17. A Highlander at her window
Those of us who have read the books knew how significant this moment was from the get-go. For others, it took a few seasons and maybe some re-watching before this moment really clicked.
In the first episode ever, Claire and Frank head to Inverness where the town is celebrating an old Scottish tradition. Supposedly every year on that date, ghosts are able to enter back into the living.
When Frank comes home he sees a Scottish Highlander on the streets looking up at Claire, who is brushing her hair. Of course, since it’s the first episode, we have no idea that it’s probably Jamie who is watching Claire, though the avid readers do.
“It hasn’t been explained and hopefully we get to that point where we can explain it, but Diana has said many times that it is Jamie Fraser,” confirmed executive producer Maril Davis Outlander’s For Your Consideration panel in Los Angeles. Sam Heughan (Jamie) was also at the panel. He went on to confirm that the author, “has written that scene, and she showed it to a few of us. It’s to be revealed.”
It’s a moment that really kills the viewers because we know how badly Jamie must want to reach out to Claire but can’t. Obviously, he’s a ghost, so there’s that reason. Also, because at this point of the story, she doesn’t even know he exists.