Marsali McKimmie Fraser has certainly stolen many hearts and fans can’t wait to see her in the upcoming season. What made her so popular in Outlander Season 3? Here’s why she’s my #WomanCrushWednesday today.
Don’t underestimate Marsali McKimmie Fraser. She’s a powerful ally to have on your side, even though she wouldn’t look it at first. At first, she was introduced with hostility in Outlander Season 3, but she became the character to root for.
Try not to mistake Marsali for her mother. She’s nothing like Laoghaire. While I can’t bring myself to hate Laoghaire, I also don’t have to love her! I see her faults. And it’s because Marsali is nothing like her that she’s my #WomanCrushWednesday for today.
This is Marsali from Outlander Season 3. Those who haven’t read the books don’t need to worry about spoilers in this post, I promise!
She could see past her mother’s thoughts about Claire
Marsali initially hated Claire. That was understandable. Not only had Laoghaire said everything bad she could think of, this was the woman who returned after 20 years of everyone believing her to be dead. This woman broke up the marriage–well, voided the marriage–between her stepfather and her mother. At 15-year-olds (or thereabouts), it’s not surprising that she was hurt and angry.
However, Marsali saw past the anger and past Laoghaire’s words. After spending time with Claire, she realized that there was another side to this woman she’d believed to be a witch and a “harlot.” There was a woman who was kind, nurturing, and someone Marsali could confide in.
It takes a big person to be able to admit they were wrong about someone at first. Sure, she hasn’t quite viewed Claire as a real confidante yet, but there’s hope that will come. She’s made it clear that she isn’t going to just take her mother’s word about Claire.
She isn’t afraid to stand up for herself and those she loves
When Jamie was stuck behind bars after Claire was on the Porpoise, he was scared. After just getting Claire back, he was losing her again. That fear led to some irrational thinking and he turned to Fergus for help. He wanted Fergus to help him commit mutiny; a mutiny that was doomed to fail.
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Marsali was the one looking out for both of them. While Jamie and Fergus thought with their hearts, she was able to think with her head. After all, she wasn’t directly connected to Claire and she didn’t have a blind sense of loyalty to Jamie.
In Outlander Season 3, Marsali proved that there was part of her mother in her, but the good part. This was a survivor and someone willing to stand up for herself. However, this ability to stand up for herself spread to those she loved. She made sure Fergus was safe and protected.
She doesn’t just protect Fergus, though. She finds a way to get Jamie out of his makeshift prison without starting a mutiny. Marsali encourages everyone to work together, proving her love for Fergus and for Jamie at the same time. This is a woman with a smart head on her shoulders.
She cared for Fergus’ stump
That’s the best I could word that reasoning. There was one moment in the Outlander Season 3 opening credits that I wanted to see play out on screen. I thought it was going to be Claire washing Fergus’ stump after she returned, a little like a mother would for a son. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was Marsali.
She deeply loves Fergus and that’s clear in this one scene. I couldn’t see Laoghaire doing anything like this, never being able to love someone enough. This is where Marsali is definitely not her mother’s daughter.
Caring for someone disabled isn’t easy now, but it certainly wouldn’t have been back then. Marsali never lets Fergus’ disability get in the way of them being happy. She just wanted to be with him and that’s pure love.
Outlander Season 3’s Marsali is a beautiful soul and will continue to grow as the seasons go on. It’s going to be fun to see what she gets up to in the fourth season.
What did you think about Marsali at first? How did you find her at the end of Outlander Season 3? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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