Outlander season 3: Why omissions of Lord John Grey, others happen
We’re not a book reader, and because of that we cannot quite explain what the impact of Lord John’s absence means ub the long-term. Yet, we can try to wrap our brain around the show chose to make the decision that they did in this instance.
1. Time – By and large, this is the reason for most deviations from the source material. While Outlander may have thirteen episodes, you can still argue that Voyager is a dense enough book that they could make sixteen or even eighteen episodes of it. All of Helwater, for example, was condensed down into a single episode, and we’ve had to speed through certain parts of this book. If Outlander wants to tell the story of one book a season, there are going to be certain casualties that come as a result of that. Losing Lord John in this instance is seemingly one of them.
2. Different stakes – If Outlander had wanted Lord John aboard that ship, they could have easily made it happen. However, there was also another reason that producers may have opted to save Lord John for down the road: They wanted to raise the stakes for Claire on it and make her even more of an underdog hero. Without a true ally, Claire managing to figure out a way to heal everyone and make her escape is all the more impressive. We feel like this is ultimately what this story was all about: Claire managing, using the skills that she has, to fulfill her duty as a doctor while also fulfilling what she believes to be her duty as a wife, to help inform her husband of the storm that’s coming his way. She hasn’t quite been successful in reuniting with Jamie just yet, but some of the early seeds of the subject have been clearly sewn.
This episode of Outlander is probably not going to be the last this season to feature a change from the books — maybe Lord John is written in down the road or there could be other changes made along the way. This still isn’t the biggest change of the season — that from our vantage point goes to keeping Murtagh alive.
What did you think about the omission of Lord John Grey on Outlander season 3 Sunday night? Share now in the comments!
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Annieo
November 23, 2017 @ 12:16 am
Pretty sure Lord John will be the final frame of the season. Whether or not Claire meets him first – no idea. I enjoy all of the series so much. Can always read the books again. And again. Those of you who haven’t? Get reading.
Terri Belzer-Kopishke
November 22, 2017 @ 4:22 am
While I generally agree with your assessments, in this case you’re just abyss off the mark. Lord John Grey doesn’t aid Claire aboard the Porpoise in Voyager, their brief encounter aboard ship is a “moment of peace” for her….just being able to vent about the futility of it all to anybody helps..and after their conversation…she realizes that that moment she so desperately needed has come on her unawares and she is re-energized in her quest to quell the typhoid plague. No, it didn’t need to be Lord John…but it does set up for her telling Jamie who the Governor of Jamaica is and him deciding to ask his friend for help in locating young Ian. The whole reason the Porpoise needs a healer is because they need to get the Governor to his post alive…otherwise, why are they going to Jamaica at a time of year when sea voyage is perilous?
Gillian van Niekerk
November 22, 2017 @ 4:18 am
don’t give me that “time” nonsense. that surgery of the exciseman NEVER HAPPENED in the book, what a giant waste of time, and it was ludicrous. Same for that stuff about the superstitions on the boat last week. The writers remove important bits only to add in their own spin on the story, and the fans generally dislike these deviations as they portray Jamie and Claire as different people. Jamie blackmailing Fergus? what? he is smarter than that, and of course, didn’t happen, so all that time spent in the lock up was not of any benefit to the story. Loved the storyline with young Elias, even the gruesome stitching up of the bodies, a great bit of new writing that absolutely fits. Murtagh is a gift and for that we are grateful. This LJG omission hopefully will result in a great meeting at the ball, although Willoughby’s character has been so altered that I can’t imagine what he will do there.
tenngtits
November 22, 2017 @ 1:10 am
Did not care for this Captain Rains at all!
nannytucket
November 22, 2017 @ 12:40 am
Well I certainly hope they would have Lord John in the episode. There seeme to be some unnecessary things like the three confrontations Claire had with the cook and her going on Shore with Anajke that could have been done without. Captain Leonard could have told Claire about Jamie while on the ship she did not need to go ashore that took almost 20 minutes of the show.
But it is what it is and I loved every minute of it. Faithful and loyal follower here and we’ll stick with it to the end
Nanci Parker
November 21, 2017 @ 9:52 pm
I noticed that Lord John was not in the episode I kept expecting him to show up. I was disappointed I like his character a lot I hope they will keep him in the story. I am thrilled that they have kept Murtah alive I really think his character is valuable to the story.
mable
November 21, 2017 @ 6:55 pm
Maybe part of the reason for the omission is because the story is toldfrom Claire’s POV, we don’t know what Jamie was doing on that ship while she was gone. Here was a chance to tell his story. With an hour show, something had to be cut out.
Kathy Maher
November 21, 2017 @ 6:30 pm
It’s not a big Deal that LJG didn’t appear, (I read the Books), so I KNOW he will Show up in a later Episode! They are trying to let the story flow, so trying to squeeze too much in is bound to confuse non-book Fans. It’s about being Patient….Claire Already knows about Willie, for one thing, but There will be still be Drama @ The Ball, when she meets LJG for the 1st Time. Plus Claire needed This Episode To Show her Determination & Passion to Get to Jamie, since We Already saw how Determined & Desperate Jamie was to Rescue Her & What They are both Willing to Risk to be Together Again!!
Jackie Frazho Mokry
November 21, 2017 @ 4:20 pm
I understand the time factor, but I think David Berry is wonderful as LJG and would love to see him more and hope to in the future.
nannytucket
November 22, 2017 @ 12:45 am
Totally agree.. David Berry is doing a phenominal job. Loved Lord John in the books.
Pat Cocivera
November 21, 2017 @ 3:40 pm
the only reason I can see is that Jamies short meeting with John at the party brings up William………but they already brought him up so we don’t need Jamie kissing John and Claire getting upset……stupid move on their part so much a part of Voyager……..
Tara
November 21, 2017 @ 12:38 am
Good article!
I’ve been asking the same questions actually?! I hope this was because of your outlined reason #2, the stakes are not high enough yet.
Also can I just say.. this website is legitimately one of the best places on the whole internet regards all things Outlander.
Well done and thank you ?
kmc
November 20, 2017 @ 8:10 pm
I missed Lord John Grey from the episode, but I think the writers, who decided the have Jamie and Claire use the Fraser surname instead of Malcom, that LJG would have recognized Claire. Jamie told LJG her name while in Ardsmuir and LJG “defended” her honor when he was a young soldier in season 2. That would have ruined the surprise, if the scene at the Governors Ball is shown in the TV show.