Outlander fans have been waiting on the answers to one particular mystery for up to 34 years, and I bet I know exactly how season 8 will go about solving it. The upcoming final season of the TV adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s works has no choice but to take its own road since the author herself hasn’t yet published the final book. Gabaldon has promised answers to several long-running Outlander mysteries in her upcoming novel, and Starz has done the same for season 8. Of course, the answers will surely differ from one to the other, but I think I see where the show is headed.
The ending of Outlander season 7 pulled details predominantly from Gabaldon’s eighth book, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, leaving the ninth, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, to translate into season 8. There is one more book on the way to wrap up the Outlander series, but it won’t arrive until after the Starz TV series has concluded. This leads me to think that the climactic moments of Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone will make up most of season 8’s ending. As it is, this is the perfect opportunity for Outlander season 8 to provide its own answer to Jamie’s season 1 ghost.
Outlander Still Hasn’t Solved The Mystery Of Jamie’s Ghost From Season 1
This Mystery Was First Presented To Readers In 1991
The mystery of Jamie’s ghost was first introduced 34 years ago when the Outlander book was published in 1991. Before Claire went back in time through the stones, Frank Randall saw a man staring up at her through their window in Scotland, but the figure disappeared when Frank went to confront him. This was adapted to the screen in Outlander season 1 when Frank came to the conclusion that the mysterious Scot was the one who had taken Claire away. In a way, he was correct since the sketch he had done of the man’s face looked exactly like Jamie Fraser.
Jamie’s ghost staring longing at Claire in the 20th century implied that his soul had been separated from Claire’s at some point. It was a foreboding hint that Jamie would die in the past and that Claire would return to the future. If they had both died together in the past, then surely Jamie’s spirit would be in eternal bliss along with his lover’s, not staring up at Claire in the 20th century, waiting for her to join him. Gabaldon promises that her tenth Outlander book will reveal why Jamie’s ghost is waiting for Claire. However, the TV show will probably chalk it up to Jamie’s season 8 death.
Jamie Will Likely Die In Outlander Season 8 (Just For A Little While)
The Ninth Outlander Book Temporarily Kills Jamie Off
The ending of Outlander season 7 saw Jamie Fraser resign from the Continental Army, but the Outlander books reveal that this won’t be permanent. The Revolutionary War will find its way to North Carolina, and the people of Fraser’s Ridge will have no choice but to participate. This all plays out in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, which means that season 8 will explore the upcoming book battles. This includes one that history dictated would be the last James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser would ever fight. Jamie knew this going into it but set out into the mountains to fight regardless.
As far as history, or even science, would say, Jamie really did die during this battle in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone. However, Claire makes her way to the mountain after him, finds his body, and uses her healing powers to bring Jamie back to life. This will play out in Outlander season 8, and the big reveal about Faith Fraser in season 7 will likely provide a reason for Claire to explore her powers further. That way, Claire magically healing Jamie won’t seem so out of nowhere (the TV show has largely ignored Claire’s magical ability). This miracle could also double as an explanation for Jamie’s ghost.
Jamie’s Ghost Probably Visits Claire In The 20th Century
Jamie Could Have An Out Of Body Experience
Since Jamie technically dies in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, which is likely to happen in season 8, the Outlander TV show can use this entire event to explain why Jamie’s ghost was staring up at Claire in the 20th century. While Jamie is technically dead, his soul could travel through time and space to observe different moments he otherwise wouldn’t have. He could travel to the future, watch Brianna grow up, and, of course, spend a moment outside Claire’s window in Inverness. Once Claire heals Jamie in Outlander season 8, he will surely tell her all he has seen.
It makes sense that while Jamie’s soul was temporarily disconnected from his body, he would be drawn to the Samhain night that marked the beginning of Claire’s journey.
This would effectively bring the entire Outlander series full circle. It makes sense that while Jamie’s soul was temporarily disconnected from his body, he would be drawn to the Samhain night that marked the beginning of Claire’s journey. That evening she spent brushing her hair in Inverness would be her last before this next big stage in her story and destiny began—the night before she met Jamie Fraser for the first time in the 18th century. Jamie being there for her in this moment is deeply meaningful, so creating this connection would be an excellent way to end the Outlander TV show.
Other Ways Outlander Season 8 Can Explain Season 1’s Ghost Mystery
The TV Show Could Take A Different Route
While my theory that Outlander will connect Jamie’s Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone death to his ghost’s appearance in the 20th century seems likely given the series’ current trajectory, there are other possibilities as well. The Outlander TV show has already hinted that Jamie has a strange ability to astral project. Through his dreams, he has looked ahead to moments he never got to experience firsthand, like those from Brianna’s childhood. It’s possible that Jamie will have a dream about Claire in Inverness in Outlander season 8, though this seems far less climactic.
It’s also possible that Outlander will avoid answers about Jamie’s ghost entirely. Gabaldon has promised to include this mystery in her final book, and Starz’s screenwriters may aim to steer clear and not step on her toes. It will ultimately come down to whether the Outlander TV show wants to come up with its own unique reason that fits with this version of the story or match Gabaldon’s books—Outlander season 8 can’t, unfortunately, have it both ways.
Outlander’s Answer To Jamie’s Ghost Likely Won’t Match With The Books
Diana Gabaldon Had Likely Saved Her Biggest Secrets
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone saw Claire heal Jamie, and there was no big moment during which the 18th-century man said he visited the 20th-century in spirit. Therefore, this is unlikely to be Gabaldon’s book explanation. Still, since Outlander season 8 has limited source material to work with, changing this may be the series’ best option. Just like the big Faith twist that never happened in the books, such a reveal about Jamie’s ghost can aid the TV show by giving audiences a satisfying ending. Later, when Gabaldon finally releases her tenth Outlander book, we can get the real answers. For now, this could be an intriguing substitution.