We’ve arrived at the penultimate episode of Starz’s Outlander: Blood of my Blood and things are really getting juicy. Episode eight ended with Julia and Henry finally reuniting, if only temporarily. Episode nine, “Braemer,” begins with the clans preparing for a visit to the Earl of Mar at Braemar and ends with one of the central love stories ripped apart while the other hopes for a more permanent reunion.
(The following is a recap of episode nine, which aired on September 26, 2025, and there are spoilers.)
Julia (Hermione Corfield) and Brian (Jamie Roy) are summoned by Lord Lovat (Tony Curran), with the lord informing Brian he’ll be joining him at the Earl of Mar’s tynchal at Braemar. All the lords will be there, except Isaac Grant who just passed away. Lord Lovat thinks Ellen was found guilty of being loose, and they don’t correct him. He orders Julia to remain behind and care for the castle. However, Julia and Brian are able to convince him that she and the baby should accompany him since most lords will have their wives in attendance.
Henry (Jeremy Irvine) and Malcolm Grant’s carriage is stopped by Malcolm’s uncle. He’s arrived too late for his brother’s funeral but he will stick around to protect Malcolm. Malcolm (Jhon Lumsden) introduces his uncle, Malcolm MacKinnon “Mac” Grant (Simon Merrells), to Henry, the Grants’ new bladier. Uncle Mac turns down a ride because he prefers to ride straight to Leoch to meet Malcolm’s intended.
Colum (Seamus McLean Ross) cautions Dougal (Sam Retford) that he needs to be on his best behavior at the tynchal. Ellen joins them and they treat her as an insignificant part of the clan. Uncle Mac barges in and is happy to meet Ellen (Harriet Slater), advising her to call him “uncle.” He sends Dougal and Colum away; he only wants to speak with Ellen.
Uncle Mac’s heard of her beauty and intelligence and also heard all the rumors. He asks why her virtue was ever questioned, and she blames it on Lord Lovat. Uncle Mac warns her to be truthful because he has ways of ferreting out lies. He wonders if she’ll be a good and faithful wife, and Ellen turns on the charm, claiming she’ll be faithful forever once she’s wed.
“Serve Malcolm well and there will be no ill will between us,” says Uncle Mac. However, he’ll rip her heart out if she breaks Malcolm’s.
Ellen tells Mrs. Fitz (Sally Messham) what happened, and she confirms he would do what he said. She warns Ellen not to look at another man at Braemar – even if Brian’s there. Ellen admits she hadn’t considered that she’ll need to have a period soon and Mrs. Fitz says she’ll take care of that.
A band performs as everyone gathers at Braemar. Ellen walks with Malcolm and they talk about their recently deceased fathers. Malcolm reveals he used to take things to show his dad, and he’s glad his father got a chance to meet her. Ellen says she used to talk to her dad about what she’d read in books.
Now that Malcolm is the laird, he’s anxious to make Ellen his lady.
Colum, Dougal, and Ned (Conor MacNeill) follow Ellen and Malcolm into a tent and spot McMurtry of the Gallowglass. Colum wonders who invited the assassins, and Dougal thinks it was whoever had money to pay for them.
Ned advises them to walk through the tent and refresh their memories of the key attendees. Brian and Julia stroll in with Lord Lovat, and Murtagh (Rory Alexander) seems happy that Brian’s hurt seeing Ellen with Malcolm. They argue and almost come to blows but manage to keep themselves under control. Murtagh knows about Ellen’s purity test and thinks she’s better off with Malcolm.
Murtagh informs Lord Lovat that he’s heard whispers of a special guest that the Earl of Mar will introduce later. They don’t know who it is but note that all the richest and most influential clan chieftains are already there and have taken the best camping locations.
Julia scans the crowd and Henry rushes over, anxious to meet his son. Henry’s forced to pretend not to know Julia when Lord Lovat walks over, and looks stunned when Lord Lovat introduces her as his wife. Julia appears stricken when she’s forced to lie and say the baby is Lord Lovat’s.
Henry accompanies Malcolm and his uncle to the meeting of the clan chieftains. Uncle Mac addresses the MacPhersons who wonder why the MacKenzies split their leadership between Colum as laird and Dougal as war chieftain. Uncle Mac thinks it was a wise decision since Colum’s the brain and Dougal’s the brawn.
The Earl of Mar (Craige Els) welcomes everyone and then introduces a “unique guest.” The guest? It’s none other than Rob Roy (Jamie Sives). Rob Roy claims the English have persecuted his family for centuries and a German interloper has ruled with tyranny. He suggests that they have all either lost money or let the English coin lull them into obedience. Rob Roy thinks it’s only a matter of time before the English take everything away.
The men are mostly in agreement when he says it’s time to restore the true king to the throne. Henry shakes his head as Rob Roy draws his sword on behalf of the Stuart cause.
Lord Lovat smiles as he recites the prophecy to himself, “A Scottish ruler rising from the Fraser bloodline, uniting the clans for centuries to come.”
The Earl of Mar wants the men to decide their allegiance and to declare it. But first, they can enjoy themselves and the tynchal. When that’s over, each chieftain can cast a vote for the movement. He promises no one will be harmed, no matter their vote.
Lord Lovat whispers to the Earl of Mar that he’s on his side and that he’s got an heir he wants him to meet. Uncle Mac overhears and calls Lord Lovat out as a liar and a scoundrel. Lord Lovat’s shocked to learn Ellen was determined to be a virgin, and Uncle Mac assures him it’s true. He knows Lord Lovat’s agenda and all about the false promise of his heir.
“You are a detestable nodcock, Fraser, and so is any man who would confuse your damnable lies with truth,” declares Uncle Mac.
Lord Lovat is rendered speechless and rushes from the assembly.
Colum will not support Rob Roy, but Dougal is flattered when the notorious rebel remembers his name. Rob Roy also remembers that Dougal was about to donate to the cause when their last meeting was interrupted. He suggests they discuss the matter later.
Colum follows Dougal into their tent, demanding to know what Rob Roy was talking about. Dougal admits he was going to donate some of Ellen’s dowry to the Jacobite cause without telling his brother or Ned. Colum reminds his brother that Ellen’s engaged to a loyalist, and this could end her engagement. Ned warns them to keep their voices down, as Dougal reveals they’re there to prepare for war. Colum disagrees and reminds him the money he was going to give away is meant for the Grants.
Colum demands to know if Dougal was aware the Earl was going to hold this vote, and Dougal doesn’t admit it but agrees with his choice. Colum threatens Dougal with the Gallowglass if he lies again and demands to know what else Dougal’s hiding from him.
Ellen and Brian exchange flirty smiles, despite Mrs. Fitz’s warning. They end up next to each other watching men arm wrestle. He apologizes for the purity test and their hands gently touch as she reminds him that they’re playing a dangerous game. He whispers, “I love you,” and they briefly hold hands. She’s forced to leave his side when she notices Ned is searching for her. Ellen asks Brian to meet her later in the old kirk and leaves before he responds.
Ned fetches Ellen and brings her to Colum and Dougal. Dougal has betrayed her by giving away her secret and Colum wants time alone with his sister. Colum can’t believe she was with Brian Fraser, their sworn enemy, and threatens to kill him if she sees him again. Ellen stands up to her brother, warning him if he touches Brian, then she’s done with the MacKenzies. She will instruct Malcolm to withhold Grant’s allegiance and financial support. Ellen makes him swear he won’t have Brian harmed. In exchange, she promises to stay away from Brian. Colum demands that she break up with Brian for good, and she gives him her word.
Brian finds Henry and informs him that Julia never stopped trying to return to him. Brian tells him the truth about her marriage to Lord Lovat.
Ellen sits next to Julia, shocked that she married Lord Lovat. Julia explains she was forced into it. Ellen thanks her for saving her life, and Julia assures her the love she and Brian share is special. Julia’s about to say something about her own great love but decides against it. Ellen assures Julia that her secrets are safe with her, and Julia confesses she’s married to her true love, Henry.
Julia explains what happened without getting too specific and confesses that being with Lord Lovat is “dreadful.” She’s heartbroken that she hasn’t been able to explain everything to Henry, but it’s a sacrifice she made to keep their child safe. Ellen understands and takes Julia’s words to heart. She needs to protect Brian, no matter what.
Brian waits at the old kirk as instructed and smiles as Ellen approaches. She won’t follow him into the kirk and his heart breaks as she says she can’t be with him because he’s penniless and the bastard of a horrible laird. She claims her heart changed and that now she’s committed to Malcolm.
Brian refuses to believe it’s true and places her hand over his heart, declaring it beats only for her. He believes the same is true of her heart, but she pushes him away. Brian knows he loves her and she loves him, but Ellen claims she was just drawn to him.
“I’m not in love with you, Brian Fraser. Perhaps I never was,” she says, determined to end this for his sake. She runs off before he can reply.
She holds off her tears until she’s out of his sight. She knows what the consequences will be if she’s ever found in his company again. Brian returns to the camp, defeated.
Lord Lovat’s in a foul mood when Brian enters their tent. First, Lord Lovat blames him for what happened with Uncle Mac and then insults his manhood. Lord Lovat taunts Brian, accusing him of not even being capable of taking Ellen’s virginity. Brian reacts by grabbing his father. It’s only because Balloch intervenes and punches Brian that Lord Lovat’s released. Lord Lovat kicks Brian when he’s down and says he’ll no longer represent him in the tynchal. Murtagh will take his place.
“You’re no son of mine,” declares Lord Lovat.
Henry takes a seat opposite Ned and confesses he would have killed Isaac Grant himself if he hadn’t died. He informs Ned that Isaac and Arch Bug lied about his wife and son dying, and that they’re here at Braemar. Ned is stunned, and Henry warns that he’s not going back to the Grants. He needs to escape now.
Ned believes that everyone, including Arch Bug (Terence Rae), will be taking part in the tynchal tomorrow. Henry thanks Ned for his kindness and asks one more favor.
Ned slips Julia a note from Henry requesting that she meet him during the tynchal. It’s signed with S.W.A.K.
The tynchal arrives and Murtagh is by Lord Lovat’s side. All the clans are assembled, and Arch Bug is with the Grants. Malcolm looks around and spots Ellen, happy she’s made it to the hunt. He promises to give her the wings of a grouse if he shoots one.
Elsewhere, Brian walks alone through the forest. An arrow flies by him and he’s able to knock another away. He takes off running with the Gallowglass hot on his tail. Murtagh knocks him off the path and down the hill and then hides with him as the men run by.
They make it to their horses and flee.
Julia meets Henry by the river and quickly explains she had to marry Lord Lovat to keep their baby safe. Brian already told him what happened and he doesn’t care. They part when the wet nurse approaches with Balloch. Julia quickly tells Henry to meet her at Leathers. She’ll leave a mark indicating the spot.
Neither Henry nor Julia realize Seema, the prostitute Henry’s visited, is lurking nearby.
The Earl of Mar conducts the vote and Uncle Mac declares for the Jacobites. The other clans also seem to fall in line, and the Earl declares James Edward Stuart to be James VIII of Scotland and III of England, Wales, and Ireland.
The heavy topper on the end of the flagpole the Earl’s holding falls off and just misses hitting him.
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This post was last modified on October 10, 2025 11:55 am