It’s been a slow start to the action in season 2 of Outlander: Blood of My Blood. We’ve seen our main characters divided and fighting their own battles. But the action picks up in a big way, as do the stakes, in this third episode of the new season, “Rabbits Don’t Swim.” And, sadly, not everyone will survive. Let’s dive in. SPOILERS BELOW.
Over at Lord Lovett’s (Tony Curran) home, things are different. There is a new maid, Seema (Lauren McQueen), who makes it clear to Julia (Hermonie Corfield) that she knows Henry (Jeremy Irvine). She was Henry’s lady while he grieved, and it’s that knowledge that had the Grants send her to Lovett’s home. It’s supposed to be for Julia’s protection, but it clearly has thrown her off.
Seema has also made fast friends with Lord Lovett. She’s more than willing to meet all his needs and even to impart that wisdom. When Julia is brought in to watch and learn as Seema plies her skills on Lovett, it’s beyond awkward. But when Julia seeks to get the new maid removed, Lord Lovett is unwilling to entertain the idea.
He is getting what he needs from the new maid, who is doing her job. He tells Julia she’ll have to adjust. Besides, he has bigger things on his mind.
Trouble at Castle Leoch
Meanwhile, as the soldiers march to war, Colum (Séamus McLean Ross) is holding court at home. But things aren’t exactly smooth. Maura (Bobby Rainsbury) is still struggling to adjust to life as a MacKenzie. She and Ellen (Harriet Slater) spar at the dinner table, leading to Ellen’s early exit. That turns out to be fortunate, as the MacKenzie’s soon get some unwelcome guests.
Turns out that James MacKinney (Ryan Fletcher) isn’t happy with the clan’s current leadership. With Dougal (Sam Retford) and the others at war, he’s come to claim Castle Leoch as his own. He has a few men, but it’s more than enough to overcome Colum. But Ellen, in hiding, is able to survey and puts her own plan in motion.
When the women are removed to the upstairs under guard, Ellen strikes. She frees them and kills a guard. She doesn’t stop there. Ellen puts her plan in motion and begins taking out the MacKinney host. But she notes he hasn’t brought his whole force.
MacKinney, meanwhile, learns that the whole of the property is in Ellen’s name. He’ll need her to sign it over—or marry him—in order to take control. So, finding her becomes a high priority. But it proves tricky as she continues to take out his men.
In a last flourish, the ladies move to trap a couple MacKinney soldiers. In the process, Janet (Alisa Davidson) is killed. It’s the last straw for Maura, who leaves the group to try and negotiate a better deal directly. Ellen, meanwhile, kills the rest of the forces and then heads to the main hall. There, she dispatches MacKinney and ends the threat—at least at the castle. Turns out MacKinney didn’t bring all his forces to Castle Leoch because some were needed at the front.
Lovett a traitor
Before he dies, MacKinney reveals that Lord Lovett has made a deal with the English. He plans to spring a trap on the forces at the front, which certainly means their death. Colum, Ellen, and Maura are rightly worried for Dougal. But Ellen is convinced Brian (Jamie Roy) wouldn’t be part of such a plot. As the episode ends, she is on her horse racing to the front with a critical message.
Lord Lovett, meanwhile, arrives and finds Dougal, Brian, and the others having fought some Red Coats already. He suggests a new strategy, dividing their forces to prevent being discovered. Both Dougal and Brian are reluctant, but they can’t go against him. Still, Brian remains suspicious of his father’s plan and of his father’s demeanor. Dougal, meanwhile, takes his crew and heads off into what’s certainly a trap.
Man, what a showcase for Ellen and Slater. She goes full warrior in this episode, and I’m here for it. I can’t wait to see what happens when she arrives at the front. I’m also pleased to see the new respect she’s earned from all her family and her new sister-in-law. Meanwhile, Seema’s presence near Julia can’t be good for anyone.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs Fridays on Starz. Check back next week as we recap all the action of season 2.
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