‘Outlander’ Recap: ‘Unfinished Business’

11/23/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan as Claire Fraser and Jamie Fraser in Episode 709 of ‘Outlander’ – ‘Unfinished Business’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 709 of ‘Outlander’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One particular phrase we hear often in this life, and rightfully so, is how one cannot go home again. And we hear it often because so many of us wish to recreate the past and go back to simpler times that bring us joy and bring us wonder. But truly, we can’t go back there. For yesterday is yesterday and every single time we hear that phrase it is because we have yet to embrace the lesson, embrace the moment and embrace tomorrow. For that is what lie ahead. If anything, the importance of this lesson is top of mind today, simply because the next episode of Outlander on STARZ took the time to explore… the importance of that lesson and what happens when we finally embrace it.

A feat that ‘Unfinished Business’ accomplished by returning the Fraser family to Lallybroch at last. Which brought forth, warm reunions and joy, and a sense of belonging for everyone once again. For there is some majesty when we reunite with family, the kind that reminds us of the ties that bind us and fulfill us. But of course, it did not take long to dive into the lesson, and Young Ian was the one who handled why we hear it so often. Since he was filled with remorse and sorrow over how things could never be the same here because of what’s been lost, and how perhaps he owed a penance by remaining home. Which was a fine reminder of the torture that we put ourselves through when we expect the past to come to life, and thankfully, his journey served as the springboard for the positive lesson at hand.

Simply because, there was so much wonder to be found here, and so much truth about how time marches on and changes everything for us. Especially when one considers that Ian Senior was quite ill with consumption. A revelation that shattered everyone’s understanding of what this homecoming was to accomplish, and it quickly inspired Jamie and Claire, to understand there would be no ‘going home’ here, just going forward and that prompted them to work to resolve the past to prepare for tomorrow. Which for Jamie, involving visiting a former wife and doing his best to make amends for his mistakes so that everyone could move forward and find peace. Which also involved all kinds of contracts and the dissolvement of old agreements; to make everyone free and it was refreshing to see Jamie embrace the lesson and truly inspire others to do so in the process.

Richard Rankin as Roger MacKenzie in Episode 709 of ‘Outlander’ – ‘Unfinished Business’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Since Claire realized that the only way forward beyond this moment was to be honest about everything really. Because she has for ages hidden the truth about her origins in this land and that prompted her to use her knowledge for good and save lives and oddly, hammer home the helpless nature of fate. Since there were pleas to cure Ian Senior with means that had yet to be invented. Yet, that understanding that time claims us all and that we spend too much time thinking about yesterday and hanging onto the past… through the impending doom of Ian Senior, prompted so many to push Young Ian to forget about his troubles, and live for the moment. By going back to America, with Claire no less, who was called upon… to aid an ailing friend, so that Young Ian could live, and love and forge that future he was trying to deny himself.

But of course, since this show always explores more than its central theme, it made sure to catch up with Roger and his journey to find his son and that went into some wild territory. Since there were no clues on the other side of the time jump, and he managed to go farther back in time than expected. To the point where Jamie was off to university, allowing for him to spend time with long gone family members and his thoughts. Mainly because he felt lost here and unsure of what comes next since truly, there was nothing to go off of and there was the real possibility that he was in the wrong era, period, and his baby boy was roaming about elsewhere in time. Setting the stage for a harrowing journey down the line.

However, while we wait to see what comes of that, we can celebrate, one fascinating tale. One that truly offered up an important lesson we can all take something from, and it was likely designed… to move this show into its final chapter as well. For we are indeed inching toward the end, so what better way to prepare our heroes for their farewell journey than by having them confront the past and grow before our eyes. For then they are ready for whatever final challenges lie ahead. But even if that is not the case, growth is wonderful to see on screen, and it was powerful to see everyone embrace the future and the moment and come what may, and it will indeed be interesting to see what other lessons lie ahead as season seven of this magnificent show continues along. Until next time.

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