Outlander fans say 'what a waste' as they point out major plot hole

Daily Record

06-05-2025

Frank Randall, played by Tobias Menzies, has left some fans confused as they have been re-watching series two of the hit Starz show based on Diana Gabaldon's best-selling books.
Outlander fans have been binge-watching the earlier seasons of the hit Starz show. It comes as viewers across the globe are eagerly awaiting the drop of the eighth and final season of the historical romance show.
Fans have previously pointed out many differences between Diana Gabaldon 's book franchise and the small-screen adaptation. It comes as one viewer has been re-watching series two, and they pointed out a major plot hole with one character.
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Discussing Frank Randall, who was in love with leading woman Claire Fraser (formerly Randall), one fan pointed out the strange character flaw of the historian after his wife time-travelled through the stones which left them baffled at his response (or lack of).
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Claire Fraser, portrayed by Caitriona Balfe, accidentally stumbled through time when she met Highland warrior Jamie Fraser and fell in love. The pair went on to marry, and battle many trials and tribulations, as well as giving birth to their own daughter Brianna.
For their own protection, Claire and Brianna went back through the time-travelling stones to their own time, where they were reunited with Frank. However fans pointed out that despite his career, he didn't once seem interested.
One fan pointed out on Reddit, "You're a historian and your wife just got back from spending years living in the time period and locations that you study, including Scotland and France and witnessing major events leading up to Culloden, and you immediately tell her to shut up about it?"
"C'mon Frank!!!!! They could have spent years doing research and co-parenting together and being BFFs. What a waste!," they added.
Other fans were quick to comment, agreeing. Another wrote, "That's the first thing I thought too as soon as they met when she went back. It blows my mind every single time. How could he not take advantage of that? I'd been dying of curiosity!!!"
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Someone else said, "I always thought it was a little sad how he just wrote the whole thing off as a delusion. He came close to believing her I think, but it was just too out there for him I guess."
"It's always bothered me as a historian myself. Personally, I would never be able to just let it sit. Even if I thought she was lying. Even if I thought she was mentally ill. I'd have to ask and try to figure out if she was lying or if it was true. And if it was true, to learn all the knowledge she had about it," wrote another.
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Someone else noted, "Yes, the garments alone were worthy study and money," which was echoed by another fan who quipped, "I can't believe that as a historian, he actually burned her clothes after his colleague had just written to tell him they were authentic and worth a lot of money. That part never made sense to me. As the big historian he was, why would he be motivated to do that??"
Another fan penned, "I'm not sure how long it took him to start researching and finding out Claire was telling the truth. But YES! What a waste. He could have learned so much. She might have felt more at ease. This is the basis for why I hate Frank so much."
"Seriously I expected him to be chronicling her stories and learning. Especially as it pertains to his own family history. But I wanted frank to be a better character overall," quipped one fan.
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Someone else said, "I didn't understand how a Historian was not more curious about his wife's experience either. And, especially once a colleague had verified that the dress that Claire returned in was authentic to those times."
They added, "But, all Frank thought about was Claire being with another man and carrying a child when he and Claire had not been able to conceive. The knowledge he could have gained had he believed her and allowed her to talk about what she had experienced/seen."
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Some fans were quick to touch on the above opinion, as they offered their thoughts on why Frank was so disinterested. "Well, she came back pregnant after what....two years apart? I wouldn't want to talk about it either," one person noted.
Another added the point that "he thought she was delusional. Why would he want to reinforce that delusion by asking for details?," which was agreed by another fan who said, "he didn't believe her, so what would have been the point?"
"He thought she was delusional. Why would he want to reinforce that delusion by asking for details?," echoed another.