Outlander fans across the globe can’t wait to see Claire and Jamie Fraser’s return in the show’s eighth and final season, premiering Friday, March 6 on STARZ. Adding another layer of suspense to Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan’s last performances in their beloved roles is the fact that author Diana Gabaldon hasn’t completed the final book that the series is based on yet—meaning the hit series will be charting its own course to the finish line.

So, where does that leave Claire, our resilient, time-traveling healer? In an exclusive interview with Parade, Balfe shares her take on where she’d like to see her character’s story end and reflects on Claire’s incredible journey.

This has been such a long journey for you and for Claire! How do you think she’s changed over the course of the series?
She was this feisty young woman who I think was very hot-headed and maybe acted before she thought sometimes—but I don’t know that her core has changed that much. I think obviously with age, she has softened and become wiser. She has sort of been brought to her knees, but put herself back together in a healthier way over the seasons. At her core, Claire has always been a passionate fighter for justice, such a lover—and a fierce, loyal woman. I think she still is that at the end, too.

In the Season 7 finale, we saw Claire visited by Master Raymond, who apologizes for something. When will we find out what he means?
I can’t tell you! I think we sort of figure it out—more or less.

Claire jumps on the idea that Faith lived because Fanny is singing a very modern song. What do you think is going through Claire’s mind to make her so sure that Fanny is her daughter?
Well, I think sometimes a mother knows. Yes, there’s a mystery there and more will be revealed, but it’s such a modern song. How else would this child know that song if it hadn’t somehow been passed down?

We also have a very jealous Jamie this season. He doesn’t seem to be able to get past Lord John, even though you explained the circumstances. Do you think Jamie is ever going to get over it?
I have sympathy for Jamie in this. I think Claire is maybe a little impatient with him, but it’s understandable. It’s actually quite funny how grumpy Jamie is about the whole thing. I do think eventually he will get over it, but everyone takes time to get over a hurt and a betrayal. For Jamie, even though it was unintended by Claire and Lord John, it’s still a hurt and a betrayal for him.

That said, the passion between Jamie and Claire is still so present. How has the passion they had in the beginning maybe mellowed into something more?
It’s only natural. In any relationship, there is a different type of excitement in the first throes of love than there is years later. It doesn’t mean the love is any less—in fact, generally, it means the love has deepened. They are an older married couple who have been through years and years together. They still make love all the time, and they are still madly, deeply passionate about each other. It’s not new love—it’s different—and it should be different. I think that’s a more honest portrayal.

The other big issue this season is Frank’s book that is brought back from the future. Do you think Claire actually believes Frank was lying to keep her in the future with him?
It’s so confusing for her and for Jamie. She had such a strong contract with Frank that when she came back, she would put Jamie aside, stop talking about him and they would raise Brianna together. It caused her so much pain to have to put Jamie away—even though he never left her heart. To find out that Frank was doing exactly what he had asked her not to do is really difficult. Why would he do that? Did he want to punish her? Keep her away from him? It doesn’t really make sense to her, so she’s trying to work it out and figure out what his point was the whole time.

Diana hasn’t finished writing the end of the story, but the series is coming to an end. What would you like to see happen for Claire at the end?
I mean, I would like her to end up on a beach in Hawaii, sipping a cocktail. But, you know, I didn’t get my request! I think for me, it’s important that they’re together—that they are each other’s home. If they can stay together, then that’s fitting for them.

Do you think fans will be happy with the ending?
I don’t know the ending! I think Matt [Roberts, showrunner] was very clever in making it so that we couldn’t spoil it. I know he filmed various things and there were different versions of scripts going around. I haven’t seen it, so I’m as curious as everyone else!

There are many layers to Claire—she’s a medical professional, a mother, a wife and now a matriarch. Are any of those roles more prominent in Season 8?
I think her role as a wife and mother are probably the prominent features of this season. She still does medical stuff, but I would say it’s the other two.

You also directed an episode. How has that affected you as an actress?
It was amazing. Some of the best times that I’ve had on the show was getting to do that. It definitely affects how you approach your acting. Until you have understood all of the prep that goes into things and the reasons why certain decisions are made, you don’t fully get it. It’s made me much more flexible as an actor. I understand the work that goes into it, and I understand what everyone brings to the table. I would love to do more.

You’ve been playing a character over a 30-year lifespan. Is that difficult?
It’s brilliant! Because when you’re having a really rough day—like if you haven’t slept because your child kept you up all night—you’re like, “Well, I can just bring these wrinkles into the character.” But really, it’s been amazing to have played a character over a 30-year lifespan—it’s not very often that you get to do that. We were on the show for over a decade, and I know how much I’ve changed in those ten years. Think about Claire—it’s three times that amount. That was part of the privilege of doing this show.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.