Outlanderfans have been waiting on the answers to one particular mystery for up to 34 years, and I bet I know exactly how season 8 will go about solving it. The upcoming final season of the TV adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s works has no choice but to take its own road since the author herself hasn’t yet published the final book. Gabaldon has promised answers to several long-runningOutlandermysteries in her upcoming novel, and Starz has done the same for season 8. Of course, the answers will surely differ from one to the other, but I think I see where the show is headed.
Theending ofOutlanderseason 7pulled details predominantly from Gabaldon’s eighth book,Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, leaving the ninth,Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, to translate into season 8. There is one more book on the way to wrap up theOutlanderseries, but it won’t arrive until after the Starz TV series has concluded. This leads me to think that the climactic moments ofGo Tell the Bees That I Am Gonewill make up most of season 8’s ending. As it is, this is theperfect opportunity forOutlanderseason 8to provide its own answer to Jamie’s season 1 ghost.
Outlander Still Hasn’t Solved The Mystery Of Jamie’s Ghost From Season 1
This Mystery Was First Presented To Readers In 1991
The mystery of Jamie’s ghost was first introduced 34 years ago when theOutlanderbook was published in 1991. Before Claire went back in time through the stones,Frank Randall saw a man staring up at her through their window in Scotland, but the figure disappeared when Frank went to confront him. This was adapted to the screen inOutlanderseason 1 when Frank came to the conclusion that the mysterious Scot was the one who had taken Claire away. In a way, he was correct since the sketch he had done of the man’s face looked exactly like Jamie Fraser.
Jamie’s ghost staring longing at Claire in the 20th century implied that his soul had been separated from Claire’s at some point. It wasa foreboding hint that Jamie would die in the past and that Claire would return to the future. If they had both died together in the past, then surely Jamie’s spirit would be in eternal bliss along with his lover’s, not staring up at Claire in the 20th century, waiting for her to join him. Gabaldon promises that her tenthOutlanderbookwill reveal why Jamie’s ghost is waiting for Claire. However, the TV show will probably chalk it up to Jamie’s season 8 death.
Jamie Will Likely Die In Outlander Season 8 (Just For A Little While)
The Ninth Outlander Book Temporarily Kills Jamie Off
The ending ofOutlanderseason 7 saw Jamie Fraser resignfrom the Continental Army, but theOutlanderbooks reveal that this won’t be permanent. The Revolutionary War will find its way to North Carolina, and the people of Fraser’s Ridge will have no choice but to participate. This all plays out inGo Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, which means that season 8 will explore the upcoming book battles. This includes one that history dictated would be the last James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser would ever fight. Jamie knew this going into it but set out into the mountains to fight regardless.
Brianna found a book written by Frank that lists Jamie Fraser as a casualty of a battle in North Carolina and warned her father of his fate. Still, he chose to go to fight anyway.
As far as history, or even science, would say, Jamie really did die during this battle inGo Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. However, Claire makes her way to the mountain after him, finds his body, anduses her healing powers to bring Jamie back to life. This will play out inOutlanderseason 8, and the big reveal about Faith Fraser in season 7 will likely provide a reason for Claire to explore her powers further. That way, Claire magically healing Jamie won’t seem so out of nowhere (the TV show has largely ignored Claire’s magical ability). This miracle could also double as an explanation for Jamie’s ghost.
Jamie’s Ghost Probably Visits Claire In The 20th Century
Jamie Could Have An Out Of Body Experience
Since Jamie technically dies inGo Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, which is likely to happen in season 8, theOutlanderTV show can use this entire event to explain why Jamie’s ghost was staring up at Claire in the 20th century. While Jamie is technically dead,his soul could travel through time and spaceto observe different moments he otherwise wouldn’t have. He could travel to the future, watch Brianna grow up, and, of course, spend a moment outside Claire’s window in Inverness. Once Claire heals Jamie inOutlanderseason 8, he will surely tell her all he has seen.
It makes sense that while Jamie’s soul was temporarily disconnected from his body, he would be drawn to the Samhain night that marked the beginning of Claire’s journey.
Thiswould effectively bring the entireOutlanderseries full circle. It makes sense that while Jamie’s soul was temporarily disconnected from his body, he would be drawn to the Samhain night that marked the beginning of Claire’s journey. That evening she spent brushing her hair in Inverness would be her last before this next big stage in her story and destiny began—the night before she met Jamie Fraser for the first time in the 18th century. Jamie being there for her in this moment is deeply meaningful, so creating this connection would be an excellent way to end theOutlanderTV show.
Other Ways Outlander Season 8 Can Explain Season 1’s Ghost Mystery
The TV Show Could Take A Different Route
While my theory thatOutlanderwill connect Jamie’sGo Tell the Bees That I Am Gonedeath to his ghost’s appearance in the 20th century seems likely given the series' current trajectory, there are other possibilities as well. TheOutlanderTV show has already hinted that Jamie has a strange ability to astral project. Through his dreams, he has looked ahead to moments he never got to experience firsthand, like those from Brianna’s childhood.It’s possible that Jamie will have a dream about Claire in Inverness inOutlanderseason 8, though this seems far less climactic.
Outlander Season 7 Hints That Claire & Jamie Might Not Get A Happy Ending (At Least Not In The Way You Think)
Claire and Jamie are getting closer to their definitive Outlander ending but hints throughout the series suggest growing old together isn’t an option.
It’s alsopossible thatOutlanderwill avoid answers about Jamie’s ghost entirely. Gabaldon has promised to include this mystery in her final book, and Starz’s screenwriters may aim to steer clear and not step on her toes. It will ultimately come down to whether theOutlanderTV show wants to come up with its own unique reason that fits with this version of the story or match Gabaldon’s books—Outlanderseason 8 can’t, unfortunately, have it both ways.
Outlander’s Answer To Jamie’s Ghost Likely Won’t Match With The Books
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gonesaw Claire heal Jamie, and there was no big moment during which the 18th-century man said he visited the 20th-century in spirit. Therefore, this is unlikely to be Gabaldon’s book explanation. Still, sinceOutlanderseason 8 has limited source material to work with, changing this may be the series' best option. Just like the big Faith twist that never happened in the books, such a reveal about Jamie’s ghost can aid the TV show by giving audiences a satisfying ending. Later,when Gabaldon finally releases her tenthOutlanderbook, we can get the real answers. For now, this could be an intriguing substitution.
