Love is messy. Even in the most romantic of stories, it can be hard to pinpoint when two people fell in love with one another. But Sam Heughan believes he knows exactly when Jamie Fraser fell in love with Claire on Outlander.
On the Outcasts podcast with his Outlander costars David Berry and Tim Downie, Heughan, as per podcast tradition, engaged in a script reading. The scene was from when Jamie faints off his horse due to his untreated bullet wound in the very first episode of Outlander, "Sassenach." While much silliness abounded (Claire had some gastric problems; Caitriona Balfe did not approve), Heughan did share some sincere thoughts on the scene.
"It's the first moment that Jamie really falls in love with Claire," Heughan said. "Almost like a love at first sight." He continued:
"He looks up at her and I've always felt that that was the moment ... he's delirious and he's lost a lot of blood and he comes to. And actually, it kind of happens a lot that Jamie reaches near-death and then she saves him, and she's the first thing that he sees ... She's like this creature from another time and to him, she's remarkable."
Though he's not Outlander author Diana Gabaldon, Heughan is quite the authority. But we wanted to see what fans thought about this, so we asked 11 fans when they think Jamie really fell in love with Claire.
At First Sight
"I think Jamie fell in love with Claire the very first time he saw her in Episode 1 when she fixed his dislocated shoulder. He felt something which he maybe couldn't fathom. But you could say their souls collided at that moment."
–Elaine U., Oddie Outlander World
"I think Jamie fell in love with Claire when she set his shoulder. He was in a lot of pain and surrounded by seriously gruff Highlanders. Suddenly, this beautiful angel appears, stands up to the tough Scots on his behalf (which most women would never do), works her magic (literally and figuratively), and takes the pain away. I think he fell hard at that point, knowing he'd never meet another woman like Claire for the rest of his life."
–Carol Stark, My Outlander Purgatory
After The Horse Incident
"In the show, I would say Jamie immediately feels something special the very first time he lays an eye on Claire. And this feeling gets stronger after he falls down on the horse and she cares for him (and yells at him!)."
–Lorenza V., I Have My Own Path To Follow
"I truly think it was almost like love at first sight with Jamie. And by the time they had ridden through the night in close embrace, had been through the battle, and he had finally fallen off the horse from his wounds, he had definitely fallen in love with her. From that point on, he was very protective of her and was seeing her through the eyes of love rather than just as a captive."
–Nancianne Suber, Outlander Series Plus
"I felt there were many moments and Jamie definitely fell for Claire first. When Murtagh saved her from Black Jack and she stopped the others from damaging his shoulder and then reset the dislocation herself, he looked so captivated (and a little scared perhaps!). But I agree with Sam, the moment he fell off his horse and he saw her face, I think he fell hard for her."
–Shrada G., KiltyMind
"My gut feeling is that Jamie fell first, whist Claire was doctoring him in the woods on the way to Leoch."
—Jackie Merrell, Angus' Angels
"It's not a matter of think, because we have the answer in the book. It's when he falls off the horse and comes to with her sitting on him.
He told her later on that there was a reason he married her that he wasn’t ready to tell her. He [eventually] tells her all about it when they're at Lallybroch together for the first time in Outlander Chapter 27, 'The Last Reason.'
'When I asked my Da how ye knew which was the right woman, he told me when the time came, I’d have no doubt. And I didn't. When I woke in the dark under that tree on the road to Leoch, with you sitting on my chest, cursing me for bleeding to death, I said to myself, Jamie Fraser, for all ye canna see what she looks like, and for all she weighs as much as a good draft horse, this is the woman.'"
–Ginger Wiseman, The Outlander Podcast
At Castle Leoch
"Although I think they both felt some magic at that hand touch at the end of the scene Sam referenced, I don't think Jamie realized it was love until they were at Castle Leoch. When Jamie tells Claire his story while she bandages him in front of the fire, and then he comforts her. That's when it hit him!"
–Cathie McQuistion, Cats and Kilts and Caitlin's Coterie
"I think Jamie first fell in love with Claire when she cried in his arms at Castle Leoch. Up to this point, she had been in control of the situation (injuries to Jamie) and had taken charge — mouthing off and ordering the Highlanders around. In this moment, at Castle Leoch, he saw her vulnerability, and I think, he fell in love with her. He wanted to protect her, love her, and keep her safe. He knew she would challenge him, as well as need him. To me, he knew that she was his 'love' and his 'match' in that moment."
–Tash Pow, Sam Jamie Still Here and Peekaboo_Jen
On Their Wedding Night
"I think that Jamie and Claire truly fell in love on the eve of their wedding. That was the first time they were able to really get to know each other, not just in a physical way but formed an emotional connection. This was also the first time they were left by themselves for quite a long period of time.
Prior to that evening, they had a strong physical attraction, more lustful than love. The wedding night proved that what they felt for each other went much deeper. I know Sam stated it was much earlier on but I disagree that it was really 'love' before the wedding night. Love takes time to simmer. They were attracted to each other but it was more physical at that point, in my opinion."
–Stephanie Bryant, Outlander North Carolina and Outlander Print Shop
After The Witch Trial
"I think they fell in love (completely) when Claire finally shared her truth with Jamie in 'The Devil's Mark.' His response and acceptance was absolutely key. Jamie's reaction and acceptance are important because their relationship, up until that point, found a basis in false pretenses. They can't truly LOVE each other until their full truths are exhibited for each other."
–Mary and Blake Larsen, Mary & Blake and Outlander Cast
These interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Images: Starz