Why doesn’t Geillis Duncan recognize Roger in season 7 of Outlander? Details explored

Outlander Season 7’s midseason premiere is surprising as Roger MacKenzie encounters Geillis Duncan while traveling back in time to rescue his kidnapped son, Jemmy. Viewers were shocked to see Geillis’ return after his dramatic death in season 3.

More intriguing, however, is the fact that she doesn’t seem to recognize Roger from their previous encounter in the 1960s. This development has left fans and followers with a host of questions about their history and what it may mean for the future of the series.

The brief meeting of Roger and Geillis in 1968

Roger and Geillis first met in 1968, years before he left for a trip to the 18th century. As she prepared for her expedition at home, deeply involved in the preparations to ensure her safe transit through the stones of Craigh na Dun, Roger and Brianna caught sight of her. Geillis’ attention was too rare and too sparing for Roger. She had a human sacrifice to make.

It doesn’t matter how bright or quick-witted Geillis seems, or that she always remembers every last detail; in fact, it’s more likely that Roger wasn’t strong enough for her to remember it decades later, from her own perspective. All he cares about is completing his journey through time and assisting the Jacobite Rebellion. Additionally, she is much shorter with Roger than with any interaction she has that contains substantial, memorable conversation, for example with Claire and even with her beloved Brianna.

This makes Outlander all the more interesting because it shows that Geillis can remember previous experiences years later. When she meets Brianna, she remembers that she is Claire’s daughter in the 18th century. It then becomes plausible that the fact that she does not remember Roger is due to the lack of importance or emotional connection when they met in the 1960s. If Roger reminded her of their previous meeting, it is likely that it would would jog the memory, although this discovery would most likely put him in danger, given Geillis’ ruthless nature.

Could Geillis cause trouble for Roger?

Geillis Duncan has always been a dark horse in Outlander: she played both savior and nemesis; in this case, the goal of advancing the Jacobites’ cause was to fight anyone who opposed what they had planned. So even though she isn’t seeing Roger yet for this episode, her sense of manipulation and her very plausible motives for denying that she actually knows him could be, or at least staged, ignorance.

The possibility that Geillis’ presence in this timeline is linked to Jemmy’s disappearance is also in play. Although the series has yet to determine whether or not this is true, his arrival in 1739 adds another layer to their story . If the books are any guide, Roger’s story will likely revolve around him in such a way that Geillis will have difficulty intruding on what he has planned, unless he reveals too much of the history they share .

In a series where the past, present and future collide, Geillis’ unexpected return and lack of recognition could have implications that go far beyond Roger’s current predicament. That will have to wait until these episodes play out.