William lashes out after learning the truth about his parentage in Outlander season 7. It’s the most human and understandable part of the story.
William Ransom had a big episode in Outlander season 7, episode 12. It was packed with anger, and it is one of the most human reactions to everything happening around him.
A lot of book fans say that William is a brat for the way that he acts. People are quick to judge William for his anger, sharing that many people would love to be the son of Jamie Fraser. Even Young Ian points out that William should be honored to call Jamie “dad,” but it’s not that easy, is it?
We saw how Brianna reacted to learning that Frank wasn’t her father. Like William, she wasn’t exactly impressed that Jamie was her dad. For Bree, it was different. She’d never met Jamie. William at least knew who Jamie was, but also knew that he was a Jacobite and now a Rebel. There’s also a lot at stake for William learning all of this.
William realizes just how many people lied to him in Outlander
The first bit of anger is at finding out that people lied to him all his life. Claire points out that Jamie, Lord John Grey, and Isobel knew the truth. It hurts William to know that all these people lied to him. Sure, it was to “protect” him as people love to point out, but a lie is still a lie. To know that people knew this big thing and kept is a secret is hurtful.
Then he realizes that Young Ian knew as well, and Young Ian didn’t say anything. What about when he learns that Brianna knew the truth? As Rachel puts it all together and isn’t shocked, William is even more hurt. All these people around him knew or suspected something, and he now feels like a fool for not figuring it out.
William doesn’t know who he is now
This changes everything for William in Outlander season 7, episode 12. We have to remember the time period that William is in. His name is everything. His title comes from his father. At least, the man he thought was his father. He is Lord Ellesmere, and that means a great deal to him. It’s not just about the land or the title, but about the position, the security, and the standing.
William set up the man that he would become because of where he came from. He wants to do his grandfather proud, and he wants to do Lord John Grey and Isobel proud. He wants to live up to what everyone expects him to be, and that is a man of class.
Now he’s found out that his birthright isn’t actually his birthright. Sure, we know that because Lord Ellesmere and Geneva were married that William is automatically considered Lord Ellesmere’s son. It doesn’t matter if there is questions of paternity. The marriage is the strongest thing for William. That doesn’t mean in William’s mind that he believes he has a right to the birthright, though.
He questions who he is as the son of a Rebel. Jamie was a Jacobite, and now William questions more and more about the legitimacy to his titles. Being a traitor to the crown is everything against William stands for and knowing that he is half traitor doesn’t sit well with him at all.
William now also knows that he is illegitimate, and that’s another stain on who he is in this time period. We’ve seen how Jamie reacts when people point out that his dad was illegitimate. It’s only natural for William to react in the same way.
He needed to understand the nature of his conception in Outlander
William does get some relief in learning more about how he was conceived. He was worried that it was rape, and we can’t really blame him for that. He doesn’t really know Jamie all that well. He remembers him as Mac, the groom. Now he knows him as a Jacobite and a Rebel. He doesn’t know the type of man Jamie is and how Jamie would abhor rape.
Hearing that he wasn’t the product of rape was a relief. Did his parents love each other? No, but Claire is diplomatic with that. Is it something that William really needs to know? I think this is important for him because he wants to know what brought him into the world.
There are plenty of debates over nature vs. nurture. Does conception have a play in that? It’s something that is likely going on in William’s mind.
William’s anger is human, and it’s understandable. Anyone who views him as a brat for this natural reaction needs to learn some empathy and consider the time period in Outlander season 7.