Droughtlander
For fans of Starz Outlander, it has been one of the longest forms of “Droughtlander” there has been. (The term for the wait between seasons). Although in actuality, it has only been just over a year. Season 6 ended on May 1st, 2022, with the first part of Season 7 starting on June 16th, 2023. Regardless, the drought is almost over as the first part of Season 7 begins. I say the first part because, even though there will be 16 episodes for Season 7, only half will be aired this year, with the other 8 in 2024. You win some, you lose some. On the other hand, it’s better than the 7-episode season that encompassed season 6. Of course, the pandemic and star Caitriona Balfe’s pregnancy had something to do with that.
Scandal at the Ridge
So, with that being said, what leads into this new season? When we last left the world of Outlander, the Revolutionary War is approaching. Young Malva Christie had just moved into the Ridge along with her father Tom and Brother Allen. In time, she becomes Claire’s apprentice, but ends up pregnant. Malva claims that Jamie is the baby’s father in front of the church congregation. Tom Christie is ashamed of his daughter’s condition and expects Jamie to do the right thing. Meanwhile, the gossip mills soon spread across the Ridge accusing Jamie of adultery. While Malva’s brother also fumes at the situation.
Ether Naps
Claire refused to believe what Jamie is accused of but is having her own problems with visions of Lionel Brown. The man Marsali killed after he and his gang of cutthroats had raped Claire (Season 5). To attempt to escape these visions, Claire uses the Ether mask she has created for anesthesia to put herself to sleep. This became a reoccurring thing as she struggled with her guilt, of which she should have none. Contrary to what the ghost of Lionel would tell her.
Lizzy and the Beardsley Twins
Meanwhile, Lizzy had developed a relationship with both of the Beardsley twins (both played by Paul Gorman). During their “activities” Lizzy became pregnant but wasn’t sure which was the father. Jamie demanded she marry one of them while planning to send the other off. Because Lizzy couldn’t or wouldn’t decide, Jamie had them draw straws and performed a handfasting until a formal ceremony could take place. Instead, Lizzy snuck off and had Roger perform a handfasting ceremony with the other brother, claiming them both as her husband. The Ridge will not be happy about that…bunch of busy bodies.
The Death of Malva
Later, while Claire was in the midst of one of her Ether naps, she had a dream of threatening Malva to stay away from Jamie, holding a scalpel to her throat. She awoke to go outside to find Malva laying in the garden with her throat cut. Claire attempted to recover the baby through a C-Section, but it was too late for either of them. Naturally, the feeling around the Ridge was that Claire had killed Malva out of hatred and jealousy. The fact that she hadn’t seen anything (due to her self-imposed nap) didn’t help.
A Christian Burial
There is further conflict when Jamie and Claire attempt to attend the service for Malva and the baby. Tom wants Malva taken to the woods for burial as he believes she cannot be placed next to “God Fearing” folks due to her infidelity. Jamie objects and says she will be given a proper Christian burial on his land along with the baby. This just adds to the uproar on the Ridge. Considering they wouldn’t HAVE a place to live without Jamie’s land, they are an ungrateful bunch.
The Committee of Safety
Eventually, Richard Brown’s “Committee of Safety” arrives to arrest Claire for the murder of Malva. Thanks to Malva’s brother who informed him of the situation. Jamie naturally resists their attempts to arrest her, and he and Claire hold up in their home. They soon realize that they cannot hold out for ever and agree to let the Committee take Claire, but only if Jamie goes with her. They agree to this with Tom Christie pledging to go along to ensure Claire’s safety until they reach where the trial would take place.
To the Rescue
Along the way, members of the Committee decry Claire’s guilt at each town they pass, instigating mobs and rock throwing as they pass through. Committee of Safety indeed. Eventually, when they are stopped, Jamie is separated from Claire and the wagon holding Claire moves on. It is the Committee’s intention to send Jamie back to Scotland on a ship. By the time he might return, Claire would be dead. Fortunately, Ian had been following Jamie along with some of the Mohawk braves. They rescued Jamie and killed all the men holding him. Soon they were on their way to rescue Claire as Season 6 came to a close.
Outlander Season 7 premieres on Starz on Friday, June 16 at 8 PM ET/PT. Outlander Season 7 Episode 1 “A Life Well Lost” will also be streaming on the Starz app on Friday, June 16 at midnight ET. Rest assured that Geek Vibes will be following the action, adventure and romance each and every episode.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
