5 best moments from Outlander Season 5, Episode 8

4. Everything Marsali

I’ve loved Marsali from Outlander Season 3 and hoped that we’d see more of her in the fifth season. Her becoming Claire’s apprentice certainly made that possible, but Outlander Season 5, Episode 8 gave her even more to do.

She is there when we need someone else out of the main cast. Her trying to help Roger by playing a game with the tarot cards made sense. Her enthusiasm in Young Ian’s experiences was just right. But she doesn’t half put her foot in it without realizing!

Marsali is still young. I’m not sure how old she’s supposed to be in the show, but she’s only in her teens in the books. Around this point, she’ll be in her early 20s at the earliest, and will still have some naivety to her. We get to see that when she’s speaking to Young Ian about her baby and siblings and doesn’t see Young Ian’s pain.

3. Young Ian’s return

Oh, how I loved this return. I don’t care that it wasn’t exactly like the books. I’ve never cared that things weren’t exactly like the books.

For me, Young Ian’s return was a light within a dark episode. And yet, it didn’t remain a light. Sure, we got Young Ian back, but he’s hurting. He’s in so much pain that he wanted to kill himself. And everyone seemed to overlook that pain. It was Roger who realized what was happening and almost when it was too late.

But Young Ian’s return and the way it happened was a great addition to the show. It brought an element of surprise and happiness while there was so much bad happening around them. We also got to see Jamie and Claire genuinely happy about something, even if just for a moment.