Outlander season 7 included a brief Easter egg to an intriguing book story—but will it amount to anything in season 8? As the romantasy series comes to a close, it’s becoming increasingly clear that several big moments from the books won’t be making it to the screen. As disappointing as this is, Outlander has made an effort to at least subtly reference one of these stories in its most recent batch of episodes. The Easter egg was easy to forget and may never be referenced again on the Starz TV series. However, there’s still a chance that it will come into play in season 8.
Outlander season 7, episode 15 itself is a reference to Gabaldon’s books. The episode title, “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood,” is named after the eighth Outlander book, which saw Jamie resign from the Continental Army by writing a message in Claire’s blood (Jamie’s heart’s blood). As this all happened, Brianna sat anxiously at Lallybroch in the 20th century, waiting for word on Roger and her son, Jemmy. Outlander‘s Fraser Castle itself is full of little references to the ancient past, but Brianna’s attention momentarily turned to a more recent relic.
Brianna Briefly Looks At A Book With An Intriguing Title In Outlander Season 7
This Book Was Way More Important In Gabaldon’s Novels
In Outlander season 7, episode 15, Brianna turns to a bookshelf at Lallybroch and selects a book. The camera never focuses on the full title, but when she opens it, we see that this is one of Frank Randall’s own published works. It’s clear that Brianna was missing the guidance of her adoptive father for a moment, but things very quickly moved on as she found Roger’s letter in the Lallybroch desk almost immediately after. What you might not have noticed was the intriguing title of this book—The Soul of a Rebel: The Scottish Roots of the American Revolution.
Frank was a historian, so it’s no surprise that he published a book about the American Revolutionary War. However, the interesting factor here is that he specifically wrote about Scottish involvement in American independence. In the Outlander books, Brianna discovered this very same piece of work written by Frank, and when she read it, she found record of Fraser’s Ridge and Jamie Fraser himself within the pages. Though she didn’t dig any deeper in the Outlander TV show, the fact that Frank’s book was subtly featured is a reminder of an intriguing book story surrounding his character.
What Frank Randall’s Book Reveals About His Character
Frank Knew More Than He Let On
The fact that Frank published a book called The Soul of a Rebel is a major revelation about his character. Previously, Roger and Brianna discovered that Frank had possession of Jamie and Claire’s obituary, indicating that he had spent some time looking into their past. This reveal meant that Frank had known when he died that Claire would make it back to the 18th century. His book, however, revealed something even more complicated. Not only did Frank research Jamie, but he went out of his way to have a book published about him and other Scots in 18th-century North Carolina. He was clearly sending his loved ones a message.
There are even hints that Frank knew his time was limited.
In the Otulander books, Brianna found a letter from Frank addressed to her inside The Soul of a Rebel. It essentially told her the truth about everything, as well as warned her about the Fraser Prophecy that could potentially put her life in danger. There are even hints that Frank knew his time was limited. It really seems that Brianna’s adoptive father was communicating with her beyond the grave and giving her tools to be reunited with her biological father. It was a profound blessing, all referenced with the quick look of The Soul of a Rebel in Outlander season 7. Unfortuantely, the story surrounding this Easter egg is MIA.
Outlander Season 8 Can Still Subtly Continue Frank’s Forgotten Book Story
It’s Not Too Late To Put Some Attention On Frank’s Book
As exciting as it was to see Frank’s book in Outlander season 7, it’s looking unlikely that we will ever get a full explanation about what he knew. It would have been preferred to have some sort of flashback episode, during which Tobias Menzies returned to play Frank one last time and bring some closure to the character. However, Menzies has already said that he won’t be back for Outlander‘s final season. What’s more, the Fraser Prophecy, which is a key factor in this aspect of Frank’s story, was changed and then essentially forgotten by the Outlander TV show, making things all the harder.
In the Outlander books, a prophecy states that a new Scottish king will emerge from the Frasers of Lovat. In the TV show, the prophecy was changed to say that the death of a 200-year-old baby will reveal the next Scottish ruler.
Still, Outlander season 8 could bring a satisfying resolution to Frank’s story. The fact that his book was shown even for a moment could indicate that the item will play a bigger role in the upcoming episodes. In the books, Brianna brings The Soul of a Rebel back to the 18th century, where she uses it to warn Jamie that he is recorded to have died during the Battle of King’s Mountain. Brianna and Claire could discuss the fact that Frank must have published the book for that very purpose, and share a touching moment of remembrance for the man. I would have hoped for more, but this story and Outlander season 7’s Easter egg will have to do.
Outlander
7/10
- Release Date
-
August 9, 2014
- Showrunner
-
Matthew B. Roberts
