On the heels of Outlander's renewal for an eighth and final season, fans are still anxiously awaiting the return of the show’s seventh season, set to premiere this summer. Thankfully, the upcoming season will have twice the number of episodes as its predecessor, which means the stories explored are sure to be abundant. Over the past six seasons of the series, the storylines and characters have expanded beyond the time-traveling love story of Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe), and there’s even a prequel about Jamie’s parents in the works. Given the vastness of the Outlander universe, the series has a lot to wrap up before its conclusion.
When audiences last saw Jamie and Claire, they were forcibly separated as she awaits trial in Wilmington for the murder of Malva Christie (Jessica Reynolds). Despite her innocence, public opinion emphatically named her the culprit, which means Jamie and others at Fraser’s Ridge who know the truth need to act fast if they want to save her. Now that audiences are aware that Season 7 is the show’s penultimate season, the upcoming season has a lot of ground to cover. As a result, there are quite a few things viewers want to see.
Claire’s Rescue
It’s safe to say that somehow Claire will be rescued, and given the ending of Season 6, it’s the first thing viewers want to see. What’s unknown is who will actually save her. Audiences will remember that Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones) stayed with her after Jamie was taken away, so will he play a part in her rescue? In the recent teaser for Season 7, Claire can be seen with a noose around her neck. Presumably, the trial in Wilmington was speedy, and she was quickly found guilty. However, as she begins to step forward on the gallows, an unknown man grabs her before she’s able to walk off the edge. The first episode of the newest season will need to explain why and how this occurs.
A Genuine Love Interest for Ian
Since their time in America, Ian (John Bell) has experienced quite a bit of heartbreak when it comes to his love life. His wife Emily (Morgan Holmstrom) left him after the death of their baby daughter, and his relations with Malva were superficial before her murder. With Rachel Hunter (Izzy Meikle-Small) entering the universe of Outlander, viewers want to see his potential love interest turn into something real. Ian is one of the kindest, most honorable characters in the series, and he deserves love and happiness. It’s about time he found it in America, and hopefully, viewers will see it happen in the newest season.
A Revelation About William’s Father
One of the biggest secrets in the series involves William Ransom’s (Charles Vandervaart) biological father. While a few characters know he’s the actual son of Jamie and Geneva Dunsany (Hannah James), who died following his birth, William believes his father to be Ludovic Ransom, Eighth Earl of Ellesmere, who also died the day he was born. Although Jamie loved William, given the circumstances of his conception, he was raised by his uncle Lord John Grey (David Berry) who knows the truth about his father. Now William is grown and part of the British army attempting to quell the rising tensions in the American colonies. Given the impending war on the horizon, viewers hope to see the truth regarding Jamie’s connection to William revealed.
The American Revolution
The prospect of the American Revolution has been brewing for a while, and the time for war has finally come. The teaser for the newest season depicts a British soldier ripping the Declaration of Independence from a post, meaning the time for revolution has arrived. While Jamie and Claire know how the war will play out, their friends and loved ones on the British side are in the dark, which will likely be difficult for Jamie to reckon with, especially with Lord Grey and his son William. Watching how these storylines evolve in front of the backdrop of the American Revolution will be interesting to see unfold.
A Return to Scotland
It’s only a matter of time before Jamie and Claire return to Scotland, and now that the war in America is ramping up, it’s possible viewers will see them return at some point during the next season. Also, since viewers now know Season 7 is the penultimate season of the series, it’s almost guaranteed a return to Scotland is imminent. The question is whether others will join them on their journey home. Plus, the show hasn’t been the same since they left the Highlands, and seeing the duo back in the place where it all began will bring the story full circle in a cohesive way.
More Time Travel
Viewers who have read the book series will know more time travel could be on the horizon for certain characters. It might not be Jamie and Claire seeing as it’s unlikely Jamie is able to travel through the stones. Although, it would be interesting to see the Highlander in the future. If there’s any time travel to be had, it’s all but certain to be Bree (Sophie Skelton) and Roger (Richard Rankin). The couple spent a lot of time in previous seasons discussing returning to the future if their son Jemmy was able to do so. They even attempted to travel back through the stones at the end of Season 5, but the stones had other plans and kept them in the 18th century. Season 7 could be the moment fans see them return to the future.
Until the current droutlander comes to end this summer, watch the previous six seasons of Outlander on demand or streaming via STARZ.