A plot hole in the Outlander series has managed to cause a stir yet again. After Claire had forgotten Jamie’s full name in season 1 causing a confusion among viewers, this time fans are furious about the timeline error.
First premiered in 2014, the Outlander series had become a fan favorite within a year. Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan portray a seemingly perfect romance onscreen. Tobias Menzies had also managed to gather his own fan following for his performance in Outlander.
The very first episode gained praise for it’s depth and the chemistry between the leads. The lush green pastures and the breathtaking scenery makes the series a delight for viewers worldwide.
The intricate plot that so gracefully entwined time travel with the 18th century is undoubtedly a masterpiece. But the intricacies in plot has led to some infamous plot holes too.
What caused the stir
Following the physical assault of Jamie by Black Jack Randall, Jamie and Claire had managed to escape to France to start a new life. But this did not stop the highlander from vowing to take his revenge against Randall.
In season 2 Jack Randall returns much to the trepidation of Claire and Jamie who thought him dead after the highlander’s escape from Wentworth prison. But when he shows up in Paris Claire recognizes him as an ancestor of her husband Frank Randall in the 20th century. She wants Frank to be born and so, begs Jamie not to kill Randall.
This is exactly where the timeline error comes in. Claire had hinted that Randall would die sometime in 1745 and then she also seems to know how he was going to die in Culloden in 1746. Same person, dying twice?
When Jamie challenges Randall to a duel in the spring of 1744, Claire asks him to give him just “one year and not a day more”. Problem is, she already knew he would die April 16, 1746. Doing the math, it would be months from Frank being conceived if Jamie could kill Randall exactly one year from then, that is, in the spring of 1745.
And all this was, when Jack isn’t even part of the direct lineage of her husband, Frank.
When did this happen before
In episode seven of season 1 we see Claire refusing to marry the highlander. The reason she sites is that she doesn’t know his full name. However, in episode six, we also see her reading the marriage contract including the full name of her fiancé.
Incidences of inconsistency isn’t new to the Outlander series. The author, Diana Gabaldon is herself famous for her forgetfulness. To her credit, she has not held back from asking her fans for clarification regarding dates when she herself forgets.
Nevertheless, Diana’s Outlander series with it’s perfect mixture of romance, fiction, fantasy and drama, has never failed to captivate it’s viewers. With Jamie and Claire’s love story lasting a whole range of challenges, we know that the story has a lot more in store for us. Will their love survive through the revolutionary war? We’ll have to wait and see.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on the Outlander series and many more.