The two Ians get some time together in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 77
Ian Murray takes his son out, giving them a chance to reconnect in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 77. It’s also a chance for some words of advice from father to son.
Sometimes, it’s hard to realize just how much Young Ian misses his family. We don’t get that much time with him, and when we do, he’s been thinking a lot about Emily. Now he thinks a lot about Rachel. He tries to avoid thoughts of his family he left behind.
Well, this is a chance to see what he has missed. It’s also a chance to see how much Ian Sr. has missed having his son around. The two get a chance to reconnect. They are alone, which also means Young Ian has a chance to share some secrets and get some words of advice.
I really want to see this chapter developed into the TV series. I think it’s going to happen. It’s just too big of a storyline for Ian, especially as they all head back to Lallybroch.
It certainly foreshadows a few things. I’ll get to my thoughts on that in the foreshadowing section.
Let’s dive into An Echo in the Bone Chapter 77.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter starts with the two Ians spending time together. Ian wants to see if the red deer have had their calves, which takes father and son away from everyone else. This is an important setting as it means the two get a chance to reconnect.
Young Ian talks about Emily’s children. I do find the conversation about Swiftest of Lizards being mentioned. Emily had told Young Ian that Lizards is Ian’s child spiritually but not biologically. Of course, Emily may not be able to tell that as I think Lizards is old enough to be Young Ian’s son. Does Ian think that Lizards is his boy?
Ian Murray seems to think it. He wants Young Ian to tell Jenny about the children.
Young Ian also tells his father about killing Murdina and the circumstances around it. Ian doesn’t think that Young Ian did anything wrong. That leads to Young Ian sharing that he’ll need to kill Arch if he wants to keep people close to him safe. He starts to mention Rachel’s name, but stops himself. Ian realizes that his son has met someone else.
This gives Young Ian a chance to talk about Rachel’s differing religion and everything against them. Ian doesn’t seem to pay a lot of attention to that. He just thinks his son needs a good woman, a woman he can love. Ian shares that he will die a happy man if he knows that his son is settled in matters of love.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
This certainly foreshadows things to come. Arch Bug will remain a threat for as long as he’s out there. We know what Young Ian needs to do. Then there’s the foreshadowing that Young Ian will be with Rachel, but it’s not going to be an easy relationship at first. There is that threat of Arch Bug still there, and Young Ian will need to handle that situation first.
I also spot something about Swiftest of Lizards. Ian seems to think that Lizards is Young Ian’s son. We know what Emily has said, but I think there’s always been that confusion and hint over who Lizards actually is to Young Ian. There is a moment in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone that seems to clarify all this, and I think this chapter is foreshadowing that.
Adapting An Echo in the Bone chapter
The chapter should be used in Outlander Season 7. I need the moment between the two Ians, giving Young Ian a chance to unburden himself. As much as he has always respected Uncle Jamie’s advice, sometimes he just needs his father’s advice. This is that moment, and we need to see it all play out on screen.
There is so much emotion in this chapter. I want to see Ian Murray get a boost of energy now that his son is back. We do see this in real life, but it’s not going to save Ian. It just gives people a little bit of hope that Claire can do something to save Ian.
What did you spot while reading An Echo in the Bone Chapter 77? Let us know in the comments below.
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