Outlander season 7 ended with a plot twist that never happened in the books, and the series has already set up more such changes for season 8. The upcoming installment will be the last of the Starz series, so it will be up to these episodes to tie up any loose ends. Unfortunately, Outlander is running short on source material because author Diana Gabaldon’s book series isn’t yet complete. While it can be hoped that Starz collaborated with Gabaldon to ensure Outlander ends similarly to her version, previous changes hint that this was never the plan.
Though the Outlander TV show has skipped over dozens of minor (and some not-so-minor) storylines from the books, it has remained largely faithful to the source. Most changes that happened were for convenience but didn’t have a larger impact on the overall plot. This all changed with the finale of Outlander season 7. The reveal that Faith Fraser might have lived never happened in Gabaldon’s novel, bringing into question what other changes will be made in Outlander season 8. This is also a hint that some of Outlander’s more minor changes could turn out to be far more important.
The Outlander TV Show Already Changed The Books’ Fraser Prophecy
The Two Versions Both Lead To Brianna – But They Are Drastically Different
One of the stranger changes the Outlander TV show made happened back in season 3. In the books, Geillis Duncan learned of a prophecy that claimed that someone from the Frasers of Lovat would become the next Scottish ruler. Jamie’s grandfather was the Lord of Lovat, and, at the time, Brianna Fraser was the last of that line. It was for this reason that Geillis put her focus on Claire’s daughter and ultimately met her end. However, this went entirely differently in Outlander season 3.
In the TV show version of the story, Geillis found someone to make a prophecy about who the next Scottish king would be, and it was determined that their identity could only be revealed following the death of a 200-year-old baby. Like the books, this prophecy led Geillis to Brianna because she was conceived in the 18th century but born in the 20th. Everything came out the same in the end. Claire killed Geillis, and the prophecy was left to be resolved later in the series. However, thanks to the change, such a resolution will have to be different in Outlander season 8 than in the books.
The Fraser Prophecy Change Hints At A Dark Ending For Brianna’s Story
Brianna Will Have To Die For Answers
The Outlander TV show likely changed the details of the prophecy so that Claire would be fully justified in murdering Geillis. However, it’s interesting to consider the show writers’ overarching plan here. The two versions of the prophecy both involve Bree, but they are different to the point that Gabaldon’s resolution for this plotline would essentially be impossible for the show to pull off. Additionally, Starz’s Outlander set this up so audiences could only get an answer if Brianna died—and that’s certainly not something that anyone wants to see happen.
Of course, it’s possible that, as is typical with prophecies, the words here are somewhat misleading.
Brianna dying may somehow reveal the identity of the next Scottish king, but it would also be devistating for nearly every character of Outlander. Of course, it’s possible that, as is typical with prophecies, the words here are somewhat misleading. Brianna may be destined to die, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that she has to stay dead. Or, perhaps answers will come when Brianna dies of old age. Outlander is a time travel series, after all—characters could potentially travel to Brianna’s future to learn the truth. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess how season 8 could work this all out—but it certainly won’t be book canon.
How Outlander Season 7’s Faith Twist Could Connect To Brianna’s Prophecy
Does Master Raymond Have Something To Do With The Prophecy Too?
Outlander season 8 will have a lot of big questions to answer, but it’s also essential that these loose ends come together to form a cohesive whole. If Claire’s revelation about Faith Fraser in season 7’s ending is correct, then there must be an explanation for why Master Raymond withheld the baby. The strange man must be working toward a larger plan, which must tie in with Claire’s overarching story, thus leading to a satisfying series ending. Since Faith was Claire and Jamie’s daughter, it would make sense if Master Raymond’s plans also involved Brianna and her prophecy.
Geillis Duncan was a time traveler whose primary goal was to put a Scot on the English throne. She was also a likely descendent of Master Raymond—another time traveler who is keen on pulling the strings and guiding his various descendants. It’s possible that Geillis ended up on her mission because of Master Raymond himself. Since this mysterious man obviously has a hand in Faith Fraser’s survival, it seems likely that all of this is connected. Precisely how is a question that only Outlander season 8 can say for certain.