Following this weekend’s emotional episode Of Lost Things, writer Toni Graphia once again took to the Outlander Writers Twitter account and answered fan questions. (emojis are approximate…)
Q You’ve said you’re taking it slow with Roger and Bree – will we get more of them in episode 5?
A Yes. And one of them will wear a Santa hat.
Q When Jamie was hugging Willie, what does Jamie say in Gaelic?
A “Don’t cry, my lad, It’ll be all right.”
Q Singing is such a large part of Roger’s character. When will we get to hear him sing?
A Sing… and perhaps play.
Q I was casually rewatching S1 Ep 4, um, when I saw FIONA in the 1700s? Can this be explained? Was told she has witchy powers.
A It’s Fiona’s seven times great grandmother.
Q The inclusion of Hal in this ep was a nice surprise. Why did you choose to have him be Geneva’s source of incriminating info?
A Letters would be risky. This was a more interesting way to go. And we love Hal.
Q Some (not me) find Bree hard to love. Why the choice to have her make fun of Fiona in the car repair scene?
A She was just a little jealous because she likes Roger.
Q This was my favorite Roger and Bree scene. It really set up their blossoming relationship well. Was the carburetor a little Easter egg?
A Ha! Yes. Nice catch.
Q Will you write an episode to make Caitriona shine as episode 4 for Sam? She deserves one. #Emmy #GoldenGlobe
A She’s very shiny in 305. 💡
Q Was there an Easter egg in this episode? If so, what was it? Thanks. Great debate whether it was the singer in the pub or not.
A Let’s just say it’s always Easter at Outlander.
Q How long did it take you to write Ep. 304? Anything you wanted to add but was scrapped for timing issues?
A Yes. I wrote Jamie praying for those he loved. But cut for time. 🙁
Q Could you explain the decision with Ellen’s pearls. Why would Claire leave them to Mrs. Graham?
A She promised Frank to leave the past behind. So she entrusted the pearls to Mrs. Graham.
Q who picked the Bob Dylan song? PERFECT! I cried like a baby.
A I did. I knew I wanted Hard Rain from the time I read the chapters. Love Dylan. But this duet is perfect for Claire & Jamie. Thank you @WalkOffTheEarth for your brilliance. ♥ It’s one of those songs that transcend time.
Q Why did you decide that Bree should impulsively kiss Roger? (Very happy with that decision, BTW!)
A Look at his face. He’s verra smoochable.
A (Rik Rankin) (smooch emoji)
A Those were actually for Toni G.
Q In your mind, how long had Lady Dunsany known Jamie was a Jacobite soldier?
A Her husband finally told her after Jamie saved the baby.
Q Did Lady Dunsany suspect Jamie is Willie’s father, or have no clue?
A Mothers ken everything.
Q You captured the most poignant moments from Jamie’s time at Helwater. Daunting task! Amazing writing, how do you do it?
A Thank you so much. A little bagpipe music and a wee dram of whisky.
Q Was there a specific reason to have Claire ‘find’ Jamie again in Ep. 4 since she’d already ‘found’ him in S2?
A She knew he survived Culloden. But needs to find him 20 years later, to go back.
Q When adapting for screen, how do you identify moments of personal expression while maintaining the essence of Diana’s work?
A Great question. Hard to answer here. But important to have both.
Q Claire never gave up in the books. She went back to Boston for work. She left Brianna with Roger. Why the change?
A Keep watching.
Q Bravo, Toni, enjoyed 304! I saw a softer side of the nasty aristocrat Lady Geneva of the book; why was she portrayed this way?
A She’s the mother of Jamie’s son. We wanted to show the human side of her.
Q Was it your decision to keep “sinking Papist” in the script?
A We all loved stinking Papist!
Q What was the motto on the flag that Bree was looking at at the end of the episode?
A A Latin phrase: No one attacks me with impunity. The motto of the Royal Stuart dynasty.
Q Why snake toy vs rosary? Willie wore the rosary ever since. In book 7 he throws this back to Jamie upon learning his parentage.
A Rosary not allowed at Ardsmuir. Snake was a sweet tie to Jamie’s brother Willie.
Q I love the original lines you chose to keep. Do you try to fit in lines that strike you most as your reread?
A Absolutely. I keep all my old favorites – and try to make new ones.
Q Who came up with the line “Move with me”? I think we’d all like to thank them personally.
A See the written by credit. 
Q How does Brianna know how to fix a car engine when she is a History major in the series?
A Her grades have been dropping. Keep watching. 😉
Q When we first see pregnant Geneva, does she deliberately turn towards Jamie to let him know the baby is his>?
A Ha ha yes. A subtle hint, right?
Q I cried at the end of the episode. Did you cry as you were writing it?
A I’m still crying. 😥
Q During his talk with Lady Dunsany, when family and home are mentioned, Jamie steals a looko at Willie. Was it in the script or all Sam Heughan?
A Aye, it was in the script. For this and other insights, check out our “Inside Outlander” page.
My review of this episode
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