Well now, the season six finale of Outlander did not disappoint. It had everything – action, drama, romance, sex, and even a little time travel discussion.
Fans were disappointed this season was shortened by the pandemic, and the filming around Caitriona Balfe's pregnancy also meant that we were left facing more than a few pacing problems over the past few episodes.
Storylines seemed rushed while others were drawn out and it was evident this was not the season they originally set out to make.
Thankfully, Episode 8, titled "I Am Not Alone", ended the season with a bang, ramping up not only the action, as Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) holding out as Richard Brown (Chris Larkin) and his men tried to arrest her for the murder of Malva Christie (Jessica Reynolds) and her unborn child, but also the romance between our favourite couple.
Fan favourite Roger was rewarded for his hard work this season with the revelation that son Jemmy was actually his, as well as some quiet time with Bree. The pair even squeezed in some time travel talk as they discussed when they should tell Jemmy about his parents being from the future.
Though we haven't seen the stones this season, it's been fun to see the characters navigate the past with their knowledge of what's to come, and little nods to time travel through discussions like this one, as well as the reappearance of characters like Wendigo Donner (if that was indeed him) have recaptured a little of what makes Outlander so unique in the first place.
While back at the Ridge, Jamie and Claire could only snatch a fleeting but terribly sweet moment to reminisce about all of the times they had escaped death in the past as Brown's gang laid siege to their home.
The sheer menace that Jamie radiates at the mere thought of anyone taking his wife from him is another nod to Sam Heughan's excellent acting and with the excellent Chris Larkin and Mark Lewis (Tom Christie) to play off against in this episode, both he and Caitriona Balfe really shone.
It was truly enjoyable to watch the pair of them take on the world together.
The only gripe might have been the nature of the cliffhanger, with Claire placed in a jail cell in Wilmington while Jamie is rescued by Young Ian and the Cherokee from almost being sent back to Scotland.
It felt strangely abrupt and the lingering shot of the men riding their horses across a beautiful beach as they headed in pursuit of Claire and her captors was not how we expected the episode to end.
Overall though, it was a fitting end to what's been a good (all be it flawed) season overall and has definitely left (non-book) fans with a little to ponder over the coming Droughtlander.
Thankfully, season 7 shouldn't be delayed and with a bumper 16 episodes it's sure to fill in all those blanks and loose threads season 6 has left lying around.
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