Caitríona Balfe & Sam Heughan Told Us What They Really Think About That 'Outlander' Twist & We Absolutely Agree
This past summer, when we visited the Outlander set in Scotland, Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan, sat down with a group to discuss a few tidbits from season 7. And now that one of those tidbits has aired, it’s time to unleash their real unfiltered opinions about it. Balfe and Heughan were filming season 8 when they took the time to break down the big plot twist with Claire and Lord John. Yes, that one. A quick refresher. Jamie “died,” Lord John married Claire to save her, because she was busy being a spy and all. Then, they got drunk and slept together. Oops. Jamie came back to life and the first thing he did was find Claire and reunite with her. Then some Red Coats came after him and he had to pretend to take Lord John hostage. Then Lord John made terrible decisions, and decided to tell Jamie everything. Jamie didn’t take the news well, and neither did Lord John’s left eye, sadly. There was punching, a lot of punching. It was the signature Outlander chaos and drama everyone loves. Except Lord John’s eye.
Balfe and Heughan took a break from filming on set, and we got a chance to discuss Claire and Lord John’s night together, which I guess we can call “mourning-Jamie-sex.” After Jamie comes back and punches Lord John into oblivion, he and Claire fight. But those two aren’t good at staying mad at each other, so of course they make-up, in the way only they like to make-up. When we asked Balfe, who’s side she was on, she didn’t hold back, “I mean, if I was in Jamie’s position, I’m not sure I wouldn’t be a little bit annoyed too, you know?! I mean, really, you couldn’t wait a week?” Us: [Cough], agree, [cough].
Balfe went on to say, “It’s great, I mean it’s definitely shocking. But it’s understandable, he should feel hurt.” But then quickly defends her alter ego Claire, “Again, the circumstances were what they were,” Balfe trails off into laughter, “let’s leave it at that!”
Sounds like Balfe might be Team Jamie? Heughan told us he’s definitely Team Jamie, when we chatted with him at the Paley Center in October.
In a recent Starz video on set, Balfe and Heughan joked about the incident. Balfe calls Jamie, “very alpha male and jealous of Lord John Grey.” Heughan interrupts, “I think he’s got every right to be.” Balfe quickly counters in character, “Whatever, look you were dead.” Heughan whips right back, “You didn’t have to sleep with his best friend, and marry them, and take their house!” Balfe smiles, says nothing, but then quickly reveals, “But you got to benefit from that! You got to live in that house too.” Heughan counters, “Oh I got to benefit from you sleeping with my friend. Oh yes, you’re right, how does that work?” To which Balfe just laughs. Can Balfe and Heughan write Jamie and Claire’s dialogue for one episode? Please. Make it happen. Ooh and also, was that a little spoiler? Jamie and Claire take over Lord John’s house. That’s one way to get a new house, Claire. Wink, wink.
New episodes of Outlander are airing now on Starz. Check out ‘The Outlander Issue’ cover story where Balfe reveals what she once did to support Heughan, and take a look at the exclusive photo shoot with Balfe, Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin and John Bell. Watch Balfe and Heughan look back on 11 years together.
Before you go, check out the all-time best ‘Outlander’ episodes you need to watch.