Why 'Outlander’s' Claire Fraser Might Be the Best Mom of All Times
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We’ve done it: We’ve compiled all the reasons why Outlander’s Claire Fraser might just be the best mom of all times. Yes, times. It’s a time travel #momjoke. Mama to some, ma and mi’lady to others, grandma to many, and Sassenach to one guy in a kilt who’s her partner in everything. But to us, she’s the legendary Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser (played by the legendary Caitríona Balfe). She has a lot of names and she’s been through a lot of hard times. And okay, sure, she’ll leave you alone to time travel to see your hot dad and leave you in the future. She left Brianna once, big deal! But Brianna eventually reunited with her, she just took a later flight.
Now, some of the moments would be hard to digest if Caitríona Balfe wasn’t playing Claire. Balfe is one of those actresses who, if she tried to sell you a phone book in 2021, you’d just buy one because that’s how good she is. So when Claire was all, “I’m a time traveler, I’m leaving you to go live with your Dad,” we bought it! Now in Claire’s defense, Brianna was all, “Hey Mom, I’m cool with it.” So Claire was all, “Brianna, bye. Love you, kisses.” Plus, Brianna knew that her mother was in a loveless marriage for 20 years, and it turns out Brianna is a fan of love!
Claire’s got balance. She’s a mom, but being a mom doesn’t define her. She’s a historical health icon. She’s a time-travelin’ poke-you-in-the-butt with penicillin hot mom. Jamie and Claire made each other parents. As Jamie once said to Claire about Brianna: “She is a gift, from me to you and you to me.”
So here are the absolute best Claire Fraser mom moments over 200+ years to celebrate this time-traveling legend.
This article was originally published May 9, 2021 and updated May 12, 2024.
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Claire and Jamie’s Pregnancy Reveal Boat Party
Claire broke the news that she was pregnant to Jamie as they were sailing away on a boat. Before Jamie got seasick, Claire wanted to tell him the happy news, which was especially surprising because Claire thought she couldn’t have children. She and Frank had tried with no luck. When she told Jamie she couldn’t have children, what did he do? He hugged her and said it’s probably better, he wouldn’t want her to be in pain. Except he said it all Scotty and sexy and swoony, even though he was saddy (it’s a word, now). Turns out, it wasn’t Claire that was the problem. It was Frank. He was shooting Frank blanks. Or blank Franks. Whichever.
Claire’s maternity wardrobe
Claire’s maternity wear was epic. So extra and we’re here for it. Everyone was. Especially Jamie. He didn’t really know what to do with this one. Her hips don’t lie. Is that a baby in your uterus Claire or is your dress just the biggest thing in Paris?
Hello, Fergus
Jamie and Claire become adopted parents to Fergus, their first child, in a strange turn of events. Jamie finds him at a brothel and hires him. No! Not for weird brothel reasons! Fergus is a pickpocket orphan who lives in a brothel. Claire becomes like a mom to Fergus, even though when he first meets her he hits on her and compliments her boobs. He was raised in a brothel! He didn’t know better! Don’t hit on your mom, Fergus! Or as he affectionately calls her, “Mi’lady.”
Claire tries to stop a duel and almost gives birth
This is probably the mom moment Claire regrets the most. She learns that Jamie is trying to kill Blackjack Randall and rushes to stop it. Of course, she is almost ready to give birth. She arrives just as Jamie stabs his sword into Blackjack in a spot that Blackjack deserved. Claire falls to the ground bleeding, having a miscarriage. This is a standout moment because only Claire would run into a battlefield while in the middle of labor.
Faith Fraser — 1744
Claire’s miscarriage is probably one of the saddest, most heart-wrenching episodes of Outlander. And Caitríona Balfe turns in an award-winning performance for 63 minutes straight. If we could go back in time, someone should and give her all the awards.
The show also depicts a miscarriage in a way few shows have. The pain and loss and anger Claire feels is almost unbearable to watch. When Fergus walks alongside Claire when she comes back to the house after losing their baby, and Jamie is in jail (seemingly forever), I dare you not to cry watching that. When Claire frees Jamie, by sleeping with the king (long story), he returns home. They mourn their daughter, named Faith by Mother Hildegard, together and visit her grave.
Claire comforts Fergus
Fergus reveals why Jamie betrayed Claire. He tells Claire he was sexually assaulted by the same man who raped Jamie. Fergus blames himself and says he should have just kept quiet. Devastated, Claire consoles Fergus and tells him none of this is his fault.
War mom
When your adopted son says he wants to go to war, what do you do? If you’re Claire, you tell him no, and then give him a pre-war hug. But then when he goes to war anyway and doesn’t listen to you, returns from the war having just killed a man, what do you do? If you’re Claire, you give him a hug, threaten to box his ears, and then find him a bed to take a nap in, because murder and war are tiring. Thanks Mi’lady! She was actually pretty traumatized that he killed a man — which is why she told him he couldn’t go to war in the first place, but do kids listen?! No. Twitter fan @TinyTunney captured their dynamic in one tweet.
Back to the future mom
Claire and Jamie make the ultimate sacrifice and say goodbye to each other, in order to protect their child. Claire learns she is pregnant just as the Battle of Culloden comes to a head. (And weirdly, Jamie knows before she tells him, because he pays attention to her menstrual cycle!) Swoon, James. Even Claire is like, “What the — you tracked my period in a war?!” Jamie takes her back to the stones, where they say goodbye in a way only Jamie and Claire could (sex on a hilltop before a war). They part ways so Claire can raise their child safely in the future, and Jamie (who can’t time travel like his wife), goes off to die in war. And then they are parted for 20 years! Twenty years?! Why Diana Gabaldon — 8 years would have been fine. Still long, but 20?! No.
Baby Brianna
Conceived in the 1700s and born in the 1900s. Brianna can only be described as a 200-year-old newborn. Claire returned to the future, gave birth to Brianna, mourned Jamie, and tried her best to make her marriage to Frank work. Oh and she also became a doctor. A female doctor in the 1950s! Legend. Even though she raised Brianna, part of Claire died when she left Jamie.
We get a sneak peek at Brianna and Claire’s relationship in the future. And it’s not great. Claire and Brianna had a tough relationship. Now technically Frank was responsible for part of their bad dynamic. He told Claire she was never to speak of Jamie, and that they wouldn’t tell Brianna the truth. So… Frank I blame you. It was nice of you to raise Jamie and Claire’s child as your own. But the lies man. Not cool.
20 years
Claire raises Brianna with Frank for 20 years. In that time, it’s important to note Claire was mostly celibate. Also, it was the 60s! Claire Fraser lived through the 60s not having sex, people. Claire really tried to make her marriage work for her daughter. But that failed when Frank couldn’t understand why she closed her eyes every time they got romantical, which is not technically a word. But Frank, she was closing her eyes and dreaming of her husband. Sadly, not you.
Claire deals with a difficult teenager
Brianna finally learns the truth about her real father. And she is mad. Mad at her mom. Even when Claire explains that Frank didn’t want to tell her, Brianna isn’t having it. Understandable. Claire deals with it pretty well, and she only yells back at Brianna when Brianna says, “You f-cked someone else while you were married to Daddy!” OMG. Imagine saying that to your mother?! Most of us would probably get slapped. But Claire just explains, “What Jamie and I had was a hell of a lot more than f-ing! He was the love of my life.” Cool and calm with a slightly raised tone. Brianna, you’re grounded. Also, your mom just said “f-ing.” As a verb. Your fault, you did that yourself, sister. Imagine having that conversation with your mom?! But she’s Claire. She’s a cool mom. Brianna tells Claire she wishes Claire died instead of Frank. Ugh, teenagers.
Killer mom
Claire’s friend from the past (but also the future) Geillis goes off her rocker, and believes killing Brianna is the way to restore Scotland. Or some crap. Jamie and Claire learn of her evil plans to kill their daughter and track her down to a cave, where she is about to kill their nephew young Ian to travel to the future to kill their daughter. So crazy.
Claire saves Brianna by beheading Geillis. Or as Balfe once described this motherly murder, Geillis “accidentally fell into an ax.” You know what’s great about Claire and Jamie as parents? If you threaten their kid, before they behead you, they will take a quick moment to make out. (Also to remember the daughter they lost, Faith). Because that’s just how they operate. Let them live! But seriously, if you threaten their 200-year-old baby and they start making out in front of you, run. Happy Mother’s Day Brianna, your mom loves you so much, she beheaded a lady! Whose skull was mailed to her in the future. Who mailed it?!? WHO?
Claire’s wedding night “talk” with Marsali
In their first real bonding moment as stepmom and daughter, Claire helps Marsali dress for her wedding and gives her the talk. The “how not to get pregnant on your wedding night” by Dr. Claire Fraser talk. The talk must have gone well, because Marsali was never not pregnant from that time forward.
Doctor mom – Claire supports Brianna
Claire and Brianna are happily reunited in the past. Claire guesses Brianna is pregnant. Who needs a pregnancy test when you have Claire Fraser’s mother’s intuition? Unclear still how she knew. She even tries to throw in a contraception talk, to which Brianna responds in the most teen way ever. “I didn’t think I needed to pack condoms, mama.” She was time-traveling for the first time, she didn’t know she’d be having sex for the first time too! Mom. But then Bree reveals some terrible news.
In a way only your doctor mom could, Claire is there for Brianna when she reveals she had been raped and was now pregnant. Although she’s in shock, Claire not only comforts Brianna, but she tells her about the choice she has if she wants. That’s right, Claire offers to perform an abortion if Brianna wants.
Coolest mother-in-law ever
Claire makes the ultimate sacrifice when she goes to find Roger for like 6 months and misses her daughter giving birth! Still haven’t forgiven the show for changing this from the book — Jamie and Claire deserved to be with Brianna. But instead, out of love for their daughter, they go to find Roger. Now in fairness to Roger, Jamie beat the crap out of him, and Young Ian sold him. After finding Roger, Claire proves what a cool mother-in-law she is when she calmly understands when Roger chooses not to go back with them to Brianna. Jamie and I both did not understand, and may never forgive Roger.
Claire gives Roger marriage advice, eye exams, and even saves his life by performing a tracheostomy-type surgery in a field with a straw when they realize he is still alive, after being hung. Your mother-in-law is wild Roger, but you’re in good hands.
Claire’s a grandma
Jamie and Claire return from their rescue op without Roger. So after being gone for like 9 months, Claire comforts Brianna, when she thinks she’s embarking on the single-mom life. Roger does return in all his bearded glory — I really don’t get why he wouldn’t go with Jamie and Claire; does he actually know how to camp on his own? Sorry, I just don’t buy that the librarian would be able to navigate the woods on his own.
Marsali’s ma
Marsali admits that the woman she once called a whore — pronounced “whoo-re-eh,” she now considers her “Ma.” Let’s take a moment to appreciate that. (Ha Laoghaire! Her arch nemesis’s daughter calls her “Ma!” Actually, Claire doesn’t even regard Laoghaire — but Laoghaire detests her and probably has a little Claire voodoo doll. Claire and Marsali are one of the best relationships to watch evolve on the show, mainly because Lauren Lyle and Balfe have excellent chemistry. They’re funny and heartwarming whether they’re playing disdain, annoyance, or just pure love. Claire teaches her stepdaughter about medicine, and they bond over moldy bready and cadavers. Plus, Claire serves as her OB-GYN. Claire is a cool mom. I repeat.
She’s a cool grandma
Claire and Jamie play hide and seek with their grandson and it’s the shot of serotonin you need. She’ll play hide and seek with you and your granda, and then when a giant hog jumps out of the bushes she will protect you. We also see in this 30-second scene why Jamie and Claire were robbed of raising their child together. Robbed. Also they are extremely attractive grandparents. Balfe and Heughan are excellent actors no doubt, but Benjamin Buttons they are not.
Cat mom
Claire becomes a cat mom. Not like Catwoman, but a mom of a cat. Jamie finds what can only be described as the cutest cat to ever live, and gives it to Claire as a gift. And hence she becomes a cat mom. The end. Someone please mail me this adorable cat. Twitter fan @yakeen declared Claire and Adso Outlander’s “most iconic duo” in this compilation.
Claire is the beachiest mom ever
Claire proved that if you mess with her kids, she’ll be a real beach to you. See what I did there? Anyways, Claire does her best to protect Brianna with her tiny pocket knife, but Bonnet gets the upper hand, knocks her out and takes her daughter. And that is why he will always be a son of a beach.
When crazy Bonnet kidnaps Claire and Jamie’s daughter, they aren’t having it. (See Geillis’s big mistake from season 3). Claire and Jamie, with son-in-law Roger, storm the beach, guns blazing and kick the Bon out of Bonnet, and save Brianna. Then they have an adorable family hug, and Claire’s all guns out, moms out. (Cool mom, exhibit C).
Claire Fraser is the most ethereal mom on the Ridge
Listen, Claire Fraser has been dealing with a lot since 1945, or to be honest 1743 when she fell through those time-traveling stones. And in season 5, Claire went through even more trauma to put it mildly. So, in season 6, Claire doesn’t know how to ask for help, and like the mother of all mothers, she decides to self-medicate, with her homegrown ether. So how does this make her an amazing mom you ask?! I don’t see your mom making ether, Susan. (Sorry to all Susans). But even with the PTSD, and ether habit, Claire manages to not only be doctor to everyone, mom to Bree, Fergus, Marsali and granny to Jem and Germain. She was even a mentor mock mom to mad hatter Malva. So many M’s, so little time. Plus, she also had to be a surrogate Mom/therapist when Lizzie chose the throuple life and got knocked up by twins! And then she was a Garden OB-GYN, and performed a c-section on Malva (RIP) to try and save her baby. But instead everyone sees Claire with a big ol’ giant knife over dead Malva and draw terrible conclusions. Claire Fraser is just out here trying to live people. But no, the 1700s don’t understand a time-traveling bad ass mother Fraser.
Grandma Claire Saves Mandy’s Heart by Tearing Her Own Heart Out
Claire delivers her granddaughter Mandy in Season 7, and you’ve never seen Jamie, Claire, Brianna and Roger happier. Okay, Brianna may disagree with this sentence since she had to birth a baby in front of her entire fam. But Granny not only helped bring Mandy into the world, Mandy was named after legendary Gran. Amanda Claire Hope MacKenzie. These Frasers and their four names. A few days later after Baby Mandy, Brianna and Roger’s second child is born, during one-on-one granny-Mandy time, Claire discovers Mandy has a serious heart condition that in that time would be ultimately fatal. In turn, Claire, Roger, Brianna and Jamie all realize the only way to save Mandy is for Roger, Jem, Mandy and Brianna to go back to the future where they can get her the heart operation she needs. Claire and Jamie’s hearts break as they say goodbye to their kids and grandkids, seemingly forever. When Jem hugs his Granny, and says, “I love you,” there wasn’t a dry eye in the 1700s or 2023. Even Jamie Fraser teared up.
That heart-wrenching, “I love you,” was, according to writer Toni Graphia, unscripted, and the young actor playing Jem (Matthew/Andrew Adair) did that on his own because of his own affection for Balfe. So yes, Claire tore her own heart out, to save Mandy’s heart. And broke all of our hearts.
Badass mother Fraser
So that’s why Claire Fraser is clairly the best mom of all times. She is not perfect! But what mom is? Plus, what other mom do you know that can be in 1745 one minute and 1960 the next?! No mom, that’s who, which is why Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp Randall Fraser will go down in history as one of the most legendary and timeless mothers on television.
