How did Bree explain Claire’s disappearance in Outlander Season 3?

What did Brianna tell the authorities when Claire left in Outlander Season 3?

When Claire disappeared through the stones in 1945, Frank believed she had been taken. What happened in 1968 when Claire went back to the past? How did Brianna explain that to anyone who asked in Outlander Season 3/Voyager?

There are times when questions like this come up. They facilitate discussions about what could have happened in parts of the story we don’t get to see play out in the books or on the screen.

The truth is Brianna didn’t have to explain to anyone what had happened to Claire during Outlander Season 3 or in Voyager. Claire’s disappearance through the stones was under extremely different circumstances.

Brianna didn’t question where Claire had gone in Outlander Season 3

The important factor to remember is Bree knew where her mother had gone. In the first season/first book, Frank had no idea that time travel existed. He didn’t know that Claire had gone through the stones.

One minute she was at the stones, and the next minute she was gone. The car was there but there was no sign of struggle. Frank had to assume that Claire had been taken. And eventually, there were questions about whether she just ran off with another man.

But at first, Frank was sure she went missing and went to the police about it. It was only natural.

During 1968, Claire hadn’t actually gone missing. Bree and Roger knew that she’d stepped through the stones. They assumed she’d safely got back to the 1700s to Jamie Fraser. They didn’t need to see the authorities about the disappearance because there was nothing to report.

What about people wondering where Claire had gone in Boston?

Claire resigned from the hospital before she left. She’d signed the house over to Bree and made sure there was money for her. Claire had prepared everything she needed to as if she was going away.

Wouldn’t people in 1968 talk? Well, maybe, but Claire’s “disappearance” from Boston was pretty easy to explain.

For one, Joe Abernathy didn’t need an explanation. He knew the truth, and he promised to look out for Brianna. For another, Claire didn’t actually have that many friends in Boston. There, sadly, wouldn’t have likely been that many people questioning where she went.

And if Bree did need a story, it would have been easy to say Claire had returned to England, where she originally came from. With Frank’s death, returning to where family could have been (even though we know there was nothing there for Claire) would have made a lot of sense.

So, there was nothing for Brianna to really make up. There was no need for a story. It was a much simpler trip through the stones.

What questions do you have about Outlander? What thoughts have you had over the years? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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