This article contains spoilers forOutlanderseason 7 episode 11.
Keeping this promise was much easier when William was an ocean away.
Now the events of the Revolutionary War have brought both Lord John and William near Jamie and Claire.
Claires grief and the awkward adjustments to save face in public as Lord Johns wife dominate this episode.
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Williams life has not changed that much since Lord John married Claire.
Now William Ransom a.k.a.
William Grey, hes still a British soldier.
Jamies unexpected return from Scotland on a different ship suddenly upends everything.
Anytime Jamie and Claire get separated, its never good, Caitriona Balfe says.
Both Claire and Lord John feel Jamies absence from their lives.
Claires depression and grief drive her to contemplate suicide as she feels she has lost all meaning and purpose.
Lord John also feels Jamies loss but is compelled to dress up the situation for Philadelphia society.
I remember watching it for the first time and I got so teary.
You dont need to add anything to it.
In the last episode, Lord John promises Claire that they dont have to consummate their marriage officially.
However, their shared grief leads to a moment of intimacy.
They would rather have Jamie as a partner.
We decided to let the scene breathe onscreen and that we dont need to cut away.
When you watchOutlander, you may get a 10-minute scene, and thats our language of storytelling.
This is the conversation that William isnt supposed to hear but he does and it changes everything for him.
Theyve been through this grieving process, this strange relationship.
On top of that, to have William find out is a huge moment for Jamie.
For then to have to deal with Jamies anger about it is very complicated.
Willam was entirely unprepared to hear the truth because of the confidence Lord John instilled in him.
Hes lost in this particular moment in his life, Vandervaart says.
Now he has no idea because thats a lie.
This is Williams entire identity falling apart in front of him.
William curses Lord John, Jamie, and Claire and storms off.
I think in his confusion at that moment, he means it, Vandervaart says.
William is a very fiery person and its akin to that really cliche phrase hurt people hurt people.
It was very tough stuff to film, Balfe says.
Its one of those storylines where youre like, how do we get into this?
How do we make this feel honest to these characters?
And working with David in that way was amazing.
Its also those challenges that make the work interesting.
Hes an incoming wake of destruction because he has no idea what hes supposed to be doing now.
His entire moral compass and direction in life are now in turbulence.
Heughan and company promise that the revelation will have long-lasting effects on the rest of the season.
Im looking forward to it.
New episodes of Outlander season 7 premiere Fridays at 8 p.m.
