7 times in Outlander season 3 Sam Heughan was worthy of a Golden Globes nomination

Outlander fans can’t believe both the show and Sam Heughan were ignored from the Golden Globes.

Caitriona Balfe was nominated for Best Actress in the Golden Globes on Dec. 11. This is excellent in itself and I really don’t want to take away from that. It’s why I started the Golden Globe coverage with why Balfe deserves the win. But I just can’t ignore the fact that Sam Heughan wasn’t nominated for Best Actor.

I will admit now that the Best Actor category is intense. There are some great actors and quite honestly looking at Sterling K. Brown, Freddie Highmore, and Jason Bateman alone in the category was enough for me to think “Okay, I sort of get it.” But Heughan did a beautiful job in Outlander season 3. He’s done a wonderful job every single season, but there were moments that I had lumps in my throat watching Heughan’s interactions onscreen. I felt every emotion seeping from his pores.

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So, with that in mind, here’s a look at the seven times in Outlander season 3 Heughan proved worthy of a Golden Globes nomination.

#1. The ending to the war between Jamie and Black Jack Randall

The war between the British and Jacobites wasn’t the only thing coming to an end in the Outlander season 3 premiere. The war between Jamie and Black Jack Randall ended too. It was a beautiful dance between the two, with absolutely no words spoken. The hatred between the two was loud and clear in their expressions.

Both wanted each other dead. Seeing each other on the battlefield was a joyful moment for both, as they realized they would be the ones to end each other’s life.

All of this was played from Jamie’s memory, which made the scenes even more beautiful. Small elements changed each time, showing just how much the memory can fail.

The scenes on the battlefield afterwards were also beautiful. As the snow fell on the bodies, Heughan proved he was more than the animalistic soldier. He could play the dying warrior, ready to bring an end to his life because the woman he loved and his child were gone.

#2. The final scenes between Jamie and Young Fergus

Outlander season 3 gave us two actors to play the role of Fergus, so I have to make a point of distinguishing between the two for this! After Young Fergus has his hand chopped off by the Redcoats, Jamie takes him back home to Lallybroch. Once over the initial shock, Young Fergus wastes no time in reminding Jamie of a promise made in Paris.

It’s not like Jamie needed the reminder, but Heughan played the role perfectly. Throughout that final scene with Young Fergus, there was a mixture of emotions: guilt, pride, sadness and joy. He was happy Young Fergus would survive but felt guilty for the loss of his hand. After all, had Young Fergus not been on his way to Jamie, none of this would have happened.

All those emotions came through during the scenes effortlessly. Again, words weren’t needed to understand it all.

#3. Saying goodbye to Willie

One of the most heartbreaking moments in Outlander season 3 was during Jamie’s time at Helwater. After realizing that his genetic link to Willie was becoming too obvious, Jamie made the difficult decision to walk away. It was heartbreaking for father and son.

If only one scene could be picked for Heughan to at least get a Golden Globes nod (if not a win) it would be that goodbye moment. As Willie screamed for “Mac” to come back, Jamie continued to ride away on horseback. He didn’t dare turnaround in fear of losing the bottle to leave and returning.

#4. The print shop scene

There are many book purists who say they weren’t happy with the print shop scene, but as a show-first fan this was one of the most amazing moments in the third season. It once again brought all emotions to the surface. Jamie was shocked at Claire’s return, anxious at her reasoning for returning, and surprised and aghast at seeing Brianna in photos.

But that wasn’t all. It was a moment for Jamie to share some of the past with the woman he loved. As they discussed Brianna and then Faith, Jamie told her about Willie. It was clear he was worried about telling her about Claire at first, but he needed to do this while they discussed all their lost children.

#5. Contemplating mutiny on the Artemis

This will be another scene that is debated by book fans, but as a show-first fan the whole scene was perfect for Show Jamie’s personality. It showed the desperation Jamie had with Claire on a different ship full of sick men.

Jamie had been locked below deck, with little access to people. All he could do was hope that the two ships would make it to Jamaica safely. It’s not that surprising that he considered extreme measures to take matters into his own hands. Blackmailing Fergus with his blessing for Fergus and Marsali to marry, he encouraged Fergus to steal the keys to where Jamie was confined so they could commit mutiny.

Of course, it never played out. Fergus and Marsali found another way to free Jamie. I also question whether Jamie would have fully gone through with it. All I know is that the desperation was clear and acting through a barrier wasn’t easy.

#6. Confirming Fergus was his son

After escaping captivity, Jamie ended up becoming the defacto captain on the Artemis after it was damaged and crew members were killed. They just happened to run aground where Claire had found herself after jumping off the Porpoise. A coincidence, but a happy one.

The island also had its own priest, who was able to perform the marriage ceremony for Fergus and Marsali. It was in this moment that we were reminded Fergus didn’t officially have a family. He didn’t have a surname for the ceremony.

Jamie broke the awkward, shameful silence to confirm that Fergus really was his son. All he did was give Fergus a name, but there was love, hope and pride in his eyes as he watched Fergus Claudel Fraser marry the woman of his dreams.

#7. The reunion with Lord John

The friendship with Lord John was one of the most unlikely but beautiful elements of Outlander season 3. There were many moments that showed us Heughan could act, but nothing quite like the reunion in Jamaica. As they went to the private room, Jamie initially forgot all about the reason they were there. Everything about Willie came up.

Heughan embodied that proud, worried, and longing father, as he heard all about Willie. It was easy to believe that this was a man who still loved and deeply missed his illegitimate child. While his body language told us one this, his eyes told us another, showing the mixed emotions of seeing Lord John but needing to know about Willie.

Next: 7 reasons Caitriona Balfe deserves a Golden Globes win

Which moments stand out for you? Share the ones that stand out as reasons to give Heughan a nomination for Best Actor in the Golden Globes.

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