Directed by Azhur Saleem
Written by Margot Ye and Diana Gabaldon
Series Developed by Matthew B. Roberts
As we near the end of the first season of Blood of My Blood, the narrative lines should be wrapping up, and they are–slowly. In this ninth episode of the season, not a lot happens, but at least–like in the eighth episode–it happens mostly in one place.
Once Again, Everyone Prepares to Travel
No cold open this time. Instead, we open with Lovat (Tony Curran) calling Brian (Jamie Roy) and Julia (Hermione Corfield) to his room to tell them about the event at Braemar (this very opening is used repeatedly in the series). Julia convinces Lovat to take the baby and her as well–as part of the “prophecy”.
Then, we cut to Malcolm (Jhon Lumsden) and Henry (Jeremy Irvine) in the Grants’ carriage. They cross paths with Malcolm’s uncle, Uncle Malcolm “Mac” Grant (Simon Merrells), who says he is en route to visit Ellen (Harriet Slater) and make her acquaintance.
At Leoch, Colum (Seamus McLean Ross) and Dougal (Sam Retford) conspire (again…still…always…) about clan matters. Uncle Mac arrives and asks Colum and Dougal to leave him alone with Ellen. He asks her point blank why her virtue was questioned in the first place and warns her that if she breaks Malcolm’s heart, Mac will kill her. After Uncle Mac leaves, Ellen tells Mrs. Fitz (Sara Vickers) about Mac’s threat. Mrs. Fitz tells her to be careful and reminds her she barely passed the purity test. This exchange feels unnecessary, as does the character of Uncle Mac. The death of Brian McCardie, the actor who played Isaac Grant, might have led to the need for another male character to override Malcom’s opinions regarding Clan Grant and his relationship with Ellen, but surely the character could have been added via cuts and additions to earlier episodes in order to smooth out the transition. Additionally, the conversation with Mrs. Fitz, too, feels unnecessary. No new information is provided, and the exchange leads to nothing–just like the conversation with Uncle Mac. Ellen already knows if her marriage does not go through, she may be killed. Perhaps this wasn’t clear after Isaac’s death, and that is why this conversation happens, but it doesn’t really change the plot.
At Braemar Castle
At Braemar Castle, Ellen and Malcolm walk together through the grounds and bond over their grief for their deceased fathers. Clan Fraser arrives, and Brian sees Ellen with Malcolm. Murtagh (Rory Alexander) smirks and smarts off about Brian’s pain at seeing Ellen with Malcolm just before Lovat calls Murtagh over to him to report about what information he has gathered so far.
Henry sees Julia and approaches her, seeing his son for the first time. Lovat sees them, and approaches. Lovat refers to Julia as his wife, and Henry’s confusion is apparent. Balloch (Chick Allen) watches in the background as Lovat escorts Julia away. Uncle Mac approaches and informs Henry he will be attending a meeting with the clan leaders.
The Earl of Mar (Craige Els) (the man with the biggest wig in the room, so he is clearly the most important–OG Big Wig, if you will) welcomes Rob Roy (Jamie Sives) to the room. Big Wig says it’s a real treat to have such a rare guest–but Rob Roy was also the speaker at the House of Nairne, so he can’t be that hard to book for a gig.
Big Wig says they will vote tomorrow about whether or not to move forward with their rebellion, and as the group breaks into smaller groups, Lovat informs Big Wig that he has information that will aid the cause but he can’t tell him now because untrustworthy people are nearby–as he casts looks towards the Grants. Uncle Mac overhears him and loudly calls him out and insults him in front of everyone. Big Wig excuses himself, and Lovat slumps away with his tail between his legs.
Rob Roy, then, approaches Dougal and asks about the chest of coin that “disappeared” during the attack at the House of Nairne (Dougal had his henchmen grab the chest during the melee). Colum overhears and rips Dougal apart as soon as they are alone, as the chest of coin was part of Ellen’s dowry.
Politics Aside, Time for Romantic Plot Lines
Murtagh watches the sword dancers for a moment, then Ellen, then sees Brian also watching Ellen, and leaves. Ellen and Brian make eye contact (cue slow, romantic music) and then walk a bit too nonchalantly around the tent before meeting over two men arm wrestling. They reach for each other’s fingers, and Brian whispers that he loves her, but Ellen sees Ned looking for her. She tells Brian to meet her later and walks away.
Ellen joins Dougal and Colum in the MacKenzie tent. Colum asks for everyone to leave him with Ellen. On the way out, Dougal says he has told Colum the truth about Brian. Colum now rips into Ellen. (Maybe close the tent flap, Colum?) Colum threatens to have Brian killed, but Ellen says do it, and she will steer Malcolm Grant and his money away from Clan MacKenzie. Colum then says he won’t touch Brian, but Ellen must agree to end things completely and steer the Grants to support the MacKenzies.
His own mooning set aside briefly, Brian finds Henry and assures him that Julia loves him and has done everything she has–including marrying Lovat–to protect the baby.
Ellen finds Julia, who tells her she has been forcibly married to Lovat. Julia pauses in telling her more, but Ellen assures her of her trust. Julia tells Ellen about Henry, her forced marriage to Lovat, and about the sacrifice of keeping loved ones safe–all while Ellen is clearly equating this to her upcoming marriage to Malcolm, where she must keep Brian safe.
The time for Ellen and Brian’s meeting arrives, but Ellen will not go aside to meet with him in private. She tells him they cannot be together and insults him about his being a penniless bastard in an effort to run him off (she might as well start throwing rocks at him to run him off into the woods). He is clearly hurt and confused, as most puppies would be. Off on her own after leaving Brian, Ellen cries about what she’s had to do but is resolved in her actions.
Time for Politics and Romance Woven Together
In his tent, Lovat is furious about the insults done to him. He blames Brian and insults Ellen. Brian attacks Lovat, but Ballach attacks Brian from behind while Lovat kicks him and screams at him. Lovat says Murtagh will replace Brian in all clan proceedings.
Henry finds Ned in a mead tent, and Arch Bug (Terence Rae) watches from a distance. Henry tells him that he knows Isaac lied about his wife. Ned is worried but agrees to quietly aid Henry’s escape. He asks a small favour of Ned: to deliver a letter to Julia with S.W.A.K. (Sealed With A Kiss) written on it.
At the hunt, everyone gathers to drumming and bagpiping (which must be helpful for the hunt in some way…). The men walk off in the hunt while Brian does his duty as a “beater”–whose job is to scare up animals for the hunters–but someone chases him with a bow and arrow–until Murtagh tackles him and helps him escape.
Lakeside, Julia waits for Henry. When he arrives, he says that Brian explained everything to him and all is forgiven, but before they can say much more, Balloch and the wet nurse call for her. After she leaves, Seema is seen hiding behind a tree watching and listening to them–but unseen by Henry.
After the hunt, the vote (the one called for by Big Wig) is tallied, and the Grants side with Big Wig and the rebellion–or rather Uncle Mac does. This vote proclaims the clans support James Stuart as the king. While announcing this overall support, the finial (or decorative topper) falls from the pole–an ominous sign. Malcolm is upset with Uncle Mac and voices that displeasure.
The scene, then, quickly shifts to Malcolm telling Ellen goodbye at her carriage, as Ellen and Colum glare at one another.
The episodes of My Blood of My Blood have circled the same plot elements with very little action. The characters trade barbs, exchange words, and do a great deal of skulking–but the action has suffered. The last few episodes in particular almost blend one into the next because not much changes by the end of each one: Ellen’s virtue is still in question, Julia still plots to escape Lovat, Brian is still moon-eyed over Ellen, Henry is still doing paperwork for the Grants, and Colum and Dougal still hiss at each other like alley cats. Even character development has stalled out, with very little growth or change in any of the characters from the beginning of the season to now. With one final episode remaining, hopefully this is remedied.
