The Outlander TV series may have done one book per season so far, but would combining The Fiery Cross and A Breath of Snow and Ashes work for Outlander Season 5?
From the beginning of the Outlander TV series, fans have watched as one book was transformed into the show with each season. Outlander Season 4 is going to be based on the fourth book, “Drums of Autumn.” Fans believed that Season 5 (whenever it’s confirmed) will be based on “The Fiery Cross,” but that may not actually be the case. Well, not completely.
When confirming he’s certain Outlander Season 5 will happen, Ron D. Moore also touched on the potential storyline. Before each season, he and his executive producers have chatted about the options for following the books. Do they do one book in full, split the book over two seasons, or maybe tell two books in one season?
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Some fans have suggested that Outlander Season 5 combine books five and six. This is partially because they find the fifth book a little dull to start with (I’ve not read it yet, so can’t comment myself). Combining the two books would certainly give more material if the showrunners decide not to show too much from the first part of “The Fiery Cross.”
Isn’t that too much for one season?
While I haven’t read the books, I do have an idea of the events. One of my concerns of joining two books in one is the amount of materials. Diana Gabaldon’s books are a tome. I felt short changed with part of the third season and I hadn’t even read the books at that point! There were elements missing from the story that I would have loved to see play out in more detail and they couldn’t be because of the time constraints. Gabaldon has shared she’d have liked more from Ardsmuir, but couldn’t because of the time constraints.
The idea of combining two books seems an impossible and disappointing feat. Even if part of “The Fiery Cross” is as dull as some fans say, the rest of it definitely isn’t! There’s a lot of action towards the end and that crosses into “A Breath of Snow and Ashes.” Could it really be that easy to combine the two into one season without leaving fans (both book and non-book fans) disappointed?
Next: When does Starz need to confirm Outlander Season 5 to avoid Droughtlander?
What do you think? Could Outlander Season 5 combine two books into one? Is that something you’d like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Outlander Season 4 is still filming. Follow Claire and Jamie on Twitter for more updates on a premiere date and on Outlander Season 5.