For fans of Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” novels, Sunday’s episode of the TV series based on the popular book series brought a pivotal moment that fans have been picturing in their minds for more than 20 years when Claire (Caitriona Balfe) is finally reunited with Jamie (Sam Heughan).
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Heughan opens up about the time-crossed couple’s long-awaited reunion in the 18th century after spending two decades apart, and the responsibility that everyone involved with the show felt about honouring this crucial part of the “Outlander” legacy.
“All the way through shooting, we’re very aware that people are fans of the books,” says Heughan. “You want to do a good job and don’t want to disappoint anyone… [but] you have to play the truth of it.”
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While filming the episode, explains Heughan, “We tried to be as honest as we could be. What’s it like for two people who have not only not seen each other for 20 years, but were deeply in love and have shared some history together, then actually moved on?”
As Heughan points out, when Jamie first see Claire for the first time in years, it throws him for a serious loop in what is arguably the most dramatic “Outlander” scene in the series so far.
“Claire has time to come to terms with it, but Jamie doesn’t,” explains Heughan. “He’s not expecting to see Claire ever again. He’s heard her a lot through the past few years, so at first, he doesn’t even trust himself, it’s like, ‘It’s just another memory.’ And when she actually is here, well, we see his reaction, don’t we? Which I know is a big part of the book. You don’t expect that out of him…”
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He adds: “We wanted to show that they fall back very quickly into that initial passion for each other, that initial love and lust. But then over time they quickly realize that they’ve become different people, and it is awkward, and it is almost teenage-like, nervous and exciting. It’s fun to watch them rediscover each other.”
As for what’s to come for his character in the rest of the current season, Heughan says we’ll see a different Jamie than we have up until now.
“He has some secrets, and things have happened that he kind of doesn’t want to tell her because he’s terrified to lose her again,” he says. We do see Jamie Fraser of old, so to speak, but there’s still some unfinished business.”
“Outlander” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on W Network.
