Outlander: Why Roger wouldn’t have gotten away even if he did put himself first

In Outlander Season 4, Episode 12, Roger managed to escape the ‘idiot hut’ but he went back to help the priest. Even if he hadn’t, there’s no way Roger would have managed to stay away from the Mohawks.

When Roger managed to escape the “idiot hut” on Outlander Season 4, Episode 12, there was a chance for him to get away from the Mohawks. After all, he had mentioned he was going to put himself first. Yet, he went back to give the priest a merciful death.

Even had Roger not returned, there’s no way he would have gotten away. How could he?

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?

Roger may know some of the area from maps in the future, but he doesn’t know New York in the 18th century. Much of it is still woodland, waiting to be adapted and built upon as colonies expand. To escape from the Mohawks, Roger would need to know the way to the nearest village or find a way to get as south as he can as quickly as he can.

The Mohawk, on the other hand, will know the local area. While Roger has to hope he’s walking in the right direction, the Mohawk will be able to head out in multiple directions and cut him off. He’d have stood no chance of getting away.

If he did manage to evade them, he would have been at the mercy of the woodland creatures. Bears, snakes, and so many other animals would have been out there, roaming at night. Book readers know of this more than show-only or show-first fans but it’s not surprising to hear of animals in forests.

Plus, Roger is a scholar in the 20th century. He wouldn’t know the ins and outs of hunting as well as someone in the 18th century or even someone like Brianna who learned how to shoot from Frank. He would have little at his disposal to gain food and find water. Even if he could hunt, he was doing it with a broken collarbone/dislocated shoulder.

With all that in mind, Roger actually made potentially the right choice. Despite not knowing Claire, Jamie, and Young Ian were heading out for him, staying in the forest would have been a definite death sentence but the ‘idiot hut’ gave him a chance of survival.

Did you question what Roger would have done in the forest? Could he have survived alone? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander airs its Season 4 finale tomorrow at 8/7c on STARZ.