Diana Gabaldon’sOutlanderbook series has touched audiences since its release in 1991, and very soon, the long-running TV show based on the novels will be coming to an end. Jamie and Claire, the story’s heroes, have been brought to life by Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe since 2014, and the actors have done an amazing job keeping the audience invested in their love story. Saying goodbye to them will be incredibly emotional. However, there is still some time beforeOutlander’s conclusion, andthere are many concerns about how the final season will approach the source material.

ThequestionsOutlanderneeds to answer before season 8 endsrevolve around many intersecting storylines, but there’s also an overarching difficulty regarding the books. Gabaldon hasn’t released the final tenth novel, and as the premiere of season 7, part 2 approaches,there’s still more ground to cover in books seven, eight, and nine.While it seems that the writers and showrunners have a plan, and Gabaldon is on board, this still means that the final installments ofOutlanderwill have to work quickly to give viewers the ending they deserve.

Caitríona Balfe as Claire Fraser in Outlander season 7 episode 8

Outlander Has To Adapt Several Books In Its Final Two Seasons

This poses a problem in terms of pacing and volume of storytelling

Up until recently, mostOutlanderbooks lined up with the seriesfairly well, but the disruption of season 6 changed the trajectory of the show. However, it’s been confirmed that the adaptation plan forseason 7, part 2, will cover the end of book 6, as well as books 7 and 8, while season 8 will track book 9.Gabaldon has also discussed how she has shared small parts of book 10, which will influence how the narrative plays out. ThoughOutlanderhas always had to move more quickly than the novels, this is extreme.

Outlander Season 7 & 8 Update Confirms Which Books Will Be Covered In The Final Episodes

Outlander showrunner Maril Davis reveals which Diana Gabaldon novels will be adapted for the historical drama’s seventh and eighth seasons.

As a sweeping fantasy epic,Outlanderhas always been an ambitious TV show, but tackling so many storylines at once will be its greatest challenge yet.Getting the pacing right will be the biggest obstacle for season 7, part 2, and season 8. There are many more storylines and relationships that require development than just Jamie and Claire’s. However, balancing all of them at once runs the risk of underwriting certain characters and plots that need additional growth. So far, season 7, part 1, has been well received by critics and audiences alike, andOutlanderneeds to continue this trend.

Jamie and Claire in Outlander in front of the Outlander book covers

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Outlander Season 7 Poster

Outlander’s Ending Has To Deviate From The Books

There’s no way that the books and show will have the same conclusion

It’s been confirmed by Gabaldon and the series' showrunners thatOutlanderseason 8 will change the book’s ending. This is unavoidable, considering the fact thatbook 10 likely won’t be published until after the show is over.Fortunately, Gabaldon has been involved in the plan for season 8 and has provided some information about how the last book’s story will play out. However, season 8 will have to encompass both book 9 and create a compelling original ending that connects with audiences. It will be impossible to please everyone, butOutlandermust do justice to its characters no matter what.

Outlanderhas the ability to distinguish itself from the books and stand on its own, making creative choices that feel right for the direction the series has gone.

While this is a stressful turn of events, it also presents an exciting opportunity.Outlanderhas the ability to distinguish itself from the books and stand on its own, making creative choices that feel right for the direction the series has gone. Additionally, this means that if audiences don’t like how the show ends, they can turn to the books for an alternate conclusion, and vice versa.Not all viewers have read the novels, so this does alleviate some pressure onOutlanderto sacrifice cohesion for the sake of perfectly adapting the source material.

Outlanderseason 7, part 2 will premiere on Starz on Friday, November 22nd, 2024.

Can Outlander Still Have A Satisfying Ending?

There’s a path forward for a touching tribute to the long-running series

There’s no question thatOutlanderseason 8 will be divisive, but that doesn’t mean that the series won’t provide a just conclusion to the epic love story.Each season ofOutlanderhas only further proved that Jamie and Claire are the driving force behind the series,and if season 8 is going to hit home for viewers, then it must provide plenty of drama but also keep its heroes together. It’s important to note that a satisfying ending doesn’t necessarily mean a happy one, as it’s likely that a sacrifice will have to be made beforeOutlanderis over.

Outlander’s Most Frustrating Jamie & Claire Trend Is Way Less Obvious In The Books

Jamie and Claire have had their ups and downs throughout Outlander, but one of their worst traits is made much worse in the TV adaptation.

It’s been a long journey forOutlandersince its premiere in 2014,and the stakes are higher than ever going into the final season. The show has been no stranger to loss and tragedy, and there are plenty of devastating twists set up by the remaining books. However,Outlanderwill need to strike a balance between how the characters behave in the novels and who they’ve become in the show. Though it’s faced ups and downs,Outlanderhas always understood how to capture what audiences want while giving the characters and story what they need.

Outlander

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Outlander follows Claire Randall, a married nurse from 1945, who is transported back to 1743 Scotland. Amidst political intrigue and danger, she navigates life in the past and becomes torn between loyalty to her husband and the love for a dashing young warrior.