Is Outlander overusing Claire’s medical skills this season?

There are some complaints about Claire always being the savior in Outlander. Is she overusing her medical skills in Season 4?

Claire has always been a healer in Outlander. In fact, one of the first things she does in the past is heal Jamie’s dislocated shoulder. We even meet her during World War II, as the war is called to an end, trying to save the life of her last soldier. But there are some fans tired of seeing her as the savior of the series and part of that is linked to her using her medical skills to save lives.

When you look at recent seasons, it could be easy to believe that she’s always using her medical skills. Is that being overdone recently?

More from Opinion

• Droughtlander suggestions: Check out Silo on Apple TV+
• Outlander season 7 episode 8 review: The Frasers are back in Scotland!
• Outlander Season 7 episode 7 review: Does Jamie die in Outlander?
• Outlander Season 7 episode 6 review: Claire meets William (again)!
• Outlander Season 7 episode 5 review: Does Young Ian have a son?

Let’s just look at this season’s episodes. During Episode 2, she saved Rufus only to have to kill him and then in Episode 4, she saved John Quincy Myers. In Episode 5, she helped deliver a baby (although I don’t count that as saving someone, but she still used her medical skills) and then in Episode 6, she helped Lord John Grey recover from the measles. Just recently, she saved the life of a man at the theater.

The last save was taken directly from the book “Drums of Autumn” with some changes. In a way, it was expected. Yet, many possibly believed that saving JQM was the book storyline with the show’s needed twist. While one save was going to be necessary, were all of them throughout the season really needed?

Breaking down the medical saves

I don’t think it has been used. It’s not like her medical abilities have purely been used as a plot device. Saving Rufus was used as a way to tell the atrocities of slavery. Part of it was necessary, although I do believe the actions of Claire and Jamie were completely out of character even for the show. It’s the only save I would have taken out of the series if I had to choose one.

Saving JQM in Outlander Season 3, Episode 4 showed her abilities while also gave us the JQM operation storyline. It was a major twist to the novel storyline but it also showed us the danger of this bear-man in the woods. While it could have been removed, I don’t feel like the drama for Jamie out in the woods would have been as intense as it was in the episode.

Lord John Grey’s storyline is one from the books and also important for the development of the bond between Lord John Grey and Claire. We got more about this British officer, who is jealous but not just because he can’t have Jamie. It was because he couldn’t have what Claire and Jamie have and this was a sweet storyline that helped see some parallels between Claire and John. There’s no way I wouldn’t have wanted this storyline.

Then it comes to the operation at the theater. This was more than just an operation for Claire. It created a much-needed distraction so Jamie could warn Murtagh, showing Claire and Jamie as the team they are. Plus, we got to see Claire show off in front of everyone, making it clear that she is more than just a simple healer. She can work miracles (for the time period, anyway).

The use depends on the storyline

With the exception of Rufus, the medical saves have all been part of a bigger picture for the series. They’ve come from the books or have been a development of something that happened in the books. They do more than just show Claire’s medical skills and help to further develop character bonds or plots.

I don’t think the uses have been overdone or over the top. The only one I’d see removed without issues is the one involving Rufus. Moving forward, it will depend on the storyline. I do think it’s worth stepping back a little, though. Drama doesn’t always need to be a medical emergency that Claire needs to step in to deal with.

What do you think about the medical saves? Is Outlander relying on Claire’s skills too much? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander airs on Sundays on STARZ.