Brianna and her children have gone through the stones in Outlander season 7, episode 15. Before going through, Bree told Mandy that she couldn’t take her doll, Esmerelda, with her. Of course, Mandy did not want to give up the doll.
Why would Bree stop her daughter taking the doll through, though? It all comes down to the time period and the doll. It is explained more in the books.
Why Bree is worried about Esmerelda in the Outlander books
In Written in My Own Heart’s Blood Chapter 106, Brianna gets ready to go through the stones. She’s worried about the redness of Esmerelda’s hair, and that’s why she doesn’t want Mandy taking the doll through the stones. This is a dye of red that can’t be replicated in the past, so it would be clear that something is off about the doll.
The trio are heading to the 18th century. It’s a time of people believing in witches and other folklore. There’s no doubt that someone would believe that Brianna is some sort of witch for being able to get a doll with that sort of red hair for her daughter.
On top of that, there’s just the fact that the doll is nothing like children would have in the time. Bree wants to be able to blend in, and they can’t do that with Esmerelda.
Brianna is a bit of a hypocrite in Outlander
I will admit that there’s a bit of hypocrisy, but for good reason. You see, in the novels, Brianna takes a bag with supplies. Among the supplies is the book that Frank Randall wrote. It was published after his death, and after Claire heads through the stones.
This book makes it clear that Frank did his research into Jamie. He learned that Jamie would end up in the Colonies, and I believe he knew that Claire did, too. I’m sure that’s why he wanted to take Bree to England so that Claire could go back to Jamie.
Brianna gets the book when she and Roger are in their own time, and she decides to take this book back with her. It tells everyone of the battle to come, although it’s not all good news.
Of course, the book is clearly from the future. The dust jacket has a photo of Frank Randall. This is technology not available in the 18th century. The way the book is printed makes it clear that it’s not from the time. So, why would Bree be allowed to take that and Mandy not be allowed to take her doll? Well, it’ll be easier for Bree to hide that as an adult who understands the dangers! So yes, she’s a hypocrite, but for good reason.
In the end, the doll goes through the stones. Mandy has Esmerelda in the books, and we don’t see Bree drop the doll as she and Jem run toward the stones when Mandy rushes in.
The Outlander season 7 finale airs on Friday, Jan. 17 on STARZ.
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