‘Outlander’: Why That Goodbye Between Brianna and Lizzie Is Such a Tearjerker
There are a lot of unique friendships on the hit series Outlander and fans have really grown fond of Brianna’s (Sophie Skelton) friendship with Lizzie (Caitlin O’Ryan). Bri takes Lizzie into her service, but they’ve been the best of friends through it all. Lizzie was there through many trials Brianna faced, and that’s part of the reason why the events of episode 11 of season 5 of Outlander are so hard to deal with.
Spoilers Ahead
Brianna and Roger decide to leave through the stones
In episode 11, Bri learns that her child, young Jemmy, can travel through the stones. Brianna and Roger (Richard Rankin) have already decided that they will travel through time when they know Jemmy can also travel.
While playing with Otter Tooth’s stone, Jemmy notices the stone is hot to the touch. Bri also feels the heat from the stone, and so can the other time travelers. No one else seems to feel it or hear the obnoxious buzzing they can also hear. Bri and Roger take it as the much-needed sign that Jemmy can travel too.
Brianna says goodbye to Lizzie
Bri gives everyone proper goodbyes because she doesn’t want to just leave everyone without saying a word. She tells everyone that Roger will be a university professor in Boston, which is technically true. When she sees Lizzie, it’s a sad situation because Lizzie is so sure she is going along for the journey as well.
“Of course I’m looking forward to it, although, it will be colder in Boston, will it not?” Lizzie asks Brianna.
“Lizzie, we can’t take you with us,” Brianna finally is able to tell her.
Lizzie is confused, but then quickly says, “Oh, you’ll send for me in a few weeks then?”
Brianna tells her that she has to stay on Fraser’s Ridge. Lizzie is dumbfounded and doesn’t understand why this is all happening.
“Why? I was with you in your darkest time. When that beast attacked you and in the good times as well,” Lizzie assures her. “On your wedding day and when wee Jemmy was born. You’re the one that saved me. I’m meant to be with you. Always.”
“Lizzie you have always been there for me,” Bri tells her. “And I am so grateful. But I need someone to stay here and look out for my parents for me. They need someone like you to take care of them.”
Lizzie promises to do what Brianna wants, but she’s devastated. Lizzie starts to cry, and Brianna tells her to stop crying because then she will start and she’s trying to be brave about the whole thing.
“You are brave,” Lizzie tells her. “You’re one of the bravest I know. I’ll never forget you.”
Bri assures her she’ll never forget her either and they embrace lovingly.
Why that moment is such a tearjerker
This moment between Brianna and Lizzie shows just how strong their friendship really is. They’ve been through so much together and it’s hard to see them part from each other, but Brianna must go back to her original time. Both Bri and Lizzie learned a lot from each other and it’s hard to imagine one without the other, but Brianna has made her choice. It’s heartbreaking to see Lizzie confused about why she can’t go with Bri, but hopefully she will get over that with time.
The friendship between Brianna and Lizzie helped both of them get through a lot and they’ll have to learn how to get along without the other around. It’s a sad moment in the Outlander world, but hopefully it isn’t the last we’ve seen of them together.
Bri and Roger traveled through the stones with their son, but it’s still unclear where they ended up.
