Every season of Outlander ranked from Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ to Aye, Sassenach

Even when our favorite historical drama Outlander is not on, a period known as the dreaded Droughtlander, of course we're constantly thinking about the amazing series, as well as about Jamie and Claire. How could we not?

Outlander season 7 part 2 arrives Friday, November 22, 2024 on Starz. And so, since we still have a long wait ahead of us, let's take a look back at all seven Outlander seasons currently out there. We've ranked them from Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ to Aye, Sassenach. Or simply put, worst to best. Read on!

7. Outlander season 4

I think many fans would agree Outlander season 4 was not the show's strongest. The fourth season just did not work and does not hit the same as the others.

Let's start with the good first. I love that Murtagh and Jamie are reunited after all these years apart, and the fact that Brianna is able to meet her father for the first time and reunite with Claire. These were great!

Now I'm sorry to Roger and Brianna, but I just do not care about them as a couple. I don't see them as a good fit, though in season 7 I think they're finally getting on the same page. They're completely different, Jamie from the 18th century is more open-minded than Roger (most of the time), and I don't see the chemistry between this couple. They don't know how to communicate and just fight. And frankly even when they were falling in love, I didn't really care.

They took up too much screen time away from Jamie and Claire, and I think that's where the creative team made a mistake. I know that Roger and Bree needed to be established because they're major characters going forward. But I don't know. They're not very likable and still not some of my favorites. We're here to see Claire and Jamie, and that's that.

6. Outlander season 6

Oh, the Christies. Good riddance if you ask me. They were all trouble in their own way. Outlander season 6 felt very dark, even though the show has obviously addressed many heavy topics and storylines before that. But this one just had a dark cloud handing over it the whole time and it was a lot. The sixth season definitely wasn't a favorite of mine, and I think the contributing factor here is the Christies. They were interesting antagonists of sorts, but I just do not like them, and I think that spreads out a bit to season 6.

Fergus was also drinking and abusing Marsali. It was heartbreaking how the people of the Ridge turned on Jamie and Claire, and we find out why Young Ian left the Mohawk. This was a very emotional and good story, but it just added to the darkness of the season that weighed very heavy on my heart. I will say that the finale, "I Am Not Alone," is one of my all-time favorites. Jamie and Claire fighting the Committee of Safety back to back, the emotional montage of their home wrecked, traveling together as they refuse to be parted, and then being separated anyway. Ugh. All the feels!

5. Outlander season 7 part 1

Hmm. I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion, but Outlander season 7 part 1 has felt kind of boring when it comes to most episodes. There's aspects that are great, like the first couple of episodes of Jamie and Claire's reunion, as well as the heartbreaking burning of the Big House. I am relieved that the American Revolution is finally here. We've been talking about it since season 4. But I think because it's been talked about so much, I was so over it. And even the amount of time we spent there, I just wasn't invested.

I didn't mind the other battles and wars from previous seasons. They're a big part of the Outlander story. But this time around it was really boring to watch, even though Jamie's son William Ransom is on the other side. Something has unfortunately stopped me from enjoying it, and I can't put my finger on what.

I will say that Roger and Brianna's storylines have finally gotten interesting (sorry not sorry), and I'm just so happy that Claire and Jamie are out of the battlefield. The more intriguing story for me is the fact that the Frasers are back in Scotland, and I think the familial aspect is going to be great. I expect Outlander season 7 part 2 to be more interesting.

4. Outlander season 3

While we never like to see our favorite couple separated, I think the first few episodes of Outlander season 3 are really strong and emotional. It was great to see that even two decades later and centuries apart, Claire and Jamie constantly thought of each other and that their love never faded.

That said, there are a few reasons why the third season wasn't as enjoyable as the others. I feel like their reunion played out a bit weird. I don't know if that's the right word. Like, it felt too awkward. Which yes, they've been apart for 20 years but it still felt off. Not everything worked for me, including the lead-up to them becoming intimate again. We didn't need to spend that long on the process of them taking off their clothes. I was just thinking, get on with it already!

I feel like the writers also added extra tension between Jaime and Claire just for the sake of drama. The Jamaica storyline isn't my favorite, nor is the "Uncharted" episode when Claire is foraging on the island after being washed up. Did we really need all that time dedicated to her doing the same thing over and over? The balance in timing and pacing of the episodes felt a bit wonky later in the season.

Oh, and side note: Jamie married Laoghaire? Totally unncessary. Just no.

3. Outlander season 2

I feel like Outlander season 2 gets a bad rap, with fans divided on whether it was a good season overall or not. I personally enjoyed it. And if you need a good cry, I'd say two episodes from this season will definitely allow you to do that. The time-travel romance has many difficult and emotional moments throughout the series, but the two episodes that literally never fail to make me cry are "Faith" (season 2 episode 7) and "Dragonfly in Amber" (season 2 episode 13). Even now when rewatching the show, it's hard to get through these two episodes in particular.

While the French storyline was a bit hit or miss for me due to Claire and Jamie being separated for a lot of it, it was colorful and different, which made it exciting. Though I definitely did miss Scotland and those likable Highlanders. Except for Dougal, maybe. But it felt so good to get back to the show's Scottish roots, and the Battle of Culloden was so emotional. Also I actually like that from the start, it was established that Jamie and Claire were going to be separated for 20 years. It was so bittersweet watching the whole time, I was on the edge of my seat.

2. Outlander season 5

If you've made it this far down the list, you already know that season 1 of this amazing series holds the No. 1 spot. No surprise there! Honestly, I don't think any other season will ever take its place. But definitely the one that comes closest is Outlander season 5! If not for season 1, it would definitely rank highest. Every episode was a banger, there isn't one I didn't enjoy.

I think what made it so successful is the fact that the show kept Murtagh alive for the Regulator storyline. Otherwise I don't think we would have had so much emotional attachment. But having Jamie between a rock and a hard place for most of the season when it came to his deal with Governor Tryon and protecting his godfather was an effective plot device.

The producers took chances with the storytelling this season, and it really paid off. Portraying Roger's trauma as a silent black and white movie was inspired, and the way they depicted Claire's harrowing experience with Lionel Brown and his men was so creative and well done. As different as it was for Outlander, it never felt like I was watching a different show. Even the episode where Jamie gets bitten by a snake was interesting. All of these were so compelling. I love everything about season 5!

1. Outlander season 1

I don't think it shocks any of you fellow Outlander fans to find that season 1 is our favorite! When it comes to most shows, especially dramas, I find that those first seasons are always the most special. And the historical drama is no different. The captivating storylines, the Scottish charm, watching Jamie and Claire falling in love, and so much more all contribute to Outlander season 1 being superior. I miss that feeling of watching the show for the first time. But I can tell you that it's this one I constantly rewatch, for sure!

My favorite part about season 1 is the fact that it was able to surprise me multiple times. I definitely did see Jamie and Claire falling in love coming, they had sparks flying from the start! And the wedding episode? Oof. I needed a fan after that! But the aspect of being forced to get married to protect Claire and their journey from there was unexpected. Even Black Jack as a villain and antagonist is like no other.

The Outlander story is like a breath of fresh air in this world of streaming where ideas are being repeated over and over. It stands out on its own. And the first season was the start of that, and the best example of it as well.

Outlander season 7 part 2 premieres Friday, November 22, 2024 on Starz.

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