Since Claire is the protagonist of Outlander, and Jamie is the person with whom she shares her most important and valued relationship, their dynamic is the one that gets the most focus. Their love story drives much of the plot, even as other central characters have been introduced in later seasons.
Their scenes from the beginning and the end of each season show the progression of these characters and their relationship, as well as the story as a whole. From meeting to marrying, hope to heartbreak, in good times and bad, these two always find a way back to each other.
Season 1 Episode 1: First Meeting
When Claire is brought by Murtagh to Dougal and his men, she is terrified, not knowing where she is, who they are, or what they mean to do with her. She plans to stay quiet and wait for more information, but sees Angus about to pop Jamie's dislocated shoulder into t in a way that she, with her medical experience, knows would break his arm. She can't help but interfere, and mends the first of many of Jamie's injuries.
Season 1 Episode 16: Sailing To
Jamie spends most of the finale recovering from the ordeal he experienced at the hands of Black Jack Randall in Wentworth Prison. Since he escaped prison, and is therefore still a wanted man, it isn't safe for him and Claire to remain in Scotland. They sail to , where Jamie has a cousin who might offer him work and protection in Paris. As they sail off, Claire tells Jamie she's pregnant.
Season 2 Episode 1: Arriving In
Season two is markedly much sadder than season one, as Jamie and Claire are on a quest to change the future that ends up all being for nothing, as they discover in the process that the future can't be changed. The season two premiere starts with a heartbroken Claire having just returned to her own time. About midway through the episode, the story flashes back to Claire and Jamie arriving in (along with the ever-loyal Murtagh), with the intention of stopping Charles Stuart from carrying out his failed rebellion.
Season 2 Episode 13: Saying Goodbye
Once all their plans have failed, and danger is imminent, Jamie sends Claire back through the stones at Craig na Dun to her own time. She is resistant to go at first, declaring that she'd rather die with him than be parted, but he is insistent that she go for the sake of their child. She sees the logic in this and agrees to go, but not without a good bit of tears. The two share a romantic, heartbreaking goodbye, thinking they'll never see each other again.
Season 3 Episode 6: The Reunion
After a lengthy separation- during which time Claire, thinking Jamie dead, raised her daughter in the future with Frank, and Jamie lived as an outlaw and a prisoner, alternately- the central couple is finally reunited.
Claire discovers proof of Jamie's survival in the future, and with the help of Roger and Brianna tracks down his whereabouts. She surprises him at his print shop in Edinburgh, where he promptly faints, and then is overjoyed.
Season 3 Episode 13: Arriving In America
The season three finale has Jamie, Claire, and their traveling companions thrown into a major storm at sea. Claire is thrown overboard, and, of course, Jamie goes in after her. He saves her, and they're towed by the current to land. They're relieved that they survived, but they have no idea where they are. That is, until they're stumbled upon by locals, who inform them that they've washed up on a beach in Georgia.
Season 4 Episode 1: Hayes' Execution
Season four catches up with Jamie and Claire while they attend the execution of Jamie's friend from Ardsmuir Prison, Gavin Hayes. He's been sentenced to death by hanging, and his last request is that the last face he see be that of a smiling friend. Jamie obliges this request, and Claire, along with newlyweds Fergus and Marsali, is there for .
Season 4 Episode 13: The Governor's Order
After making the months-long trek to New York to retrieve Roger from the Mohawk, Jamie and Claire finally return to Brianna at River Run in the season four finale, not long after she'd given birth to her son, Jemmy. Jamie and Claire make arrangements to take their leave of River Run and return home to Fraser's Ridge, but not before a small group of British soldiers ride up to Jocasta's home with a letter for Jamie. It's an order from Governor Tryon that Jamie, who swore an oath of loyalty to the Crown, must hunt down and kill Murtagh.
Season 5 Episode 1: Wedding Preparations
The first half of the season five premiere is all about Roger and Brianna's wedding. After helping Brianna get ready, Claire goes to see how Jamie is fairing, and if he's ready to walk their daughter down the aisle. Jamie is anxiously and adorably fussing over Brianna's something old, new, borrowed, and blue, when Claire finds him. They discuss his reservations about Roger, and Claire assures him that it will all be alright.
Season 5 Episode 12: Affirmations
Season five closes after the scene pictured above, with one more brief scene featuring Jamie and Claire. They lay alone together on their bed as the sound of rain can be heard outside, and they hold one another. Jamie asks Claire how she feels, as it's suggested they've been intimate for the first time since her gruesome attack. She replies, "Safe." and the scene fades to black.