Outlander changed how Young Ian told his story and it worked well

Young Ian told Jamie his story in Outlander Season 6, Episode 4. It brought a small change from the books, but it was woven in extremely well.

It’s common for book fans to be disappointed when the show changes details. One of those was going to come in Outlander Season 6, Episode 4.

In A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Young Ian initially tells his story to Brianna. This is an important bonding moment for the two characters. The series removed that, having Ian tell Jamie his story instead. The timing and placement changed, and even some of the details of the story changed.

However, the changes made sense. In fact, they worked for the story that Outlander needed to tell in this part of the series.

Young Ian gets closure in Outlander Season 6, Episode 4

By telling Jamie the story, we see a moment that is reminiscent of the Outlander Season 4 premiere. Remember when Jamie was able to use his own experience to support Ian after they left Jamaica and the horrors there? Well, Jamie was able to use his experience with Faith to help Ian in his grief over his daughter.

Then there was the use of Kaheroton. He wasn’t the man Emily ended up being with after Ian in the books, but he was someone recognizable to us as TV show watchers. He was introduced in Outlander Season 4, and it helped offer a little continuity with the story. We know that Kaheroton was grieving when Ian first arrived and was adopted into the Mohawk. This wasn’t a man who was jealous of Ian and wanted to steal Emily.

It just happened that Kaheroton was the man Emily chose to be with. However, the betrayal ran deep, and we could sense it more by it being a Mohawk tribesman who we already knew.

Throughout it all, the episode brought one thing for Young Ian: closure. He was able to get to the acceptance part of the grief cycle. Sure, there will likely still be moments of sadness and anger now and then, but he is allowing himself to move on, and this is going to be important for the next part of his journey.

We wouldn’t have had all this had the series stuck to the books in who Ian tells his story to initially. Opting for it this way helps to speed up Ian’s story for the sake of TV but in a way that is still respectful and believable.

What did you think of the way Young Ian told his story in Outlander Season 6, Episode 4? What do you still hope to see is included from the books? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Outlander airs on Sundays on STARZ.