I shine, not burn. Everyone plays with fire on Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7, “Luceo Non Uro,” and for some, it doesn’t burn them. For others, the effects are delayed, or they could easily be felt for episodes to come. It’s one of the show’s best episodes thus far.
Below, I’ve compiled a list of my highlights from episode seven.
Dougal Learning About Ellen and Brian
Ruh-roh. Ellen (Harriet Slater) and Brian’s (Jamie Roy) love is no longer clandestine, at least to a pivotal part of Clan MacKenzie. In the aftermath of Brian firing his gun to distract the Redcoats at the Jacobite meeting, Dougal (Sam Retford) catches his sister getting cozy with a Fraser. Of course, Dougal meets Brian shortly before the proceedings, and this is clearly intentional.
Dougal threatens to disclose this to Colum (Séamus McLean Ross), which would certainly throw a wrench in things. Ellen reminds her brother that he tried to donate the family money to the Jacobite cause without the laird’s knowledge, so there’s that. That said, considering how the episode ends for Ellen, Dougal telling Colum what he knows could spell disaster for the clan at large. The fallout, especially where the Grants are concerned, could be monumental.
Julia and Davina Spiking Lovat’s Food With Monk Pepper
Outlander: Blood of My Blood incorporates some levity into the oppressively bleak narrative in the form of Julia (Hermione Corfield) and Davina’s (Sara Vickers) burgeoning friendship. Davina helps Julia spike Lovat’s (Tony Curran) food with monk pepper, aka chasteberry, to render him impotent in the bedroom. It’s a bit touch-and-go there for a second as Lovat feasts on his dinner; however, he tells Davina to compliment the cook on the new seasoning.
Of course, it’s all the more satisfying for Julia when Lovat can’t get it up. He asks for more of his new favorite seasoned dish, thinking it’ll serve as the remedy. No, my dude. The old fox ain’t coming out of the hole. I hope we get more bonding moments between Julia and Davina.
Mrs. Fitz Finding the Fraser Tartan
Dougal isn’t the only one who knows about Ellen’s forbidden love with a Fraser. Mrs. Fitz (Sally Messham) discovers Brian’s tartan, used during his and Ellen’s handfasting in episode five. She assumes Ellen carries a torch for her nephew, Murtagh (Rory Alexander) … mainly because the latter is head over heels for Ellen.
Ellen doesn’t specify which Fraser, though. Mrs. Fitz knows enough. She allows Ellen to keep the tartan under the promise that Ellen will conceal it from potential prying eyes. Who knew it could be this challenging to hide a star-crossed romance in the age of zero social media?
The Grants Demanding a Purity Test
Egad! Henry (Jeremy Irvine) pays Castle Leoch a visit with a request from the Grants. Well, the laird. Lovat’s letter effectively sows seeds of doubt in Isaac’s (Brian McCardie) mind, so he wants Ellen to undergo a purity test to prove her virtue. It’s archaic and, quite frankly, grossly misogynistic. Since Ellen isn’t a virgin and she has Brian’s tartan in her room, Colum might put two and two together as to who took his sister’s virginity.
Colum urges Ellen to pass the test, while Dougal insists his sister made her bed. Hopefully, she doesn’t die in it. Gotta love the double standards here. Dougal doesn’t even get a slap on the wrist for playing with political fire and endangering Clan MacKenzie’s reputation. Oh, and that’s not including the coin he stole. However, Ellen, who helps bring Dougal home, must deal with more unnecessary trauma.
Julia Recognizing Henry’s Handwriting
This is the most heartwarming moment in the episode for me. Of course Julia would recognize her husband’s handwriting. After all, that’s how they established their relationship — through correspondence during WWI. Henry believes Julia’s dead, no thanks to the Grants, so I’ve been waiting for the Powers That Be to throw this pair a bone.
Now Julia knows that Henry is the bladier for Clan Grant. This makes her search significantly easier. It’s also hope. A light at the end of a long, dark, anachronistic tunnel. Fingers crossed that Julia and Henry reunite sooner rather than later.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood drops new episodes every Friday at midnight on the STARZ app and at 8 pm ET/PT on the STARZ network.