Before you think that the writers have ruined Young Ian’s story by not explaining it yet on Outlander Season 5, remember when it occurred in the books.
Some book fans are quick to point out flaws in the show when there are changes to the book. That’s been something noted about Young Ian’s story on Outlander Season 5. As show-first or show-only fans try to figure out what happened to Young Ian to make him contemplate suicide, book fans are quick to voice what happens in the books.
However, before you start saying the writers have ruined Young Ian’s story by not explaining it yet, it’s important to remember where it takes place in the books. Sure, he returns to Fraser’s Ridge during “The Fiery Cross,” but it’s not until “A Breath of Snow and Ashes” that we learn the truth.
Caution: There are some minor spoilers in this post, but I’m not going into what Young Ian’s story is right now.
Let’s just start with Young Ian’s return. Everyone notices that he’s different. He’s not the carefree boy that he was when he joined the Mohawk tribe on his return during “The Fiery Cross.” However, he’s not ready to share the events that happened to him. Instead, he produces a book from Otter-Tooth.
It’s not until Book 6 that Young Ian finally tells someone about his time with the Mohawks. He shares the story about his wife and what happened to her.
Right now, we know that his wife is lost to him on Outlander Season 5. Young Ian hasn’t gone into the details as to why. It’s clear that it has something to do with children—and even children that haven’t survived—but Young Ian is yet to tell the full story to anyone.
This could happen sooner than Outlander Season 6. After all, some of the Book 6 storylines have been brought forward, and Young Ian’s return has happened much sooner than it did in “The Fiery Cross.” It’s just not bad writing that it hasn’t happened yet on the show. It’s not supposed to have done.
So, what did happen to Young Ian? That’s for a spoiler-filled post coming later this week.
Outlander Season 5 continues on Sundays on STARZ.