Two ideas got here to thoughts when the opening scene of Outlander: Blood of My Blood splashed throughout my display screen. First, Jamie’s (Sam Heughan) dad and mom have hardly spoken, but right here they’re, writhing horizontally, whispering candy nothings on a mattress of hay in an open area. Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) is losing no time and presumably couldn't care much less that Ellen (Harriet Slater) is promised to a different, as he slowly runs his hand up her skirt. Second, what kind of Gaelic magic is Ellen utilizing on her legs to make her naked pores and skin look undeniably spotless?

Earlier than I can conjure up my very own solutions to those questions, Ellen’s maid Glenna (Sally Messham) flings open the bed room curtains, jolting our redheaded magnificence from her scandalous dream. Strong burn, showrunners. You had me there for a second. At the very least certainly one of these riddles has been solved! Now the one factor left to do is up my private sunscreen sport.

Ellen begrudgingly rolls away from bed, curious as to why Glenna is so chipper. Glenna’s additional spring in her step is instantly associated to Ellen having gained the eye of a sure suitor. Ellen beams, figuring Glenna would disapprove of her new love curiosity, and makes the maid swear she received’t inform anybody. Glenna laughs at her foolish girl’s request. Everybody in Citadel Leoch already is aware of and is proud of the excellent news. Ellen MacKenzie is to be betrothed to Malcom Grant (Jhon Lumsden)!

With a face as crimson as her hair, Ellen storms instantly into her brother Colum’s (Séamus McLean Ross) workplace, demanding solutions. Nobody consulted her! Nobody requested her what she needed! And the way is it that Dougal (Sam Retford) screwed up, and he or she is being punished for his sins? Colum calmly declares that the union will mend the injury between the clans. Finish of story.

'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' stars talk 'forbidden love' and Ellen's potential to be Laird 'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' recap: Henry and Julia cling to hope after being separated

Switching techniques, Ellen reminds her brother that she could be extra precious to him if she stays at Citadel Leoch. She might supply counsel, like she did with their father, who, by the way in which, promised her she didn’t should get married. Colum scoffs at her supply, claiming that their father solely humored Ellen. Any promise he made is buried within the floor with him. And so are her privileges.

The sting hits dwelling. Ellen struggles, remembering how shut she and Colum have been at one level. She took care of him and nursed him when he was damaged. He stands on two legs as a result of she went above and past. Colum admits that he’s grateful, however he should do what’s greatest for the clan.

Ellen isn’t the one one experiencing heartbreak. The information of her pending nuptials has unfold quick sufficient for Murtagh (Rory Alexander) to have heard the devastating information. When he tells Brian that the one girl he’s ever cherished (from afar) has been promised to a different, Brian feels the burden of the information as nicely. He’s overtly upset that his cousin is hurting, and secretly upset that his secret affair with Ellen MacKenzie is about to get actually difficult.

Talking of difficult, the Citadel Leathers housekeeper, Davina (Sara Vickers), has put two and two collectively that Julia (Hermione Corfield) hasn’t bled since she’s been there. Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) mother is pregnant, and Davina suspects. And she or he’s providing a method for Julia to alleviate herself of the burden. Who would elevate one other man’s bastard baby, particularly when that girl is a servant with out a penny?

Julia shouldn’t be curious about ending her being pregnant and calls Davina out. Julia has heard Brian deal with Davina “ma,” and he or she assumes he’s Davina’s son out of wedlock. Davina admits that Brian is Lord Lovat’s (Tony Curran) son, and that’s the solely method she was capable of preserve her child. Admitting nothing, Julia’s face hardens. She repeats herself another time that she shouldn’t be with baby.

Again at Citadel Leoch, Ellen tracks down Dougal, and is shocked when she learns that though Dougal was the one who made the error of going after the Grants, it was solely Colum who promised her to Malcom. In actual fact, Dougal thinks it’s an odd alliance, because the Grants have a lot cash. Certain, Malcolm may very well like Ellen, however there must be extra with the untrustworthy clan.

Ellen is aware of she’s only a piece in an enormous sport of chess. She’s caught and has an obligation to play. Particularly because the MacKinney Clan is overtly keen and keen to problem the MacKenzies. To make issues worse, Ellen’s sister Jocasta (Sadhbh Mailn) drops one other bomb into the combo when she reveals to Ellen that Dougal proposed her hand in marriage to the Jacobites.

Ellen’s brothers are absolutely the worst, and Brian’s father is correct up there with them. When Brian and Murtagh report that Dougal offended the Grants and Colum needed to promise Ellen’s hand to appease the state of affairs, Lord Lovat squirms. What if the MacKenzies flip the Grants towards him? Brian hints that the wedding will solely strengthen the 2 households, and each might find yourself hating the Frasers. Maybe they will sabotage the connection?

Lord Lovat causes that an engagement can simply be damaged. Brian and Murtagh trade hopeful glances till Lord Lovat claims he’s going to sully the bride-to-be’s popularity. He’ll see Ellen’s title dragged by the mud with out blinking. Brian realizes his dangerous transfer paid off, however he would have most popular a extra honorable solution to break off the engagement.

Ellen is understandably heartbroken by the flip of occasions, and laments to Ned (Conor MacNeill) that each Colum and Dougal are providing her hand to anybody with a tartan. Ned is shocked to listen to that Dougal is brokering marriage particulars on the facet, and labels each brothers as fools. The brothers are dividing their assist, which makes no strategic sense.

A flashback reveals Ellen watching her brothers depart on a cattle raid, with out their father. Purple Jacob tells his daughter that Dougal and Colum should succeed on their very own. Later that evening, the brothers return with Dougal supporting Colum, as his leg is twisted in an unnatural method. Each are brutally reprimanded for failing. Colum for falling, and Dougal for not ending what he began.

Purple Jacob chastises Colum for not therapeutic shortly sufficient. As he turns in shame, Colum reveals that he needed to comply with his dad’s recommendation that evening, however Dougal, after all, had completely different plans that ended poorly. A shot was fired, leading to his horse throwing him. Purple Jacob sneers at his “crippled” son, deeming him unworthy of being a frontrunner, and leaves the room. Colum awkwardly stands, hobbling to catch his father, refusing any assist from Ellen, and finally ends up falling down the steps, additional damaging his leg.

Within the current day, Ellen watches as MacKinny taunts Colum in entrance of a crowd of onlookers and rushes to face by his facet. His insecurities get one of the best of him, and he complains to Ellen that he won’t ever be laird. Ellen forces him to do not forget that a very good laird should possess a enterprise mindset, too. It’s not simply brute power and braun.

One other flashback options Purple Jacob whipping Dougal for placing his clan at risk that evening of the raid. There’s a distinction between being feared and being disgraced.

Switching again once more to the current, Ellen confronts Dougal with the understanding that the evening her father beat Dougal, he realized Dougal wasn’t match to be laird, though he by no means technically made these ideas recognized. He knew Dougal would at all times put himself earlier than the clan.

The subsequent factor we all know, Ellen is instructing Ned to purpose along with her brothers, telling him that they may be extra receptive to his counsel. She has a notion of clear up their drawback, handing Ned a folded observe. Ellen nods to her handwriting, asking if her resolution is feasible. Ned appears intrigued by what he reads.

All of a sudden, it’s time to select a brand new chief, which appears very quick to me. Ellen runs into Malcom, thanks him for the random fowl feather he gifted her to put on to the big day, and gushes that she couldn’t consider a greater match for her future husband. Let’s hear it for organized marriages.

The temper is tense, particularly when the brothers MacKenzie arrive on the soundtrack of bagpipes. Colum stands earlier than the throne, because the eldest brother, pledging himself to Clan MacKenzie. He admits his physique is damaged, however his spirit won’t ever be. Though sturdy in some methods, ought to the day come that the clan should draw iron, he’ll defer to his brother Dougal as warfare chieftain.

That is the purpose when all of the Scottish minds are blown.

Dougal steps up beside his brother and guarantees to be his brother’s legs within the area. He kneels earlier than Colum and pledges his loyalty. Colum rigorously kneels earlier than Dougal and pledges his loyalty. And when MacKinney calls the whole show unlawful, Ned shortly sheds some mild on the matter. It’s completely attainable for Colum and Dougal to share management by separate duties.

Because of this, the whole room, together with a furious MacKinney, drops and pledges their loyalty. We see Ellen trying down from the balcony, smiling. Her father could be so proud.

There’s nonetheless the difficulty of Ellen and Malcom’s marriage ceremony particulars, and Ned is set to verify there are not any problems. He begins by serving to Henry (Jeremy Irvine) discover the lady he’s been searching for since he got here to city. He takes him to a brothel, as a result of absolutely the woman in command of this tremendous institution can find the English girl with brown hair and piercing blue eyes.

That girl is at the moment pacing in her bed room, writing to Henry at this very second. She’s involved that her secret goes to get out, and Lord Lovat will do one thing to her child. Subsequently, there’s just one factor she will be able to do since she is trapped in her personal private hell. She holds on to all of the hope on the planet, asking Henry to forgive her, as she knocks on the laird’s door.

One thing tells me that Henry and Julia are about to be reunited now that she’s “warmed herself” with the imply, greasy-haired man.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs Fridays on Starz.

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