In the world of TV and movies, character deaths have to mean something for other characters, and that’s certainly been the case on Outlander.
With Outlander Season 8 just around the corner — and it being confirmed as the final season — we know certain deaths have to happen. They’re already written in the book.
There is one particular death that I would love to see changed, but it probably won’t, and it’s going to be devastating.
(Courtesy of Starz)
A Death That Breaks Everyone
While some deaths only affect a handful of characters, there is one death that’s likely coming on Outlander Season 8 that is going to affect everyone.
At least, everyone within the core family.
The death in the books actually occurs in the eighth book, Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, when Claire and Jamie are in Philadelphia.
Due to time constraints in the TV series and schedules, the characters involved in the death weren’t part of Outlander Season 7.
(Courtesy of Starz)
Part of me hoped it would mean the heartbreaking death wouldn’t happen, but then they were confirmed for Outlander Season 8.
Yes, it’s all about Fergus and Marsali, who left Fraser’s Ridge during Outlander Season 6.
Fergus suffered from depression during this season, and he almost took his own life.
Part of that was due to not knowing how to support his family due to his disability, and the only times that he felt like he could support them and be the man of the house were as a printer.
So, he moved to Wilmington with Marsali and his children to open his printshop.
(Courtesy of Starz)
While that is a lot of fun, it comes with issues, and one of those is people against the material he prints.
This is a time of war, with people passionate about both sides.
Those who are against the views of printers end up attacking them, and it leads to the death of one of Fergus and Marsali’s children.
One night, there’s a fire at the printshop, and while most of the family gets out of the door, Germain and Henri-Christian are in the attic, and they have to go to the roof.
Trying to find a way down, the only option is for the boys to drop to the ground below, where people are waiting to catch them.
Henri-Christian goes first, and the death still sends chills down my spine, as despite all the waiting hands, nobody catches him, and he falls to his death.
It’s a death that deeply affects everyone, as Germain starts to blame himself in his attempts to save his brother. He ends up leaving Fergus and Marsali to live with Claire and Jamie, believing that they also blame him.
Of course, they don’t. His parents love him dearly, but they do allow Claire and Jamie to raise him for a while as the whole family heals from this trauma.
In the ninth book, we learn that Fergus and Marsali are doing well and would like Germain to come back and live with them.
(Courtesy of Starz)
There is hope for happiness despite the heartbreak, and that’s what I cling to every time I get to this storyline during a reread.
Outlander Season 8 Is Sure to Include the Death
There are many signs that this death is going to happen.
First of all, we know Fergus and Marsali will be part of the finale season, and there is an image of all the children.
There were rumors at one point that the casting hadn’t found twins with dwarfism to play Henri-Christian, but the image of all the children around the table makes it clear that the rumors weren’t true.
(Courtesy of Starz)
Then there’s the teaser trailer that shows the fire at the printshop.
The slight change is that Brianna and Roger are there, as in the books, they are back in their own time.
Of course, with the way this arc has been placed on Outlander, it means Bree and Roger are now back in the 18th century to witness and be more directly affected by the loss.
There is a glimmer of hope that things could change with this storyline, as the trailer for Outlander Season 8 shows Fergus climbing to the roof of the building.
However, this is Outlander, and we know deaths happen. Death is a part of life.
(Courtesy of Starz)
My fear is that the show is just offering someone else to feel the blame for Henri-Christian’s death.
It’s not fair that Germain is the one who feels the weight of his decisions — he’s just a kid!
By putting Fergus on the roof of the printshop, it’s possible that he’s the one who lowers his son down and feels the blame when nobody catches him at the bottom.
There is a little bit of hope in me that Fergus will find a way to get both of his sons to safety, but again, this final season is sure to be full of tragedy.
(Courtesy of Starz)
Diana Gabaldon has stated in comments here and there on Facebook that no one dies in Outlander Season 8, but I can’t see how that is true.
We’re in the middle of the Revolutionary War, which means death has to happen.
What I do wonder is if she means nobody in the main cast dies, such as Jamie Fraser, since Frank Randall has written about his death.
I won’t believe anything said until the episodes air, which means I’m preparing.
(Courtesy of Starz)
The benefit of reading the books is that I can prepare for this death, just as I did for Rollo’s at the end of Outlander Season 7.
One thing is certain: Outlander Season 8 is going to be an epic end to an epic tale.
Outlander Season 8 premieres on Friday, March 6, on STARZ. And the best news? We will be covering it again! That’s right, yours truly will pick up the mantle and take Outlander to the finish line. I hope you join me!
Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.
Say something in the comments, share if you’re moved to, and keep reading. Independent voices need readers like you.
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