‘Outlander: Blood Of My Blood’ Episode 10 Recap: “Something Borrowed” (Season Finale)

The wedding day in the Blood of My Blood Season 1 finale has finally arrived! But Ellen’s big Scottish wedding ends up being between two characters viewers may not have expected. 

But first, the episode begins with Claire’s second birthday (Baby Claire!), where she’s gleefully chowing down some cake with her parents and Uncle Lamb. Uncle Lamb has grand expectations for the toddler’s adventures, so at least fans can take comfort in knowing how well she’s being looked after while her parents are battling for their lives in the past.

Then, here comes the bride. Except the bride walking down the lavish aisle doesn’t seem to be Ellen MacKenzie? Through her thick veil, there’s not a hint of Ellen’s fiery hair. But the identity of the bride will have to wait…

A day earlier, Brian and Murtagh are back to being buds post-assassination attempt. Brian is too preoccupied with why Ellen has dumped him to worry about his impending death. Murtagh tells him to forget what she said and go with his gut. He’s all set to go after his wife when they’re attacked by the Gallowglass again. The pals best the Irish mercenaries, but Murtagh takes an arrow in the leg. Brian discovers it was Colum MacKenzie who hired the Gallowglass (that sneak!) and heads to Leoch on his own while an injured Murtagh stays behind.

Wedding prep is going down at Leoch, and Ellen run into Marcus MacRannoch, who has a wedding present for her, which also serves as a present to OG Outlander fans since it’s none other than the pearls that Jamie ends up giving to Claire on their wedding day.

Dougal is celebrating his sister’s impending nuptials by doing what he does best — bedding a lassie against a wall. He’s interrupted by his soon-to-be sister-in-law, Maura Grant. He seems intrigued by her blasé attitude as she leaves him to finish his business with her maid.

In Ellen’s chamber, the dispirited bride apologizes to her sisters for not consulting with them before their father arranged their marriages. Jocasta, though snarky as always, is clearly moved. At Ellen’s literal hen party, Jocasta defends Ellen to Maura Grant, who astutely doubts that Ellen loves her brother as much as he loves her.

Two people unconcerned with the upcoming wedding are Julia and Lord Lovat, who is still smarting from being called out by Uncle Malcolm ‘Mac’ Grant at the tynchal. Julia tries to soothe him, and her English rose charms work too well as he orders her to come to his bedchamber that night. Thankfully, she doesn’t have to endure that again since Henry has arrived at Castle Leathers. Julia creates a ruse that she’s been captured to protect Davina from Lord Lovat’s wrath. Henry knocks out Balloch, and finally free, the 20th-century couple and baby William flee to the stones.

In other covert missions, Brian sneaks into Leoch and runs into Jocasta in the hallways. She recognizes him from Beltane (he was with Murtagh after all), and forces him to explain why he’s disguised as a Grant and wants to see her sister. 

Well, his reason — that Dougal was trying to have him murdered — works on Jocasta, and they go to Ellen’s chamber to tell her the truth. Brian professes his never-ending love to Ellen, and she returns the sentiment — heart, body, and soul. If Colum reneged on his promise not to hurt Brian, she doesn’t have to keep her promise to marry Malcolm anymore.

Ellen does give Colum the chance to reveal his treachery, but he doesn’t bite and so, her path forward is set.

Julia and Henry are still making their way to Craigh na Dun when another flashback/forward shows them at the English seaside with Claire and Uncle Lamb, where Henry brings up the idea of going on a trip to Scotland. Julia’s thrilled and reveals she’s pregnant. Sigh, such simpler times for the Beauchamp family.

Back at Leoch, Ellen is nowhere to be found and Malcolm is pissed that he’s gotten runaway-brided. Uncle Mac steps in to say that the MacKenzies owe them another marriage, or someone is going to die. Colum orders Ned to get Dougal for him. His services are needed.

Cut to the bride walking down the aisle, and as she lifts her veil, she’s revealed to be… Malcolm’s sister, Maura Grant.

To keep his promise to the Grants, Colum quickly arranged for Dougal to marry Maura. Fans who know that Dougal and Maura were married in Outlander might have seen it coming, but the wedding guests — and Dougal — are all understandably a wee bit surprised. Dougal’s also surprised that Maura wants to get to consummating as soon as the toasts are over. And once in the bedchamber, it seems that, as experienced as Dougal is with women, he perhaps has never actually given a woman an orgasm until now. At least Maura is making the most of this impromptu marriage!

Ellen is still in Leoch during the wedding, disguised as a maid, waiting with Brian to make their escape while the wedding guests are distracted. One person who is not distracted is Malcolm, who is sulking and drinking about Ellen betraying him. Uncle Mac comes in with the genius advice that only revenge can fix his broken heart. Great advice, unc!

Inevitably, Malcolm runs into Ellen and Brian during their getaway. The jilted lover berates both of them — calling her a two-faced jezebel and calling him a lowlife bastard. With revenge on his mind, he attacks Brian, who, at first, attempts pacifism. But when Malcolm raises his sword to bring it down upon him, Brian overpowers him and plunges it into Malcolm’s chest, killing him.

Ellen and Brian flee on horseback to make camp with the injured Murtagh, where Ellen makes it clear she has no regrets about leaving everything behind to be with Brian.

As for the other escaping couple, Simon has learned that Julia has gone. But lucky for him, Arch Bug is on the case. If he finds Henry, Arch will try to return Julia and king baby Simon to Lord Lovat. And Arch is hot on the Beauchamp’s trail. 

Ellen and Murtagh have a moment to bond while Brian is out scouting. He presents yet another wedding gift to her — boar’s tusk bracelets, which Murtagh will someday tell Claire about in Outlander. Ellen says she’ll keep this gift between them, while Murtagh says he’ll find his happiness in Brian and Ellen’s happiness. He always was a good egg, that Murtagh. Even with his injury, he makes himself scarce to give Ellen and Brian some alone time, which they make the most of, as is the Outlander way.

After their lovemaking, Ellen recites from the Book of Ruth, and they make a blood oath (the show is called Blood of My Blood). But their postcoital bliss is short-lived as they see fiery crosses being lit — a call to join the Jacobite rebellion. And Brian must answer it or leave Scotland forever. “I will stand with you, whatever comes,” Ellen tells him. “I’m your wife. And we are one.”

The other couple has finally made it to the stones where they hear the signature time-travel buzzing. Julia is worried that William might not be able to time-travel, and it’s not worth the risk of leaving their infant son behind. Henry suggests that one of them go through with the baby first while the other stays behind in case William can’t go through. Arch Bug and his crew roll up, and Julia insists Henry return to their time so he won’t be killed. They share a passionate kiss and it seems Henry is on board… until he puts the baby back in her arms and forces Julia’s hand onto the stone, saying his heart is with her, William, and Claire, forever.

Their fate isn’t revealed as the episode ends with them back in the 20th century as their train leaves for Scotland, waving goodbye to their daughter Claire.

And that’s a wrap on Blood of My Blood Season 1! Ellen and Brian are in for a hard road ahead with Jacobite war. But that’s a walk in the park compared to the unknownness of time travel that Julia and Henry are facing.

Caitlin Gallagher is a New Jersey-raised, NYC-based entertainment writer. When not writing about or watching TV, she can be found planning her next Halloween costume, crying over rescue animals, or praising Season 2 of The Leftovers.