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7 reasons Caitriona Balfe deserves this Golden Globe win

By Alexandria Ingham

Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room
Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room /
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Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room
Photo credit: Outlander/Starz Image acquired via Starz Media Room /

It’s coming up to that time of year again when the award nominations are given out and Outlander’s Caitriona Balfe has secured another one.

The Golden Globes were announced this morning and Caitriona Balfe is on the list of Best Actress nominations. While there is some stiff competition (my gut is going with Elisabeth Moss getting the win for The Handmaid’s Tale), there are plenty of reasons our own Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser should get the win.

Balfe has shown off her acting talents throughout Outlander season 3. Here are the seven moments that show she deserves the Golden Globe win.

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#1. The disconnection throughout 1948

When Claire returned to the future, she struggled to connect. The world was noisy, he no longer deeply loved her 20th century husband, and she missed her 18th century soul mate deeply. All this led to a disconnection until the birth of her daughter, Brianna. Balfe showed that disconnection perfectly.

Looking out the window, she focused on a bird that had flown and landed on the windowsill. That moment was one of the first times she smiled after getting back from the past and trying to find her place again. It’s not easy to act disconnected and unemotional for prolonged scenes, but Balfe proved she could do it.

#2. Her anger and disdain towards Frank

Outlander season 3 tried to make Frank more likeable than in the books. The two had an agreement that they would start to see other people, and for Frank it meant being with Sandy. Claire wasn’t happy but she tried to ignore it. They did have the agreement after all.

However, the scene after Claire’s graduation was perfect. After Sandy had turned up at the house, Claire waited up for Frank to return home. She made sure he knew every emotion she was feeling. Balfe embodied everything about a hurt and angry wife. Frank may have thought he was being discrete, but he deeply embarrassed Claire and didn’t even care. Yes, he was hurt too, but that was no excuse for what he did. In fact, Tobias Menzies deserves a Best Supporting Actor nomination for these scenes with Balfe.

#3. The tearful goodbye to Frank

In the end, we all knew that Frank was going to die before Claire could go back through the stones. What we weren’t quite sure of was how he would die. That came suddenly after an argument. Claire had been called into the hospital, putting a discussion over Frank’s wishes to take Brianna back to England on hold.

During her shift, Claire learned that Frank had been involved in a car accident. He had died before she could say her tearful goodbye, but she hoped his spirit was around long enough anyway. It wasn’t just a goodbye, but an honest “I did love you” remark that showed he still had a place in her heart.

#4. Her last Christmas with Brianna

It was never going to be easy leaving her daughter behind, but Claire really wanted to get back to her soul mate. Brianna also knew it was time to give up her mother, since Jamie had given up Claire for her. There were plenty of tearful moments, but the last Christmas with Brianna and Roger was downright beautiful.

This scene embodied all the emotions together. There was happiness and sadness as they exchanged gifts. There was forward thinking and planning, while they said their tearful goodbyes and fears of the future. Balfe showed us everything Claire felt in the moment, while also apprehension and excitement about the other side of the stones.

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Watch Outlander with a FREE 7-day trial of Amazon Channels! /

#5. Her need to save the excise man

While Claire going into doctor mode to save the excise man is something many fans didn’t like, there’s no denying Balfe’s acting chops were put to the test. During the whole episode, her stubbornness and need to help shone through. She was willing to put others at risk in the hope of saving a life; something many other surgeons would have likely wanted to do, despite who the patient was.

And then when it was all over, Claire showed her sadness and disappointment in being unable to save the man. She felt the loss just as she would have done in 1968.

#6. Every moment with Elias Pound

This is another part of Claire’s storyline that not every Outlander fan loved, but it was so important for her character. Claire wanted nothing more than to save the sick on the ship. She did everything in her power to prevent the spread of the disease, including going up against threatening people aboard. However, it was all her moments with Elias Pound that showed Balfe is worth of this Golden Globe win.

She was mother, teacher, aunt, and healer all in one. When Elias needed praise, she gave him it. When he wanted to understand more, she was willing to explain. At a time when he needed her the most, she pretended to be his mother and helped him die peacefully. And then in the very end, she gave him his rabbit’s foot back and made that last stitch. The final scene between Claire and the body of Elias continue to bring a lump to the throat.

#7. The reaction in the slave market

“The Bakra” was full of uncomfortable scenes. The slave market was the worst part of it and Claire showed everything that we felt while watching it. This wasn’t just about her reaction to Temeraire and becoming a slave owner, but about the whole situation. She was appalled at the way people were treated, shocked at the actions of the rich white men, and aghast at the idea that there was no way to save everyone.

All she wanted to do was allow her new slave to go free. She wanted to tear up the slip of paper that showed she owned him and allow him some freedom. Yet that wasn’t possible because it would be more dangerous for him. She found herself stuck between a rock and a boulder and hated herself for getting into that situation.

Next: What's the big deal about the turtle soup scene in Outlander

Do you agree with this list? Which moments stand out as the reasons Balfe should win the Golden Globe for Best Actress? Share in the comments below.

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