Outlander gives us an action packed season finale as the drama comes to a head!

It’s the Outlander finale and Jamie’s been arrested. Good thing Lord John is badass and gets him out. Meanwhile Claire is playing cat and mouse with Geillis until Geillis figures out her prophecy and tries to sacrifice Young Ian to go back to the future and kill Brianna. But mama Claire isn’t about to let that happen and that’s the end of Geillis as Claire nearly takes her head clean off.

RELATED | Outlander Review 3×13 “Eye of the Storm”

Back on board ship Jamie and Claire manage some “me” time before a raging storm hits the ship. The mast breaks and Claire gets tossed overboard but Jamie is miraculously able to dive down and save her! Whew! They wash up on the shore and Claire is indeed alive but they’ve got no idea where they are. Good thing a family comes along and tells them not only are they in Georgia but the ship with their friends isn’t too far! A new day dawns! Huzzah!
Let’s see what the roundtable had to say about the season three finale!

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13) – is a theatre and film teacher and a huge fan of the Outlander books and TV series. For the last 2 years she has been producing Outlander Poptoon recaps, bloopers, and previews with her creative partner, @SummerPic. She watches too much TV and spends too much time on Twitter—just ask her family about that last bit.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – The original podcast about All Things Outlander is hosted by Ginger Wiseman (@bookishginge) and Summer Reynolds (@summerrey).

Carole (@cbraunnj) – Costumer, teacher, admin for Outlander Forever. She makes use of her excessive tv watching by being an obsessive knitter.

Lisa B. (@chtease) – Lisa is a veterinarian working in shelter medicine. Her hobbies are spaying kittens and trying to get all things Outlander to trend on Twitter and win every award ever invented. In her spare time, she is in her 4th year at Atlantic Gaelic Academy. Too bad Gaelic is rarely spoken in the series anymore. She is planning a trip to Scotland next August to see The Last Dance, Runrig’s final concert. With Clare Hoover, she runs Outlander Ambassadors, which includes a Twitter account with more than 20K followers, a Facebook page and linked group (Caisteal Dhuni) and a blog.

Dee (@OL_America) – Lead Admin for Outlander America™; find us also on: outlanderamerica.com; tumblr; Facebook; InstaGram; Pinterest; Youtube.

Vida (@blacklanderz) – Author, researcher, educator, loves history, movies & jazz! As for Blacklanderz, we are folks who love intellectual TV shows, like Outlander. Visit us here!

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1. Oooo, a framing device! What did you think as the episode opened and you saw Claire dead in the water?

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13)- Technically, it was an interesting choice–it echoed the first scene in Voyager, though in the book it was Jamie who was “dead.” The use of Bear McCreary’s “Faith” theme was an effective touch, and I wondered how that underwater shot was achieved. But you see what happened there—my mind went to the technical POV. I was not sucked in emotionally. Of course, all book readers knew Claire wasn’t REALLY dead.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – Ginger: I recognized Faith’s theme immediately and even recognized the lines from chapter 63 of Voyager. Verbatim. Loved. Wasn’t needed but was much loved. I’m a sucker for Faith’s theme. Always. Summer: Loved the quietly provocative visual of Claire float/sinking in the water coupled with the haunting “Faith’s Theme” and Claire’s I was dead” VO. As a savvy TV watcher Outlander’s dead characters aren’t known for their stellar self-aware voice over work, so I was positive that this was gonna be revisited later in the episode. Loved it as a storytelling device.

Carole (@cbraunnj) – I was first looking for the title card, because it’s always an interesting clue to the episode. But this threw me a bit, I’m thinking Matt Roberts has gotten creative. But also it had the Faith music, so they really put a different spin on the opening.

Lisa B. (@chtease) – If I hadn’t read the books, I would have been thumb-sucking scared throughout the episode. Other shows have killed off leads before, right? Two and a Half Men and that other show and that other one – OK, I can only remember the one show and Caitriona isn’t running around claiming to be a tiger, so never mind. I did like the symmetry between Dead-Not Dead-Jamie in The Battle Joined and Dead-Not Dead-Claire here.

Dee (@OL_America) – I assumed Claire’s going overboard would happen at some point in the episode, but I was initially concerned that it would be the season cliffhanger. Thankfully I was wrong, but the opening scene is a bookend to the opening scene of Episode 301 where Jamie lies close to death on the Culloden battlefield.

Vida (@blacklanderz)- Though I read the book, at first I had no idea what was going on there. Even with her voice over it took me totally aback. But that is the brilliance of this season. They are always throwing something at us that we are not expecting or portraying it visually differently, that I forget the books sometimes. Once I figured out Claire ended in the water, I realized they had started with the ending. At that point, I just sat back and watched it unfold.

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2. David Berry brought us a new side to Lord John Grey! What do you think we should call this one, and what were your first reactions to him?

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13)- I’m going to call him Lord Most Awesome Grey. THIS is the LJG we love from the book series, and David Berry nailed it. My heart leapt. That veddy shallow, British mask of manners: “This ALLEGED warrant… based on the scurrilous gossip of the lower deck…” Serious army vs. navy shade: “…Preferring to grant the title of command when it has been EARNED.” Yessssss! I wanna hug ya, Lord Awesome, just for that smooth voice and skeptical eyebrow. Look, I know Leonard is merely doing his job in a tough situation, but he’s seriously out of his league here. I had the BEST time watching little LEFTENANT Leonard reduced to squirmy bits.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – Ginger: I don’t know a name for it other than Continued Smexiness. Summer: Lord John Grey is BAE. Loved seeing the EPIC dress down of Lieutenant… I mean Captain Leonard.

Carole (@cbraunnj) – LJG, 18th JAG lawyer! He definitely sounded like he swallowed a law library. He got some backbone in the years he last saw Jamie. I just loved how he took Lt, ah no Captain, Leonard down many pegs. And he gave no indication that he had a prior relationship with Jamie. I just wanted to applaud him and tell the LT not to flounce too much.

Lisa B. (@chtease) – I have no words for how much I love David Berry as Lord John. No wait – I do. I love him as Lord John as much as I loved Tobias as Frank/Black Jack, so infinity much. I really liked him before he went all verbal Black Jack on Leftenant Douchey Von Douchenstein Leonard’s ass, and that scene sealed the deal. As far as what to call him? I’ll call him mine, OK?

Dee (@OL_America) – Lord, Lord John Grey. Just when I thought I couldn’t love you more, you whip out your badass side and introduce it to “Lieutenant” Leonard. John read that little snotty-nosed upstart for what he truly was and enjoyed every minute of it. Again, Jamie is in his debt, but isn’t that what we do for people we love? This was one of my favorite scenes of the episode.

Vida (@blacklanderz)- Lord John Grey is highly intelligent and he rightly gave Lt. Leonard (I call him ‘Little Lenny’) the schooling he needed. No warrant, no affidavit, no Jamie Fraser. Period. End of story. Plus, Lt. Leonard is a child having the fill the role of a grown man; something that was thrust upon him and he did not earn. At that moment, you could see the immaturity of Little Lenny. You could also see Little Lenny thought he was doing something like playing checkers; all the while, LJG was playing chess. Logical, strategic, rule of law. So, checkmate and Buh-bye! The new side is called . . . Lord John “Checkmate” Grey! You’re welcome.

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3. Geillis seems to have gone full conspiracy theorist in this intriguing battle of wits between two very powerful women. Talk to us about this Claire/Geillis verbal battle of wits.

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13) – To be absolutely honest, The actresses are wonderful, but I just wanted to fast forward through this scene. Claire’s usually got better instincts than to trust Geillis, who was doing a full-on Weird Sister routine and does NOT have a good track record when it comes to sane decision-making. Claire seems weak and gullible; spilling the beans about Brianna and showing off the photos—amateur mistakes. I know, I know— Two Strong Women. Dramatic Tension. Foreshadowing.
Let’s get to the cave.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – Ginger: Oy. Honestly, Geillis is far gone, mad with syphilis. And are we sure Claire wasn’t slipped some of the truth tea served to Young Ian in the previous episode? Yes, let me HELP you murder my child. Here’s her name, number, address, and oh—while we’re at it, TEN PICTURES OF HER. Summer: This scene was dizzying to watch, and Claire was being so forthcoming with facts and secrets that I thought Geillis had brewed her some of her witchdoctor truth tea?

Carole (@cbraunnj) – Geillis’ cheese has definitely slipped off the cracker. The woman has gone through time and over the edge. Claire has always known Gellis was a bit touched but she can tell that she’s really lost it. The verbal dueling showed how much difference being travelers was to each woman. Once Claire shows the photos Gellis becomes almost rational since she has found the 200 year old baby. Interesting how Gellis says at the end that she’s going to retire, she just doesn’t mention which century she planned to do it.

Lisa B. (@chtease) – Geillis was unarmed in their battle of wits, like knife-to-a-gun-fight unarmed. Watching poor Claire trying to cut through the crazy to figure out what in the Hell Geillis was blathering on about literally gave me a headache. (And that’s literally as in my head hurt, not literally as in figuratively.) If Claire had to fess up about Bree to avoid getting Hercules’ed, so be it.

Dee (@OL_America) – The relationship between Claire and Geillis has been interesting, but clearly Geillis has crossed over some undefined boundary to the very dark side. Whatever compassion Claire once had for Geillis is destroyed by threats to the lives of Bree and Ian. Though Geillis didn’t try to kill Claire, would she have if she had known that Claire and Jamie had killed Dougal? She seems to have lost touch with reality, so if Claire and Geillis were in a verbal battle of wits, then Geillis was unarmed.

Vida (@blacklanderz)- I don’t see it as a battle of wits between them because Geillis is irrational. She is fanatical and batshit crazy for her cause at no matter the cost. It is almost like trying to reason with a brick wall. She believes what she believes and there is no talking her out of it or seeing things any other way. Claire, though I hated she did it, had to reveal Bree in order for Cuckoo-Patty to listen and, even then, she did not initially believe her until she brought out the pictures. Though I love Lotte Verbeek’s performance, it was time for Geillis to go and NOT be able to time travel again!

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4. This drum circle is overwhelming, nothing like the ones we went to in college! Wait, Yi Tien Cho is here at this drum circle? With Margaret? And they’re running away together? Did you ship these two, and were you surprised by their whirlwind courtship?

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13) – Tough question—I am conflicted. On the one hand, I have been pleased to see a more empowered Mr. Willoughby. We don’t even call him Mr. Willoughby anymore–we all refer to him as Yi Tien Cho now. However, the happy-ending resolution of the struggles of these two very misunderstood, misused characters felt like an injection of romance novel conventions into a story which generally defies those conventions. It was a neat tie-up of loose ends, but not a satisfying one for me.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – Ginger: Ha! Never shipped them but really like this as Willoughby’s Exit Strategy. Much more warm at night with Margaret than Ping An. Summer: That coupling was way faster than a whirlwind. I’ve seen drunken hookups in Vegas progress to marriage slower than that. The consensus I have heard is that Margaret being a seer may have contributed to her all-in attitude. I am 100% on board and completely invested in this coupling though.

Carole (@cbraunnj) – “Some Enchanted Evening, you may see a stranger….” I like how Yi Tien Cho character has been given dignity, so much more than how it was in the book. And the fact that he and Margaret are going to live on Martinique leaves open a possibility that they could return. I was a bit surprised at finding them at the drum circle, but remember that Margaret read the servant at the Governor’s reception and that gave her an opening to be accepted by the drum people

Lisa B. (@chtease) – Did anyone else flash back to “Hey, does anyone know how to Madison?” at the end of The Time Warp in Rocky Horror when Claire and Jamie showed up and killed the buzz? I loved the happy ending for Yi Tien Cho and Margaret and I started shipping them HARD after last episode. They’re adorbs together.

Dee (@OL_America) – One of the best show changes from the book is Yi Tien Cho and Margaret Campbell. It was surprising to see Yi Tien Cho at the drum circle, but I was glad things worked out the way they did. I ship Yi Tien and Margaret. They both deserve happiness.

Vida (@blacklanderz)- No, not like mine either and I went to an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) for undergraduate, though it was close! LOL However, I wish they had provided some context for the ritual.

Yeah, I was rooting for Margaret and Yi Tien Cho and hoped their storyline was changed with a happy ending. After seeing him watch her at the Governor’s Ball and their little talk outside, I knew they would end up together. So no, I wasn’t surprised at all and loved that they made those changes (along with others – no murder, no Yi Tien Cho betrayal, etc.)

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5. We think Claire’s subheading in this episode should be, ‘Don’t mess with a mother!’ But we especially loved her reaction after she killed Geillis. What was your favorite part of this massive climax?

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13) – Classic Jamie: “But first I must hold ye both.” Group hug. The last 6 episodes have been leading to this moment.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – Ginger: That slashing happened SO fast. If you blinked, you missed it. I think the machete was cool rather than the axe. My favorite parts happened before the cave scene. Favorite scene of all season 3: the overlay of the dancing Druid theme and visual over the dancing Maroons and the music. Bear did MAGIC here. He definitely doesn’t get enough credit. Also the mirroring of season 1 episode 1 with Claire and Frank hiding behind the stones, watching the druids dancing. Here, it’s Jamie and Claire hiding in the reeds/crops watching the dancing Maroons. Perfection. And they, like the druids, have their own steps and rhythm. It was absolutely breathtaking. Summer: When I first read “massive climax” I thought this question was referring to a different scene… I’m glad that Claire had a real reaction to killing Geillis. Even though they disagreed on whether or not Geillis had earned/deserved the right to Kill Bree (#200YOB), until a few hours prior they were “friends”.

Carole (@cbraunnj) – Claire is the fierce momma! She wasn’t going to let Gellis get her kid. And look! We got the cave pool! But this wasn’t a pool we wanted Claire to swim in. But the fact that we see once they are all outside of cave how Claire has a chance to react. It all catches up to her. She got to let her fierce guard down finally.

Lisa B. (@chtease) – My not-favorite part was how fake Dead-Geillis looked. It’s like she died and started “Melting, melting, all my beautiful evil! Oh what a world, what a world!” before her carotid arteries quit spurting. Madame Tussaud with a flamethrower couldn’t have gotten the same effect any better. That being said, Claire killing Geillis was my favorite part, especially the precision of the strike and the total lack of hesitation on Claire’s part. Claire and Lord John could have a badassery contest and I’m pretty sure Claire would just barely out-badass him this time.

Dee (@OL_America) – Obviously Claire didn’t want to kill Geillis, but she didn’t really have a choice. She took an oath to “Do no harm,” but all is fair when your child is threatened. Still, she regretted the necessity. I loved the scenes where Claire had a flashback to the day when the skeleton was brought in to Dr. Joe’s office and where Jamie hugged Claire and Ian.

Vida (@blacklanderz) – Yeah, she went full on rage when Geillis tried to go through that portal knowing she was going after Bree. All of her motherly instincts kicked in with a fury. Although I really did like the part, more graphic than I thought it would be, it wasn’t my favorite part because I knew it was coming. My favorite part was the end of the scene once they got outside. I loved that banter between Jamie and Young Ian and the two having that tender, loving moment. I also liked the flashback of Claire and Dr. Joe examining the skill with now Claire realizes she is the murderer and the skull is Geillis (though someone will have to explain to me how this could actually happen.). And then, Jamie is the consoler realizing Claire is traumatized by what she has done and decides to take a moment and hold Claire and Ian close to him. THAT was my favorite part.

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6. Whoa, with all the content in this episode with didn’t think we were going to get any Claire and Jamie alone time! Ripped straight from the book, did it work for you and tell us why or why not?

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13) – DID IT WORK FOR ME? I’m not sure which level of “worked for me” to discuss….
Yes, it did. The words are ripped directly from the book and I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit I’ve got those lines memorized. It’s a favorite sequence; Fraser bed talk is humorous, loving, and sexy. Add Sam and Caitriona and their legendary chemistry and the tension release from the previous scenes–it definitely worked for me.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – Ginger: Yes it worked. It’s the integrity of the scene as a whole, rather than where / when it actually happens. It was lovely, a very sweet nod to the book, and still happened on the ship. Summer: J&C having their own calm before the storm encounter was needed/welcomed and their Dirty Talk Foreplay was ON POINT!

Carole (@cbraunnj) – Of course it works! Matt and Toni are total fans of the book and they weren’t going to pass up that moment. We needed to see our couple finally completely connect with each other. Claire may not say all the words that Jamie might need but she definitely has decided that she will be staying with him. It also showed us that Jamie can multi-task.

Lisa B. (@chtease) – I loved the discussion of the noises Claire may or may not make. That makes me laugh every time I read it.

Dee (@OL_America) – Well, of course it worked for me!!! The calm-before-the-storm love scene came straight out of the book, and I’m thrilled they included it. For the first time Jamie and Claire can enjoy each other with no concern of who is looking for them or who needs to be saved. Clearly they are now happy.

Vida (@blacklanderz) – Now you know the fandom would have lost their minds and blown up Twitter if that scene had not been in there. Watching though, I felt like a voyeur listening in on their phone sex. It was a nice change to see them talk about what they wanted to do to each other. And though we all love some Claire and Jamie alone time, it is also a setup. It’s as if they can’t get one damn moment before something catastrophic happens and this is no different. Although it worked for me, I was on pins anticipating what was to follow.

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7. Claire, you just had to go above deck didn’t you? Thank goodness Jamie is practically an olympic swimmer! What were your thoughts on Claire vs. sea and Jamie’s dramatic rescue

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13) – OK, at this point I think we all just had to suspend disbelief and assume that the power of Jamie Fraser Love is unearthly and transcends the normal laws of time, space, underwater navigation, and human breath-holding ability. I’m thinking of this as an injection of magical realism on a par with the whole stones-as-time-portal mythology. If Claire can land in 1743 EXACTLY when Jamie, her soulmate, is in the vicinity and needs her medical help, then Jamie can find Claire in 50 feet of murky seawater during a hurricane and keep her alive by giving her his breath and holding her afloat til they reach America. My heart was happy.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – Ginger: Dolphin Jamie, meet Mostly Dead Claire (a là The Princess Bride). Since we saw her floating / drowning at the top of the episode, we knew we were going to get her tossed overboard. What’s easier than having Claire put herself at risk (again) so she’s an easy target for a swell? As for the rescue, I loved it. Dolphin Jamie was awesome. Faith’s theme is the saddest of the themes (darn you, Bear!) and to have that morph into the love theme was an emotional roller coaster at the end of the finale episode of the season, when we’re facing another long Droughtlander. Talk about beating us while we’re down! One of the greatest thrills for me as a book reader is to see what is adapted and how, as well as the new scenes, characters, etc., we are given. But what’s become the most amazing part of this Outlander journey is experiencing what magic composer Bear McCreary will bring us each week. Summer: Claire is a Chaos Monster…She literally can’t help herself. While fairly unlikely that Jamie would jump off the boat and swim right up to Claire… it was visually stunning!

Carole (@cbraunnj) – Claire wasn’t going to let Jamie be up there without her. As it has been said, they do better together than apart. But where did Jamie learn to swim like that? And he found her in the ocean, he must have sonar.

Lisa B. (@chtease) – Of course, Claire had to go above deck. If Claire always did sensible things (and kept her mouth shut), there would be no story. I flashed back to Jacob Black (Team Jacob 4-evah) rescuing Bella in New Moon during the rescue. Drowning really makes your hair look good. Thank God Claire didn’t put herself in that situation deliberately. The swimming was awesome but I’m not so sure about that kiss. (Can I say necrophilia? Didn’t think so. Ignore that.) Is it bad that I flashed on the Tri-Wizard Tournament during the rescue and Titanic while they were floating? (And they could have fit a couple more people on their raft if it had been the size of a door. Just saying.)

Dee (@OL_America) – Claire has issues with being told to stay put somewhere, and again chaos ensues. When Jamie jumped in to save her (and the Faith theme was playing) and then kisses her as they rise to the surface, the tears flowed and I was reduced to a puddle of feels. The scene touched all my feels with its cinematography, music, characters, and acting. It was iconic.

Vida (@blacklanderz) – Yes, she did and ended up being the one who needed rescuing. This is what drove me nuts with the books and this season about her. She can tell everybody else what they need to do but never listens to her own advice or anyone else. She is so hardheaded that she constantly makes matters worse. And Lord knows, I was tired of her telling e’rybody she was a doctor, she took an oath or she was the ship’s surgeon. None of that mattered in the middle of a storm/hurricane or whatever that was. None. Of. It!

I loved the underwater shots and how it showed Jamie coming to get her. It reminded me of Victoria coming after Bella in the Twilight movie (okay, don’t judge). It was beautifully filmed. But, I will say that I have to throw logic out of the window on this scene (seemed like Claire was a long way down; how did Jamie know where she was and hold his breath that long? It appeared they were very far from land in that aerial shot. Claire seemingly wasn’t breathing for a long time and then just coughs up very little water) – yeah, out of the window. But again, it was beautifully filmed and acted.

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8. They washed up on shore, realized they were in Georgia, the music swelled and you thought:_____________?

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13) – First, WTF is that kid poking a stick into Jamie’s arse?? AFTER I got over that puzzlement, I wanted to know why that kid’s parents dropped the Welcome to Georgia speech and then wandered away without offering assistance. Do strangers wash up on their shores several time a day?? AFTER I let all that go, it was a wonderful season ending.

Jamie dragging Claire up onto the bit of floating wood: “Sassenach, if you die here now I swear I’ll kill you!” Claire still trying to get a breath: “Told you I’d never leave you again.” Bear’s music, the tear-streaked faces, the drone shot of the dunes beyond the beach….powerful details.

For 3 seasons Jamie has had to hide behind so many aliases and the couple has had to adopt so many different personas to survive, to attempt to change history, to get through separation and isolation and loneliness, to get back to each other in both the most basic and the most internal sense. America represents a new start for them. This is a very hopeful ending. I loved it.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – Ginger: 🎶We’re comin’ to America!🎶 So excited. The New World is the setting of the rest of the series. And that music FLOATS MY BOAT. Again: Bear is perhaps my biggest joy in this series. The hint of the what’s to come via the music at the closing credits was perfection. Summer: “Next season on ‘Turn: Washington’s Spies‘ ”

Carole (@cbraunnj) – We are going to have an amazing time in America! We’re going to the Ridge soon! A sense of new promise.

Lisa B. (@chtease) – In the spirit of the season, I thought “FUDGE” but I didn’t really think “fudge.” (Gotta love Ralphie and A Christmas Story.)

Dee (@OL_America) – I thought: “Welcome to my world!” (I live in Georgia, LOL). Seriously, I thought at last they are finally free and can begin their new lives together. We can see their relief when Jamies announces that he is “Jamie Fraser, and this is my wife, Claire.” Their relief is palpable.

Vida (@blacklanderz) – WELCOME to AMERICA!!

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FINALE BONUS QUESTION: 9. What were you overall thoughts on the season finale, and what will you do with all your time on Sunday nights during the Droughtlander?

Karenjeanne (@purpleiris13) – I’m astounded that the writing crew was able to pull together a massive action-adventure like Voyager and condense it into 13 episodes. A whole lot was riding on this finale, which had to tie up several parallel and interwoven plotlines, deal with more than one harrowing climax, and deliver the Frasers (and the audience) to America. Credit to everyone involved…it’s still my favorite show on TV.

What will I do now? I’m kinda intrigued by Starz’s new drama, Counterpart, which will fill the Outlander Sunday time slot. There’s also The Crown to finish, and I’ve got piles of other favorites to stream: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Good Pace, Shameless, The Tudors…the list is long. I’ll find a way to keep busy.

The Outlander Podcast (@outlanderpod) – Ginger: Loved the finale. As for Sundays? Well, we start our Drums of Autumn read-along this week. 🙃 Summer: I loved this episode. It did everything a season finale should do… tie up all the loose ends created during the season and set us up for the season/book 4. #BringOnTheRidge

Carole (@cbraunnj) – I thought it was an excellent episode. Yes, there was a lot of material to get through, but it was so well done! It ended on such a positive note, which was so long in coming. What am I going to do with my Sunday nights, hmmm. Maybe reacquaint myself with my family. Or watch the upcoming seasons of Victoria and Man in the High Castle. I have eclectic tastes

Lisa B. (@chtease) – It was a very strong episode. It’s weird. The part that followed the book most closely (the sexy time) annoyed me more than the deviations from the book. I can’t put my finger on why and I love the noise discussion. As far as Droughtlander goes, I guess I’ll have to clean my house or try reading some not-Gabaldon books or try watching some not-Outlander shows and get bored with them. Is it too early to go back to Episode 101 and live-tweet #OutlanderRewind next Sunday at 8 Eastern?

Dee (@OL_America) – Although there were minor things here and there I would have changed, overall I loved Season 3 and the finale. The cast and crew worked very hard to give us a great show and it is very much appreciated. The worst thing about the finale, however, is that it ushers in the next Droughtlander, which Outlander America will spend doing our share to keeps fans interested and engaged until the Season 4 premiere.

Vida (@blacklanderz) – Since this was one of my favorite books, they had a lot of material to cover. I think they did a masterful job and covered all that they could cover. The acting was superb – by all (just luvs Young Ian and Marsali); the costumes were gorgeous and so many this season; the set/art designs were off the charts and Bear is a genius when it comes to the music for each season, episode and scene. To me, like with Scotland, the music has become a character in this season. And, I appreciate that they had more female directors and writers. Now, if they could get some people of color behind the camera and in the writer’s room, I’d be over the moon! But overall, I could not have gotten a better season!

Now that we are in Droughtlander, I can catch up on other shows I’ve put off and might watch some of Outlander S1 and S3 again!

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Final Verdict: How long do we have to wait for Outlander to return?

The Outlander finale was action packed. Maybe a little too packed! Though the roundtable agrees there was a lot of material to cover. From Lord John throwing it down to the Claire and Geillis confrontation there were a lot of things to love about it. We could’ve done with more of those pretty fantastic supporting characters, though. One thing is certain: Nobody ever complains about Jamie and Claire alone time.

The season finale was uneven but satisfying overall and the characters remained consistent to their personalities. The location shift is complete and we’re moving on to the “America” phase. What’s in store for Jamie and Claire there? And what about all of the minor characters that we’ve left behind? Looks like we’ll have to wait until next season to see when and if they’re going to appear again.

Extremely high marks for Bear McCreary’s lush score this episode. A great many people in our roundtable recognized the “Faith” theme as Claire was drowning. Using the theme for Jamie and Claire’s dead daughter as Claire herself almost died tugged on many a heartstring. And who didn’t appreciate the fifes as we arrive in pre-revolutionary America?

David Berry is another one of our favorites this episode. Berry turns in a consistently bold performance full of nuance and style. And he’s super easy on the eyes. No matter what nickname you call him by he threw it down on Captain (Lieutenant?) Leonard and hard. We loved every moment. As the Outlander novels continue we do see him again. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long.

And that’s all she wrote, Outlander fans! The season finale. We’ll have a full season review plus our scene stealer for the series soon, so stick with us!

Outlander returns NEXT SEASON on Starz!