Who are you? Who are we? Why are we here? All these metaphysical questions are often dropped into the laps of the writers, artists, or even politicians to make sense of the world around us, with some artists and writers choosing to dive head first into discovering what it means to be human. Visions of the future and of the past help guide us in our quest to conquer the present and make reasons for it all along the way.
This season, Outlander seems to be taking on the issues of identity and purpose head on, not dwelling on metaphor or trying to give all the answers. The characters are becoming increasingly frustrated, because they’re able to make much sense of their lives in Paris. They struggle to connect with more than a mission to save the day, but seek to find a purpose for their day-to-day lives.
When one asks, “What do you do?” the reply is often, “I am [insert job here]”. Claire (Caitriona Balfe) is a nurse. She feels lost without the ability to help someone in need. Her skills are rare and varied, and her talent can save lives. So, when offered the opportunity to reclaim that part of her identity, she takes it. Now, working for nuns at a hospital for the poor, she feels at home again, at peace again. As she puts it, there’s meaning in her day.
Jamie (Sam Heughan), on the other hand, wouldn’t know what to say if you asked him what he does. At the moment, he’s a full-time political secret collector with a cover as a wine merchant. Claire’s convinced him to befriend members of court and government to gain their trust and reveal their plans and secrets, only to use them to stop the Rebellion. But this isn’t a real job, although it does take a lot of work. Prior to this, Jamie was the heir to a title and clan, which he did claim, but can’t return to. He is a fugitive on the run from a death sentence. Forcing his way into this society for Claire’s benefit, for Scotland’s benefit, has made him weary.
He feels lost, not knowing what to look for, and only guessing how to find it. He makes this clear to Claire when he finds out that she’s starting work at hospital. She gets to reclaim the identity she holds dear because she can’t take on the task of secrets, and thus has more time to do what she enjoys. Jamie can’t. He would love to return to Scotland and be Laird to his clan; instead, he must stop the rebellion or the clan way of life is gone. Plus, he has not resolved his trauma. The gap between him and Claire only grows wider. Claire didn’t decide to join the hospital because it would be good for them, she did it because it was good for her, a rather 20th-century viewpoint Jamie struggles with.
She can’t save him. Or can she? Or does he need to save himself? The idea of identity is one Jamie has struggled with since he got to Paris. The plan to stop the rebellion was a good distraction, but now that it’s become his life and focus, combined with what seems like waning interest from Claire, this distraction is becoming a magnifying glass for all the problems they’re both avoiding.
Claire’s distance from Jamie is strong, and is primarily caused by the fact that she’s well aware that Jamie’s attacker is still alive and well. It hasn’t been made clear if Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies) was ever informed that Jamie was in Paris, so at the moment it’s safest for Jamie not to know. Right? Claire’s faced with the burden of telling him after finding out that the Duke of Sandringham (Simon Callow) is playing both sides of the Rebellion, so he still comes out the winner. Knowing the Duke’s close ties to Randall, it may only be a matter of time before Randall is after him again.
Answering the questions of “Who are you?” and “Why are you here?” are becoming increasingly difficult for the Frasers. Jamie’s lost and drifting quickly. Claire’s holding on, but with a heavy burden. The secrets they’re collecting keys to success in their mission, but the fights they continue to have may only be pushing each other farther away.
Looking forward, they need to be on the same team and within the same frame of mind to actually complete their goals. The more space that builds between them, the harder it’ll be for them to find a way to stop the Rebellion. Quickly, their grand plans are becoming very personal, and only possible if they work through their marital plight and Jamie’s trauma together.