Aahana Swrup
‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ season 2 sets the stage for a looming war that promises to take a hefty toll on the armies of the clans with Jacobite sympathies. After the foiled attack on Castle Leoch, Ellen MacKenzie has learned of the trap that awaits her brother, Dougal, and her lover, Brian, at Inverness. As such, setting out to warn the two of their expected doom becomes her prime objective in episode 4. However, the news she brings with him sets the young Fraser up for a dilemma between his loyalty to his oath and his love. Meanwhile, Henry, still reeling from the impact of his traumatic time at the mental asylum, manages to travel back in time to 1700s Scotland. Once Julia catches wind of his homecoming, confirmation for the same becomes her top priority, sending her on a dangerous but vital mission. Yet, given the things she has learned from Seema, an idyllic reunion remains far from the couple’s reach. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Brian Rejects Lovat After Ellen’s Warning
Once the MacKenzies, who are in Leoch, conclude that MacKinney wasn’t lying about Lovat’s betrayal, Ellen and Grace set out to warn Dougal of this development at once. Instead of finding their own clan, they reach the Fraser camps first. Thus, with Murtagh’s help, the eldest MacKenzie heir finds Brian and informs him of what she has learned. She fills him in on how Lovat has struck up a deal with Argyle that will allow him to restore his land and title if he sells his loyalty out to the crown. Afterward, she prepares to set out to find her brother and deliver the same warning, while the young Fraser gears up for a confrontation with his father. Once confronted, Lovat showcases no signs of regret at betraying his oath to the Jacobites.
Instead, he stands firm in his disdain for the MacKenzies and prioritization of his own selfish success. Nonetheless, Brian makes it clear that he has no intentions of following his father in his treachery. The only reason he had returned to Lovat was because of the oath of loyalty he swore. Yet, now that the other man has proven that his word has no worth, Brian deems himself free of his own oath. In the end, he would choose his loyalty to Ellen before he entertains his father’s conniving plots. Thus, the Fraser heir ultimately turns his back on his father, prepared to give up any future possibility of a title for himself if it comes at such a cost. Instead, he and Murtagh join Ellen and Grace in their quest to find Dougal. Eventually, the quad manages to intercept Dougal’s troops, allowing his sister to tell him all about the events that have unfolded since he departed from Leoch.
Henry is Found by the Grants and Forced to March Into War
As it turns out, Henry’s visit to Craigh na Dun had been successful in bringing him back to 1715. Unfortunately for him, Archbug and his men had been on the hunt for him around the area, which led to his easy arrest. Yet, before the Grants’ guard can cause him any harm, his wife, Murdina, intervenes. Upon noticing the electrotherapy scars on his temples, she assumes that Henry had been taken and returned by the Fair Folk. As such, she doesn’t want her husband to hurt the man and displease the magical creatures, especially since she blames them for the demise of their son. In the face of her superstition, Archbug has no choice but to comply. Still, he brings the fugitive to Mac, the current laird of the Grants clan.
Mac blames Henry for his disappearance at an important time of political exchange between the Grants and the MacKenzies. Even so, he also values his brother and his nephew’s faith in the man as the bladier to the throne. Therefore, he condemns him to the punishment of lashes, but also agrees to retain him as the clan’s bladier. Although it is unusual for the title, he also commands him to join him and the troops for the upcoming war between the Jacobites and the Crown. Luckily, Archbug’s desire to comply with his wife’s wishes spares him the reality of the lashes. However, the WWI veteran cannot possibly get himself out of the war that he has signed up for. Even so, the day before he’s set to march with the Grants, a blessing arrives in the form of Julia, who has traveled all the way from Leathers in search of her husband.
Ellen Shares News of Her Pregnancy With Brian
Once joined with the MacKenzie troops, Ellen has to prepare for her departure. Neither Dougal nor Brian is eager for her to stick around the warpath for any longer than she has to. Thus, it’s decided that she and Grace will take their leave the next morning. On the other hand, Dougal gathers some of his men to clear out the MacKinney soldiers from his ranks and deliver retribution to them for their leader’s betrayal against the Laird. Alternatively, he remains conflicted over his sentiments toward Brian. Even though Lovat has betrayed the Jacobite cause, it can’t be denied that the son’s loyalty no longer lies with his father. Instead, he has willingly chosen Ellen above everything else in his future. As such, the MacKenzie heir concludes he and Brian can settle their grievances after the war once and for all.
Meanwhile, the night’s stay in the camp allows Ellen to spend some time with her lover. As the two retreat into his tent, it gives them a moment to spend time together and reaffirm their love for each other. During this time, Ellen takes the opportunity to share the exciting news of her pregnancy with her lover. At first, Brian is conflicted over the news, largely because he’s scared of his own ability as a father, given the poor example Lovat has set for him. Nonetheless, the other helps him realize that he is not his father. With his fears assuaged, the father-to-be finally embraces the joyfulness of the news. Meanwhile, outside of their tent, Murtagh and Grace share a tentative moment of connection of their own, hinting at the start of a blooming romance.
Julia Grapples With the Reality of Her Husband’s Betrayal
Julia learns about Henry’s return through a letter sent to the Fraser house from the Grants. Therefore, she decides to disguise herself as a man and sets out on a quest to find her husband. Davina helps her with the same and promises to look after young William in his mother’s absence. In the Grants’ town, Henry is quickly able to spot Julia out on the street and takes her back into his house. Yet, the spouses’ reunion is far from perfect. First, the knowledge of everything Henry went through at the mental asylum casts a dark shadow. Then, the realization that the electrotherapy had made him forget Claire torments the father. Afterward, it’s time for a tense confrontation.
Julia asks Henry about his time with Seema and is distraught to learn of its true nature. When the latter tries to explain that his time with the sex worker was a result of immense grief and ensuing delusion, his wife expresses how it isn’t the act of infidelity that hurts her. Instead, she is hurt by the fact that Henry chose to keep this tryst a secret from her due to his own cowardice. She accuses her husband of having changed and demands that he return to her as he once was. Still, as their time together nears its end, she can’t help but fall into her husband’s arms to reconnect and reconcile their love despite the challenges that lie ahead. The next morning, she has to return for Leathers while Henry marches off to the war. Once back in Lovat’s palace, a dreadful scene awaits Julia. William and Davina seem to be missing, while Seema, envious of Henry’s love for Julia, attacks her with a blade.
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