Outlander Has A Big Nod To Diana Gabaldon’s Source Material On The Way, And The Author Addressed Season 7 Changes From Book To Screen

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As a lifelong fan of Outlander since its inception, I have eagerly awaited each season with bated breath, immersing myself in Diana Gabaldon’s rich and intricate world through both the books and the television series. The recent news that the upcoming penultimate episode of Season 7 is titled “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood,” a nod to the eighth book in the series, sent shivers down my spine with anticipation.

Having read all nine main novels, I can attest that the story arc for this season seems to be drawing heavily from Gabaldon’s epic saga, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking given the limited number of seasons left for the show. I find myself intrigued by the possibility that some of the most significant events from the novels may unfold before the end of the season.

The fact that Diana Gabaldon herself wrote the latest episode, “Ye Dinna Get Used To It,” only adds to my excitement, as it offers a unique perspective on how the author’s storytelling translates to the small screen. I was fascinated to see her comments about the changes made from book to show and her insights into the challenges of adapting her sprawling novels for television.

As someone who appreciates both mediums, I understand that condensing Gabaldon’s intricate storylines is necessary given the constraints of a one-hour episode each week. Yet, I can’t help but wish there was more time to fully explore every detail and character development. Still, the remaining episodes of Season 7 promise to be nothing short of captivating, and I eagerly await each new installment every Friday at 9 p.m. ET on Starz.

Oh, and let me tell you a wee joke: Why did Jamie Fraser never play hide-and-seek with the British soldiers? Because he’s always the one who finds them first!

The seventh series of “Outlander” is drawing to a close, but it’s not running out of excitement! Claire and Jamie are navigating the American Revolution in a way that raises the stakes higher than ever before. The upcoming episode, set to air as part of the 2025 TV schedule, has a strong connection to Diana Gabaldon’s original work that is evident even without seeing it yet. Remarkably, this reference was made just a week after an episode written by Gabaldon herself premiered on Starz, marking the end of the 2024 TV season, and she offered some intriguing insights about her writing process.

To begin with, let me share some exciting news! The penultimate episode of Season 7 is titled “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood,” a name that avid readers of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series will instantly recognize as the title of the eighth novel in her nine main books so far. This isn’t a new approach; the Starz series has done this before, with the second season finale being called “Dragonfly in Amber,” referencing Gabaldon’s second book, and the Season 5 premiere being named “The Fiery Cross” as a nod to her fifth book.

In essence, the title of the upcoming episode borrowed from the eighth book doesn’t guarantee a word-for-word adaptation on screen, but it hints at significant events from the novel wrapping up before the season finale. Furthermore, I’m intrigued to discover if the final episodes leading to the next Droughtlander might feature elements of Book 9, “Go Tell the Bees that I Am Gone.” Given that Outlander is concluding after Season 8, the show will need to expedite the completion of Diana Gabaldon’s story.

Regarding Gabaldon’s tale, it was intriguing to find out that she penned the latest episode of Season 7 titled “Ye Dinna Get Used To It.” Given her remarks about the midseason finale of Season 7, I was keen to see her contribution to the show. Interestingly, this is the third episode she wrote for the series adapted from her books. It’s also worth noting that Ronald D. Moore shared with TopMob that the Outlander team keeps Gabaldon updated throughout the process.

In an interview with Parade about writing the December 17 episode, the author disclosed that her script underwent modifications for the television adaptation. Gabaldon stated, “There were quite a few alterations from the initial draft,” including reducing scenes involving William and Jane, expanding those featuring Hal and Lord John, and abbreviating the narrative between Brianna and Rob Cameron. She also highlighted another instance of book-to-screen adaptations in Season 7 as an example of these changes.

As a lifelong reader and lover of historical fiction, I have found that one of my favorite aspects of the genre is delving into the complex relationships between characters, particularly those with a deep emotional connection like Jamie and Claire from Outlander. In this particular exchange, the original dialogue conveys the tension and power dynamics at play, as well as the stark contrast between Claire’s witty humor and Jamie’s no-nonsense approach to his role as a military leader.

The revised version, however, while still capturing some of that essence, feels more casual and less formal, which might be appropriate for certain scenes but doesn’t fully embody the formalities and etiquette of the time period in which the story is set. The original dialogue helps to establish Jamie as a commanding presence and highlights Claire’s sharp wit, which is an essential aspect of their dynamic.

In my opinion, while both versions are well-written, the original maintains more historical accuracy and emotional depth, making it a more immersive reading experience for fans of the series.

As a film enthusiast, I must say that the author made it clear that both versions have their merits, but the shift in focus from Jamie’s concerns about leading unknown troops to emphasizing the relationship between Jamie and Claire is indeed noteworthy. The author, Gabaldon, explained that while certain elements may work flawlessly on paper, they don’t always translate seamlessly to the screen.

In essence, both options are equally valid; however, it depends on the perspective you wish to emphasize within a scene or narrative. For instance, in certain situations, one choice might work better for a specific medium. (For example, in my current situation, I have ample space to carry out various tasks at my leisure. In this scenario, I can dedicate time to illustrate Jamie’s apprehension about leading a larger group of men than ever before, under pressing circumstances. However, the show cannot do this because there isn’t enough room for such detailed portrayal. If they must select and prioritize elements from a book scene (and they often do), they will usually opt for the shortest or most compressed version.)

It’s clear that Gabaldon has more scope to develop her characters and stories in her books compared to what Outlander can present in a single hour-long episode each week throughout a season. In fact, Season 7 will encompass approximately 16 hours of screen time; on the other hand, the hardcover edition of Written in My Own Hearts Blood contains 825 pages, and its audiobook runs for 45 hours on Audible. It’s no surprise, then, that the TV show must select, prioritize, and condense the saga to fit it onto the small screen.

It’s important to note that not everyone who enjoys the show “Outlander” has read Diana Gabaldon’s books. Therefore, some differences between the show and the books might not be noticeable to all viewers. Regardless of whether you’ve read the books or not, you can still eagerly anticipate the upcoming episodes of “Outlander” Season 7, which will air every Friday at 9 p.m. ET on Starz.

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2025-01-01 07:10