'Outlander' EP Explains Jamie's 'Poetic' Black Jack Showdown, Teases Reunion With Claire

(Spoiler alert: Do not read on if you haven’t watched Sunday’s season premiere of “Outlander.”)

“Outlander” is a show that’s never been afraid to reinvent itself, Season 3 has brought some cosmic shifts to the Starz drama, including one surprising death in Sunday’s premiere.

The episode opens on Jamie lying on the battlefield after the the Jacobites’ defeat at the Battle of Culloden. He’s barely alive, concealed from British soldiers by a lifeless body laying on top of him — the body of Black Jack Randall.

That the show’s biggest villain dies so early on in the season may be surprising, but it’s not entirely unexpected; Claire long ago foretold that Black Jack would die in that battle. What is unexpected is that Black Jack’s final moments on the show come in a series of surreal, mostly wordless flashbacks all within the first half of the episode.

Also Read: 'Outlander' EPs Weigh in on When Starz Drama Might End, Keeping Pace With Novels

“We kept it very similar to how it happens in the book,” executive producer Maril Davis said of the sequence in an interview with TheWrap. “But we took a little creative license.”

The third book in Diana Galbadon’s series of novels, “Voyager,” similarly opens with Jamie in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. Galbadon omits the battle entirely, and readers don’t find out until much later in the series how Black Jack was killed.

“We thought that was a little unsatisfying,” Davis said. “We thought this would be much more interesting for our audience, this kind of poetic dance between the two of them.”

Also Read: 'Outlander' Stars Talk Where Jamie and Claire Have Been - and Show Where They're Going (Video)

“It’s this almost beautiful moment between them — and I don’t usually use the word ‘beautiful’ to describe a battle, or something so gruesome,” she said. But a showdown between the two men has long been brewing, ever since Black Jack nearly whipped Jamie to death before the events of the series, and it’s something both the fans and the characters have been anticipating for years.

“Jamie is the one that got away for Jack. Both literally and figuratively … Black Jack likes to break people, and Jamie is probably the first man he’s raped to survive and escape,” Davis said. “Killing them gives him control and keeps his secret safe.”

Jamie doesn’t get a dramatic moment in which he triumphantly bests his nemesis. Instead, the two men battle it out to the brink of exhaustion — the last two men standing in the clash between Scotland and England. And then they both collapse, with one to survive while the other does not.

Also Read: 'Outlander' Season 3 Trailer Teases More Heartbreak for Claire and Jamie (Video)

The matter-of-factness of Black Jack’s death makes clear from the jump that no human antagonist matches up to the psychological trauma caused by Claire and Jamie being separated through time. Jamie spends the rest of the episode begging to die now that his people have lost the war and his wife has returned to the future, and Claire struggles to readjust to life in the 1940s with Frank.

“The show at it’s core is about Jamie and Claire and their relationship. That’s what people show up for,” Davis said, promising that the lovers will reunite later this season. “We didn’t want to rush getting them back together … We follow Jamie’s storyline, and the episode when they reunite just felt like the most natural point for that.”

Also Read: 'Outlander' Season 3 Trailer: Jamie and Claire Live Separate Lives (Video)

But for now, viewers will have to live with the show’s unsettling new rhythms, just as stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan had to deal with filming the show without their usual scene partner.

“They’ve grown up together on this show in so many ways,” Davis said. “I think it did get lonely for them.”

Fall TV Premiere Calendar: 164 New and Returning Shows (Photos)

As the onslaught of TV premieres gets underway, it can be tough to remember what premieres when. Here's your guide to every new and returning series premiering over the next three months.
"American Horror Story: Cult" (FX)
Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 10 p.m.
FX
"You're the Worst" (FXX)
Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 10 p.m.
FXX
"Bojack Horseman" (Netflix)
Friday, Sept. 8

Netflix
"One Mississippi" (Amazon)
Friday, Sept 8
Amazon
"MTV Unplugged" (MTV)
Friday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m.
Getty Images
"Con Man" (Syfy)
Saturday, Sept. 9 at 10 p.m.
Syfy
"The Orville" (Fox)
Sunday, Sept. 10 at 8 p.m.

Fox
"Outlander" (Starz)
Sunday, Sept. 10 at 8 p.m.

Starz
"Top of the Lake: China Girl" (SundanceTV)
Sunday, Sept. 10 at 9 p.m.
SundanceTV
"Fear the Walking Dead" (AMC)
Sunday, Sept. 10 at 9 p.m.
AMC
"The Deuce" (HBO)
Sunday, Sept. 10 at 9 p.m.
HBO
"The Mindy Project" (Hulu)
Tuesday, Sept. 12

Hulu
"South Park" (Comedy Central)
Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 10 p.m.

Comedy Central
"Broad City" (Comedy Central)
Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 p.m.
Comedy Central
"Better Things" (FX)
Thursday, Sept. 14 at 10 p.m.
FX
"American Vandal" (Netflix)
Friday, Sept. 15

Netflix
69th Primetime Emmy Awards (CBS)
Sunday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m.

Getty Images
"The Vietnam War" (PBS)
Sunday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m.

PBS
"Vice Principals" (HBO)
Sunday, Sept. 17 at 10:30 p.m.
HBO
"Dancing With the Stars" (ABC)
Monday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.
ABC
"The State" (Nat Geo)
Monday, Sept. 18 at 9 p.m.

Nat Geo
"If Loving You Is Wrong" (OWN)
Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m.

OWN
"The Jim Jeffries Show" (Comedy Central)
Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 10:30 p.m.

Comedy Central
"Channel Zero" (Syfy)
Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 10 p.m.

Syfy
"The Good Place" (NBC)
Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 10 p.m.

NBC
"Gotham" (Fox)
Thursday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m.

Fox
"American Beauty Star" (Lifetime)
Thursday, Sept. 21 at 10:30 p.m.
Lifetime
"Fuller House" (Netflix)
Friday, Sept. 22

Netflix
"Transparent" (Amazon)
Friday, Sept. 22

Amazon
"Star Trek: Discovery" (CBS All Access)
Sunday, Sept. 24 at 8:30 p.m.
CBS
"The Big Bang Theory" (CBS)
Monday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m.
CBS
"Young Sheldon" (CBS)
Monday, Sept. 25 at 8:30 p.m.
CBS
"Kevin Can Wait" (CBS)
Monday, Sept. 25 at 9 p.m.
CBS
"Me, Myself & I" (CBS)
Monday, Sept. 25 at 9:30 p.m.
CBS
"Scorpion" (CBS)
Monday, Sept. 25 at 10 p.m.

CBS
"The Voice" (NBC)
Monday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m.

NBC
"The Brave" (NBC)
Monday, Sept. 25 at 10 p.m.

NBC
"The Opposition With Jordan Klepper" (Comedy Central)
Monday, Sept. 25 at 11:30 p.m.

Comedy Central
"Lethal Weapon" (Fox)
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m.

Fox
"The Mick" (Fox)
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m.
Fox
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (Fox)
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9:30 p.m.
Fox
"NCIS" (CBS)
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m.

CBS
"Bull" (CBS)
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m.
CBS
"NCIS: New Orleans" (CBS)
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m.

CBS
"This Is Us" (NBC)
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m.

NBC
"Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders" (NBC)
Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m.

NBC
"Terrace House: Aloha State" (Netflix)
Tuesday, Sept. 26

Netflix
"Empire" (Fox)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.

Fox
"Star" (Fox)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m.

Fox
"Survivor" (CBS)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.
CBS
"SEAL Team" (CBS)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m.
CBS
"Criminal Minds" (CBS)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 10 p.m.
CBS
"The Goldbergs" (ABC)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.

ABC
"Speechless" (ABC)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 8:30 p.m.

ABC
"Modern Family" (ABC)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m.

ABC
"American Housewife" (ABC)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 9:30 p.m.

ABC
"Designated Survivor" (ABC)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 10 p.m.

ABC
"The Blacklist" (NBC)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.
NBC
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 9 p.m.
NBC
"Chicago P.D." (NBC)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 10 p.m.
NBC
"Liar" (SundanceTV)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 10 p.m.
SundanceTV
"Rosehaven" (SundanceTV)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 11 p.m.

SundanceTV
"Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m.

ABC
"How to Get Away With Murder" (ABC)
Thursday, Sept. 28 at 10 p.m.

ABC
"Superstore" (NBC)
Thursday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m.

NBC
"Will & Grace" (NBC)
Thursday, Sept. 28 at 9 p.m.

NBC
"Great News" (NBC)
Thursday, Sept. 28 at 9:30 p.m.
NBC
"Chicago Fire" (NBC)
Thursday, Sept. 28 at 10 p.m.

NBC
"The President Show" (Comedy Central)
Thursday, Sept. 28 at Midnight

Comedy Central
"StartUp" (Crackle)
Thursday, Sept. 28
Crackle
"Hell's Kitchen" (Fox)
Friday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.
Fox
"The Exorcist" (Fox)
Friday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m.

Fox
"MacGyver" (CBS)
Friday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.

CBS
"Hawaii Five-0" (CBS)
Friday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m.

CBS
"Blue Bloods" (CBS)
Friday, Sept. 29 at 10 p.m.

CBS
"Marvel's Inhumans" (ABC)
Friday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.

ABC
"The Magic School Bus Rides Again" (Netflix)
Friday, Sept. 29

Netflix
"Real Rob" (Netflix)
Friday, Sept. 29

Netflix
"Big Mouth" (Netflix)
Friday, Sept. 29
Netflix
"Versailles" (Ovation)
Saturday, Sept. 30 at 10 p.m.
Ovation
"Saturday Night Live" (NBC)
Saturday, Sept. 30 at 11:30 p.m.
NBC
"Bob's Burgers" (Fox)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Fox
"The Simpsons" (Fox)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.

Fox
"Ghosted" (Fox)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 8:30 p.m.

Fox
"Family Guy" (Fox)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 9 p.m.
Fox
"The Last Man on Earth" (Fox)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 9:30 p.m.

Fox
"Wisdom of the Crowd" (CBS)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 8:30 p.m.

CBS
"NCIS: Los Angeles" (CBS)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 9:30 p.m.

CBS
"The Toy Box" (ABC)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

ABC
"Shark Tank" (ABC)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m.
ABC
"Ten Days in the Valley" (ABC)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 10 p.m.
ABC
"Poldark" (PBS)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 9 p.m.

PBS
"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" (E!)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 9 p.m.

NBCUniversal
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO)
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 10 p.m.

HBO
"Lucifer" (Fox)
Monday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.
Fox
"The Gifted" (Fox)
Monday, Oct. 2 at 9 p.m.

Fox
"9JKL" (CBS)
Monday, Oct. 2 at 8:30 p.m.

CBS
"TRL" (MTV)
Monday, Oct. 2

Getty Images
"The Halcyon" (Ovation)
Monday, Oct. 2 at 10 p.m.
Ovation
"The Middle (ABC)
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m.
ABC
"Fresh Off the Boat" (ABC)
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 8:30 p.m.
ABC
"black-ish" (ABC)
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 9 p.m.

ABC
"The Mayor" (ABC)
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 9:30 p.m.

ABC
"Kevin (Probably) Saves the World" (ABC)
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 10 p.m.

ABC
"Queen Sugar" (OWN)
Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 10 p.m.
OWN
"Scandal" (ABC)
Thursday, Oct. 5 at 9 p.m.

ABC
"Van Helsing" (Syfy)
Thursday, Oct. 5 at 9 p.m.

Syfy
"Once Upon a Time" (ABC)
Friday, Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.
ABC
"Superstition" (Syfy)
Friday, Oct. 6 at 10 p.m.

Syfy
"Suburra" (Netflix)
Friday, Oct. 6
Netflix
"America's Funniest Home Videos" (ABC)
Sunday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m.
ABC
"Madam Secretary" (CBS)
Sunday, Oct. 8 at 10 p.m.
CBS
"The Collection" (PBS)
Sunday, Oct. 8 at 10 p.m.

PBS
"Supergirl" (The CW)
Monday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.

The CW
"Valor" (The CW)
Monday, Oct. 9 at 9 p.m.

The CW
"The Flash" (The CW)
Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m.

The CW
"Legends of Tomorrow" (The CW)
Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 9 p.m.

The CW
"Riverdale" (The CW)
Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m.

The CW
"Dynasty" (The CW)
Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 9 p.m.

The CW
"Mr. Robot" (USA)
Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 10 p.m.
USA
"The Shannara Chronicles" (Spike)
Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 10 p.m.
Spike
"Chance" (Hulu)
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Hulu
"Supernatural" (The CW)
Thursday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.
The CW
"Arrow" (The CW)
Thursday, Oct. 12 at 9 p.m.

The CW
"I Love You, America" (Hulu)
Thursday, Oct. 12
Getty Images
"Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" (The CW)
Friday, Oct. 13 at 8 p.m.
The CW
"Jane the Virgin" (The CW)
Friday, Oct. 13 at 9 p.m.
The CW
"Lore" (Amazon)
Friday, Oct. 13
Amazon
"Mindhunter" (Netflix)
Friday, Oct. 13
Netflix
"Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" (BBC America)
Saturday, Oct. 14 at 9 p.m.
BBC America
"The Durrells in Corfu" (PBS)
Sunday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m.
PBS
"Berlin Station" (Epix)
Sunday, Oct. 15 at 9 p.m.

Epix
"Good Behavior" (TNT)
Sunday, Oct. 15 at 10 p.m.

TNT
"White Famous" (Showtime)
Sunday, Oct. 15 at 10 p.m.

Showtime
"Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party" (VH1)
Monday, Oct. 16 at 10 p.m.

VH1
"Hit the Road" (Audience)
Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 10 p.m.
Getty Images
"Loudermilk" (Audience)
Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 10:30 p.m.

Audience
"Freakish" (Hulu)
Wednesday, Oct. 18

Hulu
"The Walking Dead" (AMC)
Sunday, Oct. 22 at 9 p.m.

AMC
"Graves" (Epix)
Sunday, Oct. 22 at 10 p.m.

Epix
"The Last O.G." (TBS)
Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 10 p.m.
Getty Images
"At Home With Amy Sedaris" (TruTV)
Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 10:30 p.m.
TruTV
"Drop the Mic" (TBS)
Thursday, Oct. 26 at 10 p.m.

TBS
"Blindspot" (NBC)
Friday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m.

NBC
"Stranger Things" (Netflix)
Friday, Oct. 27

Netflix
"Major Crimes" (TNT)
Monday, Oct. 30 at 9 p.m.
TNT
"Superior Donuts" (CBS)
Monday, Oct. 30 at 9:30 p.m.

CBS
"Mom" (CBS)
Thursday, Nov. 2 at 9 p.m.

CBS
"Life in Pieces" (CBS)
Thursday, Nov. 2 at 9:30 p.m.

CBS
"S.W.A.T." (CBS)
Thursday, Nov. 2 at 10 p.m.

CBS
"Alias Grace" (Netflix)
Friday, Nov. 3
Netflix
"The Girlfriend Experience" (Starz)
Sunday, Nov. 5 at 9 p.m.
Starz
"Shameless" (Showtime)
Sunday, Nov. 5 at 9 p.m.

Showtime
"SMILF" (Showtime)
Sunday, Nov. 5 at 10 p.m.

Showtime
"The Long Road Home" (Nat Geo)
Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 9 p.m.
National Geographic
"Teachers" (TV Land)
Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 10 p.m.

TV Land
"Future Man" (Hulu)
Tuesday, Nov. 14

Hulu
"Mythbusters" (Science)
Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 9 p.m.

Science Channel
"Search Party" (TBS)
Sunday, Nov. 19 at 10 p.m.

TBS
"Marvel's Runaways" (Hulu)
Tuesday, Nov. 21

Getty Images
"Godless" (Netflix)
Wednesday, Nov. 22

Netflix
"She's Gotta Have It" (Netflix)
Thursday, Nov. 23
Netflix
"Vikings" (History)
Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 9 p.m.
History
"Happy!" (Syfy)
Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 10 p.m.
Syfy

1 of 165

TheWrap’s guide to every show premiering on broadcast, cable and streaming

As the onslaught of TV premieres gets underway, it can be tough to remember what premieres when. Here's your guide to every new and returning series premiering over the next three months.

View In Gallery

Fall TV Premiere Calendar: 164 New and Returning Shows (Photos)

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