The midseason premiere of Outlander season 7 is surprising as Roger MacKenzie meets Geillis Duncan while traveling through time to save his kidnapped son, Jemmy. Viewers were shocked to see the return of Geillis after her dramatic death in season 3.
More intriguing, however, is the fact that she doesn't seem to recognize Roger from their earlier meeting in the 1960s. This development has left the fans and followers with a multitude of questions about their history and what this may mean for the future of the show.
Roger and Geillis’ Brief Encounter in 1968
Roger and Geillis first met in 1968, years before she left to travel back in the 18th century. While she was preparing for her expedition at her home, deeply involved in the preparations meant to ensure her safe transit through the stones of Craigh na Dun, Roger and Brianna saw her. Geillis's attention was too scarce and sparing for Roger. She had a human sacrifice to go through.
It does not matter how brilliant or quick-witted Geillis seems, nor that she always remembers the tiniest detail; in fact, it is more likely Roger was not strong enough for her to recall decades afterward from her own point of view. All she cares about is that she completes her time travel and assists the Jacobite rebellion. Additionally, she is far shorter with Roger than with any interaction she has that holds a substantial and memorable conversation, for example, with Claire and even with her dear Brianna.
This makes Outlander all the more interesting because it shows Geillis can recall previous experiences years later. When she meets Brianna, she remembers that she is Claire's daughter in the 18th century. It then becomes plausible that her not remembering Roger has to do with the lack of importance or emotional bonding at their meeting in the 1960s. Should Roger remind her of their previous encounter, it is likely that this would jog her memory-though this discovery would most probably put him in harm's way, given the ruthless nature of Geillis.
Could Geillis Spell Trouble for Roger?
Geillis Duncan has always been a dark horse in Outlander: she's played both rescuer and nemesis; in this instance, that goal to move the cause of the Jacobites has been to fight anyone who works against what they had planned. So while she does not see Roger yet for this episode, her scoping sense for manipulation and her very plausible motives for denying she actually knows him could be, or at least be staged, ignorance.
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Also at play is the chance that Geillis' presence in this timeline is connected to the disappearance of Jemmy. While the show hasn't determined if that's true or not yet, her arrival in 1739 adds another layer to their story. If the books are any guide, Roger's storyline will probably pivot around him in such a way that Geillis will find it difficult to interfere in what he has planned, short of revealing too much history they share.
In a show where past, present, and future collide, the unexpected return of Geillis and her lack of recognition may have implications that have repercussions far beyond Roger's current predicament. That will have to wait until these episodes unfold.
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