Starz’s Outlander: Blood of my Blood season two, episode eight, begins at Merlewood House, Sandringham’s Scottish estate. King George I welcomes those loyal to the crown and thanks them for fighting off the Jacobite uprising. He singles out Simon Fraser of Lovat (Tony Curran), who beams with pride to have his name mentioned by the king.
(This is a recap of season two, episode eight – “The Dance” – and there are spoilers.)
Julia (Hermione Corfield) and Henry (Jeremy Irvine) exchange glances as King George’s man also praises Malcolm Grant (Simon Merrells) for his clan’s instrumental leadership. Lord Gerard Grey is also commended, though he’s currently still out commanding his men as they round up and kill Jacobites. His wife, Benedicta, accepts the honor on his behalf, and the king elevates them to Duke and Duchess of Pardloe.
Simon’s title and lands are restored and he’s officially Lord Simon Fraser of Lovat, Governor of Inverness.
Malcolm’s sister, Margaret (Erin Shanagher), and Lord Lovat seem to have an immediate attraction. Lord Lovat can’t take his eyes off her as Malcolm points out that Julia was a scullery maid. Simon barely acknowledges Malcolm’s bladier, Henry, and Margaret demands that someone spill the tea. Simon tries to act tough, claiming he still wants Henry’s head. Henry growls a warning, daring him to try. And all of this is fascinating to Margaret. Finally, Henry backs down and apologizes after a quick nod from Julia.
Lord Lovat suggests that Julia has a headache and can’t join them for a dance. Instead, he asks Margaret to join him on the floor.
Escaping into a private room, Julia breaks the news to Henry that she could only travel through the stones because she was pregnant with a time traveler. She begs Henry to take William and go home to Claire. Henry refuses to leave without her, but Julia believes that having her children safe is more important than being together. Henry wants to run away that night; Julia knows Lord Lovat will never stop hunting them down to retrieve William.
They consider trying to get pregnant again, but Julia doesn’t think they should in this time. Henry’s certain it’s the best idea and, in a twist, their song plays in the main ballroom. They dance and smile, as a flashback shows Julia teaching him how to dance to it. The flashback also shows Henry asking if they can make another baby to join Claire. He wants a house full of children.
Henry swears if she gets pregnant again, it will be out of love. At least they’re both safe for now and have the gems to travel, so that’s a good start.
Lord Lovat and Margaret continue flirting, and Lovat lies that Julia’s a “sickly creature.” Malcolm watches as they leave the party and catches them making out and they only laugh in response to his shocked reaction. They continue with their intense flirting, and Lord Lovat confesses he wants her. Margaret wants a promise of marriage first.
After they part, Malcolm hints about the scandal that could erupt over Lord Lovat and Margaret. He tells Lord Lovat that Margaret has incredible society connections, a large dowry and would make a good wife. Lord Lovat laughs when Malcolm suggests that he keep trying to find the right spouse. Now ready to get fully back in Malcolm’s good graces, Lord Lovat reveals that Ellen and Brian were already handfast when Ellen agreed to marry his nephew.
Julia watches the interaction between Margaret and Lord Lovat and realizes he’s going to get rid of her. Henry moves behind her and they whisper about Lord Lovat, with Julia pointing out that he’ll try and keep William – convinced he’s the next king. Julia’s certain he’s going to kill her.
Brian and Murtagh Discuss the Future
Brian (Jamie Roy) and Murtagh (Rory Alexander) are camped out in the area that will become Lallybroch. He delivers the devastating news that Ellen lost their baby. Brian explains what Lord Lovat did and that he nearly killed him, but the thought of never seeing Ellen again stopped him. He apologizes to Murtagh for not coming clean about how he felt about Ellen in the first place. Murtagh’s fine with it because it gave him the opportunity to finally punch Brian.
Murtagh wonders when Ellen will join them, and Brian says she can’t because she’s the titleholder of the MacKenzie lands. He’ll wait as long as it takes for her to be free to live on his new land.
Murtagh sneaks in to see Grace (Ruby Fubara) while she’s working and asks for a kiss. Grace is happy to see him but worried that he’ll be killed if he’s caught. They make plans to meet later just as Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin) calls out Grace’s name. Murtagh hurries out as Jocasta reveals that Mr. Cameron has a surprise for them.
John Cameron assembles his staff and family and announces he’s going to the West Indies to take care of a sugar cane plantation. His cousin will take over this house, with Rebecca serving as Jocasta’s maid while Grace leaves with him for the West Indies.
Grace is heartbroken, knowing she’ll be separated from Murtagh. She asks Jocasta to send Rebecca away instead, but Jocasta refuses to help.
Murtagh is also heartbroken and doesn’t want to lose her. He swears he’ll follow her and asks Grace to marry him. Grace loves him but insists she can’t run from John Cameron because she’s his property.
Castle Leoch is Threatened, Again
Ellen (Harriet Slater) is still recovering but able to go for a walk outside with Murtagh’s mom, Mrs. Fitz (Sally Messham). They watch as the newly titled Duke Gerard Grey (Digby Edgley) arrives at Castle Leoch. Grey’s there for Dougal, and Colum (Seamus McLean Ross) claims he hasn’t heard from him since he was captured. Colum also insists he didn’t fight for or support the Jacobites, and Grey orders the castle searched. Grey blames Colum for allowing sedition to fester and has committed treason by omission. Ned (Conor MacNeill) stands up for Colum, but Grey announces that Castle Leoch is now the property of the crown. However, Ned points out that Ellen, who has been listening to all of this, is the true owner.
Maura (Bobby Rainsbury) hurries to the house where she and Dougal (Sam Retford) are staying to tell him what’s happening.
Ned tells Grey he doesn’t have authority to seize the land. Grey arrests Colum as an accessory to the rebellion just as Dougal rushes in, asking to take his brother’s place and claiming Colum had nothing to do with the Jacobites. Grey is impressed by Dougal’s loyalty, but Colum was the laird. Colum refuses to back down, and Grey decides to kill both brothers. Ellen requests that her brothers be allowed time to pray and that she has something to show him that proves their loyalty. Ned gets Grey settled in with a bottle while Ellen puts her plan into action.
Ellen joins her brothers in the chapel, blaming Dougal for bringing this down on the clan. And Colum didn’t bother stopping him. However, she is going to bargain for their lives. Colum will be the only one with the power to call the clan to arms. Dougal will keep his war chief title, but it’ll be just that – a title only. Dougal disagrees and Ellen says in that case he will die. She’ll sign the land back over to Colum but will take a piece of land that joins the Fraser land where she and Brian will make their home.
Dougal continues to refuse, and Colum realizes that if Grey kills them, everything will be Ellen’s. She promises that she and Brian will bury them near their father. The brothers are upset but Ellen holds all the cards. Colum wonders how she’ll talk Grey into accepting this, and Ellen refuses to tell him.
Ellen pours Grey a glass and offers a toast to His Majesty’s health and those who defend him. She thanks him for allowing her to keep Leoch and believes that loyalty can ruin good men. Ellen also thinks that killing her brothers would tarnish his reputation. If everyone learns that Dougal got the best of him once and then ultimately gave himself up to save his brother, they’ll sing and toast to his name. “A rebel chieftain, tortured and unbowed, outwits the king’s own officer and then yields himself up to save his kin,” says Ellen, noting it will unite other war chiefs. Taverns will echo with the song, and everyone will know Grey’s name.
Grey threatens to hang the men who sing it, but Ellen points out that this will only make ten more men rise up to take their place. However, if Dougal and Colum live, there won’t be a song and Grey’s reputation will remain untarnished. She suggests Grey tell the king he’s delaying their punishment but that they’re in custody. Grey observes that she is playing a dangerous game and that someone must pay. Ellen explains she’s given her word to her brothers and will not break it. Grey agrees her brothers will live, and Ellen hands him a bag of coins. He accepts it and kisses her hand, asking God to reward her generosity.
Now that Dougal and Colum are spared, she signs the deed returning all but the parcel she demanded to Colum. Colum’s angry about having to give her anything and announces she’ll never get any coin from the family, not even for a dowery. Ellen doesn’t want his money, just the deed to the land.
She makes Colum swear that he will never set foot on her land as long as they live. He swears but says she’s free to come to Castle Leoch.
Ned walks outside with Ellen and they both admit they’ll miss each other. He knew she’d keep her promise to return the land to Colum and is thrilled that she and Brian are still together. Ned becomes emotional and Ellen also tears up while thanking him for everything. He holds out a sealed letter from her brother. (We don’t see if she accepts it.)
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This post was last modified on November 5, 2026 7:20 pm