Sam Heughan & Caitriona Balfe Talk Outlander's Action-Packed Season 6 Finale

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe are sharing their thoughts on Outlander season 6!

The dramatic finale episode found Jamie and Claire barricaded inside their home as they faced off against Richard Brown (Chris Larkin) and his militia. Brown had come to force Claire into standing trial for the murder of Malva Christie, which both Claire and Jamie knew would not end well.

The pair are seen having a heartfelt discussion as to whether this could truly be the end of the line for them, before Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones) arrives and says he’ll ensure there’s a fair trial. In the finale’s final moments, Jamie and Claire are separated and the episode ends on a major cliffhanger as Jamie races back to save his wife.

In an interview with Variety, Sam and Caitriona spoke about the season’s dramatic conclusion and what may happen to their characters in the future.

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“We originally were supposed to film 12 episodes,” Caitriona told the outlet. “That was the original idea. But this felt like a really natural point. If we had to stop somewhere, this felt like a good place to stop. It’s such a great cliffhanger to be on. There’s that point of hope, but you’re definitely left kind of on the edge of your seat wanting to see what’s gonna happen next.”

Sam added, “I mean it’s pretty breathless, right? The last two episodes, so much happens. So in a good way, I think it’s good that we have this ending and give time for the viewer to catch up.”

Executive producer Maril Davis went on to say that the decision to make the season just eight episodes was in part due to challenges caused by COVID-19.

“So originally we’re supposed to have 12 episodes, right? Due to COVID and a variety of factors, we kind of realized very quickly after we started the season that we couldn’t accomplish those 12 episodes,” she explained. “It just so happened eight was a perfect point to cut it off. Not only because that’s as long as we thought we’d go, but also it was a perfect way to end the season, with Jamie and Claire separated. We didn’t know what was gonna happen. We’d leave a cliffhanger moment. So it was perfect. There was a little bit of a tag at the end of this episode that we pushed into Season 7. But that was honestly the only change we made to this episode. This episode was always planned to be this way, this shootout at the O.K. Corral. I just love it. That shootout at the beginning is so cool. And I just love that shot of Claire coming around the corner with the rifle.”

She continued, “I just love seeing Jamie and Claire with their backs against the wall, it’s them against the world. It’s so symbolic of this whole season. We talk so much about the Ridge, and what happens when your home turns against you? Its climax is at this episode. Everyone is against Jamie and Claire. Everyone believes Claire did it, and no one speaks up for them. There’s a very small group of people who do. And it’s a huge surprise when Tom Christie speaks up for Claire. We don’t know whether he thinks she’s guilty or not, but we do know he’s gonna ensure she has a fair trial.”

Maril also teased what was to come in season 7, explaining that fans would get more about Tom Christie and Claire’s relationship.

“We will see in Season 7 kind of the reasons why Tom has done what he’s done. Tom is a flawed character, played so brilliantly by Mark Lewis Jones. He’s flawed and he’s conflicted. He’s always at war with himself. He knows what’s right or what he thinks is right. He’s a very pious man. He’s very judgmental. Deep down, he’s a fair man and he wants to see justice for his daughter. I think deep down, he probably knows Claire didn’t do it. But regardless if she did it or not, he’s not okay with this vigilante justice. He’s not okay with Richard Brown taking her off. He knows if Richard Brown takes her, he’s just gonna kill her by the side of the road. She’s never going to see a fair trial. So for him, he does want this to be done the right way. And he knows he’s also the only one that can make sure that happens because… the justice is his,” she said.

Sam added that the finale found Jamie and Claire’s world “completely destroyed.”

“Normally, the popularity and the strength of their reputation is something that they’ve utilized, but this time it’s strange,” he said. “Their allies come in different shapes and forms. In this standoff with the Browns, Tom Christie, in a very odd way, comes to help them. The situation they’re in now, for Jamie certainly, he’s clearly gonna go find Claire and luckily does have some allies left. But it’s a very different world that we’re used to. We see that throughout this journey of the last two episodes. We see the world, the actual physical world around them, is also very unsettled. A lot of terrible with the upcoming revolution. But you can count on one thing and that’s that Jamie’s gonna go find Claire.”

Caitriona also spoke to Claire’s character arc throughout the season, in which she realizes how much the trauma she’s experienced has affected her.

“This whole season is in a way of deconstruction of Claire. Claire, as a product of her time, as a product of her profession, has always been very good at compartmentalizing everything. I think in the medical field, you have to be able to do that. You have to be able to experience trauma, see trauma, but put blinkers on and focus on the job that needs to be done. You put away your feelings about it and you’re very good at shelving your emotions. I think Claire has always been able to do that,” she said, adding that Claire will need to find a way to open up and share.

“Especially with Jamie, it’s that connection that they have, but if she’s not open with him and if she’s not allowing him to see her at her most vulnerable, then she’s not being fully present I suppose,” she noted.

When asked if she could share any details about season 7, Maril replied: “I can’t get into the theme too much. I will say we’ve talked so much about the Revolution coming — it’s like “winter is coming” in “Game of Thrones.” Next season, the Revolution is here. It’s our biggest season yet. We’re gonna straddle so many storylines and so much ground is covered in this season. Everyone goes on such a crazy arc this season. It’s the biggest season we’ve ever done and I’m so excited. I’m particularly excited about young Ian. He has a great storyline. Jamie and Claire, there’s so much I can’t talk about because I don’t want to spoil anything.”

See the ten most popular photos of Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe here!