Now that Starz’s Outlander: Blood of my Blood has established Henry and Julia are time-travelers, the entirety of episode three takes place in Scotland in 1714. We get to briefly dip into Julia’s story, and Henry’s seen in a pivotal meeting. But for the most part, this is Ellen’s episode to shine, opening the episode in Brian’s sexy embrace.
The following is a detailed recap of episode three, “School of the Moon,” so there are spoilers ahead!
Brian (Jamie Roy) and Ellen (Harriet Slater) are all hot and heavy for each other, with Ellen pledging to be his forever, and Brian swearing he’d go to the ends of the earth for her. It’s more than just kissing that Ellen longs for and Brian’s eager to satisfy her needs.
Unfortunately, it was all a dream that Mrs. Fitzgibbons (Sally Messham) rudely interrupts. Still, Ellen’s in a happy mood as she dresses and Mrs. Fitz wonders if that’s because of a certain suitor. Ellen’s mood quickly sours when she learns the entire Leoch think the lucky man is Malcolm Grant. And to make matters worse, word has spread that she’s to be betrothed.
Ellen confronts Colum (Seamus McLean Ross), angry that she’s paying for Dougal’s attack on the Grants. She insists she’s more valuable helping him guide the clan than married off against her will. Colum insults her, claiming their dad just humored her and didn’t really seek her counsel.
Ellen promises to come up with a way to improve their position and keep the MacKenzies in control. Their father would never have agreed to this, but Colum doesn’t care. Ellen reminds him she nursed him when he was broken, and they were closer than anyone else in their family. Colum admits that’s true, but he’s forced to do what’s best for the clan.
Dougal (Sam Retford) is the next to feel Ellen’s wrath, and he claims he only attacked Malcolm Grant to protect her honor. She knows her brother well enough to realize he was looking for any excuse to start a fight. Dougal admits he made a mistake, but he’s not the one who promised her to Malcolm. He wonders what the Grants would get through this alliance, since Ellen would only come with a modest dowry. Dougal doesn’t think the Grants can be trusted and he wouldn’t force Ellen into marriage if he were chosen as laird.
Ellen notes that MacKinney has gathered a lot of support, but Dougal’s not worried. His men will support him, and the clan will back his men.
Night falls and the medieval Scottish poem “The Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedy” is performed (it’s basically the period’s version of a rap battle) as Dougal speaks with Marcus MacRannoch (Dominic Fraser). The MacKenzies are Jacobites and Marcus says Red Jacob and his contributions to the cause will be missed. Dougal claims he’ll continue to follow in his father’s footsteps, but Colum’s loyalty to the cause is questionable. The Grants aren’t Jacobites and If Dougal is chosen as laird, he would consider a different marriage for Ellen.
Marcus warns that breaking the agreement would offend the Grants, leading to war. Dougal fears the compromises Colum would make for peace more than he fears war. Marcus throws his support behind Dougal and will spread the word among the clansmen that Dougal’s committed to returning a Stuart to the throne.
Mrs. Fitz asks Ellen to take her with her when she marries, and Ellen says she will … if she marries. Mrs. Fitz is of the mind that even if MacKinney is named laird, Ellen will likely be offered to Malcolm. Ellen thinks she’s stuck on a chessboard, but believes she’s has moves of her own to make.
MacKinney (Ryan Fletcher) attempts to win over votes and Ellen, Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin), and Janet (Ailsa Davidson) watch as he speaks to a group of women. Jocasta thinks they might convince their husbands to vote his way. Ellen’s shocked when Jocasta reveals that Dougal secretly promised her to MacRannoch if he’s chosen as laird.
Ellen surprises Ned Gowan (Conor MacNeill) with news that Dougal offered her hand to Marcus MacRannoch. Ned realizes that with Colum and Dougal dividing their support, MacKinney has a clear path to victory. Ned believes that if MacKinney wins, the MacKenzies will be made to “disappear.”
A flashback shows how Colum received his leg injury. He and Dougal set off in the dead of night, with Colum charged with leading the clan’s warriors in a cattle raid on another clan’s land. Red Jacob (Peter Mullan) didn’t go, believing “young men are transformed into true caterans under cover of darkness.” The darkness sheds light on who we really are, and Ellen says it’s the school of the moon (the episode’s title).
A short while later, Colum is carried into the castle with a broken leg, the result of his horse throwing him. Red Jacob yells at his sons for abandoning the raid, snarling that whenever they’re together everything goes to hell. He has no sympathy for Colum’s injury.
Colum has been in bed for a full moon, according to his father who’s incredibly disappointed he’s not up walking around. Colum finally confesses what really happened on the night of the raid. He blames Dougal for heading to the MacDonalds’ land, which wasn’t their intended target. The raiders followed Dougal, the MacDonalds rang a bell, and the chase was on. Colum’s horse threw him after one of the MacDonald men fired a fusil.
Red Jacob wonders why the men followed Dougal instead of Colum, who was their leader. He calls his son a cripple, and Colum finally rises from bed and follows his father’s retreating back. He’s not strong enough to stand yet alone walk, and he falls down the stairs, further injuring his leg. Ellen’s been helping her brother the entire time, and she takes care of him after their father turns his back.
Returning to present day events, the games are continuing. MacKinney challenges Colum to a test of strength, which of course Colum has no chance of winning. Colum stalks away as the crowd cheers and laughs with MacKinney. Ellen joins her brother and suggests that he invite Malcolm to the oath-taking to improve his chances of beating MacKinney. Colum doesn’t want her sympathy or advise, even when Ellen intelligence is more important than brute strength – and Colum has that advantage over his brother and MacKinney.
Another flashback shows Red Jacob warning Dougal to never put their kin or clansman in danger again. Dougal removes his shirt and Red Jacob says he’s going to lash him until he bleeds. The beating pauses and Dougal blames Colum for the raid on the MacDonalds’ lands failing. Red Jacob is disgusted and calls Dougal a fool. Ellen watches all this from a distance and doesn’t help her brother.
Back to current events, Ellen accuses Dougal of being disloyal to his family by making a deal with MacRannoch. She informs him that their father lost faith in him after the MacDonald raid and knew he’d never put the clan above himself. Dougal’s blind to the big picture, and Ellen warns him that the MacKinneys have been wooing the Grants and will do what the Grants want when they win. The MacKenzies will be left powerless.
Ellen meets with Ned Gowan and requests that he speak with her brothers again. She believes she’s found a solution to their problem and hands Ned a note.
Everyone gathers for the vote and Ellen greets Malcolm (Jhon Lumsden) on his way in. She’s wearing a hair accessory he sent over as a gift, and Malcolm looks happy that she’s in a good mood. She claims she can’t think of a more favorable match than with him.
Ned walks in with Malcolm and the Grants’ bladier, Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine). Henry whispers to Ned that he hopes regardless of who wins, they can both keep their heads.
A bagpiper leads the way as Colum and Dougal enter the hall. They approach the throne and it’s Colum who steps forward. He stands before it and pledges himself as the laird of Clan MacKenzie. Colum speaks of his strengths and his ability to lead but admits he can’t be a warrior. He surprises the crowd by announcing that if war comes, he will defer to Dougal as war chieftain. Dougal speaks next and proves where his allegiance lies by vowing to be his brother’s legs and sword arm in the field.
“I swear to wield my holy iron to defend the clan’s honor in wartime and in peace,” says Dougal, kneeling before his brother and pledging his loyalty. Colum asks for Dougal’s help to kneel and then replies, “And I give my fealty to you in times of war in the name of Clan MacKenzie.”
Most of those gathered cheer as Dougal says only a foolish man would threaten Clan MacKenzie.
MacKinney speaks up, claiming joint leadership isn’t allowed. Ned responds by explaining that other clans have a peacetime laird and a war chieftain. This isn’t the first time dual leadership roles have been established. Ned looks relieved as men begin lining up in front of Colum and Dougal to pledge their fealty. MacKinney is the second to do so, putting an end to any discussion of other leaders.
Jocasta and Janet compliment Ellen on managing the situation as their father would have done.
Ned and Henry share a table at the festivities, and Ned confirms Colum will still give Ellen’s hand in marriage to Malcolm. Henry’s happy to hear it. Ned fulfills his end of their deal by introducing Henry to Una Hay (Madeline Appiah), who has the “finest collection” of ladies in the Highlands. She knows every woman in Inverness and Henry describes Julia, saying she has kind eyes and can make everything seem right when she looks at you. Una believes that it may take time and money, but she will find her.
Julia Takes a Drastic Step to Keep Her Baby Safe
Julia (Hermione Corfield) barely has time to hide her paper and pen before Davina Porter (Sara Vickers) confronts her and asks her to confess. Julia’s been there a month and hasn’t had her period, so Davina has figured out she’s pregnant. She gives Julia ingredients to induce a miscarriage since as a servant she can’t afford a child, and she’ll be treated horribly as an unwed mother. (Davina uses the term “bring down the flowers” to describe terminating the pregnancy.)
Julia admits she heard Brian call Davina “mom,” and Davina confirms she’s Brian’s mother, and Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat, is his father. Her situation was different and if Julia chooses to have the child, Lord Lovat would keep her and get rid of the baby himself. Julia refuses to take the concoction and lies about being pregnant.
Meanwhile, Murtagh (Rory Alexander) is in a foul mood and wants to leave the gathering. Brian’s confused since Murtagh was so excited about attending, and Murtagh finally admits that he discovered the woman he fancied is promised to another man. Murtagh’s always been in love with Ellen and Brian points out Murtagh has never even spoken to her. That’s true, confirms Murtagh, but now Ellen is to marry Malcolm Grant. Brian is stunned into silence.
Brian and Murtagh return home, and Davina’s happy they’ve made it back unharmed. They’ve got stuff to report to Simon Fraser, and when Davina suggests that Julia take in refreshments, Brian effectively shoots that down, earning a relieved look from Julia.
They speak to Simon (Tony Curran) while he’s on the toilet, so bathroom noises punctuate the conversation. Murtagh reports that Dougal will support the Jacobite cause, while Brian says Colum didn’t seem to throw his allegiance behind any cause. He even spoke with the Grants. Simon reveals that Isaac Grant only commits to causes that are advantageous to himself.
They tell Simon about Dougal’s attack on Malcolm Grant and that Colum promised Ellen to Malcolm to make up for Dougal’s mistake. After Simon calls Isaac Grant his ally, Brian points out this will strength the bond between the Grants and MacKenzies. Simon thinks there must be a stain on her reputation that’s caused her not to marry prior to this. He’s going to drag her name through the mud and write to Isaac Grant.
Brian suggests there must be a more honorable way. Simon doesn’t see it that way.
Murtagh’s all smiles after Lord Lovat leaves, believing Brian just did him a favor. Murtagh thinks it’s now possible he’ll have a chance of winning Ellen’s hand.
Days pass and Julia realizes she can’t continue to hide her pregnancy. Her days are filled with toil and drudgery, but it’s worry that’s wearing her down. Julia confesses that it’s fear of punishment that’s taking its toll. She describes the world she’s living in now as a prison that’s hostile to women who are alone. She knows she can’t escape because there’s no place to run to that’s safe.
Julia is determined to keep her baby safe and to one day reunite with Henry and Claire. She seals her letter with a kiss and then places it on the fire, so it won’t be discovered. Julia will continue to write and will hold on to hope, unwilling to let go of thoughts of Henry. She asks for Henry’s forgiveness as she enters Lord Lovat’s chamber in the dark of night.
Julia removes her clothing and Lord Lovat welcomes her to his bed.
- 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 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 “Braemar” Recap
- Outlander: Blood of my Blood Season 1 Finale Recap
This post was last modified on October 10, 2025 11:54 am