Outlander: 5 Times We Hated Roger (& 5 Times We Felt Bad For Him)

Despite him being a central character on Outlander, fans wouldn’t exactly class Roger Mackenzie as a favorite of theirs. Ever since he was introduced in season 2, the fans have a love-hate relationship with the historian. There were times were fans adored Roger and believed he was a kind and compassionate man.

However, three years have allowed fans to see that he isn’t always the perfect gentleman or husband. It’s quite hard to pinpoint exactly where he falls on the fan’s popularity scale since he’s taken them on such an emotional rollercoaster. One minute he can garner the viewers’ sympathy and the next he does something that makes them hate him. Take these moments for example…

10 Hated: Not Telling Brianna About Jamie & Claire’s Deaths

One moment that irritated fans was Roger’s refusal to tell Brianna of Jamie and Claire’s deaths. Since the pair broke up after Brianna rejected his proposal, Roger distanced himself from the youngest Fraser and barely kept in touch. However, he didn’t cut all ties with the Frasers as he continued to look into the family’s past.

While Roger was ecstatic to learn of Claire and Jamie’s reunion, he soon became conflicted when he discovered their obituaries. Instead of telling Brianna, Roger decided he would keep this a secret because they were technically dead already and there wasn’t anything she could do. Suffice to say, this was one of the most callous things he could have said.

9 Sympathized: Learning Of Brianna’s Assault

As everyone knows, season 4 saw Roger put through the wringer as he was seen to suffer for Bonnet’s crimes. However, fans couldn’t help but feel even more sympathy for the historian when he blamed himself for Brianna’s rape. As Roger asks why he was sold to the Mohawk, Claire tells him that Brianna was attacked moments after they argued.

While the revelation brought tears to his eyes, fans thought it a bit cruel of Jamie to suggest he was at fault because he left her alone and unprotected. He probably felt terrible about the situation as it was so he didn’t need Jamie to rub salt further into the wound.

8 Hated: Considers Leaving Brianna

After discovering Brianna was pregnant, Roger was initially ecstatic about the news and swore he would remain by her side. However, fans couldn’t help but feel disgusted with the historian when he considered leaving Bree after Claire pointed out the baby may be Bonnet’s.

Considering Roger was telling everyone how much he loved Brianna, it couldn’t have been genuine if he couldn’t support her through her toughest times. Fans couldn’t help but hate him once they saw how heartbroken Brianna was when he didn’t return with her parents.

7 Sympathized: Jocasta Doesn’t Believe He Can Support Brianna

When Roger and Brianna got married, one would think everyone would put their business discussions and grudges on hold for a few days. Especially if their business involved Brianna or Roger. However, it appeared that Aunt Jocasta didn’t get the memo when she asked Roger to meet with her to discuss Jemmy’s inheritance.

Here, she implies she is only bequeathing her fortune to Jemmy because she believes Roger doesn’t love him or Brianna. Jocasta also implies that her wishes will prevent Roger from divorcing Brianna because her property is worth a lot. It was a bit unfair of her to cast judgment when she didn’t know him.

6 Hated: “Looking Out For Number One” Speech

Another irritating moment of Roger’s had to be his self-preservation speech in season 4, Remember when Roger was stuck in the punishment hut with a priest and he revealed his and Brianna’s love story? Roger was seen to imply Bree was to blame for his misfortune but neglects to mention a few things.

For one, Roger seems to forget that Brianna told him not to follow her. Roger also forgets to mention the reason they argued in the first place. It’s irritating that he wouldn’t account for his actions when they contributed to his situation just as much.

5 Sympathized: Beaten & Sold By Jamie

In season 4, Roger was involved in a case of mistaken identity when Jamie was led to believe he was the perpetrator who raped Brianna. As a result, Roger was violently beaten by Jamie and then sold to the Mohawk by Ian before Brianna knew he was even there.

One couldn’t help but cry in frustration for Roger – especially when they saw what he had gone through to try and find the Frasers. He suffered for weeks because Bree and Claire neglected to tell Jamie about Bonnet’s identity.

4 Hated: Post Handfast Behavior

After Brianna and Roger’s handfasting, things appeared to be looking up for the couple. However, Roger soon ruined the wedded bliss when he offended Brianna with his misogynistic opinions. This all culminated after Brianna discovered Roger knew about Claire and Jamie’s obituary but never told her about it.

As Brianna scolded him for making decisions for her and trying to manipulate into marrying him, Roger didn’t exactly deny her accusations. In fact, Roger implied she should start obeying him now that he was her husband. It’s no wonder Brianna asked her to leave.

3 Sympathized: Battered & Hanged During Alamance

Although book fanatics knew what was coming, fans of the show were taken by surprise when they discovered Roger had been hung by Governor Tryon. During the Battle of Alamance, Roger was noticeably absent from the frontlines after the MacKenzie was sent to the Regulators camp to warn Murtagh.

Unbeknownst to Jamie and Claire, Roger had been attacked and captured by one of his ancestors. He was then taken to the governor’s camp and hanged to set an example to the traitors. Poor Roger was lucky to survive…

2 Hated: Degrading Brianna

Before Roger and Brianna’s date at the Highland festival, the viewers believed the historian was a good match for Brianna. He treated her with respect and was very kind. He also proved he could be quite a selfless and reliable guy. However, their opinions changed once they saw the way he behaved once Brianna rejected his proposal.

Not only did he break up with Brianna because she rejected him but he also degraded her for wanting to have sex before marriage. Keeping in mind that he had several pre-marital relationships, fans didn’t appreciate his sexist values.

1 Sympathized: His PTSD & Recovery

Months after the Battle of Alamance, it was revealed that Roger had PTSD after the public hanging severely damaged his vocal cords. Fans were heartbroken to watch as Roger struggled without his voice, particularly when he burst into tears over Brianna’s singing. It was more upsetting to watch him contemplate suicide.

Furthermore, some fans weren’t fond of Brianna’s tough love speech. Although she had good intentions, some fans felt like Bree had invalidated his feelings by comparing his trauma to hers and suggesting he didn’t care enough to fight. As Dawn Serra once said, “there isn’t a timestamp on trauma.”

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