Baby Claire is celebrating her second birthday as Starz’s Outlander: Blood of my Blood season finale opens. She’s toasted by Uncle Lamb, who declares that she has grand adventures in store. “Mark my words, she has the spirit of an explorer,” says Lamb to Henry and Julia. Now, the question is, does Lamb know this from firsthand knowledge as a time traveler himself?

(The following is a recap of season one, episode 10—the finale—and there are spoilers ahead!)

A brief scene from a wedding is interrupted by a flashback to the prior day. Brian (Jamie Roy) is incredibly upset that someone’s trying to kill him, but his mind’s also on Ellen and the fact she just rejected him. Murtagh (Rory Alexander) warns him to keep his mind on the business at hand, which is staying ahead of the gallowglass and staying alive. But Murtagh also understands how Brian feels, and Brian swears he’ll always love Ellen.

Brian apologizes for dragging Murtagh into this and for being in love with the same woman. Murtagh believes Ellen is deeply in love with Brian and could never have felt that way about him. “She’s meant for you and you for her,” says Murtagh.

Brian asks for Murtagh’s help stopping Ellen from marrying Malcolm Grant and Murtagh appears to be all in. Suddenly, men attack and Brian and Murtagh dispatch them, but not before Murtagh takes an arrow to the leg. One man is kept alive, and Brian beats him into revealing who hired him. Brian kills him after he says Colum MacKenzie paid them.

Dougal (Sam Retford) is in the middle of sex in the hallway when Maura Grant (Bobby Rainsbury) asks the maid he’s with to come to her chambers. It’s the first time Dougal and Maura have seen each other since they were children, and Dougal seems impressed. Maura isn’t.

Ellen (Harriet Slater) and Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin) have a special moment together as Ellen’s belongings are packed for the move to the Grants. Ellen apologizes for not consulting Jocasta before their father arranged her marriage. If she had understood what Jocasta was going through then, she would have done things much differently.

Lord Lovat (Tony Curran) is still in a rotten mood as he and Julia (Hermione Corfield) eat dinner. Julia tries to make him feel better by reminding him their son will be king, and everyone will bow at his feet. She suggests a good night’s rest will help him clear his mind and figure out their path forward.

Ellen, her sisters, Maura Grant, and other ladies pluck hens in preparation for Ellen’s wedding feast. They share laughs over the things men have said to them, and they drink as they enjoy time away from the castle and men. When Ellen recites a poem, Maura takes offense, believing she’s insulting her brother, Malcolm. She reminds Ellen that Malcolm’s been sweet on her since they were kids. Jocasta stands up for her sister, and Maura leaves the group in a huff. Ellen’s shocked her sister came to her defense, and Jocasta jokes that giving her a hard time is her job, not Maura’s.

Meanwhile, Julia tells Davina Porter (Sara Vickers) that she found her husband, Henry, and is supposed to meet him by a specific tree. Since Lord Lovat’s gone to bed, Davina recommends that she grab the baby and leave immediately.  Davina will keep Balloch distracted. Julia doesn’t want Davina to get in trouble, so she asks her to tell Balloch that she’s been kidnapped. Davina reluctantly agrees, and they hug.

Julia grabs the baby and runs for the tree, calling out to Henry (Jeremy Irvine). She warns him a man is coming after them and tells him to hide. Julia yells for Balloch, claiming to have been taken, and he rushes over. Henry knocks him out but leaves him alive.

They ride off on Henry’s horse.

Brian knocks out a Grant man and steals his clothing so that he can make it into Castle Leoch without being questioned. He wraps an empty box as if it is a present and makes his way through the castle. He makes the mistake of asking Jocasta the location of Ellen’s chambers, and she remembers seeing him at Beltane and knows he’s a Fraser. He admits he’s Brian Fraser and begs her to let him see Ellen, promising to tell Jocasta why if she helps him.

Only Mrs. Fitzgibbons (Sally Messham) is with Ellen when Jocasta leads Brian to her sister’s chamber. Ellen warns him it’s too dangerous for him to be there, and Jocasta blurts out that the gallowglass warriors were hired by Colum to kill him. Jocasta also reveals that Murtagh’s been hurt, and she believes Brian should be given a chance to speak with Ellen. Brian asks Ellen to tell him again that she doesn’t love him, and he assures her he is hers forever. They embrace, and Ellen responds, “You have my heart, my body, and my soul.”

Mistress Fitz knows Colum and the Grants won’t take the news well. But Ellen insists that since Colum broke his promise, she doesn’t need to uphold her end of the deal.

Ellen speaks with Colum (Seamus McLean Ross), giving him the opportunity to admit what he did. He claims everything is fine and gives her his wedding present—an inkwell and pen for her to write letters home after she’s married. Colum seems to think they still have a close relationship, completely unaware that Ellen knows he ordered Brian killed. He presents her with their father’s sword to give to Malcolm since it’ll be his duty to protect her.

Colum says it’s a mark of respect to the Grants to lay down the Frasers’ sword at their feet, for the love of Ellen. Ellen tells him it will be the last thing he ever does for her in the name of her love.

A flashback shows Julia and Henry relaxing as Uncle Lamb plays with Claire on the beach. Henry mentions that he’s been asked to go to Scotland on business, and he surprises Julia with tickets for just the two of them to go on holiday there. It’ll be a romantic journey where they can explore the Highlands and relax. Uncle Lamb will babysit Claire while they’re gone.

Henry notes that the travel brochures say it’s like stepping back in time. Julia can’t wait and breaks the news that she just found out that she’s pregnant. Henry can’t stop smiling and laughing.

Ellen’s wedding day arrives, and Malcolm (Jhon Lumsden) is furious with Colum that she’s vanished into thin air. Ned (Conor MacNeill) suggests there might be a good reason, but Malcolm refuses to accept that. He warns Colum that the MacKenzies will pay for this, and Uncle Mac threatens that if there isn’t a wedding, then there will be “a price paid in blood.”

The Grants won’t leave without a head or a hand, and Colum insists they’ll find Ellen. He also insists the MacKenzie and Grant alliance will hold. After Malcolm leaves, Colum orders Ned to find Dougal but to do it discreetly.

The wedding guests stand as a bride makes her way down the aisle, face covered. As she reaches the reverend, she lifts her veil. It’s Maura Grant and the groom is Dougal! Malcolm looks furious as the Grant and MacKenzie wedding moves forward without him. Vows are exchanged, and they’re pronounced man and wife.

The guests clap, even though they’re surprised by the change in main players.

A flashback to hours earlier shows Brian and Ellen in a storage room, waiting for news from Mistress Fitz and Jocasta. They report that all hell broke loose, and Dougal was stunned to learn he had to marry a Grant. The wedding will go on and it will keep everyone busy. Brian and Ellen will leave once the festivities are in full swing.

Wine flows and a feast is enjoyed as the “happy” couple sits at the head table, attempting to come to terms with the situation. Colum delivers a speech and toasts his brother and his bride. Maura asks her new husband if they should consummate their marriage, unable to come up with any reason why they shouldn’t. He downs his wine when she tells him to take her to his chamber. The attendees applaud as they leave the hall.

Maura gets down to business, but it’s Dougal who wants to take things slow. She insists the sooner they get it done, the sooner they can return to the festivities. She lifts her dress and lies back on the bed, and still Dougal doesn’t react. So, she turns over and wonders if he’d rather not see her face.

Mistress Fitz and Jocasta fetch Brian and Ellen and send them on their way, with Ellen and Brian incredibly grateful. They don’t know when or if they’ll see each other again, and Ellen gives both women huge hugs. Jocasta smiles and tells her to go and not look back.

Malcolm is busy pouting when Uncle Mac hands him a whiskey. He regrets agreeing to this change in bride and groom, but Uncle Mac insists it’s what’s best for the clan. But Malcolm is heartbroken that he’s lost Ellen. Uncle Mac says the best way to mend a broken heart is through revenge. He needs to find out what Ellen cherishes the most and take it from her.

The scene shifts back to the newlyweds and Maura’s on top. Dougal doesn’t understand what’s happening when she has an orgasm, thinking he hurt her. She’s fine and is more than happy to make sure he also finishes up happy.

Malcolm catches Ellen and Brian in the hallway and mistakenly believes she’s coming back to him before realizing Brian is dressed as a Grant. Malcolm is furious she threw him away for another man, but Ellen insists that although she’s fond of him, her heart belongs to Brian. Malcolm hurls insults at both Ellen and Brian, calling Brian a low-life bastard. Brian stays in control and asks to pass, but Malcolm refuses and pulls out his sword. He cuts Brian while Brian’s not fighting back and simply protecting Ellen. Brian begs Malcolm to let them pass for Ellen’s sake.

Malcolm refuses to put down his sword, holding it over Brian as if to plunge it into his chest. Brian struggles for control and the men are forced into a death embrace. Malcolm is fatally wounded.

Brian drags him out of sight and then hurries off with Ellen. There’s no turning back now. They ride off at top speed, and the screen shows Henry and Julia doing the same.

They arrive at a remote bothy (a free cabin for travelers) where Murtagh’s laying by a fire. He’s happy they brought food and whiskey, but the mood sours when they reveal that Malcolm’s dead. Brian admits he killed him, and Ellen confirms that Brian was forced into it. Brian confesses that he’d do it again to keep Ellen safe.

Lord Lovat is enraged that Julia’s gone and that Davina doesn’t know who took her. He’s also upset that Balloch allowed it to happen. Arch Bug rides up, searching for Henry. Lord Lovat realizes that Henry must have taken Julia. Arch Bug and his men head out, following tracks and assuring Lord Lovat he’ll do what he can to return Julia and the child if he finds Henry.

Later, Ellen bandages Brian’s wound and says there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for him. Brian can’t believe what she’s already done to be with him. They both understand they’ll need to fight for their relationship now that they’re leaving their families behind and journeying on together. “With you is where I’m meant to be,” says Ellen.

Henry and Julia make camp for the night, and Henry rocks his son. Arch is still hot on their trail and spots firelight up ahead.

Morning arrives and Murtagh’s leg is in pain. Brian’s out scouting the area and Ellen takes care of Murtagh, thanking him for everything he’s done. Without him, Brian would be dead. Murtagh thinks she saved Brian’s life too, giving him a reason to live. She admits she’s so happy that she doesn’t care what comes next.

Murtagh hands her a bracelet that he made specifically for her wedding day. He confesses his affection, and she vows that the gift will be their secret. She will always cherish it and their friendship. Murtagh says, “I’ll never ask a thing of you except that you let me find my happiness in yours and Brian’s.” (So heartbreaking!)

Ellen gathers wood that Brian’s chopped as Murtagh cooks their breakfast.

Henry and Julia are back on the road while Murtagh’s over in his camp rebandaging his leg. Murtagh heads out hunting, telling Brian he won’t return until the morning at the earliest. They exchange knowing smiles before Brian joins Ellen inside the cabin.

Ellen orders Brian to take off his shirt, ostensibly so that she can look at his wee injury. She wonders if they can stay in this place forever and never leave. They kiss, gently at first and then increasingly passionately. The world seems far away while they’re in each other’s arms.

It’s her turn to remove clothing and she hardly breaks eye contact while doing it. Brian helps her with the remaining clothing, ever so slowly. There’s nothing rushed about it, as they enjoy each other’s company. She thinks maybe they should travel from bothy to bothy until they find the right place to make a home.

More clothing is slowly removed, taking turns as they familiarize themselves with each other’s bodies. They exchange “I love yous” while standing naked in the center of the cabin. They finally lie down and declare themselves to be each other’s body and soul.

Later, they relax in each other’s arms outside the cabin. They gently cut each other’s palms, and Brian quotes a Celtic wedding blessing. “The blood of my blood, for you are my one and I am yours.” They hold hands and kiss, sealing their vows.

Suddenly, the peaceful moment’s broken by the appearance of fiery crosses in the distance. It’s a call to the clans, signifying that the Jacobite rebellion has begun. Brian knows he must go or leave Scotland forever. “I will stand with you, whatever comes,” declares Ellen. “I’m your wife and we are one.”

Henry, Julia, and the baby make it to the standing stones, and Henry immediately hears the buzzing. Henry reaches out to touch the stones, but Julia’s worried their baby might not be able to travel through the stones. They can’t just leave him there by himself if he can’t. Henry suggests that one should go through with him first. If it doesn’t work, then one will go through and the other will remain behind with their son. The one who went through will then return when they can.

Arch Bug and his men approach and Julia urges Henry to step through. They’ll kill him but won’t hurt her since she’s the wife of a laird. She hands Henry their baby and they kiss. Suddenly, Henry hands the baby back to Julia, grabs her hand, and declares his heart is with her, William, and Claire forever. He makes her touch the stone.

A flashback shows Henry and Julia saying goodbye to Claire and Uncle Lamb before boarding the train to Scotland. They promise to celebrate with ice cream when they return. They exchange waves and I love yous as the train pulls away from the platform.  

And that’s a wrap on what’s been an incredibly entertaining first season!

• Production Begins on Season 2
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood Episode 1 “Providence” Recap
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood Episode 2 “Sealed with a Kiss” Recap
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood Episode 3 “School of the Moon” Recap
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood Episode 4 “A Soldier’s Heart” Recap
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood Episode 5 “Needfire” Recap
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood Episode 6 “Birthright” Recap
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood Episode 7 “Luceo Non Uro” Recap
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood Episode 8 “A Virtuous Woman” Recap
• Outlander: Blood of my Blood Episode 9 “Braemer” Recap
• Season 2 Teaser and Premiere Date