Outlander: 10 Ways Brianna Got Worse & Worse | ScreenRant
In the last couple of years, Outlander has developed several character arcs. The viewers have seen Claire transform from nurse to successful surgeon, Jamie from fugitive to landowner, and Roger from historian to soldier. They have also seen Marsali go from villain to hero and watched Fergus become a family man.
But what about Brianna? Despite being a main character on the show, she hasn't had much development compared to the others. In fact, most of her storylines have made her regress and become a little unbearable as the seasons continue.
10 Her Idolization Of Frank
As many fans know, Brianna was very close to Frank while growing up. It even seemed liked she favored him more than Claire sometimes, following in his footsteps by studying history and jumping at the chance to defend him whenever he was wronged.
However, she fails to recognize that her father was far from perfect. For instance, she berated Claire for her relationship with Jamie but not Frank's relationship with Sandy. She constantly compared Jamie to Frank, and even realized that Frank had kept Jamie's survival a secret and didn't say how wrong it was. Frank may have been Brianna's hero but she should have recognized his flaws.
9 Her Immaturity
Although many would say that motherhood has helped to mature Brianna, there have been plenty of instances that have suggested she is still naive and petty. The first time fans saw this was in season 2 when she chastised Claire for cheating on Frank despite not knowing all the details.
Bree also seemed jealous of Roger and Fiona Graham's friendship, especially when she realized he had confided in her over the time travel. Even during Roger's PTSD episodes. fans see Brianna's immaturity come through. She has still got a long way to go...
8 Not Thinking Before She Speaks
Similar to Jamie, it appears that Brianna has inherited her father's inability to think before she speaks as she has offended many loved ones with her words. In season 2, the viewers saw her regret degrading Claire for her relationship with Jamie. Season 4 saw her admit to Roger that she regretted how she left things with Frank.
She also put her foot in her mouth when she insulted Laoghaire while inside the maiden's home. Even in season 5, one could say Bree stepped in it when she kept insisting she wanted "her husband back" after his PTSD ordeal. She didn't realize how hurtful her words can be sometimes.
7 Manipulative
One thing that has gotten worse with Brianna is that she has become more manipulative as time has gone on. At the beginning of her journey, she was quite a compassionate person. Initially, she may have been angry but she did show a lot of sympathy towards Claire after she found out her story.
However, ever since she went back to the eighteenth-century, a manipulative streak has emerged. She attempted to blackmail Lord John into marrying her despite knowing that he could be killed if his secret was uncovered; she guilted Jamie into searching for Roger by ignoring him and comparing him to Frank; she also made Roger feel guilty over his PTSD by inadvertently comparing her trauma to his. It's not her best trait.
6 A Dull Character?
Ever since the Bonnet storyline, Bree hasn't had much of significance to do. Instead, the show has given her a lot of filler plots that have failed to pique the interest of the fans.
Most of the stories she got in season 5 were quite bizarre and random. For instance, why spend a whole episode focusing on her eliminating a plague of locusts? Or her getting launched into the air by a buffalo, resulting in no injuries? Some of her storylines were pretty superfluous.
5 Self-Righteous
Most fans will agree that Bree's self-righteous attitude was beyond frustrating, particularly when she failed to see the moral implications of her own actions. In the book, Bree is heard to participate in civil rights marches and rallies. The show also implies that Brianna does not hold the racial prejudices of the time due to her roommate, Gayle, being Black.
However, one has to question why Brianna never expressed her discomfort with Jocasta owning slaves. Or why she forced Phaedre to sit for a portrait when it was clear she didn't want to. What about the fact that Bree didn't exactly give up the 5,000 acres of land Tryon rewarded them?
4 A Damsel In Distress
When the viewers were first introduced to the youngest Fraser, they could see that she was the best of her parents. She was fiery, bold, and very independent. However, as time went on, Brianna seems to be relegated to the role of a damsel in distress. For instance, despite insisting Roger not follow her, he did and said he came to rescue her.
Furthermore, Murtagh, Ian, and Jamie attempt to hunt down Bonnet after he attacked her, whom she only managed to escape because of her family. Since Brianna knows how to fight, why can't she be her own hero? Why have is she a plot device to enhance the masculinity of the male characters? She deserves better than this.
3 Communication Issues
It's safe to say that Roger and Brianna haven't exactly had the easiest of relationships, especially as they were bad at one thing: communication. It seems that Brianna gets herself into a lot of awkward situations because she doesn't express herself well. For instance, she and Roger broke up after they failed to communicate their wants and dreams.
They would face further strain during the episode "Wilmington," where they got into a fight over her impulsive journey. Even in season 5, Brianna and Roger struggled to communicate as they dealt with their trauma. Since they argue a lot, it's safe to say that they don't have the easiest marriage.
2 From A Modern Woman To A Housewife
In season 4, it was clear to all that Brianna had aspirations. Fans respected her for refusing to marry Roger because she wasn't ready and would have liked to focus on her career. However, the show contradicted this just a few episodes later.
She ended up getting married to Roger, having a baby, and spending most of the time in the home. Since Roger and Jamie insist they be the breadwinners of the family, Bree can't even utilize her engineering skills properly. It would be good if the show explored her talents more as it seems she had simply become the housewife Roger wanted.
1 Her Temper
One thing the fans have learned is that they should never get into an argument with Brianna; the youngest Fraser has a fiery temper. Her wrath is something every enemy should fear. Like her mother, she is loud and very opinionated. If someone offends her, she'll let them know it.
For instance, she wished Claire dead after finding out her real parentage. Even with Roger's PTSD, she didn't handle that very well when she practically told him to "snap out of it." It would be good if she stopped snapping at everyone.