https://bethwesson.com/2017/11/05/did-you-believe-we-were-all-just-frozen-in-time-a-reflection-outlander-3-08-first-wife/#comment-9564

LISA I wonder if that is because it would be way too painful – both for Claire to admit it loud to herself, but also for Jamie to know that she had chosen between him and Brianna – too much to come to terms with. I really feel a corner stone of Claire’s character in both books and TV show is her tendency not to speak her feelings. While Jamie often comments on how easy it is to read her feelings on her face, she rarely gives voice to them. No poetic language from Claire about how the sun comes out when she sees Jamie, or that being without him was like living without a heart. In the book we see things through her eyes, but in a way we are limited to her own understanding of herself. Not exactly an unreliable narrator, but – you know – a bit! (Think about how Diana points out that in the book Claire THINKS that Frank is having a string of affairs. My theory is that she builds an emotional wall between herself and Frank and creates herself a reason to maintain that emotional distance.) I think TV Claire has kept her own feelings so protected and shelved during her time with Frank, that this open, messy and chaotic reunion is overwhelming her. It would be lovely to see her open up to Jamie when she is less in shock and able to return to him fully.