Claire being a time traveler is one of those things that only trusted people can learn. Isn’t Lord John Grey one of those trusted people? Shouldn’t he learn the truth in Outlander?
We need to look at the books first to see if he learns the truth there. Then we can assess whether he’ll learn the truth in the TV series.
Lord John Grey does learn about time travel in the Outlander books
Yes, Claire does eventually tell Lord John Grey that she is a time traveler. This happens during the seventh book, when she marries him because the two of them believe that Jamie is dead. At this point, she could go back through the stones to Bree and Roger—not realizing that they are on their own time traveling journey!
She actually tells him to make it clear that she knows how the Revolutionary War will play out. She knows the Americans will win.
However, Lord John Grey doesn’t believe that Claire is a time traveler. He is one of those men who doesn’t underestimate the abilities of women, which is why he’s never questioned her surgical skills. He just believes that she has learned during this time period and not brought things from the future. Despite that, he doesn’t view her as mad for her believing she’s a time traveler. He just allows her to believe it.
Could Lord John Grey learn the truth in Outlander?
What about in the TV series? It would make sense to keep this part of the story the same. There aren’t many who know the truth in Outlander. Those who do are part of a special circle. They’re the people Claire and Jamie trust the most, starting with Murtagh. So, bringing Lord John Grey into that circle is a badge of honor and trust.
I would love to see him learn the truth and just not believe her at all. I would love to see him try to justify her abilities as her being an extraordinary woman. There should be time for this, especially since we know that Claire and John are likely to marry in Outlander Season 7B.
Outlander Season 7B premieres on Friday, Nov. 22 on Starz.
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