Outlander fans spot huge problem with time travel as they question show’s rules

The second half of Outlander’s seventh season is set to hit our screens later this year, but fans have already spotted some glaring issues with the show’s time travel rules.

Claire Fraser (played by Caitriona Balfe) is one of television’s most renowned time travellers, yet fans of the popular series are left with numerous questions.

The riveting historical fantasy saga penned by Diana Gabaldon has been adapted for the screen by Starz and is slated to return with eight additional episodes later this year.

The series will conclude with its eighth instalment, currently in production, but the narrative will also carry on in the eagerly awaited prequel, Outlander: Blood of my Blood.

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Since 2014, fans have been engrossed in Claire’s historical escapades alongside Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and are eagerly awaiting the drama’s continuation this November.

However, viewers catching up on the storyline so far have found themselves puzzled over the series’ fantastical time travel concept.

One new fan took to Reddit to question why Claire seemingly never packs anything for her journeys through the stones at Craigh na Dun.

“It was understandable for the very surprise first-time time travel by Claire, but every other attempt was with near zero packing,” they noted.

“I would have brought a full survival backpack with me. Some guns and ammo too for good measure.

“They didn’t care too much about upsetting the space-time continuum anyway with all the knowledge and medical tools Claire brought.”

Thankfully, Claire eventually reunited with her Highland hunk Jamie back in the 18th Century, but she could have been much more prepared for her trip had she put a little more thought into what she took with her.

To make matters more confusing, the series omits a key part of time travel that Diana explains extensively in the novels.

“Time travel is so easy, why don’t they just go back and forth more?” the fan asked.

“They’d bid their farewells like they’ll never see each other again, but why???”

Other diehard viewers and readers pointed out that in the novels travelling across timelines is extremely dangerous, and too many trips can kill them.

“Claire says in book 3 that if she goes back to the future again, she’ll never be able to return to the past because the strain of it will kill her,” one viewer replied.

And another explained travelling makes Claire “extremely ill, makes them feel like they’re being ripped apart, and they genuinely wonder if it might kill them.”

But the original poster shot back: “In that case, the [series] did a p**s poor job of showing how taxing the travelling is. They basically got a little dizzy and that was it. The toddler immediately ran around showing no sign of discomfort.”

Other fans couldn’t help but admit they were also puzzled by this change, but Outlander viewers left frustrated by the adaptation’s changes are always encouraged to check out Diana’s original novels – just be prepared for a very lengthy reading session.

Outlander season 7, part 2 premieres Friday, November 22 on Starz.