From Literature to Small Screen: The Iconic Duo of Claire and Jamie Fraser

*Caution! Spoilers ahead!*

Sunny and Cher. Tom and Jerry. Batman and Robin. Luke and Leia. Simon and Garfunkle. Barbie and Ken.

Everyone an idea of their perfect iconic duo, whether fictional or real life. These duos often teach us about friendship, perseverance, mutual respect, or true love.

When I picture an iconic duo, a more modern pop culture and literature pair come to mind - Jamie and Claire Fraser of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander world. Now, maybe it's because I've been binge-watching seasons 1-5 of the Starz adaptation and diving headfirst into the book series during the pandemic (escapism at its finest!). Still, each time I consider an iconic duo, Jamie and Claire pop into my mind.

For a good reason too.

Throughout the series, Jamie and Claire exemplify the definition of iconic duo and soulmates. Their relationship transcends time and space, teaches about trials and happiness of a long marriage, and that even an 18th-century highlander can be a progressive feminist.

Why are they my iconic duo? It's all about their love, protection, mutual respect, and how they keep their marriage strong despite all that's thrown their way.

Love

What started as an arranged marriage to protect Claire turned into a lasting love that transcended time and space and became the envy of many readers and viewers. It's not all sunshine and roses either. With forced separations here and there throughout the five seasons, arguments and devastating events that could tear any other couple apart, and a separation of 200 years for much of their marriage, Jamie and Claire remain more in love than ever.

Their love grows and matures throughout the series. What is firey and passionate in the beginning evolves into trust, dependence, and mature love that we can all hope to experience.

Just reading about and watching their relationship makes even the most cynical reader desire a fraction of their love. They pledge honesty and truth, care deeply for one another, and fight like crazy to stay together.

It's not all about fighting to get back to one another either; it's in the small things we see how much they love one another. It's when Jamie says a prayer while Claire's asleep, and when Claire provides her silent support by just being by Jamie's side. And how she heals him time and time again.

True love? Soulmates? I'd say so.

Protect

Jamie would do anything to protect Claire and vice-versa. Even from the beginning, Jamie promises Claire the protection of his name, clan, and body. He keeps that promise, protecting her from the redcoats, the witch trial, and possible death at the Battle of Culloden.

Claire protects Jamie just as much. She helps him escape from prison, finds a way to warn him of warrants for his arrest, and miraculously heals him from a deadly snake bite.

Isn't that true love and marriage, giving your all to keep your loved ones safe? Sure, but the lengths to which they go to protect and save one another every time is admirable.

Respect

As love and trust grow between Jamie and Claire, so does mutual respect for one another. Claire is a woman of another time, with an independent streak reflective of the 21st century rather than the 20th or 18th. Initially, Jamie is taken aback by her independence and, not knowing where (or when) she comes from, he misunderstands her words and actions. But as they learn about one another, fall in love, and resolve their disputes (albeit rather violently at first), their relationship and respect for one another blossoms.

Claire is an intelligent and caring woman, always putting others first, and despite getting herself into precarious situations, more often than not, Jamie supports her calling. Often on the receiving end of her treatments and care, Jamie shows that he's not your average 18th-century highlander (or man for that matter), always evolving and becoming a feminist champion for Claire, their daughter, and women close to the family.

Though independent, Claire understands and respects her husband's innate need to protect and provide. Though she may not agree, she respects his decision to fight at Culloden and protect her and their unborn child. Claire understands and recognizes when Jamie takes the lead in certain situations. Although she doesn't like the thought of her husband with other women in her 20-year absence, she understands and supports him establishing what relationship he can with his son.

Growing respect and support in the couple's relationship are evident after they reunite and settle in America. With 20 plus years and experiences that shaped each of their lives differently, there's a maturity to their mutual decision making that we don't see earlier in the series. They discuss and make decisions together. They're willing to let go of their pride to admit the other right. They support each other's goals and aspirations, no matter how far fetched for the time.

Repair

That's not to say that there aren't difficult times in their relationship (it's not all rainbows and butterflies as any Outlander or drama fan knows). Disagreements happen in every friendship, relationship, and marriage. What stands out about Jamie and Claire's relationship is that they never let it completely pull them apart, even when they're first married and are still practically strangers.

Whether arguing about Claire's independence early in their relationship, enduring physical separation by prisons and time, or devastating events that would turn any relationship sour, Claire and Jamie always come back to one another. Sure, their methods might be unconventional in the beginning, but their desire to stay together and repair the fractures is commendable and something to strive for in any relationship.

Yes, Jamie and Claire aren't perfect, but what iconic duo is? Look at Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, Wylie Coyote and the roadrunner, and Tom and Jerry. Adversaries yet still iconic duos. And Jamie and Claire may have their moments, from the scene in season one episode nine, The Reckoning, to season three episode eight, First Wife, when Claire finds out Jamie Laoghaire MacKenzie, but they come back together in the end. And, Outlander fans, can we ever think of one without the other?

Not at all.