Five years ago, one Outlander character faced a particularly devastating story that I’m eager to see paid off in season 8. The romantacy series’ upcoming season will be the last chance to wrap up each character’s story, and this will be no easy task. Jamie and Claire will likely get the most attention, but it’s essential that supporting characters satisfy their adventures as well. In one of these cases, I hope things will go beyond just a generic happy ending. Given this character’s Outlander season 5 story and the dozens of conflicts that followed, true resolution is a must.
The character I’m speaking of is Roger MacKenzie, who has certainly been through the wringer since he was first introduced as an adult in the finale of Outlander season 2. Roger’s overarching story began with the death of his parents during World War II, leading him to be raised by Reverand Wakefield, a good friend to Frank Randall. This was, of course, all part of Roger’s destiny. As a time traveler himself, Roger was always meant to meet Claire Fraser and her daughter, Brianna. However, his time-traveling adventures in Outlander have led to a great deal of misfortune—especially in season 5.
Roger Deserves A Happy Ending After His Tragic Season 5 Story
Roger Hasn’t Fully Settled Since He Was Hanged
While Roger faced a great deal of misfortune throughout his entire story, his most traumatic moment came in Outlander season 5 when he was reunited with one of his own ancestors, Morag MacKenzie. Roger had initially met this woman on the ship to the Americas, and he saved her and her baby’s lives, ultimately ensuring his own existence since Roger wouldn’t have been born had they died. Unfortunately, Morag’s husband, Buck MacKenzie, wasn’t too thrilled to meet Roger. Buck misunderstood Roger’s intentions toward Morag and had him arrested and hanged him as a Regulator.
Roger survived his hanging in Outlander season 5, but the traumatic situation left a significant impact on his character. It was months before he could speak again, and Roger even came close to suicide before he began to heal. This portion of Roger’s Outlander story was absolutely heartbreaking, and while he has seen joy since then, it seems that this character still can’t catch a break. Roger losing his voice was significant because, as a minister, his voice is his weapon. He reclaimed it, but each season of Outlander keeps him from fully using it. Going into season 8, Roger desperately needs a big win.
Roger’s Adventure In Outlander Season 7 Was A Good Start
Roger’s Story Is On A Good Trajectory
Outlander season 7 managed to continue Roger’s season 5 story by reuniting him with Buck MacKenzie, the very same ancestor who had him hanged. If Roger hadn’t forgiven Buck before, then the latter man’s help in searching for Jemmy after he was kidnapped by Rob Cameron made all the difference. The pair went on a journey through time to find Jemmy but ultimately wound up in the year 1739, where they were united with several other relatives. Geillis Duncan, Dougal MacKenzie, and even Roger’s own father, Jerry MacKenzie, all had parts to play in this exciting season 7 story.
Roger’s journey revolves significantly around meeting and helping ancestors, thus ensuring his own birth never happens, but he has found little peace in any of this.
Still, said and done, Roger’s adventure in 1739 in Outlander season 7 was still more bitter than sweet. He met and saved his own father, but Roger has no idea what happened to Jerry after he went back through the stones. Roger’s journey revolves significantly around meeting and helping ancestors, thus ensuring his own birth never happens, but he has found little peace in any of this. Roger’s character is still in a constant state of anxiety and confusion, which got its start with that terrible hanging in Outlander season 5. Season 7 was a good start, but Roger deserves more.
It Would Be Too Easy For Outlander Season 8 To Ignore Roger’s Personal Arc
Season 8 Will Likely Focus On Jamie & Claire
Unfortunately, since Roger MacKenzie isn’t the primary character of Outlander, it’s perfectly possible that this is as far as his story will go on screen. The fantasy series only has a limited number of episodes to wrap things up, and Jamie and Claire will undoubtedly be the priority. This means that any overarching closure the Outlander books will give Roger may never happen in the TV series. Given the immensely difficult road he has traveled from season to season, this would be truly disappointing.
He still hasn’t learned what happened to his father after he went through the stones, and the truth about this would bring some closure.
Of course, there is still hope that, going into Outlander season 8, the details of Roger’s story will come together. An easy way to make this happen would be to clue Roger in on what his adventures through time had achieved. He still hasn’t learned what happened to his father after he went through the stones, and the truth about this would bring some closure. Finally, seeing Roger settle in at Fraser’s Ridge and officially take up the position as a minister would bring his reclaiming of his voice in Outlander season 5 full circle. So long as these things happen, I would be happy.