The highly anticipated sixth season of Outlander finally unveiled the tantalizing details around Jamie and Claire’s troubled teenage son, Young Ian Murtagh McKenzie – his disappearance, imprisonment and transformation since he left Claire’s care at Harviett homestead. Actor John Bell was eager to reveal, in carefully-measured tones during interviews about Season 6, not just the plot points surrounding Ian but also delving into the character arc which resonated with many viewers.
Young Ian doesn’t simply disappear after joining Lionel Brown’s murderous pack – his departure leaves a gaping hole in family relations (he’s now essentially estranged from both Jamie), and sets off Claire on a separate path of trying to understand not just her children ‘then,’ but the consequences of this absence ‘now’.
The Season 6 narrative intricately explores how John Bell’s Ian is drawn into those dark events. But it’s more than him becoming a ruthless figurehead akin to Lionel. We see signs in Ian’s demeanor and actions that whisper of something deeper – an internal battle, possibly triggered by abandonment. This adds a bittersweet tone to Bell’s masterful portrayal of strength and vulnerability interlocked with newfound ruthlessness when under the tutellege of “unhinged” Brown – who ultimately, was shown as being manipulated by someone with more ulterior motives than met the eyes.
Perhaps the most unexpected twist revolves around Ian reclaiming agency over his fate within this unsettling situation. He uses their shared brutality and cunning to ultimately orchestrate those loyal to Brown under him – foreshadowing Jamie himself is struggling to do against rivals of their clan standing (in upcoming seasons where there would still be conflict!).
Season 6 masterfully threads Ian’s arc through moments tinged with melancholy and longing: his unspoken love for Laoghaire, who’d married Roger (her role now being a point of interest as they were last seen at home peacefully during the previous season’s timeline shift) despite Ian’s apparent indifference is a quiet subplot woven amidst greater narratives.
It’s this subtle combination – Bell’s talent coupled with creative storytelling – that elevates Young Ian from merely another character tied to familiar themes of loyalty and betrayal. He stands alone as a testament to ‘Outlander’ staying relevant even after years: an embodiment of the ever-present human struggle for selfhood, against darkness within and out, all within the backdrop of time period drama lovers anticipate. Season’s upcoming reveals promise even greater understanding on why Young Ian is a crucial figure, and whether forgiveness (for himself) will be his ultimately elusive goal. There really isn’t an easy answer left with Ian in this tricky tight spot the show has placed him. The actor’s comments are more than mere promotion: they offer fans clues about where his character journey leads next – a story sure to resonate given it tackles themes so timeless, it resonates across timelines and genres.
