Including Frank on Outlander Season 4, Episode 7 was perfect for Brianna’s character development

Outlander Season 4, Episode 7 gave us a few Frank and Brianna flashbacks

One of the things that I love about the Outlander writers is that they find a way to show us the inner thoughts of characters instead of telling us with a voiceover. Especially in later episodes like on Outlander Season 4, Episode 7.

This was the episode that saw both Brianna and Roger go through the stones. For Brianna’s storyline, we got a few flashbacks with Frank. Then, at the end, he stood on the dock of Ayr Harbour, giving Bree the okay to head across the seas to find Claire and Jamie.

While many fans hate Frank with a passion, including him on Outlander Season 4, Episode 7 was essential for Brianna’s character development. Yes, the use of Frank was more about Bree than about him.

Brianna was torn between two fathers

For 20 years, Brianna grew up with the belief that Frank was her biological father. Despite her red hair, she had no reason to believe that wasn’t the case. Frank loved her like she was his own, and it’s clear that she was closer to him than she was with Claire.

Naturally, Bree was thrown for a loop when she learned the truth. Her reaction was understandable as she battled with this knowledge that Frank wasn’t her father after all. Not only that, but her biological father was a Highland warrior 200 years in the past.

Finding out your father isn’t your father is one thing. Finding out time travel is real is another thing.

Yet, Brianna sent her mother to the past. She never thought she’d follow, but then she found that newspaper clipping. Claire and Jamie die in a house fire, or so she believes.

Throughout the journey, she is torn. On one side, there’s this man who raised her; the one she called “Daddy.” On the other side, there’s a man she doesn’t know but has heard a lot about. She wants to save him along with her mom.

It’s natural to feel torn. Bree would have felt like she was betraying the memory of Frank by going to find her biological father.

The moment with Frank on the dock was him telling her it was okay. He was giving her his blessing to go. At least, that’s what it seemed like.

Really, it was Brianna giving herself permission. She was doing it in the form of Frank’s ghost. Imagining him giving her permission so she could let go of the guilt and push on with saving Claire and Jamie.

All of this is done without a voiceover (which is debated among fans but I can’t stand the use of voiceover on a TV show). We’re not told what Bree is thinking but shown it.

What did you think of the inclusion of Frank on Outlander Season 4, Episode 7? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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