The Long-Awaited Return of ‘Outlander’ Is Gut-Wrenching and Raw

The second half of Outlander’s seventh season is finally, finally here after 15 long months. It was back in August 2023 when we last saw Jamie and Claire return to Scotland with Young Ian (who left Rollo with Rachel), and Roger and Buck travel back in time to find Jem.

If you haven’t already, I recommend rewatching the first half of Outlander season seven (or 7A, as they’re calling it) before Friday night’s premiere (or you can read our recap). I’m sure Starz will have a “previously on…” montage, but there are so many callbacks to the first half of the season in these new episodes that it will make for a more gratifying watch to be caught up.

Episode 709—the first one of Outlander 7B—is titled “Unfinished Business,” and it’s mild compared with what’s in store in episodes 710 and 711. That doesn’t mean it’s not as interesting—because it is—but it also sets up what’s about to transpire over this second half.

When I spoke to the cast recently, they had plenty to say about what’s to come (unfortunately everything Caitriona Balfe told me is too spoiler-y to print here…you’ll read more about what she has to say when we get to episode 711). Still, there were plenty of fascinating teases from the rest of the cast.

Charles Vandervaart on what’s in store for William: “A full-blown identity crisis.”

Lotte Verbeek on returning to play Geillis Duncan: “It was an exciting call to receive. There was always some rumor that we would somehow [be seen again]. We filmed this two years ago, which was already eight years after we first started. I didn’t realize it was 10 years ago. So, quite a journey we’ve all been through.”

Graham McTavish on coming back to play Dougal MacKenzie: “It’s quite mind-bending [what happens this season]. It’s a unique situation that will never be repeated, I suspect.”

Sam Heughan on the challenges Jamie and Claire will face: “We are thrown these dramatic scenes that are so abrasive or challenging when you first read them. But that’s also the joy of the show.”

Sophie Skelton on Bree’s staying behind with Mandy while Roger goes in search of Jem: “Basically this season is about the lengths you’d go through to protect your family. And we are about to do some [intense] stuff in order to achieve that.”