Yes, the closest we have gotten to a release date is Summer 2023? No, we got the definitive June 16, 2023! And just like season 1, there will be a two-part split. And not only that, we got the titles of the episodes. Some of you may be concerned about the split, but don’t be. We get to make up for some of that lost production time, and the crew is working on the final season.
So this season 7 will be the penultimate season since they will be having to smash together two very thick books, An Echo in the Bone and Written in My Own Hearts Blood by Diana Gabaldon.
Spoiler alert, if we need to say that.
What will happen this season? Look at the titles of the episodes and guess. We know for sure that the American Revolution is just heating up, and will be the constant backdrop of conflict. However, rest assured there will be family conflict (Brianna meets William Ransome, her half-brother), that old mystery of the French Gold, and people on the Ridge really start to take sides in the politics of their time. Let’s not forget our Claire being in the gaol and another rescue attempt must be made. How many times is that? Oh, and pirates again, somewhere.
Episode 3, Season 6 has so many themes, but what it all comes down to is fear. There is a war brewing and the Fraser’s know it. The people of Fraser’s Ridge have been in conflicts in their homelands, fear the new world and fear and superstitions came with the fisher folk. It is an episode that sets up the story archs for several characters on Fraser’s Ridge, Marsali and Fergus, The Christies, The Fraser’s Ridge Gang (The Weeans), The Cherokee, and of course Jamie and Claire.
Our episode opens with a view of a wide river and a tiny basket carrying a crying baby heads to the rough waters and a sudden drop at the falls. The Fraser Ridge Gang, including young Germain , are rushing down the riverside trying to catch up with the basket. Roger MacKenzie (Richard Rankin) hears and sees the basket carrying the baby, and charges into the waters to retrieve the baby. When the lads think all is lost and the basket goes over the falls, Roger shames them and reveals he has rescued baby Henri-Christian. He quickly begins to Baptise the infant, even though he is not ordained, as his 20th century mind knows this is about superstions and fear. The boys admit that their parents have told them that the child, born a dwarf, is a demon. If they touch it they will burn in Hell. Roger uses the baptism, and uses Henri-Christian’s name, emphasizing the Christian part. He then singles out Germain after telling the boys to go home and that Mr. Fraser will deal with them all later at the big house. He points out that Germain should be protecting his brother, how did this all happen. Germain, shamed a bit, admits that he did not defend his brother due to peer pressure.
Later, Roger decides to aid in protecting baby Henri-Christian in reminding the people of The Ridge in the Bible story of Moses, the child in the basket found and raised by Egyptians. Good job, Roger.
Later, after Henri-Christian is brought to safety to be with his family again and there is much discussion about how could this happen on The Ridge. Marsali (Lauren Lyle) comes home to find her bairns asking their father for food, and Fergus (César Domboy) continues to drink. After weeks of Fergus pulling away from he and the family, Marsali finally has it out with him. She will not have a husband unless Fergus is really there with them. Fergus, fuming, tries in vain to discuss what is wrong, but it all comes out wrong, as in making excuses. Having had enough, Marsali tells him to leave.
The family has not been able to reach Fergus, truly, since Marsali and Claire were attacked. He was in charge of the Ridge at that time, and should have been able to protect them. When Claire, his adoptive mother, tries to reason with him later, he opens up at last about what his life was like in the brothel in Paris, how Dwarf children were mistreated, sold as objects. In France, dwarf children were often left for the wolves. Domboy has truly grown as an actor in this series, and makes the audience really see the real, deep Fergus. He doesn’t want that sort of life for his son. Fergus has been dealing with his own short comings with missing a hand, a very severe handicap in a world filled with labor intensive work and providing for his family has been difficult. He refuses to go back with Claire.
Later, Jamie comes upon him trying to suicide by the creek. He cuts a gash in his arm and Jamie tells him he is a man of worth, he would be lost with out Fergus, that Fergus is his, of his family. Not to mention the damnation of his soul. He drags Fergus back with him for Claire to treat, and eventually they bring Fergus back to Marsali, where they are reconciled and must discuss how to keep baby Henri-Christian safe with the fearful people of The Ridge pointing fingers at the child and ready to blame him for crop failures or any other bad circumstances at Fraser’s Ridge.
Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones) is a very difficult man. Claire finds herself pushing back at Tom’s blows of self righteousness, the blustering he furls out to protect himself from sins, in every conversation they have. What it really is, and what Claire recognises, that it is fear of loss of control that is really bein dealt with. Tom wants to be the leader, and is often outshined by Jamie, an truly struggles with it. We see the angry side of Tom, as he takes the strap to Malva. In his failed attempt, he realizes he would have better use of his hand to administer the strap if it did work properly. So this is what drives him to Claire for the operation, or so we think, his only motive is to be able to punish the wicked girl.
What is really happening, and if you haven’t seen it, look again, is that Tom Christie is a moth to a flame. He wants what Jamie (Sam Heughan) has, and despite himself and his blusterings, begins to soften towards Claire (Caitriona Balfe). While Jamie tries to encourage him to take the ether for surgery, and Tom refusing on his high moral ground, Jamie discusses his hand surgery and explains to Tom it is no easy matter. Tom of course refuses, saying it’s the Devils work (ether) it is not natural. Claire explains, as if talking to a brick wall, that he needs to hold still while she performs the surgery the ether will make it so. Tom agrees but only with whisky and Jamie must hold him down. She calls him a masochist out of frustration, and has to explain the term to both men. With a few drams more and Jamie holding Tom in the surgery chair, and some great surgery FX from the crew, Claire manages to do some fine surgery work. Claire then talks Tom into staying in the surgery for the night to keep an eye on him. Tom gives in, but as we see him softening, we must realize that the man is becoming absolutely besotted with Claire. Watch out for the brewing of sin in this little drama, the man has fallen under her spell.
Watch all the drama and kettle boiling while we slowly head towards war. Next up, Episode 4 “Hour of The Wolf”.
It’s another episode filled with conflicts. The Fraser’s, MacKenzies, and people of Fraser’s Ridge, keep bumping up against traditions, religion, customs, superstitions, and of course, loyalties. Families mean kinship, and all that comes with it.
Are You Not My Kin?
John Bell
And so begins the job of Indian Agent for Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). Jamie and Ian meet with the local Cherokee Nation as Jamie takes on his new role as Indian Agent for the Crown. Ian is helpful trying to translate, while he mostly knows the Mohawk language. Chief Bird (Glen Gould) and Still Water (Simon R. Baker) tell Jamie that the Cherokee people have fought with the king before, and won. Why would they aid the king now? The settlers are pushing at the treaty lines. How will they defend their own people? They point out they could have killed the settlers if they wanted to, they don’t need guns for that. Jamie is hesitant and refuses to request guns for the Cherokee, questioning where their loyalties lie. Ian asks him why, and Jamie reminds him that Claire and Brianna have told him of what happens in the future to the Cherokee and other nations. Ian asks to know more. It isn’t good.
At the heart of this conflict, Jamie and Ian are the remaining kinsmen. Jamie has lost his Godfather, Murtagh, and must continue his turn as a father figure for Young Ian, who is not so young anymore. Young Ian identifies greatly with his adopted Mohawk family and the Cherokee people he wishes to protect. One of the reasons he identifies with the tribes, is that they are very much a clan, an extended family and honor is important. A rift starts to form as Ian cannot understand why Jamie will not agree to seek guns for the Cherokee. He feels they are family to him. Jamie questions him, is he not a kinsman to Jamie? How can Jamie just give them guns, and hope they don’t use them on the people of the Ridge? Jamie asks Ian to think about it, would giving the Cherokee guns mean they could be used on the people of The Ridge.
Of course, we have a few scenes right out of the book, and there is a good one. One of them is the night that Jamie and Ian spend in a Long House, where suddenly Jamie finds not one, but two naked Cherokee women, Walela (Blair Lamora) and Selu (Barbara Patrick), are under the skins with him. The scene is well played by Sam Heughan, finding himself at the mercy of these two women, not wishing to offend, and Ian (John Bell) enjoying the situation far too much. It adds some much needed humor in an episode filled with doubts. It also makes Jamie head for home and into the arms of Claire.
Roger’s Calling
Richard Rankin
Roger seems to have the worst of luck, always, before he gets something. He has found himself drawn to helping officiate as a clerical leader on The Ridge, since he was raised by a Protestant Clergyman. He has tried to help a recent widow with her small son, and Tom Christie asks him to officiate at Grannie Wilson’s wake at the meeting house/church.
Sam Heughan and Robin Scott
Roger sees it as a honor to help, he hasn’t had it easy since coming to the past and sufering as a slave, hung, and losing much of his singing voice after surviving that ordeal. However, as he seeks a purpose, perhaps he can use his speaking voice in helping the fisher folk who have come. So this opportunity of giving a service at the wake, and he hopes it will help unify the newcomers with the Catholic presence on The Ridge. Of course, while Roger is saying words for Grannie Wilson, a stiring of the corpse to sitting upright and demanding to know what is going on spooks everyone and lends more fear and superstition to what will in later episodes become a powder keg situation. After Grannie has her say, and the Sin Eater has had his bread, Grannie does finally have her last breath, after Claire of course checks her over to be sure.
Roger does get the upper hand later when he comes to the aid of Marsali. She is having a very difficult birth, and Fergus is no where to be found. He knows she needs Fergus and seeks him out. Roger confronts Fergus and tells him to man up, be the man Marsali needs right now. Fergus has been dealing with the aftermath of feeling helpless when Marsali was attacked, and has been drinking heavily. In counseling Fergus, and seeing Fergus go to Marsali’s aid, is Roger finally feeling his calling, to be of good counsel to others in need?
A Haunting
Jessica Reynolds and Caitriona Balfe
Claire’s PTSD symptoms continue to plague her, as other memories from the past come to haunt her. Alan Christie discouraging Malva from her adoration of Claire’s skills as a surgeon/healer, doesn’t help when he brings up that such women may be suspected of witchcraft. Allan is still smarting from the lashing he took. With that and Claire’s haunted surgery where her attacker was silenced by Marsali, and his ghost seems to be haunting Claire, not Marsali. Claire has been using ether to deal with her stress, collapsing into a motionless heap when she feels overwelmed. What will the people on The Ridge think when she begins to use ether in surgeries? To make people as if dead, then bring them back to life?
Lauren Lyle and Caitlin O’Ryan
Claire is on cue when Marsali suddenly goes into a long and difficult labor. With Jamie yelling “Where the hell is Fergus?”, and Marsali’s only comfort being wee Adso, Claire uses the labor as a teachable momment with young Malva, which just makes you want to cringe. Claire begins to soften and bring down her guard, encouraging Malva who has no support from her family, to learn healing. Of course we start seeing that Malva covets Claire’s standing and independence, and the power she wields as a healer. Claire is becoming too trusting of the seemingly innocent lass.
And speaking of surgery, the devout Tom Christie comes calling to a frosty Claire, suggesting he may want the surgery he had refused earlier. Claire suggests he comes back when he has full use of his newly injured hand. It seems that Christie is drawn to Claire like a moth to the forbidden flame. Hold that thought for later in the season.
Resolution
Jamie is walking on the property in the evening and overhears Young Ian talking about his bairn he had with his Mohawk wife while holding Marsali’s baby, Henri-Christian. He confides that he lost the child, and when Jamie overhears this, he makes a decision on writing to the Governor to request guns for the Cherokee. He realizes that the Cherokee people have fears for their families just as he does. They should have the right to defend their own people. Wouldn’t it be better to work on an allyship with them?
Should I also mention the rumor going around that Laoghaire may make an appearance? Because the Christie’s and Brown’s presence is not enough to deal with.
Here’s a Wee Adso making a nuisance on the Majors’s tunic to cheer you up.
On February 24, 2022 fans were treated to a live premiere or Outlander Season 6.
Full Facebook links for Red Carpet Event on February 24, 2022, at the Royal Festival Hall in London UK. The online tickets were of course crashing the system again. However, you can watch the event from this link on Facebook. Of course actor Sam Heughan had his Sassanach Brand Whiskey hosting the party.
Sadly, some fans were a bit unkind on the Socials about Catriona Balfe not being there. She was in LA, California for an awards week, celebrating her film Belfast, and did discuss having to travel with a baby was not as easy jetting about the world as when she was just on her own. We hear you, Cait.
Reuters
ET Canada
And the many stills from the evening, with new and old faces.
Marsali is not coping well with the reality that she had to kill to protect her family, she keeps having children, which can be dangerous and overwhelming. Tune in on March 6, 2022 to see how Marsali and Fergus go through these trying times leading up to a revolution.
Starz updated information about their presence at NYCC 2021 this week. It will be a mix of a live and virtual panel about Season 6. Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), author Diana Gabaldon and Maril Davis (Executive Producer) will be on stage. Caitriona Balfe (Claire Fraser), Lauren Lyle (Marsali Fraser), César Domboy, and John Bell (Young Ian) will be joining in virtually on Saturday.
You will need to purchase autographs separately and the con is sold out.
Outlander Panel Sat, Oct 9, 2021 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the Empire Stage
I’m still putting together my information from my Sasnak City October 3rd chat group with Duncan Lacroix, and will tell you all about that later, but I wanted to get this out there for you.
YOU HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER 23rd TO ENTER A RAFFLE for a 20 minute chat with some of your favorite OUTLANDER actors. And at $10.00 a ticket, it’s a great price for a great cause! HURRY, GET THAT TICKET! OR should I say TICKETS? O
ONE ON ONE Fun!
Cast members from Outlander have donated their time to be raffled off for a Camp Encourage benefit. Find out about the great opportunities this camp provides for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder to learn many skills and gain the camp experience. It’s all about empowerment.
The following current and past cast members have donated time for the raffle:
Graham McTavish, Caitlin O’Ryan, Duncan Lacroix, Grant O’ Rourke, Nell Hudson, Colin McFarlane, Annette Badland, Kyle Reese, Lauren Lyle, Paul Gorman, Gary Lewis, Steven Cree, Tim Downie, Richard Rankin (2 chats).
Oh, that Richard Rankin, he’s upping the anti. Challenging the other actors to donate more!
And Maria Doyle Kennedy is making you a one-of-a kind pillow.
To bid on these great prizes and keep an eye out for more:
I just entered for TIM DOWNIE! I am so going to tell him how much I enjoyed his storytelling from his Instagram and all the other fun things he’s done to cheer us up. I also have several episode ideas for his wee series. Just kidding, it’ll all be about the cakes.
Ready for Episode 2? Food with Outlander Kitchen’s Theresa Carle-Sanders and Lauren and John salivating. So will you. Countdown to Blu-Ray and DVD release continues.
It’s another episode filled with conflicts. The Fraser’s, MacKenzies, and people of Fraser’s Ridge, keep bumping up against traditions, religion, customs, superstitions, and of course, loyalties. Families mean kinship, and all that comes with it.
An Outlander Muse 