The ninth episode of Outlander's seventh season, aptly titled "Unfinished Business," opens with Jamie, Young Ian, and Claire setting foot in Scotland, where they solemnly inter Simon Fraser. Jamie, determined to confront his shadows, pens his next letter to Bree, his heartfelt wish that she be surrounded by the warmth of her family. Ironically, Bree is not, her tears streaming down as she drives home, a solitary figure amidst her sorrow.
Meanwhile, Roger and Buck have successfully traversed the temporal barrier, yet Buck is plagued by an inexplicable ache in his chest. He dismisses it nonchalantly and proceeds to Inverness, while Roger, burdened with guilt for disregarding Buck's warnings and trusting Rob, makes his way to Lallybroch, harbouring the hope of finding Jem there.
At Lallybroch, Young Ian, Claire, and Jamie are warmly embraced by Jenny and her kin. Among them, Michael, bound for battle in France, has returned home briefly for a reunion. Ian Sr., gravely ill with consumption, finds joy in reconnecting with his son. Young Ian shares tales of Emily, his children, and Rachel, amusing Ian Sr. who urges him to pursue Rachel, despite her unawareness of his feelings. Loyal to his father's side, Young Ian declines, unwilling to abandon him.
Elsewhere, Claire teases Jamie as he resolves to confront Laoghaire, seeking forgiveness. However, Laoghaire believes his intention is to halt child support, accusing him of never attempting to see her perspective. The conversation escalates into a scuffle, with the disabled farmhand, Joey , innocently involved and injured as a result, trying to intervene on Laoghaire's behalf.
Jamie's heart is heavy with the burden of his recent ordeal, but Claire offers him solace, gently reminding him that some wounds are beyond healing. She, too, harbors a confession of her own, desiring to caution Michael about the impending dangers of the French Revolution. To do this, honesty is imperative.
The Murrays are left astounded as Claire unravels the mystery of time travel and sounds a warning to Michael about the turmoil of the French Revolution. Their conversation is abruptly halted by a knock at the door, prompting Jamie to answer it. At Lallybroch, Roger stands at the threshold, only to find himself face-to-face with Brian Fraser, Jamie's father, who is struck by the realization that he stands in a timeline apart from Claire, Young Ian, and Jamie, who are anchored in 1777.
Jamie, on the other hand, opens the door to Joanie, Marsali's youthful sister, who serves as a reminder of his financial arrangement with Laoghaire. The deal hangs by a thread, as Laoghaire's marriage would revert the estate Jamie bestowed upon them, forcing Joanie into an unethical life with Joey. Furthermore, Joanie harbors dreams of joining a convent, yet Laoghaire refuses to relinquish the dowry Jamie reserved for her.
Roger's confusion deepens as Brian reveals they are in the 1740s, a revelation that dawns on him as he learns Jamie is attending university. Jenny, young and smitten with Ian, remains unaware of his reciprocal feelings. Shocked to hear about Jem's abduction, they offer their assistance in the search. Their investigation leads them to the mill, where whispers of a peculiarly dressed man (Rob) swirl. Before they can delve deeper, Jenny interrupts with news that Buck is gravely ill and has come seeking Roger.
In 1777, a matured Jenny pleads with Claire to save Ian Sr., but Claire's revelation of his impending fate strikes Jenny with fury. She accuses Claire of harboring resentment stemming from Jenny's past encouragement for Jamie to wed Laoghaire.
As Jamie ventured into the wilds for his hunt, the eerie sounds of Jenny's cries and screams pierced through the air, echoing her terror over Ian Sr.'s imminent demise. Responding swiftly to her distress, Jamie rushed to her side, offering soothing words and reminding her of her unyielding strength. His encouragement emboldened her, and together, they devised a solution for Joanie's future, which Laoghaire reluctantly agreed to. She would release the dowry intended for Joanie, while Jamie pledged to contribute funds towards her upbringing. In exchange, he would transfer ownership of the estate to Laoghaire, paving the way for her marriage to Joey.
That fateful night, as the Frasers pondered the whereabouts of their loved ones, Jenny arrived with urgent news. Lord John Grey was in despair; his nephew, Henry, had been gravely wounded in battle, and only Claire possessed the surgical skill to save his life. The Frasers hesitated, torn between their desire to remain with Ian Sr. and the need to save Henry. Jenny's plea, however, swayed them; Claire could offer Henry a fighting chance at survival. Jamie, realizing he wasn't needed for the surgery, opted to stay behind.
Similarly, Young Ian was inclined to stay close to his father, penning a heartfelt letter to Rachel, urging her to move on without him, believing it unfair to keep her hanging on. Jenny, sensing his inner turmoil, intercepted the letter, sharing that both she and Ian Sr. would want him to live his life fully. Despite his lingering doubts, Jenny led him to the family grave, where a tombstone stood as a poignant reminder of his deceased daughter. Overwhelmed by emotion, Young Ian finally agreed to depart, sharing a tearful farewell with his family before joining Claire on her journey to America. Jenny, filled with regret for her earlier outburst, sought Claire's forgiveness, which was readily granted with understanding.
The episode of Outlander Season 7, Episode 9 concludes with a scene of urgency: Roger hastily rushes Buck to the town apothecary, unaware that it is now under the watchful eye of the enigmatic Geillis.
