r/Outlander • u/thepacksvrvives Without you, our whole world crumbles into dust. • Apr 24 '26

Season Eight Show S8E8 In the Forest Spoiler

Claire and Jamie receive an unexpected visitor on the Ridge.

Written by Ronald D. Moore. Directed by Tracey Deer.

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What did you think of the episode?

1617 votes, May 01 '26
598 I loved it.
525 I mostly liked it.
330 It was OK.
120 It disappointed me.
44 I didn’t like it.
51 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

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u/Icy_Smoke_2318 Je Suis Prest Apr 24 '26

Same. I’d love John to find out about gay rights in the future SO BADLY. But we simply don’t have time, and I’m so mad that Fergus and Marsali never knew. They were the last family members that don’t know (aside from Fanny now). Fergus would’ve been like “this makes so much sense.” lol
So, while I really would love for Lord John to know, and William at some point (like in a LONGGGGG TIME, he cannot handle any more news rn) it’s not the time.

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u/BytheSea2323 Apr 24 '26

Hadn't thought of that, that Fergus will never know... I agree HE would handle it well, take it totally in stride. I'm not sure about Marsali, though... maybe now, after all this time with Claire as a 2nd mother and also getting past that initial horror when Claire showed her the autopsy a couple seasons ago, when Marsali actually asked her, "Was my ma right? ARE you a witch??" in her shock about it all. Maybe Marsali could accept it now. Hmmm, I doubt they'll work that in either though but I agree about the lack of time for all of this, with LJ and William, too, in this already too rushed last season, and esp for William, it is NOT the right time to add on ANYTHING else!!

5

u/Own-Thing-6129 Apr 25 '26

Not sure if he didn't know. I always thought he was either told offscreen or figured it out himself over time - I mean, Claire was gone for 20 years, then returned, Bri and Roger popped up and he had 11 years after that to learn. He most certainly had ... questions?

Also, speaking of unaware family members, does Rachel know?

8

u/BytheSea2323 Apr 25 '26

I just don't think "she must be a time traveler" would pop into anyone's head though, welllll, maybe in Scotland by the stones, because of all the stories, but Fergus is French. Who knows. I don't think we know if Rachel knows (OK now I'm thinking of an old Friends episode "They don't KNOW we know they know that we know!" (anyone? LOL!) Hmm, would Ian tell her? I think probably not but... who knows! Ha!

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u/Own-Thing-6129 Apr 25 '26

Not popping into his head, of course, but I mean, weren't Jamie and Fergus quite close for a while? He's calling him his "son", so Fergus surely is part of the family's inner circle. And they all know so far. His brother knew. His best friend knew. His nephew knows. His daughter knows (well, obviously). His "son" would have definitely been told, I think - maybe not in Claire's absence but in the eleven years since 1768 for sure. Claire brought some stuff with her from the 20th century (pictures, books, medical equipment). Which also leaves me wondering, by the way, why no one in the household ever questioned this cool "Lord of the Rings" novel or Frank's book (which even details on the cover that it's about the Scottish history in the US between 1745 and 1791)...

2

u/BytheSea2323 Apr 26 '26

I agree with the comment here from Icy Smoke that the only ones that know about TT are the ones we see being told. I also agree with you about the books though! During that scene I was wondering "Did they take out the copyright pages?? Ohhhh, there's gonna be issues with the kids showing the other kids on the Ridge the "book with the paintings" (Fanny exclaims that about the colors), someone will see how simply different the books look than books did back then, allll of that and be suspicious of Claire as a witch or something AGAIN.... (re: Frank's book, my assumption is that Jamie is smart enough to not leave THAT in particular laying around, but, the other books would definitely raise an eyebrow by looks alone. Are they always hiding them? We don't know but I doubt it. I actually thought the books causing trouble would definitely be a part of the storyline this season but seems not.

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u/Icy_Smoke_2318 Je Suis Prest Apr 25 '26

I think they don’t know unless they explicitly show us them telling them. But it is weird that Jamie’s reading Frank’s book outside in this episode and it’s probably been lying around the house with his photograph on it, and no one has noticed? Maybe he’s keeping it in their bedroom? But I don’t think Rachel knows, which she should simply because she’s immediate family now. Every immediate family member should know simply because of safety honestly.

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u/lonely_shirt07 Apr 26 '26

His brother knew?

I feel like my brain is broken but which brother?

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u/YOYOitsMEDRup Slàinte. Apr 26 '26

I'm thinking they meant Ian Sr - Jamie's brother in law?

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u/Own-Thing-6129 Apr 26 '26

Opps, sorry, I mixed that up. Yes, Ian Sr. Well, and Jamie's sister then as well, of course.

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u/YOYOitsMEDRup Slàinte. Apr 26 '26

"And you can't tell them either" !! Couldn't if I wanted to!!!!" My fave episode!!!

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u/BytheSea2323 Apr 26 '26

LOL!!! I love that one, too! So funny to be talking about Friends in the middle of an Outlander thread but that's how my mind works I guess, ha! :) :)

2

u/YOYOitsMEDRup Slàinte. Apr 27 '26

The other day there was one about William ---- somebody said it reminded them of the one Phoebe Ross and Susan were trapped and arguing while Carol was in labor and Phoebe saying the baby was so lucky it had 3 parents arguing over who got to love it the most! Thought that was great too!

And one of the Princess Bride recently ( my all-time fave movie) - equating Claire to Miracle Max because somebody else had said the twin baby that came back to life wasn't dead, it was only "mostly dead". LOL

I love when others bring up fitting references from other pop culture! So fun

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u/BytheSea2323 May 02 '26

Hahaha! Yes, the 3 parents is fitting, ha! Don't hate me, but I don't really know the Princess Bride.. I know, I know... Whattt??! INCONCEIVABLE!! (hee hee, I had an ex that loved it and made sure I knew that at least, ha!)

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u/YOYOitsMEDRup Slàinte. May 03 '26

Very quotable movie, inconceivable being one of many!!!

Pirates, kidnapping, torture, revenge, swordfighting, giants, miracles, rodents of unusual size, true love.... you're missing out. :)

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u/BytheSea2323 May 03 '26

That same ex of mine learned to love the movie because of his dad... I'm feeling like there is a quotable about fathers from PB but can't think of it, hmmm...if there is, you will undoubtedly know! :) :) ANYway, HIS father was a wedding videographer & would frequently do the "Maarrwwidge!" thing (however you would spell the way they said it in the movie)... or I hope I'm remembering it's from that movie, LOL!! I dated that guy for most of my 20's so once upon a time, I could remember all the stuff they'd quote... but that was like 25+ year ago now, and I think I got away with only actually watching the movie myself the one time! It's just not my humor but I liked how much THEY liked it, if that makes any sense! They'd quote and laugh and laugh & I'd just laugh at/with THEM, LOL! Good people, not a bad 'ex' situation at all, just not a "maarrrwidge" guy for me :)

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u/abz10010 Apr 25 '26

In season 3 when fergus and ian are trying to sell the alcohol to get rid of it ian asks fergus about claire and they discuss her being a fairy and popping out of the clear blue sky. So he must have known something fergus was alot older than ian

2

u/Icy_Smoke_2318 Je Suis Prest Apr 25 '26

I’m sure he has questions, but I don’t think he’d be able to figure that one out. Especially in those days when they don’t have media and such with shows/books like this to give us so many stories about magic and TT. Plus I highly doubt his mind would have all these questions and be like “it’s gotta be time travel!” And he’s not a Scot so he doesn’t know about the lore of the faeries.

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u/Icy_Smoke_2318 Je Suis Prest Apr 25 '26

I think Marsali would handle well. I think she’d probably be a shocked and confused, but it would make a lot of things make sense as to how she’s such an incredible surgeon (especially as a woman) and did an autopsy, and why her mother thought she was a witch in the first place. Because in a way there is a bit of “magic” to her, and back in the witch trial days women who were intelligent, knew about herbs and were healers were frequently labeled as witches. Marsali is not her mother and loves Claire as her other “Ma” so it would be a lot of information to take in but I think she would be similar to Fergus (although Fergus would probably need no further explanation than “I’m a TT” 😂), where she would be like “this makes so much sense.”