As we left off in Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 2 episode 4, we were on the cusp of war. We saw our two central couples get time together as they prepare for what’s to come. And in episode 5, all four are facing their own peril—whether on the battlefield or from threats around them.
That leaves us on the edge of our seat as we move toward the second half of the season. “Me, Father" puts us in the middle of the action.
Danger on the road
We catch up with Ellen (Harriet Slater) and Grace (Ruby Fubara) on the road. They are heading back to Castle Leoch, having warned Brian (Jamie Roy) and Dougal (Sam Retford) about the danger they face. They are also talking about the coming battle and Grace’s pull toward Murtagh (Rory Alexander) and their potential romance. It’s a beautiful, peaceful scene on the road that is pointed toward a potential future.
That is soon interrupted as Robert MacKinney (Macleod Stephen) finds them on the road. He’s still smarting from what happened to his father and his own seemingly ruined future. Spotting Ellen on the road, he sees a chance to take his revenge and make up for the supposed slights her family caused. But he doesn’t have a plan and doesn’t seem to have the gumption.
Ellen senses that Robert isn’t his father. So, she turns to her skill as a negotiator to try and get him to change his mind. After pleading her case, the case for his future, she gets through. Robert decides to let Ellen and Grace go. As he’s in the process of doing just that, a man comes up, hits Robert over the head, grabs Ellen, and runs off. It’s unclear who has her and if Robert has survived.
Becoming Julia
Meanwhile, Seema (Lauren McQueen) is holding Julia (Hermione Corfield) at knife point. It’s unclear what her plan is — or rather, whether she has an actual plan. But what’s crystal clear is that Seema is in love with Henry (Jeremy Irvine), and she wants what he has with Julia. But she sees Julia as an obstacle.
Julia, like Ellen, tries to talk her way out. But it isn’t quite as successful. Seema is unmoved by Julia’s arguments, which admittedly seem a little self-serving. It’s also clear Seema has a bit of madness. She thinks if she kills Julia, she can just steal her life. Julia points out that’s obviously false, but Seema can’t hear it.
Sensing that her time is wearing thin, Julia makes a move. She and Seema fight, and eventually, Julia gets the upper hand. She strangles Seema to death and breaks free, finding her son. The immediate threat is over, but this won’t be easily explained.
The battle
Meanwhile, Dougal, Brian, and Murtagh are poised for the battle. On the other side, fighting for the Grants with the British are Henry and Arch (Terrence Ray). The two sides meet on the field, and it’s chaotic and violent. At one point, Brian and Henry see each other across the field. They each offer a nod, and neither has an intention to harm the other. Both are trapped in a war that’s not their own, doing their best to survive.
In the heat of battle, Arch is in trouble. Henry rallies to his side and helps save him. In the aftermath, Arch wonders why Henry didn’t take his chance to run during the fight. Henry admits he considered it, but he couldn’t leave his team in the heat of battle. It was honor that prompted him to stay. But he may have made an ally in the British Army ranks, which could prove invaluable in the future.
Brian, Murtagh, and Dougal also survive. There was no clear winner of the battle, but Dougal still wants blood. He takes a group and mounts another assault. Soon, word reaches Brian that it has failed and left Dougal in chains. That leaves Brian to honor his promise to Ellen to look out for her brother. So, we end with Brian and Murtagh preparing to go behind enemy lines to find a way to free Dougal.
There was a lot happening here, including Colum (Seamus McLean Ross) contemplating his life and pleading for his new child. He’s worried about becoming as hard as his father and ruining another generation. He’s also worried about whether he can protect his family and legacy. It’s a lot to contemplate. And now, with Ellen and Dougal in peril, there will be further challenges.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs Fridays on Starz. Check back next week as we recap all the action of this season.
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