Outlander Season 7 premiere review: Jamie melts our hearts in the first minute

And we’re back! It’s been over a year since the Season 6 finale aired, but who’s counting? The funny truth is that a year between seasons is actually a good Droughtlander for us fans. No one is as patient as us, that’s for sure. And we’re so happy to have Outlander Season 7 officially on our screens!

The premiere episode, “A Life Well Lost,” didn’t necessarily feel like a premiere, if that makes sense. Usually the season finales wrap up most of the story that happened that season, then the premieres work to set up what’s to come the rest of the season.

This one felt more like a continuation of the Season 6 finale, which we’re not complaining about. It’s not a bad thing! And it makes sense because of how Season 6 had to be cut short due to the pandemic challenges and Caitríona Balfe’s pregnancy.

I do have to say I loved this episode! It gave us a beautiful Jamie and Claire reunion, a bit more insight into the tumultuous Christie family, and one character finally got what he deserved (I think). Let’s jump into the review. You’ve got a show-only fan here so the thoughts below reflect that!

Outlander Season 7 premiere review

Jamie and Claire reunite!

I mean I knew in my heart that they weren’t going to kill Claire off, there’s no way. But I will tell you that for a second, I thought we were going to have to worry with the way that episode started. It was a very good way to grab our attention and kick things off Outlander style. Not gonna like, with Claire standing there about to be hung, I was waiting for Jamie to save the day at the last moment like back in season 1 when he dramatically burst into the witch trial. We didn’t get that, but we have a cute reunion moment eventually in the episode!

Though it wasn’t long, I liked that we had some of the Jamie voiceover. I always enjoy those when they’re sprinkled in. The callback to “blood of my blood, bone of my bone” and him knowing she’s still alive because of their strong connection. Like stop. They’re already making my heart melt within the first minute of the season. Also Jamie in protective mode as he’s searching for Claire? Yes. My man is on a mission. I do want to give a shoutout to the character of Sadie Ferguson. She’s not in much of the episode, but she steals the show!

I was nervous their separation would be prolonged and bleed into the second episode. I’m like great, she’s off on another ship now. Season 3 all over again? Thankfully, that wasn’t the case! We just love this couple’s reunions, but we’d love it more if they could just stay together, you know? But this reunion was sweet and I couldn’t help but melt at their eagerness to be together again, but also laugh at how they couldn’t help themselves kissing in front of the officer.

Though now thanks to Tom Christie (more on that below), Jamie and Claire are reunited for good. At least for now. We’ll see how long that lasts in this mega season. Tom confesses that he killed his daughter, which is how Governor Martin eventually lets her go. But Claire doesn’t believe him, and neither do I. She questions the sacrifice he made for her, but Jamie is there to reassure her. Honestly girl, take the win. After everything the Christie family put you guys through, this is the least Tom can do. Though of course we know he had another reason for making this sacrifice.

Tom Christie and the Frasers

I hate the Christies and they’ve been nothing but trouble, but I do love the actor who plays Tom. Mark Lewis Jones is such a talent! Alright, we have to talk about the shocking part of the episode. And that’s when Tom literally says “I love you” to Claire. I mean, we definitely got a hint of his feelings in the Season 6 finale with that long, long look he gave her that Jamie noticed. But I’ll tell you, I was not expecting this man to admit that he’s yearned for a great love and he found it in Claire. Caitríona played Claire’s expression perfectly. And you could really see Tom’s feelings on the actor’s face. Mark is brilliant!

We also find out a bit more information about these nasty Christies whose family drama is much more complicated than we thought. It turns out Malva isn’t even Tom’s daughter biologically. She’s a product of Tom’s wife and his brother Edgar being together. It kind of explains why Tom treated his daughter the way he did. It’s a heartbreaking part of his story. And though I didn’t like Malva, she was punished for something she had no control over. This is just a sad, sad family. Also, does he know who the baby’s father is? When Claire asks he brushes it off. Hmm. Tom confesses to killing Malva but none of us believe him. Let’s be real. He turned himself in because of his feelings for Claire.

I also think the scene between Jamie and Tom was important. After everything these two have been through together and the tension between them, it was nice to see that they could come to some sort of understanding. And despite it all, if Tom had left this world he now knows the kind words Jamie would have said about him and what the King of Men thinks of him.

Roger and Brianna in Edenton

Roger and Brianna are on their own in Edenton when Roger comes across no one other than Wendigo Donner. We knew that whistle in the final moments of the Season 6 finale was him! The fellow time-traveler is trying to get back to his own time and asks Roger for help. Roger wants to do so but Brianna definitely does not because of the way he didn’t help Claire when Richard Brown and his men kidnapped her. And as someone who was also assaulted, Brianna can relate to her mother’s experience.

But Roger brings up some valid points too. Once again like in Season 4, the show does a good job of portraying that both of them have valid points. At the end, Roger chooses not to help Wendigo escape. But he does help him through prayer. Though why do I get the feeling that Roger not helping Wendigo is going to come back and bite them in the butt?

Courtesy of Robert Wilson/STARZ

Courtesy of Robert Wilson/STARZ

Goodbye Richard Brown! (I think)

If Richard Brown thought Jamie was going to let him go, he was sadly mistaken. Wow, Jamie was so menacing sitting there with the lighting and half of his face dark. “I’m also a violent man. Any goodness that prevails in me is because of my wife. You tried to take her from me.” Like yes, what did you think Brown? He’s such a stupidly smug man. I think Jamie killed him? Someone please tell me this is true. Of course I do not condone murder, but Richard Brown had it coming.

Bonus shout-outs

• Claire was brought to the ship on Governor Martin’s orders because his wife is pregnant and wasn’t feeling well. With the revolution on the horizon, I’m guessing the Frasers and governor will cross paths once again.
• The part with Major MacDonald and Claire calling him a “manipulative bastard.” The governor was there and Claire just did not care. Girl, that cabin is not that big!

Outlander Season 7 premieres new episodes Fridays on Starz.