Why I chose Young Ian’s top moments on Outlander Season 5
As soon as Young Ian returned during Outlander Season 5, Episode 8, he brought a story of loss and pain. You could see under the surface that a spark he once had was missing.
Throughout the next four episodes, he had some excellent moments. There were times that he was the only one who could help a character, and we got the chance to see him learn the truth about time travel, getting some of that child-like spark back.
But what was his #1 moment from Outlander Season 5 and why?
In the end, I chose the moment in Episode 9 when he calls Jamie out on the comments about losing a limb. It wasn’t just something important for Jamie to hear, but it gave us a look at how much Young Ian has grown.
A new appreciation for his dad
Young Ian had always looked up to his Uncle Jamie. That’s not surprising. Ian Murray was the one who would discipline Young Ian. Uncle Jamie was the one who would offer advice and allow Young Ian to have fun without the strict discipline. I think many children appreciate the people who don’t do the disciplining.
Yet, that doesn’t mean Young Ian dislikes his dad. In fact, it’s in Jamie’s comments about the loss of a limb that Young Ian realizes just how much work his dad has done over the years; how strong of a man his dad is.
Jamie views the loss of a limb as worth than death. He views the loss of a limb as making him part of a man.
And yes, it’s a view I can understand. At least, I can understand that fear of losing part of himself. That doesn’t mean the loss of a limb is worth than death. If it was, why does he still have so much respect for Ian Murray? Why does he have Fergus by his side so much? This is something Young Ian calls him out on.
We see this appreciation that Young Ian has for his dad, who has been through the fears of being only part of who he was. Ian has dealt with the loss but always brushed it off and continued to put in the work.
We see the man Young Ian has become
Spending two years with the Mohawks has changed Young Ian. We got a glimpse of it when he returned, but it was calling Jamie out about the loss of a limb that showed us the big change.
Young Ian has more confidence. He is stronger inside. He has become a “man of worth.”
It’s clear that Young Ian has become a warrior. He learned a lot while with the Mohawks, and part of that was speaking up when he felt an injustice. While he will fight with an ax, he will also fight with his words.
Young Ian says things that everyone else is thinking but nobody else has the courage to say it. We get this look of a man who will fight for others.
Getting to see a character grow, especially a child grow into an adult, is important in any type of fictional work. Seeing Young Ian grow throughout Outlander has been powerful.
What was your #1 Young Ian moment on Outlander Season 5? Share your thoughts in the comments below.