Outlander fans expose glaring issues with Claire’s time travel omitted from the books

Outlander’s Claire Fraser (played by Caitriona Balfe) is one of TV’s most famous time travellers, but fans of the hit series have some huge questions.

The gripping historical fantasy saga by Diana Gabaldon has been adapted by Starz and will return with eight more episodes later this year.

It will then come to an end with its eighth instalment, which is currently in production, but the story will also continue in the highly anticipated upcoming prequel, Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

Fans have followed Claire’s adventures through history with Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) since 2014 and are on tenterhooks for the drama to continue this November.

However, viewers who have been catching up with the story so far have found themselves scratching their heads about the series’ fantastical time travel conceit.

One new fan took to Reddit to ask why Claire apparently never packs anything for her trips 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 wrote.

“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 traveling 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.