How old is Jamie’s ghost in the Outlander pilot?

We know that it’s Jamie’s ghost in the Outlander pilot looking up at Claire. How old is the ghost and what does this mean for why he’s there?

We still don’t have all the answers about Jamie’s ghost in the Outlander pilot. It is definitely Jamie looking up at Claire, and we’ll get all the answers in the 10th book. However, Diana Gabaldon has teased things over the years. One thing we know is Jamie’s age and where he’s come from as a ghost.

When looking up at Claire, Jamie is about 25. He’s come to Claire from the Culloden battlefield, which explains why he’s dressed as a highlander.

What happened at Culloden?

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This information does lead to plenty of theories and questions. After all, Jamie didn’t actually die at Culloden. Claire was left to believe that for 20 years, but he survived. What we don’t get to know is everything that happened at Culloden. In the novels, we don’t even get the flashes. It’s a part of Jamie’s life that his brain has covered up.

The series had to work slightly differently. Due to the way filming happens and the fact that the showrunners would have had no idea if they’d get to the 10th season (assuming one season per book). FIlming some of Culloden was a necessity for the series, so we get a glimpse of what the showrunners believe would happen—but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the way things happened in the books.

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Regardless, we know Jamie didn’t die. How is it possible that his ghost is in 1945/46 (depending on show and book) if he didn’t die at Culloden? That’s where the questions and theories come into play.

Outlander — Courtesy of STARZ — Acquired via STARZ Media Center

Is it Jamie’s astral form?

Instead of his ghost, is it actually his astral form? Saying “Jamie’s ghost” is just quicker and easier, and doesn’t give away too many plot details. It’s possible that as he’s in and out of consciousness, he dream travels to the future. After all, he knows Claire is from there; he’s sent her back there, so he’ll want to see her.

He could have also been pulled into death and fought it off without realizing or remembering. Jamie did say that he would wait 200 years through Purgatory if he had to, and his spirit may have passed the 200 years from 1746 to 1946. His mind then pulled him back, as he fought off death to live for Claire knowing she was safe in the future.

How do you think Jamie’s ghost is in the future? What happened at Culloden? Share your theories in the comments below.

Outlander Season 5 premieres on Feb. 16 on STARZ.