Outlander Season 8 Found A Way To Avoid The Character Death I've Been Dreading For 12 Years
Warning! Spoilers for Outlander season 8, episode 7, ahead! I've been dreading seeing a particular death on screen in Outlander season 8, so I'm absolutely relieved that the show found a meaningful way to avoid it. The evidence that this book death would finally make it to the screen came with the return of Fergus (César Domboy) and Marsali (Lauren Lyle), who were absent in season 7 despite their characters' continued involvement in the source book, Written in My Own Heart's Blood. Then, Outlander season 8, episode 7, began to lead up to the big moment, much to my personal agony. Of course, the episode pulled the old switch-a-roo. In 2014's Written in My Own Heart's Blood, Fergus' print show went up in flames, just as it did in Outlander season 8. When this happened, Germain and Henri-Christian were on the roof and attempted to escape the burning building by swinging down from a rope. Devastatingly, little Henry-Christian wasn't able to hold on to his older brother, and he fell to his death. It's easily one of the most tragic moments of the Outlander books.
Nearly all of this happened in Outlander season 8, with one major difference. Roger appeared in the nick of time and caught Henri-Christian before he hit the ground, saving his life. It was a shock and a relief, especially after years of back and forth over whether the child's death would happen in the TV series. Of course, there wasn't much time to celebrate, since Fergus promptly died instead.
Outlander Killing Off Fergus Instead Of Henri-Christian Was The Right Choice
Typically, when a book-to-screen adaptation makes a major change to the canon story, it isn't well appreciated by fans. However, Outlander's decision to kill off Fergus rather than his son is my exception. It is, of course, a rather significant adjustment, since Fergus is a major character who is still alive and well in books. Still, despite it being canon, seeing a young child—one we all saw born on screen just a couple of seasons ago—fall to his death would have been too much. Fergus dying to save his son is the far better alternative.
Of course, it would have been preferred that neither character die in Outlander. Fergus is a fan-favorite, and seeing Marsali and Jamie, especially, mourn his loss was absolutely heartbreaking. Still, the fire at the print shop has some importance within the story, and it's emphasized by the loss of life. It's important that viewers see what these characters are risking as they fight for American independence. It's a reminder that these characters aren't immortal—a reminder that the prediction that Jamie will die in the upcoming battle holds some weight.
What Fergus' Death Means For The Rest Of Outlander Season 8
As we continue into the final episodes of Outlander, the Frasers will have a lot to work through. Marsali and her children have now returned to the Ridge, though it's uncertain whether they will stay there permanently. Brianna suggested that Marsali present their evidence that Fergus was the legitimate son of the Comte St. Germain, thus allowing her to lay claim to the man's land and receive the promised fortune from Percy Beauchamp. Marsali was reluctant to do this, however, since Fergus himself had decided against it.
It's also worth noting that Fergus died not just to save his sons' lives, but because he believed in the importance of using his printing business to further the rebel cause. This is something he impressed upon his children, and we already saw in Outlander season 8, episode 7, that Henri-Christian is eager to continue his father's important work. A print shop isn't much good in the wilds of North Carolina, so it looks pretty likely that they will eventually migrate. Of course, we can no longer turn to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books to see how all this will play out, since the TV show is officially in uncharted territory, at least as far as this story goes. We can certainly expect the next few episodes of Outlander to officially lean into that promise for complete unpredictability.
Release Date
2014 - 2026-00-00
Showrunner
Matthew B. Roberts
Directors
John Dahl, Metin Hüseyin, Jamie Payne, Stephen Woolfenden, Anna Foerster, Brendan Maher, Brian Kelly, David Moore, Jennifer Getzinger, Mike Barker, Philip John, Joss Agnew, Lisa Clarke, Jan Matthys, Ben Bolt, Charlotte Brändström, Christiana Ebohon-Green, Denise Di Novi, Douglas Mackinnon, Julian Holmes, Norma Bailey, Richard Clark, Justin Molotnikov, Stewart Svaasand
Writers
Toni Graphia, Matthew B. Roberts, Ronald D. Moore, Luke Schelhaas, Anne Kenney, Karen Campbell, Shannon Goss, Joy Blake, Richard Kahan, Jennifer Yale, Megan Ferrell Burke, Ira Steven Behr, Diana Gabaldon
Jack Tarlton
Kenny Lindsay
John Sessions
Arthur Duncan
