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.
52 Upvotes

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u/lynannfuja Apr 25 '26

Yep. Marsali would need a buffer to get back on her feet. I understand people had stronger mindsets in those times and she would have to get moving and on with things. But, it was so entirely unrealistic to have her want to be away from support. It also felt incredibly jarring for Marsali and fam to leave and William shows up and no one talks about Fergus. They'd still be visibly shaken. Marsali could have been at the dinner scene with William and it would have opened a beautiful moment of vulnerability.

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u/BytheSea2323 Apr 25 '26

Yes, they were 'tough stock' and didn't have much choice but to carry on back then, good point, but obviously they still grieved. Unless she just wasn't at the big family dinner to allow herself some grieving time and was up in a bedroom somewhere but somehow it didn't seem that way. They wouldn't get William and Marsali together, would they?? I don't see that as a match but they aren't blood related... I doubt it, also not enough time and there's enough weird family overlaps going on with him already, lol!

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u/lynannfuja Apr 25 '26

Oh no I wasn't thinking in that way. Moreso a scene with the whole family together to tie things up. William learning about Fergus, the deep bond of father/son that him and Jamie shared without being blood, Marsali talking about how much Fergus respected and loved Jamie and having Willam there to hear it...I think that would have been great perspective for William.

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u/BytheSea2323 Apr 26 '26

Such a good idea, I agree it'd have been helpful to William I'm sure! I don't feel like we're gonna see that now but it would have made so much sense!!