Although Outlander hasn't got the budget of Game of Thrones or as many action sequences as Vikings, it still remains one of the most popular historical fiction and fantasy dramas to date. Whether it was because audiences fell in love with Jamie and Claire's transcendental romance, the cheeky but noble Murtagh, or the engaging plots themselves, the writers knew how to reel the fans in.
For the new fans whose interest has been peaked by the mystical element of the show, they may be tempted to look up the reviews on IMDb. However, sometimes this isn't always the best idea. While the ratings can suggest which episodes are the best and which ones are the worst, sometimes it can be best to judge for yourself as there is always positives and negatives to be found.
10 Worst: Season 1 - "Sassenach" - 8.5
For the first season, Outlander was full of action and well-developed storylines. From the impending Battle of Culloden to Jamie and Claire's love story, the writers did a great job in keeping the audience intrigued. So it's not surprising that the pilot episode has the lowest rating of all thirteen episodes.
However, that doesn't mean that it isn't worth watching. The pilot episode was just as important as all the others. It was the episode where the viewers discovered Claire was a time traveler. The one where Jamie and Claire meet and let's not forget that this was the episode where the rivalry between the Jacobites and Redcoats escalated. Straight away, the writers had everyone hooked.
9 Worst: Season 2 - "The Fox's Lair" - 8.3
After Jamie and Claire continued to grieve over Faith, the pair agreed to return to Scotland to be with their family. With their business ventures in France also collapsing, the two attempted to come up with new ways to prevent the Jacobite rebellion from unfolding.
Although the political and social discussions didn't exactly make it a great episode. There were some redeeming qualities to it. While she is not considered a fan favorite, fans were a little pleased to see the return of Laoghaire as it saw the feud reignited. It also saw Jamie and Claire decide that maybe they had a chance of changing history. With new plotlines, there was a lot of potential.
8 Worst: Season 3 - "Creme De Menthe" - 8.3
In "Creme De Menthe" may have also been deemed the weakest episode of season 3 in comparison to the others. However, that doesn't mean that fans should count it out altogether as a lot of things happened in terms of plot.
After their reunion, Claire soon learned that she and Jamie weren't destined for a quiet life when his printing shop burns down after Harry Tompkins discovers his seditious acts. This episode also set up their return to Lallybroch as they witnessed a sweet and emotional reunion between Ian and Claire. It was far from boring.
7 Worst: Season 4 - "America The Beautiful" - 8.5
It is surprising that the season 4 premiere was ranked as the lowest-rated episode. It may not have been the most exciting episode, with many scenes relying heavily on dialogue, but it did feature one of the biggest twists of all.
After saving the pirate and smuggler, Stephen Bonnet, from death, Jamie, Claire, and the viewers were astonished to see him attack their barge and kill several of their friends. The fact that he got away suggested to all that he would have a bigger role to play later on.
6 Worst: Season 5 - "Famous Last Words" - 8.4
Although a lot of fans weren't satisfied with the episode because the cinematography and action did not live up to the expectations of the previous episode. However, just because it wasn't the most exciting episode didn't mean "Famous Last Words" had no impact at all.
If anything, the episode should be given credit for the way the writers portrayed Roger's trauma. Not only did the viewers see the extent of Roger's PTSD but the episode was also important to his character arc as the viewers saw him go through an identity crisis. Roger was known to be a talented orator and singer. Without his voice, who was he? The episode did its best to answer this question.
5 Best: Season 1 - "The Devil's Mark" - 9.4
After Geillis and Claire had been arrested for witchcraft after Laoghaire had led the healer into a trap, fans were curious to see the outcome of the trial. Although they were both found guilty, Claire managed to escape her fate when Jamie stormed the courtroom to help her and Geillis sacrificed herself.
While the drama had everyone on the edge of their seats, there were some who didn't enjoy it as much as others as there were several contextual errors. One, in particular, being the historical inaccuracy of the witch trials, where the last woman to be executed legally for witchcraft in Scotland was in 1727.
4 Best: Season 2 - "A Dragonfly In Amber" - 9.6
Considering that all storylines climaxed in this episode, there was a sense of finality lingering in the air. The war between the Jacobites and the English Redcoats culminated on Culloden. Jamie and Dougal's came to an end, and a pregnant Claire returned to the twentieth-century.
The only issue the fans had was the fact that the episode felt a little anti-climatic. Since the writers had spent two years building up to the Battle of Culloden, the viewers wanted to see it unfold. The fact that fans had to wait till the next season to see how Jamie survived only served to frustrate them even more.
3 Best: Season 3 - "Of Lost Things" - 9.3
After the revelation that Jamie had survived the Battle of Culloden, fans had begun to wonder what happened to the Young Fraser in the twenty-year gap. In "Of Lost Things," they discovered that Jamie had been indentured at Helwater.
While many critics praised Hannah James' for the way she portrayed villainous Geneva and Heughan's emotional range, there was just one limiting factor. There was still no reunion between Jamie and Claire, and it didn't seem like they were getting any closer to one either.
2 Best: Season 4 - "The Birds & The Bees" - 9.4
Most fans would agree that season 4's "The Birds & The Bees" was quite an emotional episode. Not only did the viewers see Jamie and Brianna finally meet but the episode also saw Brianna try to come to terms with her trauma after she was raped by Bonnet.
Although some would argue that the episode was well-written, there were one or two that felt that the episode was a setback in terms of Jamie's character. He may have had good intentions in mind, but fans couldn't help but get a little frustrated with the way Jamie impulsively and viciously attacked Roger without confirming his identity. Now, everyone knew the bond he had with Brianna would be affected.
1 Best: Season 5 - "The Ballad of Roger Mac" - 9.4
Out of all the episodes in season 5, the one that stood out the most to fans was "The Ballad of Roger Mac." This was the episode where the tensions between the Regulators and the militia reached a boiling point and culminated in "The Battle of Alamance."
It had been a while since the show had introduced a major shock so imagine the fans' surprise when the writers created two potential character deaths. Roger and Murtagh. While everyone had to wait till the following episode to see if the young MacKenzie had survived, the whole fandom was heartbroken with the loss of Murtagh. Especially as he had only just come back and was on the verge of happiness. Many people thought the writers made a grave mistake here.
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