Outlander fans may agree on one thing: Laoghaire McKenzie is a polarizing character. The question is whether she is evil or just immature?
The Starz version of Laoghaire differs a bit from the novel version of the character, but it’s still close. Let’s look at those facts surrounding TV’s version of Laoghaire and Jamie:
1. Laoghaire is 16 years old.
2. Laoghaire had a crush from a young age on Jamie.
3. Jamie took a physical beating for Laoghaire so she wouldn’t have to face humiliation.
4. Laoghaire’s father accused her of loose behavior. We don’t know if that accusation was just or not, as we know next to nothing about his character.
5. Mrs. Fitz has a soft spot for Laoghaire.
6. Jamie was making out with Laoghaire after he took the beating in a time where he’d likely be called on to do the right thing and marry the girl had someone other than Claire seen them. It wasn’t sex, but it wasn’t a peck on the cheek either.
7. When Jamie speaks with Laoghaire, he initially makes it sound like his is a forced marriage arranged by Dougal. Later, he doesn’t clarify that he loves Claire, only that he made a vow. He doesn’t push her off straight away.
8. Laoghaire admits to the ill wish.
9. Laoghaire tells Claire, after Claire strikes her, that she thinks her marriage is loveless, and that she’ll continue to find a way to undermine Claire’s marriage because she thinks Jamie is hers.
10. Laoghaire writes the note that leads to Claire’s capture along with Geillis.
One of my co-hosts, Beth, on our weekly post-show Google Hangout called Hangoutlander (this week’s episode Monday at 10:00 p.m. ET) wrote an interesting article on That’s Normal where she talked about the concept that “we are all Laoghaire.”
Beth wrote, “…this entire fandom is a Legion of Laoghaires. We ALL love Jamie an inordinate amount. We ALL would do just about anything to gain his attention (were he real). Difference is? He’s never led US on…but he DID do that to her. Throwing herself at him when he looks depressed, unimpressed with married life and when he hasn’t verbally shot her down even the slightest? That took ovaries. SOLID BRASS OVES. Good on ya, Laoghaire. I’d’ve done the same thing.”
We had the opportunity to speak with Nell Hudson, who plays Laoghaire, this past summer at the Outlander premiere at San Diego Comic-Con. She doesn’t see Laoghaire in quite the same light that many fans do.
So, the question is, at a certain point, does Laoghaire go from being a misguided 16-year-old who was given mixed messages and led on, to an evil attempted murderess?
There are really two ways to look at it. One way is to realize that up until Laoghaire puts Claire in harm’s way she’s acting like many 16-year-olds would. Can we say cat fight in the high school cafeteria? How about nasty Snap Chat messages or cyber bullying? Many of us now in our twenties and older cringe looking back at the actions and poor choices of our 16-year-old selves.
On the other hand, at a certain point, Laoghaire needs to take responsibility for her own actions. Whether she likes it or not, Jamie finally made it clear that he is married and intends to honor his vows. On top of that, even if Laoghaire didn’t think Claire might be murdered, only perhaps beaten and humiliated for the false accusation, are her actions excusable? Even at 16, deliberately throwing someone in harm’s way should have consequences.