Claire Fraser’s most powerful moments in Outlander

When thinking about strong female characters on television, it’s very hard for Claire Fraser from Outlander not to be one of the first, if not the first, ones to come to mind.

She’s smart, knows how to adapt to different situations, feels love deeply, knows challenges and sacrifices, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Throughout the show’s five seasons (season 6 just premiered earlier this month), this Outlander character has proven how powerful she is.

No matter what’s thrown at the Frasers, which is definitely a lot, the family always gets through it together. And the heart of that family is the lovely leading lady. So for Women’s History Month we’re taking a look at Claire’s most powerful moments so far.

What are Claire’s most powerful Outlander moments?

Rescuing Jamie from Black Jack

Usually in movies and TV, we still mostly see men saving the women. And while Jamie has definitely saved Claire throughout the show, she’s done just the same. The very first time we see that is when she has to rescue him from Black Jack Randall, who is holding him prisoner and rapes Jamie. With Jamie in such a troubled and vulnerable place, it’s Claire who becomes his hero. Throughout her search and even when it seemed like they wouldn’t be able to get him out, she never gave up trying.

Losing Faith

This was a heartbreaking episode that’s definitely difficult to go back and rewatch. But it definitely makes it on the list of most powerful moments. Experiencing the loss of a stillborn baby isn’t something usually explored on screen. When Claire has to let her stillborn baby go, it’s the most heart-wrenching thing to see. The performance by Caitriona Balfe, who plays Claire, was off the charts.

Saying goodbyes

With Outlander being Outlander, of course, that wasn’t the last moment of heartbreak Claire would have to go through. Saying goodbye to Jamie was the most difficult thing she had to do. She has to let the love of her life go to protect their unborn baby. It wouldn’t be safe for Claire to stay in the 18th century, especially because Jamie expected to die on Culloden Moor with his men. As any parent would do, she pulls herself together and somewhat moves to raise her daughter.

Another important moment was saying goodbye to Brianna 20 years later. After discovering that Jamie is actually alive, Claire’s first thought of course is that she can’t leave her daughter. After all, it means she would never see her again. Being a parent trumps everything else. But after Brianna convinces her to go back through the stones, Claire makes yet another difficult decision to leave. Thankfully, that’s not the last time mother and daughter see each other.

Becoming a doctor

When Claire decides to go back to school to become a doctor, this is a real pivotal moment for her character. It’s who she is. Though she was the only woman in her class, that definitely did not stop her from going to school and becoming a surgeon. Claire has never been afraid to speak her mind, especially to men who don’t want to hear it, or doing something that’s out of the norm. It was so inspirational to see her dedication and doing what she loved even if it wasn’t what was expected of her. I’m pretty sure she turned out to be the best doctor out of all those men in that class, in my unbiased opinion!

Almost amputating Jamie’s leg

Imagine hearing that your husband needs to amputate his leg. Imagine having to be the one to do it. As the doctor on the Ridge and the healer who Jamie of course trusts most, Claire was just a few moments away from amputating his leg after the Scottish Highlander gets bit by a snake. Somehow she was going to compartmentalize (which she’s been good at doing with all the trauma she’s been through in her life) and treat the situation as a doctor. How could she have gone through it? To save his life she would have, but it would have been so difficult. Thankfully their brilliant daughter Brianna comes to the rescue by creating a syringe.

“I am supposed to be shattered by this. Well I won’t be”

What I think has been Claire’s most powerful moment in the series so far is a scene in the Outlander season 5 finale. Following the kidnapping by Lionel Brown and the gang rape, Claire recounts to Jamie all the trauma she’s been through in her life. She says this experience is supposed to shatter her, but she won’t let it.

Without giving away spoilers for season 6, Claire isn’t as fine as she says she is. She uses unhealthy methods to cope with her PTSD. At the same time, she indeed does not let what happened shatter her completely. She continues to support her family and the people of the Ridge the way she always has. But by the end of the season, I hope we see her leaning on her family for support, which would be a true sign of strength.

There are so many powerful moments for Claire in Outlander, these were just a few. I’m sure season 6 will bring its fair share of obstacles to the Frasers. But if anyone can get through it, it’s Claire!