Outlander Season 5, Episode 7 brings a small date inconsistency
Without nitpicking, there’s a slight date inconsistency in Outlander Season 5, Episode 7. However, only fans of the books will really notice it.
I try not to nitpick when it comes to Outlander and changes to the books. In fact, I appreciate changes to the story as I get to fully enjoy the show as the show. There are chances to make me connect to storylines I was never able to in the novels. However, there’s a slight date inconsistency on Outlander Season 5, Episode 7.
The episode starts with Claire waking up to wish Jamie a happy birthday. Okay, not a problem. Except then we learn that the Battle of Alamance is taking place on the same day.
This is where the inconsistency happens that book fans are more likely to notice than anyone else. The Battle of Alamance took place on May 16, 1771.
Jamie’s birthday in the books is May 1. So the two couldn’t take place on the same day.
Well, that is unless the TV show has decided that Jamie’s birthday isn’t on May 1. Or if the show has just decided to change the date of the Battle of Alamance. I’m going with deciding that Jamie’s birthday is on a different day.
light. Related Story. Was that really Roger hanging from the tree?
Opting for the birthday and Alamance to take place on the same day certainly adds to the bittersweetness and heartbreaking moments in the episode. After all, it means Jamie mourns the death of his godfather on his birthday every year. He has to remember the bloodshed and the hatred he felt for Tryon by the end of the battle.
It also means that Roger is hanged on Jamie’s birthday. Every year, his birthday is going to be less happy because of all the heartbreak he faced on this one day.
This sort of thing is often used in TV shows to help mark a date clearly or to just make the drama more intense. I don’t remember the show ever stating that Jamie’s birthday is on May 1 like the books do, so maybe it’s not an inconsistency for the series, but it was something that came to mind that I wanted to share.
Bringing an element of the books
One thing I will admit is that the show did manage to keep a part of “The Fiery Cross” that many book fans hoped to see. Jamie takes stock of his life and remembers his dad. There’s the conversation about how Jamie is now older than his father ever was. Brian Fraser never reached his 50th birthday.
It’s an important moment for Jamie’s character. These milestones when someone loses a parent remind us all of our mortality. They make us appreciate each day even more.
These small moments are certainly appreciated, but it does mean a change of dates somewhere. So, which date is it?
Next. 5 best moments from Outlander Season 5, Episode 7. dark
Outlander airs on Sundays on STARZ.