Outlander Book Club: Drums of Autumn Chapter 59 breakdown

Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter

The main bit of foreshadowing that I see in this chapter is when Brianna suggests everything that she can offer John Grey. She wants a business marriage, but there is also this hint of a friendship that could happen. We do eventually get that friendship.

In fact, even when Jamie hates John in the future books, Brianna remains friends with John Grey.

There’s also a bit of foreshadowing in Brianna’s comment about being able to make things. She is an engineer, and there are things to make in future books—things that will save lives (and legs!).

Adapting the Drums of Autumn chapter

There was no way around using this chapter in Outlander Season 4. After all, John and Brianna’s pretend engagement offers Bree the time that she needs. She gets the other suitors off her back who definitely want her as a traditional wife. It gives Claire and Jamie time to bring Roger back.

The whole chapter plays out the same way as the books except for how Brianna catches John. Instead of him sneaking back in from the slaves’ quarters, she catches him in the pantry—and he doesn’t see her.

This has brought up a lot of debate. I think there are two reasons for this change. The first is location. It was simply easier and cheaper to do it in the house rather than have the slaves’ quarters created in full.

The second is that it leaves nothing to the imagination. We don’t have the liberty of Bree’s thoughts on the TV show, which means things have to be shown a little more. That’s what that scene offered.

Whether it was something John would do or not is another matter. I’m just looking at this from a practical point of view for the TV series.

What did you spot while reading Drums of Autumn Chapter X? Let us know in the comments below.

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