The hit STARZ series Outlander returns tonight for season 7, part 2, following protagonists Claire (Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) as they return to Scotland on official business and resolve familiar loose ends from previous seasons. Although author Diana Gabaldon still has another novel in her beloved story, the series will end after Season 8, meaning the remaining episodes of Season 7 are vitally important in setting the stage for the final act. While Claire and Jamie are the driving force, many supporting characters have brought new lifeblood to the narrative over the years and are equally deserving of satisfying conclusions.
One of these characters is young Ian Murray (John Bell), Jamie’s nephew who was the impetus for the couple’s departure from Scotland in the third season. Outlander Season 7, part 2 shows him finally returning home to see his parents, although to some extent he has left his heart in America. That heart belongs to Rachel Hunter (Izzy Meikle-Small), the young Quaker to whom he confessed his love – albeit in Mohawk. Their romance is sure to face trials in Outlanderin Jamie’s final seasons, not only due to the dangers of the Revolution and her pacifist faith, but also the feelings that Jamie’s illegitimate son, William, has for her.
TelaRant interviewed Bell and Meikle-Small about what Outlander season 7 part 2 is in store for young Ian and Rachel. The pair discussed how distance affects their growing romance, as well as other factors such as Rachel’s Quaker faith and William’s unrequited feelings for her. Bell also shared how emotionally charged young Ian’s reunion with his parents on set was.
Young Ian is a changed man in Outlander Season 7 Episode 2
“Here he is completely transformed – not just physically, but emotionally as well.”
Screen Rant: Season 7, part 1 saw Ian confess his love in another language and then leave Rachel with his dog while he traveled the world. How is Rachel feeling about this partial abandonment? Is she ready and willing to take him back with open arms or is she still working things out?
Izzy Meikle-Small: I think she really hopes he loves her because obviously he said it in Mohawk. She doesn’t know he told her that, so I think she knows she loves him, but she hasn’t had any confirmation that he loves her back.
When people travel across the world to return to Scotland, there is no real guarantee that they will return. I think holding onto Rolo is the only hope she has of him coming back to her, so she’s clinging to the hope of that to save her life. But nothing is really certain, especially at that time. I think she has hope, but she’s definitely not sure if he’ll come back.
Screen Rant: John, you have some moving moments with your parents talking about Rachel in Scotland. What’s it like reestablishing him in that environment with the Murray family, and also taking what his parents gave him back to Rachel, emotionally speaking?
John Bell: Yes, that whole experience of coming back to Scotland was really special for us. We left for young Ian when he was kidnapped in season 3, and here he is completely transformed – not just physically, but emotionally as well. So, that emotional reunion with your parents was something I had been waiting for for a long time.
Steven Cree and Kristen Atherton, who played my parents on the show, are fabulous. It was wonderful to be able to really dive into some pretty emotional scenes with them and explore what that’s like. The son they, for all intents and purposes, lost is coming back as a completely different person. [They were] pretty emotional days, but Steven Cree being Steven Cree made it pretty fun to be around too.
Outlander’s newest love triangle isn’t going anywhere – even if it’s only in William’s mind
“In William’s head, it’s a love triangle, but in Ian and Rachel’s heads, they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re here too.’”
Screen Rant: In the first half, there were hints of a love triangle with William, but unfortunately, it seems like it’s pretty irrelevant to their bond. How would you say each of you interact with him going forward? What is this dynamic like?
John Bell: The relationship with William has evolved a lot since we first met him. Young Ian obviously meets dying William in Season 7 [part 1] and has this secret about him. He kind of knows who he is; he just sees. I don’t know how, but he sees it. He sees the Fraser in him.
And then with the addition of Rachel into this dynamic, all of a sudden there’s this kind of competition that starts to happen between them. So, I would say that the love triangle is still relevant.
Izzy Meikle-Small: Definitely, yes. I don’t think William realizes that Rachel may have friend-zoned him. I think he’s always hopeful that with young Ian gone, he might fall into her affections, but she doesn’t really accept it. But he, in his naivety, remains hopeful.
I think the love triangle is a bit one-sided. In William’s head, it’s a love triangle, but in Ian and Rachel’s minds, they’re like, “Oh, you’re here too.”
John Bell: I may have called him sloppy seconds at one point.
Screen Rant: Izzy, Rachel is fighting for her place in the Quaker community for several reasons, both her involvement in the war and now her feelings for young Ian. Can you talk about whether this will still be a concern for her moving forward as she gets closer to him?
Izzy Meikle-Small: Yes, absolutely. I think Rachel is constantly struggling with her faith and how that fits into this violent world that she’s in. And I think initially we see that with her going to war, but then her falling in love with a warrior as well. He is a violent man and can cause some damage on the battlefield. I think it’s a really complicated thing for her to accept and, together, overcome this problem, because they want to try to commit to each other.
But it is very difficult to reach an agreement when someone is a pacifist and someone is a warrior. I think we see a really lovely moment between the two of them where there’s a lot of acceptance within their relationship, and I think that’s a really beautiful thing, not having to change for someone you love, but accepting them. for who they are.
Screen Rant: Obviously, you guys can’t just tell me how the season ends, but are there any arcs for your character or moments in general that you’re most excited for fans to see?
John Bell: For me, I’m really excited for fans to see our relationship continue to grow. I loved working with Izzy; she has been my rock throughout this season and season 8 as well. It’s a pleasure to portray our love together on screen, so I’m excited for fans to see the chemistry continue between us.
We had a lot of fun together and I think that shows on screen. This is a show full of incredible love stories, so it’s really special to add our little chapter among the big ones.
Izzy Meikle-Small: I couldn’t have said it better. Being one of the love stories is so fun. And like John said, we love working together and have so much fun on and off screen that I think the chemistry really shows. I think there are some really fun moments in our little relationship coming soon, and I’m excited for people to see them.
More on Outlander Season 7, Part 2
Leaving the first half of Outlander season 7, we find Claire, Jamie and young Ian leaving the colonies and arriving in their beloved homeland: Scotland. The dangers of the Revolutionary War force them to choose between supporting those they love and fighting for the land they have made their new home. Meanwhile, Roger and Brianna face new enemies over time and must combat the forces that threaten to tear their family apart. As loyalties shift and painful secrets come to light, Jamie and Claire’s marriage is tested like never before. With their love binding them across oceans and centuries, can the MacKenzies and Frasers find their way back to each other?
Check back soon for our others Outlander Season 7, part 2 interviews here:
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Maril Davis and Matthew B. Roberts
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Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan
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Charles Vandervaart
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Sophie Skelton
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Kristin Atherton and Steven Cree
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Richard Rankin and Diarmaid Murtagh
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Lotte Verbeek and Graham McTavish
Source: Rant Plus Screen