Outlander book adaptation: Why do Roger and Bree go back to their own time in the books?

Roger and Bree chose to go back to their own time on Outlander Season 5 but not for the same reasons as the books. Why do they go back in the books?

Outlander Season 5, Episode 11 saw Roger and Bree make the decision to go back to their own time. While we knew it was coming eventually, the circumstances were vastly different to the Outlander books. It’s led to a lot of people who haven’t got to this part in the books wondering how it will all play out.

The events don’t play out until toward the end of “A Breath of Snow and Ashes.” It shouldn’t be all that surprising that a storyline from Book 6 has made it to Season 5. After all, a few book storylines from the sixth installment have made their way to the fifth season. However, the change in circumstances has shocked many readers—it’s also angered a few.

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During the novels, Roger and Brianna had another child. Amanda “Mandy” MacKenzie is born with a heart murmur. Claire diagnoses it and knows that she can’t fix it herself. She suggests that the family head back through the stones to see Joe Abernathy, who will be able to help.

From what I remember, Joe already knows that Claire and Brianna are time travelers. It’s been a while since I’ve read “Voyager” and “Drums of Autumn,” but I’m sure that Claire tells Joe the truth and Roger calls Joe when Brianna steps through the stones during the fourth book.

I digress. Joe is the one to help Mandy, but that means Bree and Roger need to go back to their own time. This is the only reason they consider it in the book. They don’t want to leave Clarie and Jamie in the novels because Bree is happy with her family and Roger does find a way to fit in during the time period. Of course, this has been skipped over considerably in the show, especially for Roger.

The drive to save Mandy is why many fans believe that Roger and Bree haven’t actually time-traveled during Outlander Season 5, Episode 11. Fans are sure that Bree’s heart isn’t in it on the show, but was 100% driven to protect her daughter during the novels. It certainly makes sense.

Outlander‘s fifth season finale airs on May 10 on STARZ. Watch with Amazon Channels.