Outlander season 8 may not be much like Diana Gabaldon’s book, but I at least hope that my favorite characters get their most heartwarming story. For the most part, the events of Outlander season 7 followed the eighth book, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood. This would seemingly mean that season 8 would be based on Gabaldon’s ninth book, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. However, the surprise finale of season 7 drastically took the plot into a whole new direction. It may be that Outlander’s final season will have very little in common with the canon story, but some details really must remain.
Outlander has a wide variety of great characters, but I have taken a particular liking to Young Ian Murray. This boy has come a long way over the last several seasons, and his overarching story has been the perfect mix of exciting and heartwarming. There’s no doubt that sweet Ian deserves the happiest of endings as Outlander comes to a close in season 8, and he is well on his way. Outlander season 7 saw Ian get married to Rachel Hunter, and as the two head back to Fraser’s Ridge, Rachel broke the news that she was pregnant. Ending right there would be satisfying, but one particular book story is a must.
Emily Names Young Ian & Rachel’s Son In The Outlander Books
Ian’s Whole Story Comes Full Circle
After Rachel and Ian’s son is born in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, they struggle to choose a name for the boy and affectionately (and temporarily) call him Oggy. This continues until Ian gets word that a terrible battle could have put his Mohawk ex-wife, Emily, and her family in danger. Emily’s oldest son, Swiftest of Lizards, is believed to be Ian’s biological child—his light skin, hair, and eyes are a bit of a giveaway. So, Ian and Rachel pack up and take a journey to visit the Mohawk. Thankfully, Emily turns out to be alive and Swiftest of Lizards safe.
This choice of name for the little boy was perfect, implying that Ian’s entire journey in Outlander was always meant to go exactly as it did.
This book adventure was certainly exciting, but the heartwarming aspect came when Ian invited Emily to give little Oggy a name (she had given him the same honor for Swiftest of Lizards). Emily decided on the name Hunter, likely to acknowledge Ian’s own skill with a bow. What Emily didn’t know is that Rachel’s maiden name was Hunter. This choice of name for the little boy was perfect, implying that Ian’s entire journey in Outlander was always meant to go exactly as it did. It’s a reminder that all the pain Ian went through in past seasons was leading to this heartwarming resolution.
Outlander Season 8 Can’t Skip Ian’s Visit To The Mohawk
This Is A Necessary Story For Ian’s Ending
Though it seems likely that Outlander season 8 will be significantly different from Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, I hope Ian and Rachel’s journey to visit Emily makes it into the TV series. It’s the perfect way to bring Young Ian’s overarching story full circle—not only because Emily names little Hunter, but because Ian is able to bring Swiftest of Lizards home.
In Outlander season 5, Ian left the Mohawk believing he had failed Emily. He thought he couldn’t have children, and this broke his heart. Years later, he discovered that he had, in fact, had a child with Emily, but he had lost the opportunity to raise the boy. In Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, Emily sends Swiftest of Lizards back to Fraser’s Ridge with Ian so the child can stay out of harm’s way. If this is brought to the screen in Outlander season 8, then Ian will live happily ever with Rachel, Swiftest of Lizards, and young Hunter—the perfect, heartwarming ending for a great character.