When last we left off in Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Ellen (Harriet Slater) had fought off an attack. But she learned it was just part of the plan, which left both her brother Dougal (Sam Retford) and Brian (Jamie Roy) in potential trouble at the battle front. So, she took to her horse to bring news, hopefully in time.
This week’s episode, “A Port in My Soul,” shows whether she was successful, and features the return of Henry (Jeremy Irvine).
Henry’s return
After being absent in episode 3, we get Henry back early in this week’s episode. Turns out the plan hatched to return him to the past was a success. He’s back where he left, which means he’s a wanted man by the Grant clan. It isn’t long before he’s captured and returned to Arch Bug (Terence Ray), who was the one that stabbed him.
He tells a tale, and though he and Arch never saw eye-to-eye, his wounds show there is some kind of magic involved. So, Arch’s wife suggests he might be telling the truth. Arch brings him to the new Laird (Simon Merrells), who is inclined to take it easy. He orders 20 lashes and that Henry join the rest of the clan at the battle front.
But even the lashes aren’t in the cards. Arch, taking heed of his wife’s thoughts, spares Henry the lash, though he puts on a good show. Henry is still bound for the front, so he writes a letter. Meanwhile, news of his return heads to Lord Lovat (Tony Curran), but with him away Julia (Hermonie Corfield) is the one who gets it. Learning Henry has returned, she makes a trip to the Grant camp.
There she finds Henry. They are reunited but it’s not all joy. Henry is showing the wear and tear of his experiences with electroshock. In fact, until Julia reminds him, he has forgotten Claire. Worse still, she is able to confirm that in his grief and delusion before he left, he had an affair with Seema (Lauren McQueen). Julia is hurt, but she sets that aside to have some time with Henry before he is once again sent to war.
Ellen’s warning
Meanwhile, Ellen arrives at Brian’s encampment in time to share her news. Brian is furious, but it makes sense as to why his father split their forces. He heads in to confront Lord Lovat, who doesn’t deny it. He claims it’s to secure their family legacy. But Brian won’t trade his honor. They have words and Brian opts to warn Dougal, even as he’s told he’ll be cast out of his father’s clan.
So, Brian and Ellen make their way to Dougal with a warning—about Lovat’s betrayal and the traitors among their ranks. They are able to make alternate plans to protect the forces, for now. But war is coming, and now Brian is with the MacKenzie clan for the time being. Dougal and Brian set aside their differences for battle, but Dougal promises a reckoning is coming.
That night, before she heads back home, Ellen is able to spend time with Brian. She shares that soon she’ll have their child. It’s a sweet moment, but one that feels fraught. They enjoy their night together and, in the morning, Ellen heads home while Brian heads to war.
Danger at home
Julia also bid farewell to Henry, sending him off to war again. It’s an uncertain time for her and for her family. But she heads home as she need to protect her son. But when she arrives, she finds the castle empty and quiet.
As Julia heads for her son’s crib, she finds it empty. Instead, she’s confronted by Seema who is armed with a knife. Turns out that her nights with Henry meant more to Seema than she let on. She wants to be the one he’s holding forever, which means that Julia is the ultimate threat.
Other thoughts on this week’s episode
This certainly felt like the calm before the storm. Julia and Henry, and Ellen and Brian are reunited. They are able to spend a night together before the men head off to war. Who knows what awaits Ellen at Castle Leoch, but it’s clear Julia faces her own challenges, too. This sets the stage for more trouble and heartbreak to come.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood releases new episodes Fridays on Starz. Check back next week as we recap all the drama of the latest season.
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