some things. I’m probably not always right, but sometimes 😊.
Thanks Courtney, Antoinette and Karmen for your conversations on E. 716. I enjoy your insights and perspectives because we all really do love Outlander – the SHOW and the BOOKS.
JAMIE
Jamie was so much the hero in this episode…just, as you said Courtney, by being Jamie. He went from Warrior mode to devoted husband. HE couldn’t save Claire, but he moved heaven (crying out that he won’t let the angels come for her) and earth (resigned in her blood) to bring Denzel in to do it. He then lovingly nursed her back to health. He witnessed the compassionate nature of his son, as William saw into the soul of a troubled young woman, and then he lovingly embraced the pain and fear of an orphaned little girl.
WILLIAM
While dear, sweet, handsome William finds a way to respect and embrace “Mother Claire,” he cannot see through his hurt and is blinded by anger towards the traitorous Jamie. It will take time to reframe his reality and acknowledge Jamie’s admirable qualities, not just his criminally useful ones, like helping him with a jailbreak. I feel that when William tells Jamie he will never call him Father, Jamie realizes that his value to William was not based on his Fatherly concern, but rather on his ability and willingness to help his son break the law.
THE TITLE: A HUNDRED THOUSAND ANGELS
The director did a beautiful job of weaving the thread of angels into the story: Jamie crying to the heavens that the angels cannot come for Claire; Claire seeing a dreamy angel-type figure when she sees Master Raymond; Jane waving back to the angels (northern lights) in her final moments on earth. I found the moment, when Frances recounted that Jane loved when their mother told them the angels were waving to them, both poignant and redemptive for Jane. I was hoping Frances could see her sister being welcomed by a hundred thousand angels. Antoinette totally agree that this young actress, Florrie, has spot on instincts and inhabits the role of Frances with Joanie and Marsali vibes.
CLAIRE
Claire is fragile with the scars of surviving her own near-death on several occasions. This severe, traumatic blood loss re-opens those psychic wounds. Into this delicate space, a forlorn, curly haired, world-weary, defensive, and determined young girl arrives. Claire knows that Frances’ mother is dead … the dreamy appearance of Master Raymond , the word Faith on the locket, and the song that Frances sings provokes Claire to question “WHEN did HER daughter Faith die?”
Is it unresolved grief? Magical thinking? For sure, it’s a S8-tease.
JAMIE AND CLAIRE TOGETHER – yes Karmen, they do show us all how it can be done.
Wrote more than I intended to … but, I do love Outlander – the SHOW and the BOOKS.
I loved reading your take Ann Marie – thought provoking and thoughtful observations. Thank you 😊