Outlander’s legion of fans may be eagerly tuning in every Friday to follow the latest adventures of Claire (played by Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), but that doesn’t mean they’re without criticisms of the beloved drama.
The popular historical fantasy series from Starz made its much-anticipated return this November after a significant break, with the Frasers finally making their way back to Scotland.
However, Claire’s joy at seeing her husband on his home turf was short-lived as an urgent message from Lord John Grey (David Berry) called her back to America.
After attending to Lord Grey’s brother Henry (Harry Jarvis), he drops a bombshell – Jamie had intended to cross the Atlantic to reunite with her, but his ship was lost at sea, with all passengers presumed dead.
Despite this, fans remain sceptical about Jamie’s supposed demise and have been engaging in lively discussions about the series’ highs and lows throughout its current gripping instalment.
Outlander fans agree on major issue they ‘wish had stayed the same’ (Image: STARZ)
One viewer recently expressed dissatisfaction with the show’s theme song, which is reinterpreted each season and is currently performed by the late Irish singer Sinead O’Connor.
“As the seasons go on the singer is changed for the title sequence sometimes it works but other times it’s hard to listen to mainly in the last few seasons,” they shared on .
They posed the question: “Does anyone else feel as though they should have kept the original version of the song throughout the show?”
The evolving renditions of the Outlander theme song have become a cherished tradition within the show, though they can be somewhat distracting to certain fans.
Fans aren’t convinced Jamie is really dead (Image: STARZ)
As the series gears up for its eighth and concluding chapter, it is anticipated that the theme will undergo another transformation, stirring speculation amongst the fanbase.
One viewer suggested a nostalgic return: “Depending on how the series ends, I would not mind having the original version show up in the series finale. It would bring things full circle,” they commented.
This particular fan praised the dynamic nature of the theme: “I actually like how the song changes with each season- it sets the tone for the time/place of each season. I like some better than others, but for the most part, I don’t mind.”
Concurring with this sentiment, another enthusiast speculated: “I don’t mind any of the variations but I feel like they’re going to go back to the original singer for the last season. Just my gut feeling, hoping they do for nostalgia.”
The theme song is currently sung by Sinead O’Connor, who sadly died last year (Image: GETTY)
However, some viewers prefer earlier versions, with one person stating: “The original was by far the best!”
“1,2,3 will always be the best,” another added. And voicing their personal taste, another expressed: “Love Sinead, but this version is certainly my least favourite.”
A fan voiced their affection for the initial take: “I’ve always loved the original version with Raya Yarborough on vocals,” and lamented the lack of musical consistency seen in other series: “Just my opinion but it would have lent a continuity to the entire series from 1-8. [Game of Thrones] kept their title series music throughout and maintained instant recognition.”
With fans eagerly discussing, the question remains: Who will deliver the Outlander theme for its final season?
Outlander season seven part two continues Fridays on MGM+ via Prime Video in the UK and on Starz in the US.