It’s been almost 11 years since Outlander first graced television screens and even longer since the first book by Diana Gabaldon was released.
In that first episode, Frank Randall (Tobias Menzies) spotted a man in a kilt watching his wife Claire (Caitriona Balfe) get undressed at the window of her hotel room. As he went to confront the man, he disappeared.
While it’s since been confirmed that mystery man was Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), the highlander Claire married when she travelled back in time through the stones at Craig Na Dun, it’s never been confirmed how the ghost could appear.
The mystery has been discussed amongst fans for years and the latest theory is actually a rather simple explanation.
In a discussion on Reddit, user Meanolegrannylady posted: “He says when she goes back that if he has to endure 200 years of purgatory to see her again he’s OK with that, his 200 years are up and the first thing he does is find her. At least that’s the explanation I’m expecting.”
A fan named Long-Rest-9298 replied: “That’s what i believe as well! They’ll always find each other!”
Meanwhile user HighPriestess_55 pointed out: “Doesn’t Jamie tell Claire he will serve his 200 years in purgatory, and then find her again? After death? I think it really was that simple, and fans harp on it.”
Another fan agreed: “I personally do think it’s Jamie’s ghost, he waited 200 years for her, just like he told her before he sent her back. But I think it’s important because his ghost showing up is what steered her to him, like he called to her. It can be just his ghost and also incredibly important to the story.”
Outlander season seven is currently airing on Starz while the eighth and final series wrapped filming in November.
Teasing what is still to come from the current run of episodes, Caitriona Balfe hinted there’s a “reckoning” between Claire and Jamie.
“It’s sort of reminiscent of those big fights of old,” she told TV Line. “It’s that kind of laying down where your boundaries are, and not shying away from declaring your love, but also not accepting somebody taking advantage of it or treating it as less than it should be treated.”
Outlander season 7 continues Fridays on Starz