Why ‘Outlander’ Chose That Moment For Sam Heughan’s Jamie Fraser to Put His Kilt Back On
Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) has faced some difficult decisions in season 5 of Outlander. One of his biggest struggles came after Governor Tryon (Tim Downie) ordered him to hunt down Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix) and put an end to the rebellious group known as the regulators. Instead of betraying his godfather and long-time ally, Jamie donned his kilt and came out in full support of Murtagh. The moment clearly showed where Jamie’s loyalties lie, but it also left fans wondering why Outlander choose that moment for Jamie to put his kilt back on.
Jamie faces new challenges in season 5 of ‘Outlander’
Based on Diana Gabaldon’s book, The Fiery Cross, season 5 of Outlander explores Jamie and Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) journey in the American colonies on the eve of the Revolutionary War.
The season began on a happy note with Brianna’s (Sophie Skelton) marriage to Roger (Richard Rankin). The pair finally tied the knot after going through some harrowing experiences last season.
Although the wedding was joyous, things took a turn after Governor Tryon ordered Jamie to bring in Murtagh. The installment ended with Jamie taking out his kilt and firing up a Celtic cross, a sign to his men that it is time to go to arms.
The moment was a big one for Jamie and Murtagh, but it also raised questions about why he waited this long to wear his clan tartan.
Why did producers choose that moment to get out Jamie’s kilt?
After the British defeated the Scottish in the Battle of Culloden, it was forbidden to wear a clan tartan. Anybody who wore a kilt in public risked severe punishment.
According to Express, the British viewed the clan tartan as a rebellious sign against their authority. The British basically wanted to root out anything related to nationalism, which is why Jamie put his kilt away after season 2.
In fact, following the Battle of Culloden on the show, Jamie was rarely seen with his kilt because he was afraid of breaking the law. In a recent interview, Outlander executive producer Maril Davis explained the significance of Jamie wearing his kilt in season 5.
“The idea of seeing Jamie back in his kilt is something we talked about lot since last season, season four,” Davis shared. “When does Jamie put his kilt back on? It kind of became a thing, it had to be a momentous moment.”
Moore added that they did not follow Gabaldon’s book when it came to Jamie wearing his kilt. But they did make an effort to find the right moment for him to dust it off.
Jamie dons his kilt
Building a sense of community was one of the main messages behind Jamie wearing his kilt. In the same behind-the-scenes interview, Outlander executive producer Matthew B. Roberts explained how Jamie sent a clear message to the other families by wearing his kilt in front of the Redcoats.
“And it’s that moment he makes that decision, if Tryon wants a Scot – and what’s more Scottish than putting on his plaid kilt and walking out and showing the Redcoats there but also all the other families?” Roberts explained. “As he says in his speech, ‘We’re not clan, we’re not family.’ But he deliberately put this on in a moment that made him the laird visually.”
Davis was quick to add that most of the actors missed seeing Jamie in his kilt. Sam Heughan was also apparently very excited about wearing it again, though his joy was mitigated by the fact that his character will be donning a redcoat this season as well.
Because he is devoted to the crown, Jamie will be fighting on the British side of things against the Regulators. While we all know where Jamie’s true loyalties lie, his Scottish identity is definitely under fire in season 5.
Although this was not something that is included in the books, Outlander has done a good job sticking to the source material so far. The only major deviation was related to Fanny’s storyline, though most fans did not mind the changes.
What’s ahead on ‘Outlander’?
In the next episode of Outlander, “The Company We Keep,” things will continue to heat up with the Regulators. But that is not all that is ahead for Jamie and Claire.
A new teaser trailer for the upcoming installment has fans wondering if Jamie and Claire will have another child.
“If you wanted another child, perhaps I might give you one,” the trailer begins.
With Jamie and Claire now in their 50s, it is very unlikely that they will have any more children. Instead, Jamie was probably referring to the child they freed in the last episode.
As far as the Regulators are concerned, a short clip in the trailer shows them getting ready to fight Roger. The scene ends with Jamie warning them not to attack Roger or his militia.
New episodes of Outlander air Sunday nights on Starz.
