Starz’s Outlander: Blood of my Blood episode eight opens with Ellen (Harriet Slater) being bathed as wicked-looking instruments are laid out in preparation for a test of her virtue. Colum (Seamus McLean Ross) and Dougal (Sam Retford) look at the instruments and Colum orders them removed, which is one of the few instances where Colum does the right thing when it comes to his sister.
(The following episode eight recap contains spoilers.)
Colum orders the physician in charge, Davie Beaton, to do a manual inspection and to make sure Ellen passes the test. Dougal and Colum engage in a whispered discussion, and it’s clear that Colum’s worried his sister isn’t a virgin. Colum is suspicious, but Dougal doesn’t reveal he caught Ellen with Brian Fraser at the House of Nairn. Instead, he suggests that Colum should ask Ned if he witnessed anything wrong with Ellen’s behavior at Beltane.
Ned confirms he watched Ellen at Beltane, but not closely while she was with Malcolm Grant or when Jocasta accompanied her during the fertility blessings ceremony. Colum calms down a little, believing Jocasta would never cover for her sister. But the calm is short-lived, and he pledges to take the head of anyone who has been disloyal to him.
Ned (Conor MacNeill) asks Mistress Fitz (Sally Messham) if Ellen’s ready for her examination, and Mistress Fitz claims she’s pure. Mistress Fitz doesn’t directly answer Ned’s question about keeping Ellen’s secrets. Instead, she says, “Shame on all of you for putting her through such an ordeal.”
Julia (Hermione Corfield) finds Lord Lovat (Tony Curran) packing and learns he’s off to drink from the Well of Spa in Aberdeen. His physician believes that if he bathes and drinks the water, he’ll be able to keep an erection again. However, it will take at least a month to work. He’ll only be gone for as long as it takes to retrieve some of the miracle water and bring it home.
Before he leaves, Lord Lovat informs Brian (Jamie Roy) that Ellen’s going to be tested to see if she’s a virgin. He chuckles, believing there’s poetry in the fact that a MacKenzie lost her virginity to a Fraser. Brian reveals they were handfast, and Lord Lovat suggests he head to Leoch and let everyone there know.
Lord Lovat refuses to believe Brian actually cares for Ellen. He’s convinced the MacKenzies will be destroyed, and the Grants will finally side with the Frasers again.
Brian’s heard enough and storms off, prepared to rescue Ellen. His mom, Davina (Sara Vickers), tries to stop him, but Brian wants to protect Ellen. Julia joins them and Davina explains the situation, and Brian is certain Ellen will fail the test and be killed.
Julia thinks she can help, and they chase after her as she grabs ground sugar and the white of an egg. As she prepares an elixir, she explains she’s making something that should convince the examiner that Ellen’s intact. Julia explains she read about this solution in a medical text.
Davina lends a hand as Julia gathers more ingredients and announces she’ll go with Brian to Castle Leoch. Brian doesn’t want her to miss the perfect opportunity to flee, and Julia informs Davina that she’s learned her husband is the Grants’ bladier. Brian doesn’t want Julia in harm’s way, but Julia reminds him she knows a secret passage at Castle Leoch that will get her to Ellen’s chamber.
“Brian, let me do this for you,” says Julia. He reluctantly agrees, but even after Davina asks him not to go, Brian’s determined to go with Julia and keep her safe. Julia promises Davina she’ll do her best to keep Brian from doing anything reckless. Davina promises to guard William with her life while they’re gone.
Mistress Fitz has Ellen drink multiple large glasses of water because apparently this test will require her to produce clear urine. Ellen is shocked when Mistress Fitz explains Ellen will need to hold her water until she’s instructed to urinate. If it’s cloudy or she urinates early, she’ll fail the test.
Finally, Ellen admits to having sex, but Mistress Fitz incorrectly assumes it was with Murtagh. Ellen won’t name the man and Mistress Fitz believes that their only option now is to pray to pass the test.
Henry (Jeremy Irvine) and Malcolm Grant (Jhon Lumsden) head to Castle Leoch with the Grant men for Ellen’s test. Malcolm firmly believes Ellen is a virtuous woman; she’s been spirited and kindhearted since they were bairns and doesn’t always act the way people expect.
Henry thinks Malcolm should put his own interests first, not his father’s. Malcolm insists it’s his decision to wed Ellen McKenzie and that she’s the one he wants by his side. Henry assures him he’ll do everything in his power to help him “secure his bride.”
Brian and Julia are also on the road to Castle Leoch when Brian stops and suggests Julia head to Castle Grant instead. It’s close by and it might be her only time to reunite with Henry. Julia points out that the last time she was on the road alone, she was abducted. She will not risk either Brian or Ellen getting caught and killed when she can help them. Brian gives in, but if it doesn’t work, he’ll take the matter into his own hands.
Malcolm and Henry arrive at Castle Leoch, and Arch Bug’s angry to learn Malcolm wants him and the men to wait outside the castle walls.
Colum pointedly looks at Dougal as the trunk holding Ellen’s dowry, which Dougal tried to give away to the Jacobites, is opened. The marriage contract’s been reviewed but it doesn’t say anything about Ellen failing a test. Dougal confesses he’d be happy not to have loyalists as in-laws, but Colum believes the Grants are their most important allies.
Malcolm and Henry join the MacKenzie brothers and Colum hopes this will put any doubts to rest. Ned leads them into the great hall where Davie Beaton will oversee the examination. Henry interrupts and says the Grants are insisting their physician will handle the examination. Ned assures them the MacKenzies will agree to whatever they prefer. He even suggests Beaton show the Grants’ physician what he’s prepared for the examination.
Meanwhile, Julia and Brian sneak into Castle Leoch and Julia insists that Brian remain downstairs. She’ll pass as a servant, but Brian will definitely be noticed if he heads to Ellen’s bedchamber. Julia promises that if Ellen’s not in her room, she’ll find her.
Brian isn’t happy with the arrangement. He’ll remain behind, but if he hears any commotion, he’ll come up.
The Grants’ physician informs them he’ll be checking Ellen’s water, but Malcolm objects. He doesn’t want to embarrass Ellen. The doctor and Arch (who’s made his way inside) confirm Isaac Grant demanded it.
Malcolm pulls Henry aside, concerned Ellen’s going to blame him for all this. Henry promises to tell Ned that this isn’t what Malcolm wants. Henry steps out of the great hall to wait for Ned and sees Julia at the end of the hallway. She doesn’t see him, and he assumes he’s imagining it.
Henry confesses to Ned that he tried to escape from the Grants and was captured. When Isaac recovers from his illness, he may decide to kill him. He still needs to leave, but he’ll need Malcolm’s permission to escape from Arch Bug’s scrutiny. Henry believes he can appeal to Malcolm’s compassion. He asks Ned to help him escape during this visit because it might be his only chance. Ned thinks Henry’s being too hasty. If Ellen passes the test, then the MacKenzies will renegotiate the dowry, which means Henry will have to return to Castle Leoch or wherever Ned chooses. Maybe that would be a better time to try and escape. Henry agrees just as Arch Bug barges in, announcing their physician is ready for the exam.
Julia makes it to Ellen’s room and Ellen’s quickly on board with Julia’s plans to help. Not much time passes before Malcolm knocks at Ellen’s door. Henry arranged the quick meeting, and he apologizes for what she’s going through, assuring her it’s his father who wants the test done. Malcolm also reveals Simon Fraser is responsible for stoking the fire and making Isaac Grant demand this procedure.
Ellen claims she’s eager to put this behind them and Malcolm knows she’ll pass and make everyone look foolish about questioning her virtue.
The MacKenzies and Grants stand on opposite sides of the examination table as the doctor instructs her to remove her gown. The first step is to drink boiled sea holly. If she’s virtuous, she’ll be able to hold her water. Both the MacKenzies and Malcolm want to skip this step, but Ellen quickly grabs the cup and drinks.
Brian passes the time in the cellar by sharpening his blade. Julia remains in Ellen’s room.
The great hall falls silent as everyone waits the required time before Ellen is allowed to urinate. Finally, the Grants’ physician allows her to urinate. The urine is poured into a glass container and examined, and the physician announces they’ll now do an examination to see if Ellen’s intact.
After what seems like an eternity, the physician stands as Ellen quietly cries. The doctor whispers to the Grants’ reverend and the reverend declares that Ellen is intact. The room is silent after the announcement and finally, Ellen makes her way out of the great hall, glaring at Colum.
Mistress Fitz thanks Julia for protecting Ellen’s honor but reminds her she needs to leave quickly before she’s caught. Ellen asks about Brian without saying his name, asking, “Will you be crossing the bridge on your way back to Leathers?” She smiles when Julia confirms she will.
Ellen ushers her out of her bedchambers and says, “Now, please go in haste with my gratitude and love forevermore.” (It’s wonderful to think that Claire and Jamie’s mothers were there for each other!)
Julia’s heading to the secret exit when she hears Henry’s voice. She calls out his name and beckons him to follow her as she hurries back down the hallway. She stops and gasps, and Henry approaches, unwilling to believe his eyes. He doesn’t believe it’s real even after stroking her face. It’s not until she whispers, “Hope springs eternal,” that he allows himself to believe he’s reunited with his wife.
He asks about the baby, and she reveals she named him William after his grandfather. Brian finds them and says they have to leave as Arch calls for Henry. Julia confirms she’s at Castle Leathers and promises they will find their way back to each other. But for now, they have to part before the wrong person finds them.
Arch locates Henry and tells him Malcolm wants to leave. Malcolm thanks Henry for everything and hopes he’s in the Grants’ service for years to come. Just as they’re about to ride off, a letter arrives saying Isaac Grant has died.
Episode eight ends with Mistress Fitz stopping Brian and Julia as they’re about to leave through the secret door. She’s grateful but hands back Brian’s tartan and warns him to stay away from Ellen if he truly cares for her.
- 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 9 “Braemar” Recap
- Outlander: Blood of my Blood Season 1 Finale Recap
