Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) reflects on that big character in latest Outlander episode

Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) reflects on that big character in latest Outlander episode

As a long-time fan and follower of Outlander, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of melancholy with the departure of Old Ian. Having witnessed the evolution of this character since the early seasons, his passing hits particularly close to home for me. It’s like losing an old friend or a beloved member of my family.

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, the recent installment of “Outlander,” titled “Brotherly Love,” proved to be a poignant and heart-wrenching episode. It marked the tragic demise of a beloved character, Old Ian, portrayed skillfully by Steven Cree. As a father figure to Young Ian (John Bell), he carried a significant weight in the series’ narrative.

The initial scene showcased a flashback of Old Ian instructing Young Ian and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) on team combat. Many years have passed since then, but his passing has left an indelible impact on everyone involved. As Sam Heughan shared with Radio Times, “They were raised together, fought alongside each other, share a rich history, and some truly touching moments are depicted in the scenes, beautifully scripted and delightful to perform with Steven [Cree]. We have a strong bond off-screen, making it all the more enjoyable. He’s an engaging individual in real life. It was a pleasure working with such talented actors who joined our set, including Kristen [Atherton] and others, as well as the extended family – we had some truly memorable moments together.

But yeah, really bittersweet and sad to say goodbye to him. And as you can see, the consequences of that and how Jenny is just full of grief, but I just think it’s a real gift as an actor to be given scenes like that…And it was very sad when he walks out in his full regalia and his kilt and waves goodbye to young Ian and young Ian knows deep down that’s the last time he’ll see his father.

The demise of a character in a TV series should be impactful. It’s particularly poignant on shows like Outlander, which has been airing for almost a decade. Frequent viewers, who have witnessed characters like Old Ian return multiple times, experience this departure as significant and weighty.

If fans find it tough, think about how cast members who worked alongside Steven Cree must feel. As he put it, “We were incredibly fortunate to be part of a series that spanned so many years, creating moments and memories that aren’t something we need to fabricate or pretend about.” He recalls chatting with Steve in season 1, where Steven was unapologetically inappropriate, causing much laughter on set, and cherishes those lighthearted scenes they shared in Lallybroch.

Caitriona Balfe (Claire Fraser) reflects on Old Ian’s death

Caitriona Balfe, who portrays Jamie’s wife Claire Fraser, also commented on Old Ian’s departure. “Of course, she has to be strong. But at the same time, Claire and Old Ian shared a deep bond. So, for her, it’s like losing a friend, which is truly painful.

He was someone who really welcomed her when Jenny wasn’t necessarily always warm and fuzzy. It was Ian and Claire who had more of a close relationship. So yeah, you just, I think you just have to put yourself in the character’s shoes and just imagine what she would try and do.

Similar to Heughan, Balfe pointed out that these events resonate more deeply due to the length of time Outlander has been airing: “Therefore, those relationships are deeply ingrained because we’ve cultivated them with the actors and the characters over time. Consequently, those memories linger within us. So I believe one of the advantages of this long-running series is that so much of our work has been done over several years, making it highly relatable.

On Fridays, you can catch new episodes of “Outlander” on Starz. The second half of its seventh season concludes in January, leaving just one more season to go! If the demise of Old Ian affected you deeply, then brace yourself for what the cast and crew have planned as a grand finale.

Fans can rest assured as they prepare for the conclusion of the series, as a soothing balm comes their way in the form of a fresh spinoff titled “Blood of My Blood“, expected to premiere next year.

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2024-12-02 19:42

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