Warning: This article contains mention of miscarriage and infant loss.
Outlanderhas ignored a magical plotline for nine years, but it has no choice but to bring it back in season 8. This next batch of episodes will be the last for the Starz series, so it’s important that Jamie and Claire’s adventures be brought to a satisfying close. Of course, to achieve this, any hanging plotlines must be addressed and resolved.Outlanderseason 7 began work on this by introducing a brand-new plotline about Faith Fraser, which is sure to relate to Master Raymond’s magical powers.
ThoughOutlanderseason 7’s big reveal that Faith Frasermay have lived doesn’t come from Diana Gabaldon’s books, the idea itself still finds its roots in canon. Master Raymond has the magical ability to heal, and he used this power back inOutlanderseason 2following Claire’s near-fatal miscarriage. Way back in this episode, which aired nine years ago in 2016, Master Raymond explained why he was able to do this, and even revealed that Claire could as well.It all comes down to their unique auras, but this is a plotline thatOutlanderhas left hanging ever since.
Outlander Season 8 Must Acknowledge Master Raymond & Claire’s Magical Auras
The Show Hasn’t Acknowledged This Detail In Years
Just as in the TV show, theOutlanderbooksrevealed thatMaster Raymond and Claire have blue auras, which is a sign of their magical healing abilities. Unlike the Starz series, however, the books carried this concept through the entirety of the story. It has always been evident in Gabaldon’s novels that Claire possesses extraordinary powers, and she has gradually developed them over the years. What’s more, she can sometimes see other people’s auras, which helps her identify further magical influences around her. This has largely been ignored by theOutlanderTV show.
Of course, the big reveal that Faith might have survived the events ofOutlanderseason 2 means that this must change in season 8. The finale of season 7 brought back the “blue wings” that Claire saw when Master Raymond healed her, indicating that a similar power was used to revive little Faith.None of this will make sense in the coming episodes ifOutlanderdoesn’t finally address the aurasthat were teased back in season 2.
Master Raymond and Claire have blue auras, but other colors mean different things for different characters. For example,Jamie has a red aura, which associates him with a long line of warriors. This hasn’t been mentioned at all in theOutlanderTV show. The fact that the series has largely ignored this plotline for so long is a problem now thatOutlanderis heading into this miraculous Faith story. Season 8 simply must acknowledge what it should have brought up years ago. Auras must be explored and explained.
Outlander Ignoring Its Magical Plotlines Can Still Be A Massive Problem In Season 8
Outlander Has Limited Time To Bring Back The Magic
ThoughOutlanderhas been able to carry on well enough while ignoring magical elements like auras and healing, it has significantly shifted the genre of the show. Gabaldon’s book series is Romantacy through and through—Jamie and Claire’s romance is central, but there is magic around every corner. This isn’t quite the case in the TV show. Obviously, magical elements brought Claire to Jamie in the first place, but aside from this,the “fantasy” aspect isn’t as prevalent on screen as it is on the page. Starz’sOutlanderis more historical fiction, but it appears that this is changing in Season 8.
Now, Outlander season 8 will have to bring all of this back in rather suddenly, and this will make it much harder to swallow the reveal that Faith somehow lived.
The Faith twist ofOutlanderseason 7 teases the return of the fantastical elements to the show. Season 7 eased us back into this with Roger’s adventure, but there was still no mention of auras or the supposed overarching magical development for Claire’s story. Now,Outlanderseason 8will have to bring all of this back in rather suddenly, and this will make it much harder to swallow the reveal that Faith somehow lived. Overall, it’s another way thatOutlander’s ending will be a challenge for Starz.
