'Outlander' Recap 7.10: Claire Receives Devastating News, Jamie’s Ship Sinks & Three Characters Die

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for Outlander Season 7, Episode 10, “Brotherly Love.”

How do you break a heart in 60 minutes on television? Well, Outlander figured it out. By gutting everyone from start to finish. This episode of serves up two major character deaths, one you will not believe (and continue to refuse to accept), and one minor death one that you might enjoy a teensy-weensy bit. Steven Cree, Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe deliver performances in “Brotherly Love,” that will remind you why this show is so beloved, so traumatizing, and ultimately heartbreakingly beautiful. Last episode saw Claire and Young Ian leave Jamie, Ian and Jenny in Scotland. Young Ian is heading to get the girl, and Claire as usual is doing transatlantic doctor house calls to save Lord John’s nephew (who we’ve never met!), but Claire loves saving people – see Typhoid Boat, season 3 – even when it means leaving her husband, sister-in-law, and dying brother-in-law. Truthfully, I blame Jamie and Jenny for this. For everything, honestly. Claire’s initial response was I don’t want to leave. Then Jamie and Jenny said, no go. They know she loves saving people and can save them. But, it’s not a 30-minute favor. It’s a 3-month boat ride and surgery on a stranger! Stay in Scotland, Claire. But no, you didn’t and now we all are going to live to regret it. So, let’s get started with reviewing all the ways Outlander chose pain for us this episode. Balfe’s performance in particular will break you wide open.

Auld Ian Dies: “On your left man.”

The episode opens on a flashback of wee Jamie and Ian in the past learning how to fight together against Ian’s dad who we shall call Ian Sr. Sr. They end up losing and Ian Sr. squared tells them they must fight as brothers. He tells Ian you must always protect your chief’s weaker side. And tell him to stand on Jamie’s left.

Present day Jamie and a weak Ian look out at the same place. Ian acknowledges his new info on Claire and says, “I knew Claire was older but didn’t think 200 years!” And Jamie corrects him and says 207. Jamie’s Claire math be mathing. (Somewhere Claire is saying what she once said to him in season 1, “I think your calculations are a little off.”

Jamie and Ian acknowledge he’s dying. Ian tells Jamie he isn’t afraid of dying. “If there are miracles about like your wife, just think what awaits us in paradise,” Ian tells Jamie. Ian’s fondness for Claire is one of the best parts of this show. While Jenny first met Claire and called her a trollop, Ian showed affection right off the bat for his sister-in-law. Jamie remembers how Ian told him he’d be his brother after his real brother Willie died. This is a sweet scene but also Ian is definitely dying in the next few minutes.

Jenny and Jamie put Ian into bed and he takes his last breath. Jamie holds his hand and Ian says, “On your left man.” And then he says, “Jenny” and dies. Wow, 4 mins in and ugly crying already. A new Outlander record for season 7.

Having Ian and Jenny back even for just one episode is bittersweet though. Jamie and Claire interacting with them in season 1, should have been carried through the series. Cree’s performances with Heughan and Balfe are always stand out. And Kristin Atherton gives a strong turn as Jenny, especially given she’s joined a show in its seventh season as a recast of a popular role. The only thing that would have been nice was having Balfe and Heughan get to spend 2 episodes at Lallybroch before Claire had to leave for stranger surgery. In the books, Claire must leave because Marsali and Fergus’s son Henri Christian needs surgery. That seems like more of a reason Claire would leave her family in Scotland. But instead, she goes for Lord John’s nephew Henry.

Cree’s performance on the series was best summed up by a fan, TinyTunney, who wrote on BlueSky, “Shout-out to Steven Cree who did Auld Ian such justice. Even though we didn’t get much Ian the series, I’ve loved every single he’s popped up.”

Watch Cree’s full interview with us from last year where he looks back on his time on Outlander.

Jamie digs a grave for Ian as Jenny watches. Jamie tells Jenny he will meet Michael and Joanie in Paris where she’s going to a convent. And then he will head to Philadelphia and invites Jenny to come with him to live with them on the Ridge. Jenny says not yet.

The opening credits end on what looks like a tunnel… Hmmm. Ominous. At least no one else will die in this episode. Right? I hope! Come back to this line and laugh at my naïveté.

Claire Gets Surgical and Ian Goes After the Girl

In Philadelphia, Claire and Ian talk about his dad. He asks Claire if she thinks he’s died yet. Best aunt-nephew relationship on television, period. Find me a better one. Don’t even try. You can’t. Ian asks if Claire was with her parents when they died. She tells him no, she was 5 and they were in an accident.

Ian tells Claire he’s going to go find Rachel and Claire looks like a happy aunt. She tells him be careful since it’s still a war. Oh yes that. War. Shmar. The English soldiers ask for Ian’s papers to make sure they’re not spies. They ignore Claire. Claire is offended and says, “Apparently, women aren’t considered much of a threat.” Those soldiers are about to meet the real Claire Fraser. Best of luck to them.

Claire arrives at Mrs. Mercy Woodcock’s house and a woman answers, who Claire assumes works there. She apologizes when the woman says this is my house. Hello, Mercy Woodcock. Lord John pops out in his army uniform. Claire tells John Jamie had to stay with Jenny and his dying brother-in-law. Lord John explains why he’s wearing an English uniform even though he resigned, it’s to protect Mercy. Henry, Lord John’s nephew, is very ill and Claire tells lord John she needs ingredients to make ether before performing surgery. But Lord John already bought what she needs. Well done, LJ.

Buck Meets His Mama (his murdery Mama)

Scotland 1739.

Geilles asks Roger what’s ailing Buck? Hello Geillie, that’s your son and super great grandson! Roger is freaked out by Geilles his great great great great grandmother? What’s their relation exactly? Geilles listens to Buck’s heart, and then backs away startled and says, “Do I know you?” And Roger thinks, “Well you should, he’s your son!” Roger’s inner monologue is back and I love it. She goes to get some tea and herbs for Buck and introduces herself as Geilles Duncan.

Roger tells Buck that Geilles murdered her husband to travel through the stones. Oh Roger, she also murdered her husband when she first knew Jamie and Claire. Husband killer. She likes dead husbands more than alive ones. Buck, your mom is a serial killer. Roger tells Buck she’s killed 5 husbands and tried to kill Bree. Buck suggests Rob might be involved with Geilles. Are we sure Rob Cameron is a time-traveler? He did not seem cool enough for that.

Doctor Reunion – Claire & Denzell

Claire examines Henry and Lord John tells her he’s had 3 surgeries and has one bullet still lodged in there. The last surgery was performed by Denzell hunter! Claire’s doctor bestie apprentice! While John and Claire talk, Mercy and Henry hold hands. Ooooh. They loooove each other! Claire notices.

Then Denzell (Joey Phillips) and Claire are reunited! Love their dynamic. Denzell debriefs Claire. And Claire starts talking all surgeon and ether and Denzell exclaims “Thee is a rare breed Claire, it is a joy to see thee again!” Yes, thee, one hundred percent agree!

William, Rachel, Rollo & Ian

Rachel is shopping with Rollo and William, who seems a little smitten. By Rachel, but definitely not by Rollo! In fact, he says, “Must the dog come with you everywhere.” William hates puppies. Cool.

Rachel asks if he will return to Boston and William says he hopes not, he would rather be with her. Uh, oh, cousin love triangle. Except William doesn’t know Ian’s his cousin.

As William and Rachel low key flirt, Rollo barks and runs off. Dog blocking William? Well done, Rollo. Rachel knows why Rollo has run off and then dumps her basket on dog-hating Wills and runs to who she assumes must be Ian. She yells for Ian but Rollo disappears. And no Ian. Just a newly shaven Arch Bug watching Rachel. Cue dramatic music: Dum dum da dum! Ian and Rollo are reunited! They recast Rollo or Rollo went on Dogzempic. Because Rolls looks very skinny. Or like a totally different dog. It’s a different dog. I paused it, googled old Rollo. New Rollo, who dis?

Geilles Flirts with Roger

Geilles tells Roger he seems familiar. Duh, you met him girl in a different time. Then Geilles hits on Roger, and he says, “I’m a married man.” And she’s all so what bro? So am I that doesn’t stop me. And Roger is basically like, “It stops me.” Roger tells Geilles her his son was taken. Roger and Geilles kind of have inappropriate chemistry. But Roger hates her. Then Roger gets the shock of his life when there’s a knock at the door, and Dougal MacKenzie (Graham McTavish) enters. Dougal’s back! Or I guess, back isn’t exactly accurate. He’s not dead yet.

Claire Performs Surgery

Claire, Denny and Mercy all have masks as they begin surgery on Henry. Why didn’t Claire have masks on the Ridge? (Especially during that episode that everyone got the plague). Also: Claire hair bandana alert. That’s all. Carry on.

Denny is like a giddy kid when he sees how well ether works, as Claire opens up Henry and she shows him the gallbladder. Sidebar: Imagine Denny and Claire getting high together. Not on ether, they’d both be asleep, but something else more fun. Like shrooms. It would be a love fest between two doctor nerds. I love thee, no I love theeee more. Claire Denny mushroom trip dream now is over. Back to reality. Claire finds the musket ball in what seems like the long intestine. But I’m not a doctor, it’s a guess. Claire says it’s in the intestine. Omg, I was right, I could probably help with this surgery.

William and Rachel are waiting together. William says they will look for the dog after the surgery. Rachel looks sad that she may have missed Ian and lost his dog. Yeah, that’s not great girlie. But keep the faith. Lord John enters and says Henry survived. Great, can Claire head back to Scotland, please? She was there for like a day. Hello, still mad.

One fan, Danielle, smashingteacups, on BlueSky, summed up Denzell the best: “Denzell Hunter is the best boy and the biggest Dr. Claire Fraser stan and amidst all the general heartbreak at the end of this ep I just want to rep my love for him because he’s the CUTEST most wholesome little bean.” And Denzell is Doctor Little Bean from now on. It is the greatest compliment. But Philipps and Balfe’s chemistry onscreen is kind of precious, and will only make you feel happy. Even when they’re touching spaghetti looking intestines.

Claire & Mercy Woodcock

Claire and Mercy step outside, and Claire tells Mercy she did a great job as the ether nurse. Claire says to Mercy, “You and Henry are close.” Then Mercy asks about her husband, the man whose leg they removed and died in front of Claire. Small world. Claire tells Mercy she was with him when he died. Mercy reveals that they fought before he died, and Claire assures Mercy her husband loved her.

Ian and William Save Rachel

William and Rachel say goodbye, and William looks like he wants to tell her how he feels. But he doesn’t. Rachel steps into a stable to look for Rollo and Arch Bug jumps out and grabs her. Oh no! Ian get back here! Or William! Whichever hot cousin is closer.

Ian ends up at Denzell’s and Denny tells him where to find Rachel. Brother stamp of approval! Check and check. William suddenly stops walking and turns back. He’s got some Rachel-radar.

Bug tells Rachel he will murder her in front of Ian just as Ian murdered his wife. Boring Bug man holding a grudge. It was an accident, Ian didn’t know he was shooting at Mrs. Bug!

Ian enters and Rachel calls out to him, which in retrospect, Rachel, was not great. Because Bug grabs her and tells Ian he’s been following him since Jamie, Claire, and Ian left the ridge. Remember that episode where Claire and Jamie were being all cute about apples and kissing in the woods and Ian was like, pretty sure someone’s following us. Stop making out, aunty and uncle! Well, Ian was right, but that’s no reason to interrupt your aunt and uncle kissing. Ian.

Bug and Ian battle. Bug slices Ian with an axe! Ow. Seriously. Thank God, Claire is here she will need to do something serious skin sewing. Uh oh, Bug gets the better of Ian and is about to bring the axe down when he is shot! By William! He’s now a dead Bug. Good job Willy, I have almost forgiven you for your hatred of puppies. Then William says, “Take Ian to Claire and leave, they won’t arrest me.” Good plan Wills.

Later, Rachel apologizes to Ian whose arm is all slung up. Looks like Claire and her headband did some doctoring. Rachel and Ian confess their love for each other, as fake Rollo looks on. Ian offers to convert to her religion. But she says Ian is her wolf. Their flirting is a little confusing. Are they together or not? I think they are.

Claire Receives a Letter from Jamie

Claire is tromping around Philly picking up herbs, with her little herb basket. Later, Claire gets a letter from Jamie and reads it to Ian. “My dearest Claire, Ian’s gone.” Great, crying again. “It’s been 10 days since he’s passed.” Claire says she’s sorry. Jamie says he’s been with Joan in France and meeting with friends of Franklin. And Claire goes, “That must be Benjamin Franklin.” Nonchalant namedrop there, Claire. “He must be meeting with Albert Einstein.”

Jamie signs the letter, “Your ink-stained wretch and most devoted husband Jamie.” I would read an entire book of letters between Jamie and Claire, just saying. Also, Claire reading Jamie’s letter is like watching a teenager getting a gift from her boyfriend. Like how do these two still look like they’re in love for the first time, when one of them is not even in the scene.

Jamie’s PS (post script) is that he’s booked a trip back and will be there in 2 weeks time, but the letter was dated 6 weeks back! Claire and Ian get excited he’ll be arriving. Um, I feel something ominous is about to happen. Outlander doesn’t allow us to have the joy. Yes, the joy.

Dougal and Geilles Get a Room

Dougal says to Roger, “You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.” Be cool, Roger! Be cool. Dougal gives Roger something that says Jeremiah. Dog tags? It must be something that will become important in the future.

Dougal introduces himself to Geilles. Oh! So they’ve never met before this moment! Roger and Buck look on, Buck has no idea those are his parents! Wonder if Roger will tell him. This is Dougal and Geilles’s first meet cute! What. Little psycho parents. This is wild. Is anyone else singing, “Reunited and it feels so diabolical…” I’m alone, that’s fine. Sing it, go ahead.

Dougal hits on her right away and they go back to her room?! Hello, is that how fast people got together in 1739? Also are they conceiving Buck in the next room to where grown Buck is?! Wild. Sex is so fast in 1739 too. They literally just met! And already are naked probably, with Buck and Roger in the next room about to hear everything.

Buck, not realizing his parents are about to start loudly copulating, says, “That charm means something.” Roger says this belongs to my father who went missing in action. Oh my goodness, Roger’s dad is a time traveler too?! And he’s not dead?? Roger says, “They never found his body.” Roger is excited that he can meet his father. What a dad-a-thon!

Claire Becomes a Spy

Mercy comes in and puts her head down and looks upset, Claire asks her what’s wrong? Mercy reveals she’s a spy. So much is happening in this episode, I cannot keep up. Remember when Auld Ian died! That was just 40 minutes ago. Mercy gives Claire a letter for General Washington. Remember in season 4 when Claire and Jamie met George Washington, and Claire told a cherry tree joke. Claire is excited about the spy work. She heads out with her basket. This won’t go well. Claire can’t resist helping people. But honestly, Claire Fraser: spy. I’m into it. But again, it’s going go badly. Heughan starred in The Spy Who Dumped Me, so if Claire ever dumps Jamie (as if), there could be a really good Spy Who Dumped Me-Outlander mash-up that we all deserve. Balfe and Heughan in a rom com as Jamie and Claire. Give it to us.

Claire runs into a problem with the guard who comments she was just there. But then she mentions explosive bowels and diarrhea, and well they let her through.

Outlander fan, ellebeezy raved on BlueSky, “Claire outsmarting Redcoats by talking about explosive diarrhea. My hero.” I would add, not all heroes wear capes, but Claire Fraser has indeed worn a cape.

But really, Claire, must you become a spy, girl? Come on, you’re giving me anxiety. Claire puts the letter in a hole. (Fights impulse to write, “That’s what she said.” But writes it anyway.)

Claire Learns Jamie’s Ship Has Sunk

Claire gets home and there’s a visitor with Lord John. Who has his head down in his lap. Uh oh. John looks distraught. He says he has “bad news.” “Jamie’s ship was lost at sea,” John tells her. Claire flashes to when she and Jamie’s ship went down in the storm. Imagining Jamie’s boat sinking? Claire can’t hear, and the person who came to deliver the news shows the manifest that Jamie signed. Oh my god. Jamie Fraser is dead?! No. Nope. No. No. No. Nuh uh.

Remember when I said, “Outlander, no one else would die in this ep and you killed Ian, then Bug (don’t care) and now Jamie!!” What the bloody Gabaldygook is this! (Gabaldygook is a noun to describe the insanity that Diana Gabaldon has written that makes the book series and hence, show, so freaking good and stressful). Other Gabaldygooks are when Jamie and Claire were separated for 20 years. Not cool.

A single tear falls from Claire’s eye. Lord John says, “There were no survivors.” And she says, “You’re wrong, I would feel it, I would know.” And this I have to agree with her on. Jamie and Claire are inextricably linked. Lord John tells Claire it’s true and he knows the man is telling the truth. Me: You know nothing, Lord John.

Claire spits, “You don’t know me. I would feel it in my heart if his had stopped. Do you understand? Mine would stop too.” Oof. That hits right in the heart. What a great line. And how extremely accurate for those two characters. Lord John tries to hold Claire. Then Claire hits Lord John. Like she pummels him. Lord John says “Perhaps it already has. He’s dead Claire. He’s gone.”

This stress.

Claire Mourns Jamie

Claire is crying in bed and flashes to Jamie from season 3, when they were on the beach, then to young Jamie and Claire meeting, when he said he’d put her over his shoulder. Why are they doing a death montage? Then a shot of them in the rain, from when they first met with Jamie’s voice over saying, “You are my home now.” “I want you so much, I can scarcely breathe.” Every great scene and line they’ve had is playing intermixed with Claire weeping, writhing in bed. Do they want to end us by montage? Death by montage?!

One fan, alohamarie wrote on BlueSky: “The montage, they didn’t have to hurt me like that!”

Balfe alluded to filming this scene and others related to this in the next episode in Texas during the ATX panel.

The last voice over flashback is Jamie saying, “When the day shall come that we do part, ff my last words are not I love you, it’s because I did not have time,” as they show the scene where Jamie saves Claire underwater.

Claire lies in bed, and there’s knocking at the door. Lord John says, “Claire at least let me know you’re alive.” She whispers “I’m alive. Go away.” Perfect. In every way. When I say Balfe delivers in a way you wouldn’t think possible. Believe it. The ability to show your character breaking apart for two minutes straight, and bring the audience along so they also break alongside you. That’s the subtle beauty in Balfe’s performance here.

Lord John asks Claire to marry him…

And right when you think, oh Outlander can’t possibly do any more damage this episode, Matt Roberts and Diana Gabaldon said, “Hold my dram.” Lord John has a visitor, the visitor seems unfriendly. He asks Lord John how well he knows Mrs. Fraser? He says she’s the widow of my friend. Then the guy says she’s a spy and they plan to arrest her. Lord John says there’s no attachment, then lies she’s not here. The guy says he’ll give her one day. Lord John runs upstairs, unlocks Claire’s door. She does not look good, but she also looks good. Like mourning, devastation and her sad sleep robe, weirdly she’s rocking it. Lord John says, “You must marry me!” Take her to dinner first, man. Or at least brunch. Claire looks at John like he’s nuts. John says, “I can protect you as my wife.” Wow, a lot has happened in this episode. Too much, frankly. Jeez. Claire says, “This is cruel.” Lord John explains she is about to be arrested and hanged as a spy. Then he realizes she has been doing some spy work. He repeats, “You must marry me!” And he said he will protect her as his wife as the last service to Jamie. Claire said she’d rather be hanged. Lord John said Ian will be at risk, Rachel, Denzell. He knows how to get Claire Fraser to care. John says, “Marry me…” and hurry up.

From widow to bride in the blink of an eye?! Wow, Outlander. Really, amping things up. To quote Claire Fraser, “I’m alive. Go away.” Because next week, will we be able to take it? Jamie Fraser can’t be dead. We, as in me and Claire, do not believe it.

Before you go, click here to see all the best Outlander quotes that’ll make you believe in love.