Why Outlander can’t and shouldn’t go back to just Claire and Jamie

Outlander has grown considerably over the years, both in the show and the books. Want to see it just about Claire and Jamie? Well, it can’t and shouldn’t.

Outlander started off as just Claire’s story about Jamie (or Claire’s story depending on if we’re looking at the books or just the show). It’s grown since then, with the story moving focus to more than just the couple. Despite this, some fans want to see the story head back to being just about Claire and Jamie, but it can’t and shouldn’t.

Those who want the show to remain faithful to the books will have to admit that the story is no longer just about Claire and Jamie. Their story has grown, just like life grows and develops. Claire and Jamie’s life is no longer just about the two of them, so we see more of their line grow and develop.

The need to move forward

From the second book in the series, it was clear that it wasn’t just about Claire and Jamie. Roger was the first to gain a chapter that was from his point of view, a different point of view to Claire’s. Eventually, we got some from Jamie’s POV, Brianna’s POV, and we’ve grown from there. And then, of course, there’s Fergus and Marsali. The two characters will develop into being more important in the series if its to stick to the books. There are other characters who will slowly gain more importance in the storyline.

It’s impossible to have wishes both ways. We can’t have the show stick to the books if the show goes back to just being Claire and Jamie.

Plus, then, what would the show do with all the extra characters? Brianna and Roger have become an important part of the story. They are essential in the lives of Claire and Jamie now, especially bringing grandchildren into the world for them.

The idea of going back on the development is preposterous. It would mean bad writing trying to pull it back.

Other characters have fans too

Outlander just isn’t about Claire and Jamie. A TV show brings characters to life in a way that books sometimes can’t. We get to see the chemistry of the actors on screen. They play bigger roles in the storylines, especially when changing from the first-person POV in a book to third-person POV in a TV show.

We just have to look at how much fans fell in love with Murtagh in the series. He had a chance to bond more with Claire and we saw more of his bond with Jamie, leading to us falling in love with him more.

The same is happening with Brianna and Roger, Fergus and Marsali, and even Young Ian, Lord John Grey, and many others.

We can look at the ratings for Outlander Season 4 for evidence of that. Episode 12 had just a few seconds of Claire and Jamie, focused mostly on Brianna and Roger’s storylines. It was the most-viewed episode of the season. Episode 7, the one that saw Brianna and Roger head through the stones, wasn’t that far off. Fans wanted to know more about their stories.

Still have some focus on Claire and Jamie

This doesn’t mean Claire and Jamie can’t have some focus. This doesn’t mean we can’t have special moments between them. I’d like to see moments between them with their chemistry from the earlier seasons. While their relationship has developed, there is still love and infatuation between them.

However, we can’t see the show just about the two characters. Outlander has grown considerably since the beginning, and we have to keep moving forward.

What would you like to see happen in Outlander Season 5? What is your big wish for 2020? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander Season 5 premieres on Feb. 16 on STARZ.