The Outlander Season 5 premiere condensed The Fiery Cross gathering in the best way possible
There were a few concerns from fans of the books when it came to the Outlander Season 5 premiere. How would it condense the Gathering in The Fiery Cross?
Just how long can it take to read about one day? That is a common question asked when it comes to the start of The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon.
Yes, there is a lot that’s happening. You see, this part of the story isn’t just about Brianna and Roger’s wedding. It’s about the Gathering and setting the seeds for some of the things to come. And there are some funny and important moments within the 200-and-odd pages that cover the one day, such as “hairy ticks” and discussions about money and religion.
The TV series certainly had its work cut out for it. In the end, the Outlander Season 5 premeire was exactly what it needed to be.
A focus on the wedding first on the Outlander Season 5 premiere
For the TV show, the focus had to be on the wedding before the Gathering. There hadn’t been the same ending to the fourth season as the fourth book offered. We didn’t get the character development for Bree and Roger on the series that the book had time to offer us. The TV show had a lot to make up for, and the build-up to and the wedding itself offered some of that.
We got to see Jamie and Brianna have their bonding moment, and there was the chance to really put the focus on Bree and Roger’s happiness—the start of their lives together. Had the wedding just been added onto the end, I’m not sure as many show-first or show-only fans would have appreciated the episode as much.
The Gathering ended up being far more important for Jamie and the men at the Ridge. We got that moment with the kilt, and the moment of Claire supporting whatever Jamie chose to do. There was the moment of Roger and Fergus pledging their allegiance to Jamie.
Most importantly, there was the promise to only light the fiery cross when calling for war. We knew it would come up, but when? At what point would Jamie want to go to war? Those were the questions that would be left unanswered until the end of the season.
The Gathering also made more sense in the overall story. It was after Tryon made it clear a war was coming. It was along with Jamie telling Murtagh to stay away for his own safety. This was a powerful moment in itself that it wouldn’t have been had the series followed the books in the way that it did.
The show had to condense a lot of the start of the book. The outcome in the Outlander Season 5 premiere was just right for the needs of the TV series. In the end, the most important aspects of The Fiery Cross Gathering, wedding, and fiery cross moments were taken care of in one episode.
Next. 5 best moments from the Outlander Season 5 premiere. dark
What did you think of the Outlander Season 5 premiere? What was your favorite moment of this episode? Share your thoughts in the comments below.