Outlander enthusiasts, quenching their thirst during the tedious Droughtlander, have been eagerly revisiting the series. The Starz network’s premier historical drama teases with ample hints of Jamie Fraser’s (portrayed by Sam Heughan) ethereal presence right from its pilot episode.

Aptly named Sassenach, this opening episode of the first season frames Claire Fraser (Caitríona Balfe) alongside her initial spouse, Frank Randall (Tobias Menzies), amid a second honeymoon—a trip that catapults her through time to the rugged climes of 18th-century Scotland.

The series commences under the shadow of Claire’s far-flung voiceover—her tone laced with the wisdom of a well-worn narrative thread, intimating she recites these memories towards the end of her timeline. Her words are poignant and conclusive: “I do know this, even now, after all the pain and death and heartbreak that followed, I would still make the same choice.”

A spellbinding theory buzzes among the fandom, fed by whispers from the saga’s creator Diana Gabaldon herself, suggesting the final pages of her literary universe might depict a rendezvous between Claire—the woman swept across epochs—and Jamie’s ghost, at the crux of her journey. While Gabaldon’s lips remain sealed on the specifics, fans harbour suspicions that Jamie may reveal the depths of their unyielding bond and the necessity of her temporal voyage—meant to entwine their destinies eternally.

With this conjecture in mind, Claire’s solemn reflection on “choice” resonates profoundly, hinting at a destiny pre-scripted by love and loss, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

The scene in question, laden with foreshadowing, occurs after Frank encounters the apparition of Jamie, leaving him deeply unsettled. He confronts Claire, questioning whether she sought solace in the arms of another during their separation amidst World War II.

“When I saw that chap staring up at you, I thought he might be someone you’d nursed, someone who might be looking for you now… to reconnect,” Frank expresses his suspicions to Claire, suggesting such a scenario would be neither unusual nor surprising.

Claire reacts with horror to the implication and vehemently denies any infidelity. Yet, this exchange holds profound implications, as Claire is on the cusp of travelling through the stones, where she will ultimately commit what could be seen as a betrayal by marrying and falling for Jamie.

In a telling moment, Frank inquires: “Did you have many Scots in your charge at all? ” Claire recounts her experiences with “quite a few soldiers” from the battlefield, including a piper who detested needles—a subtle nod to Jamie’s well-known aversion to injections when Claire must administer them.

Their first encounter also resonates with this theme, with Claire addressing Jamie as “soldier” and urging him to rise, echoing her earlier conversation with Frank. These details may delight fans familiar with the Outlander series, hinting that Claire’s journey is not just chance but destiny.

Gabaldon continues to pen her Outlander series, leaving fans in anticipation of how the saga will conclude. Moreover, the scriptwriters of the Starz adaptation have indicated that their version will deviate from the original books, resulting in a different finale to the source material.

Outlander is streaming on MGM+ via Prime Video now