It doesn’t hurt that the actors who play our favorite 18th-century Scotsman and his time-traveling 20th-century wife, Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe, have major chemistry. Although the earlier seasons had more of our favorite passionate moments—Season 4 was a little light on the Claire/Jamie romance—Balfe promised Parade.com viewers could expect more in Season 5 and with Season 6 on the horizon, we’re absolutely hoping for more love scenes. “The circumstances of this season have really allowed us to invest in those relationship moments,” Balfe said. “We see a lot more of the intimacy and the passion of Claire and Jamie.” She kept her promise, but here’s hoping Season 6 takes it up a notch when it drops on Starz.com for $5.99 a month. However, don’t get your hopes up; COVID isn’t making filming sex scenes very easy. In the meantime, here are the Outlander sex scenes we’ve most loved to see. Caution, spoilers ahead!
Season 1 Episode 7, “The Wedding”
Claire and Jamie’s Wedding Night
Viewers had to wait more than six long episodes before Jamie and Claire finally go to bed (“To bed? Or to sleep?” as Jamie asks Claire in this episode)—but it was worth the wait. There are actually three acts of love in this episode over the course of one night. The first is a bit bumbling, as virgin Jamie thinks people have sex the way horses do (from behind), and then ends up nearly crushing Claire under his body weight. That awkwardness may be realistic, but their second go is where they really discover their stride. Claire cries out, and sweet Jamie thinks he’s hurt her—when Claire explains she actually felt pleasure, Jamie asks if that happens every time. “Only if the man is a very good lover,” she says. Later, after Jamie gives Claire his mother’s pearls, the couple make love one more time.
Season 1 Episode 8, “Both Sides Now”
Sex in the Grass
Jamie and Claire are still in the honeymoon “let’s do it wherever and whenever” phase of their relationship. So, they take it to the Scottish countryside to make love al fresco—because why not? Well, we can think of a reason: There could be marauding redcoats about, which is exactly what occurs. Although their partially nude moment is short and sweet before Claire has to put a dagger in a malicious soldier, it’s still probably one of the most stunning locales for a love scene, even an interrupted one.
Season 1 Episode 9, “The Reckoning”
Makeup Sex—with a Knife
One of the most controversial moments in the book plays out in this episode, in which Jamie punishes Claire for disobeying him with a traditional 18th-century belt slapping. This is almost unforgivable for Claire (and for viewers), but hearts are softened when Jamie grovels as he realizes what an outdated, horrible thing it is to “discipline” your wife. “If ever my hand is raised in rebellion against you again, then I ask that this holy iron may pierce my heart,” he says while holding his knife. So Claire forgives him with some steamy makeup sex—while she, positioned on top of him, holds the dagger to his throat. “If you ever raise a hand to me again, James Fraser, I will cut your heart out and have it for breakfast, do you understand me?” she says. Yes, yes, he does.
Season 1 Episode 10, “By the Pricking of My Thumbs”
Jamie Learns a New Skill
This episode starts with a bang—although at first we’re not sure what we’re looking at, then we see Jamie’s red hair popping up from between Claire’s legs. Lest we forget Jamie had never been with anyone before Claire, he’s certainly taken to pleasing his new wife with gusto. Even a persistent banging on the door by his friend Murtaugh can’t deter Jamie—he insists Claire finish before he answers. Now that’s dedication.
Season 1 Episode 11, “The Devil’s Mark”
Jamie Uses His Hands Season 1 Episode 11, “The Devil’s Mark”
Jamie proves what a giver he is in this episode as well. After being accused of being a witch (because…18th century), Claire has to come clean and tell Jamie she’s from the future—and she best go back before she’s burned at the stake. On what he thinks will be their last night together, Jamie touches Claire—and when she tries to reciprocate, he declines. “No, I want to watch you,” he says. It’s an unexpected and, on Jamie’s part, generous way to end their relationship—although luckily for him, Claire decides to stay.
Season 1 Episode 1, “Sassenach”
Oh Yes, Frank!
Before we leave season 1, we can’t forget about Frank, Claire’s original husband in her present-day of 1945. After World War II, the couple is trying to reconnect, and as Claire’s voiceover explains, they use sex to do so. There are two love scenes here—in one, Frank kneels before Claire in Scottish ruins and discovers, “Why, Mrs. Randall, I do believe you left your undergarments at home.” In the other, they make love in their hotel bed. Although it’s hard to compete with Jamie, Frank was Claire’s first love, after all.
Season 2 Episode 4, “La Dame Blanche”
Pregnancy Sex
After being in a Droughtlander of their own, Claire and Jamie finally come together again. Claire is pregnant with their first child, but that doesn’t stop her—and why should it?—from coming to Jamie’s room and straddling him while he lovingly touches her belly. “Come find me, Jamie,” Claire says. “Find us.” The whole scene is gorgeously lit with a blue light as the couple rediscover their rhythm.
Season 2 Episode 13, “Dragonfly in Amber”
Goodbye Sex
Unfortunately, this time it’s goodbye for real for Jamie and Claire. But before she travels back to the future, they have one swift, sad, desperate act of love in front of the stones at Craig Na Dun. “Lord, you gave me a rare woman, and God, I loved her well,” he tells her before they both collapse on the ground. After, they say their wedding vows again (“Blood of my blood and bone of my bone, as long as we both shall live”), Jamie helps Claire to the stones. It’s a heartbreaking moment.
Season 3 Episode 6, “A. Malcolm”
Reunited, and It Feels So Good
Was it only five episodes that Jamie and Claire were apart? It seemed like forever! Which is why when Claire finally makes her way back to the 1700s after 20 years in the 20th century, you’d expect them to just get right to it. But it’s not that easy—they have to rediscover each other, so instead they spend a good long portion of this episode…talking. “I’ve burned for you for so long, do you not know that?” Jamie confesses. Claire’s a little nervous to reveal her body to Jamie after all these years, and there’s a bit of head-on-nose bonking that breaks the tension. Then, they decide they’re ready. “Do it now, and don’t be gentle!” Claire exclaims. Just like riding a bike.
Season 3 Episode 11, “Uncharted”
Turtle Soup
While on the ship that brings them to the Caribbean and then finally to America, Jamie and Claire have a few instances of Boat Sex, which mostly just looks very uncomfortable. But one scene is forever burned into viewers’ minds–it’s the one in which Claire gets a bit tipsy off a mix of medication, fever and aphrodisiac turtle soup. After Jamie makes sure flirty Claire is with it enough to give consent, the couple has playful, drunken, standing-up sex. Uncomfortable, maybe, but still hot.
Season 4 Episode 8, “Wilmington”
Roger and Briana’s Handfast
Yes, there are other characters who have love scenes, too! Jamie and Claire’s daughter, Briana, and her 20th century boyfriend, Roger, have traveled back in time to be with Briana’s parents—and each other. But Roger’s a little old-fashioned, so Briana agrees to a traditional Scottish wedding ritual called “handfasting” before they make love. It’s sweet and gentle—unfortunately, their first time is swiftly followed by their first fight.
Season 4 Episode 6, “Blood of My Blood”
In the Bathtub
We don’t get a lot of Claire and Jamie alone time in season 4 (maybe it has to do with sharing a one-room cabin with their family and friends in the American wilderness?) but they do get to enjoy a sensual fireside bath—well, Claire does anyway, as Jamie washes her. “This water on your skin, caressing you. It makes me jealous of the rain itself,” he says. This man is pure poetry. Then, Jamie reveals a gift for his wife: a replacement wedding band for the one that was previously stolen. Jamie lifts Claire out of the tub and carries her to the bed. We don’t see a lot, but we do see is intensely romantic. In season 5, we wouldn’t mind a little more to remind us of the couple’s emotional—and physical—bond. Next, seewhat Caitriona Balfe had to say about season 5: “She Has Her Family, She Has Love in Her Life, She Has a Passion and a Calling.”
