While The Battle of Monmouth was an indecisive battle during the Revolutionary War, it was still an important one to end up with a painting of it. There were changes made to that painting in Outlander season 7, episode 15.
The painting was the title card for the episode. As we panned back from the painting, there was a dark-haired man and a red-haired girl standing in front of the painting with their backs to the camera. It’s clear that this is supposed to be Frank and a young Brianna, with Frank likely taking Brianna on a trip to learn about American history.
If you look at the painting again, it’s not the usual one of Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth. There are two extra people added in.
Was this painting the catapult for Frank’s research in Outlander?
We know that Frank knew a lot more about the past than he was letting on. He did his research into Jamie Fraser, and he likely realized that Claire was going to head back to the past. This could have all started from seeing the painting of Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth.
He would have seen the one depicted in the show. If you look to the left, Claire is on the ground treating a soldier. Frank would have immediately recognized Claire. While not an exact image, it’s close enough to his wife.
On the right of the painting, we can see Jamie Fraser standing by the cart with his hand on the wheel. Frank wouldn’t know who Jamie is, but he could have taken a guess based on the red hair. To be honest, he didn’t need to know about Jamie being in this painting, though. All he needed to see was that Claire was there. It was a hint for Frank that his wife would go back through the stones at some point.
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We know that Frank eventually did some research into the past. He knew something, and it was arguably why he wanted to take Brianna to England. It wasn’t to take her from Claire, but a chance to allow Claire to go back to Jamie without feeling too much guilt.
In 1980, Brianna also makes it clear to us that Frank did some research. She picks up a book that Frank wrote, turning to the back page to see the picture of her dad. It looks like she’s looking for his guidance in what to do next, but there’s something else in this shot. The book is going to help with the next part of history. Bree has no idea where she will end up in the search for Roger or what they will do next. It’s clear that this book could be useful, though.
Outlander returns with new episodes on Friday, Jan. 17 on STARZ.
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