‘He Does Horrible, Horrible Things’: Outlander’s Charles Vandervaart Breaks Down William’s Villainous Turn In Episode 12, And Even He Won’t Defend His Character

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As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for historical dramas and time-traveling adventures, I’ve seen my fair share of characters grapple with identity crises, family secrets, and love triangles – but none quite like William Ransom in the recent episodes of Outlander.

Fans of “Outlander” had a long wait of over a year for the second half of Season 7, with no way to use time travel, a staple of the series, to shorten the break. However, the wait was worth it as Season 7B has delivered one surprise after another. Unfortunately, these surprises didn’t seem favorable for William Ransom in the latest episode broadcasted in the 2024 TV schedule. Following the turmoil of the previous cliffhanger that led to William discovering Jamie is his father, Episode 12 saw him struggling… and his reactions were far from calm, going as far as forcefully kissing Rachel.

During our conversation, Charles Vandervaart made it clear that portraying the character William doesn’t imply him endorsing or justifying any actions the character might take prior to the series finale, which is set to air in 2025.

How William Became A Villain

Throughout its run, the series Outlander has certainly encountered its fair share of utterly despicable villains such as Black Jack Randall and Stephen Bonnet. Over time, viewers have come to know William, who generally harbored good intentions until Episode 12 of Season 7B titled “Carnal Knowledge.

Overwhelmed by the truth that he is Jamie’s illegitimate son, he initially attacked the woman who had been kind to him, followed by forcibly kissing Rachel upon discovering her engagement to Young Ian and getting Ian detained. Charles Vandervaart, not one to mince words about such events, commented on his character’s behavior.

In this episode, we see a pattern where those who are wounded often inflict pain on others, and that’s evident with the character William. He carries deep wounds, which unfortunately lead him to cause harm, seemingly beyond repair. There’s no justification for his actions, but there is a backstory explaining his behavior. To regain trust and make amends, he has a challenging road ahead in this episode.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that sometimes actors might hold a rosier perspective towards their characters’ actions than viewers do. However, when it comes to Charles Vandervaart and his portrayal of William in “Carnal Knowledge,” he didn’t hesitate to label him as beyond redemption. When I inquired if there was any possible defense for William following the events of the film, Vandervaart swiftly responded with a firm “No, no” and recounted an intriguing conversation he had with his fellow cast members about their characters’ complexities.

Previously, during our discussions, the cast members were pondering over their favorite villains. And I recall Izzy [Meikle-Small] mentioning William Ransom as her pick. Surprisingly, one doesn’t immediately associate him with a villain, but in this particular episode, he undeniably fits the bill. His actions are despicable, unforgivable even. It’s fascinating because sometimes you can empathize with him due to his troubled background. He’s essentially a damaged child acting on impulse. I believe he escapes punishment a lot because he is Jamie Fraser’s son, as people perceive the good in him. They see the Jamie Fraser within him, but he is just as much his mother’s child. There seems to be a dark side to him, and it shows in this episode. He is acting out of self-interest.

It’s intriguing how Jamie’s actions in Episode 12, particularly his reaction towards Claire and Lord John sharing a bed when he was believed to be dead, could be seen as questionable. The actress portraying Rachel, Izzy Meikle-Small, offers an insightful perspective on William as a potential villain. His forced kiss on Rachel was reprehensible, but it was his actions that led her to break her principles and slap him. When I commented on the intensity of the scene between the characters, Vandervaart concurred, stating that it indeed became quite confrontational.

That covers most of what I’m discussing. I suspect it was William’s lowest moment. Let’s hope it doesn’t get any worse for him. It seems his sense of self was utterly destroyed in that instance. He’s no longer the Ninth Earl of Ellesmere, or at least not the legitimate heir to that title. I think a piece of his identity might have been connected to Rachel, and perhaps he clung to that after losing everything else. His behavior became extremely poor and almost unforgivable upon learning he wasn’t truly part of that love triangle. He was just an extra or spare part in the end.

Charles Vandervaart hinted prior to Season 7B that “William had a strong suspicion of a love triangle” involving Rachel and Young Ian; the most recent episode confirmed that William had to reach a critical low point and make some extremely poor choices in order to finally grasp that the two characters were deeply in love with each other.

William And The Love Triangle

Viewers may find heartache a familiar emotion, but William’s handling of his feelings was flawed almost every time. Beating Young Ian without provocation was regrettable; being arrested for defending himself made matters worse, and then kissing Rachel! Charles Vandervaart explained his character’s revelations in the scene with the three of them in Episode 12, stating:

He’s not the third wheel. He’s the small tricycle wheel that’s not even touching the ground, that’s barely important. He really thought he was the main man, but oh well. He’ll find love hopefully, or at least learn to love himself.

Given that William was already annoyed with Young Ian for hiding the truth about his father, it didn’t require much to push him over the edge. As per Vandervaart, learning about the connection between Young Ian and Rachel made the revelation even more painful, especially after he had recently found out they were kin. The actor expressed:

Additionally, it appears another factor fueling his anger might be the fact that Ian symbolizes Jamie Fraser at that point. This family connection he wishes to disassociate from is what Ian embodies. In this instance, there seems to be a multitude of self-loathing and externalized hatred that William is grappling with. A therapist could potentially help him navigate these feelings. Let’s find him one.

It’s uncertain whether William will attempt to redeem himself following his actions in Episode 12, or if he even will. Sleeping with Jane only intensified his regret, as he believed she had tarnished his honor. It remains to be explored what may transpire when he learns that Jamie mercilessly attacked Lord John and abandoned him to a group hostile to the British monarchy.

Discover what happens next in Outlander this coming Friday, December 20 at 8 p.m. ET on Starz. Entitled “Hello, Goodbye,” this upcoming episode is one of the final ones before the end of the year, so don’t miss it by tuning in!

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2024-12-18 08:37