We begin A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows with section 1, introducing us to Jerry MacKenzie during World War II. Now, we’ve met Jerry in 1739, but it was after the events that take place in Jerry’s lifetime.
I will note that the short story opens with an author’s note from Diana Gabaldon with some reminders of what we know, such as Frank knowing about the Spitfire pilot, called Jeremiah MacKenzie, whose plane went down in Northumbria but the pilot was never found, and that Roger’s mom, Marjorie, was killed in a tube collapse during World War II. Now we get the story.
Breaking down A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows section 1
The section is a short one, showing us why Jerry ends up delayed in his flight. This is important, considering in the books we know that time travel is only possible during certain days of the year. The portals need to be opened, and we’re two weeks out from All Hallows’ Eve right now.
Jerry is about to take off. His Spitfire, which he has named Dolly, has a mechanical problem, though. As his takeoff is aborted, the team get out to check on what the issue is. It turns out that there’s a puncture in the fuel line, and now Jerry is covered in fuel.
Since the part can’t be replaced until the next day, Jerry is told to shower off and he will go through with the plan the next day. Of course, Jerry does as he’s told, but he looks back at Dolly as he walks away. He’s attached to his plane, as so many would be because of the way they get to know their planes flying them so often.
Jerry is thankful that the mechanical issue was spotted now. He wouldn’t like to think of what could have happened if he was flying when he spotted that. However, it’s certainly foreshadowing of things to come.
Could this section be used in a TV adaptation?
I would love to see A Leaf on the Winds of All Hallows be used in an adaptation. It would be a great short spin-off series to tell us what happened to Jerry after he went back to the future from 1739 in Outlander season 7. So, if it was adapted, we would certainly need to see this section used.
For one, it introduces us to who Jerry is and the type of pilot he is in the RAF. It also tells us why his flight was delayed, as he suffered a mechanical problem, which makes it clear that Jerry is going to be in Northumbria as the stones open. All of this foreshadows the things to come, and even knowing what happens to Jerry, we need to see the buildup to it for the rest of the story.
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