May 15th, 2026

Quite a long time ago now, I don't remember exactly when, I wrote about a TV show that I was crazy about. The show was called, Outlander.  I don't know if any of you are fans or not.  If you are a fan, you will probably understand this.  If you aren't a fan of this particular show, I'm sure there was a different show that you were especially fond of, so you will also probably understand.

My show, (well not mine personally but the one I am referring to), Outlander, is nearly done.  After 12 years and 8 seasons, we are coming to the end.   The finale, the very last episode EVER airs tonight.  And the anticipation is absolutely crazy.  Not just mine but that of Outlander fans around the world.  (there are literally millions of us - Millions!)

There's the wild and weird thing that happens to me (and I'm sure others) as we anticipate the Last of something.  I both desperately want to know what is going to happen in the story, but, equally desperately, I don't want it to end.  And so I suppose if I don't watch it, it never ends.  A Schrodinger sort of thing?  I felt the same way at the end of both Quantum Leap and X-Files, so I should be used to such things by now, but I'm totally not.

I am reasonably certain that there will be tears.  Mine.  Whether or not this last episode has a sad moment in it or not, I will be weepy.  Good-bye's are hard.  And even harder is the fact that I won't be watching the finale when it drops tonight.   What? That sounds crazy.

Some people that we love, who are also Outlander fans, suggested that we watch the finale together.  The phrase, "misery loves company" comes immediately to mind. But they aren't available until tomorrow so I have bravely agreed to wait.  Which means also not reading any of thing online about it. And the Spoilers are Everywhere!   And to everyone threatening to ell me what happens ahead of time, I have closed my eyes and plugged my ears - lalalalalala, I don't hear you, I don't see you!

One my of neighbors, also a huge fan, called me this morning to talk about it.  When I told her that we were waiting until tomorrow she was shocked.  How could I possibly wait after all this time? She did agree to resist discussing it with me further until she is positive that I've seen that last show which is a sacrifice on her part as well!  Much Appreciated :)

She's not entirely wrong though.  12 years of dedicated fandom is nothing to sneeze at after all.  We deserve the satisfaction of this last episode!  But I have promised and so I shall wait.  My assumption is that the anticipation will make it all that much more powerful an episode!  Though to be fair, each and every episode was so dang good, and the expectation of this finale is running so high that I'm not sure it could be any bigger.

I'm treating this occasion as a big deal, because to us, it is!   There will be food - burgers on the grill - and cake!  We will all be a little sad, but cake makes almost everything a little better. I will be in the state of "sad, but cake filled" which is to say, I will survive.

One of the things that will help to fill the Outlander void is that there is a whole other show, written, produced and directed by the same folks who did Outlander, called "Blood of my Blood' which is the Prequel to Outlander.    Basically the story of the parents of the Outlander folks.  I've already seen Season One which was pretty good.  Season Two comes out in the fall.  

The other thing that'll get me though are the books.  Outlander the TV series was based on Outlander the books. Very HEAVILY based.  Usually books turned into movies or TV shows are either just plain terrible or merely anemic versions.  This time, magically, all the stars in the universe were properly aligned and I loved both the show and the books with the same fervor.  A rare thing indeed.  And I have all the books.  I can re-read them anytime I want. Actually I don't have all of the books because the last book, Book number 10 hasn't been released yet. I'm not positive that the author is finished with it.

So how on earth did they finish a TV series which is strongly based on a book series when the book series is not yet done, you ask?  Well with great imagination I should think.    I have trusted the writers through more than 100 episodes of this beloved series, I believe I can trust them through one more.

Anyway, Cheers to you, Outlander!  The writer, the producers, directors, actors and everyone behind the scenes. You did a brilliant job. I loved every moment of it and while I shall miss it terribly, I do not regret one single second of it.  Thanks for the memories!