We kick start Part 7 heading back to Bree and Roger in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 85
As we start a new part, we head back to the 20th century. We pick up with Bree and Roger unsure about Buck in Outlander Book 7, Chapter 85.
For those who have forgotten, the last we saw, Buck had turned up in the 20th century. Now we find out why he’s there and what he’s up to. His he a threat to the MacKenzies? How long has he been in the 20th century? What’s going to happen next?
The chapter doesn’t take too long to get into the details. While Bree and Roger try to figure out whether Buck can be trusted, we learn that there is another threat to the MacKenzies. Reading the books, the threat was always there. We could always sense it, and it was never Buck, right?
This chapter certainly foreshadows a few things for Buck and for Jem. I’ll get to those parts in the foreshadowing section.
What about the development of the series? I fully expect to see this chapter used in the TV series, and I’ll get to why that is in the adaptation section.
Let’s dive into An Echo in the Bone Chapter 85.
Just the Outlander chapter
The chapter starts with questions over whether Buck can be trusted. Understandably, Roger and Bree don’t trust him. After all, Buck was the reason Roger was hanged. However, Amanda trusts Buck.
We have to point out at this point that Roger isn’t the greatest judge of character. He’s trusted bad people in the past and vice versa. So, it’s hard to trust Roger’s judge of character right now.
What we do find out is that Buck has been around for a while. He thought Roger was an Old One, which would make sense considering Roger survived a hanging and is in another time. Buck didn’t come straight to Roger and Bree out of fear, and Bree points out that Roger and Jamie have acted similarly when they were scared.
That night, Amanda wakes up screaming. It turns out that someone has taken Jem, and she makes it clear that it wasn’t Buck but Bobby’s dad. Rob Cameron has taken Jemmy, and the “wocks” have him. Roger notes that a letter from Jamie and Claire had been taken from the box. Roger puts it all together and figures out that Buck has taken Jem to Craigh na Dun.
Roger and Buck head to Craigh na Dun. Buck has a lot of questions about blood and getting through the stones. Roger is about to be sucked in, but Buck pulls him back. Buck wonders if it makes up for him having Roger hanged.
Why is Buck so “good” in this chapter? Is it that he was just misunderstood, or is it just that he needs Roger’s help right now? Maybe he’s always had the ability to be a good person but was put in a difficult life.
Foreshadowing in the Outlander chapter
There are a couple of elements of foreshadowing in this chapter. The first is about Buck. Roger and Bree discuss at one point about whether Buck knows his lineage and whether he should. Bree thinks that Buck should find out the truth, while Roger thinks that it’s a bad idea.
Well, we know Buck eventually has to learn the truth. He ends up coming across Geillis and immediately has the hots for her. Considering they’re father and son, there are many reasons for Roger to let Buck know the truth, but does it really matter to Buck?
The other bit of foreshadowing is the “wocks.” Amanda isn’t clear about the rocks that she means, but it’s not the rocks Roger immediately thinks about. However, it’s clear that Rob Cameron knows Jemmy has information he needs.
Adapting An Echo in the Bone chapter
I fully expect to see this chapter used in the TV series. I’m not sure if we’ll see Buck pull Roger back from Craigh na Dun, though. Is there a chance that we’ll end up seeing the two jump straight through time to save Buck anyway to help condense some storylines?
We need to see Jem taken, and we do eventually need to see Roger and Buck through the stones. The best way for all this to happen is to follow this specific storyline in the series. There’s no reason not to follow the full storyline.
What did you spot while reading An Echo in the Bone Chapter 85? Let us know in the comments below.
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