Outlander: Blood of My Blood kicked off with two premiere episodes, perfectly setting the stage for the continued story. Season 1, episode 1 began with Ellen and Brian’s stories in the 18th century, which launched from the death of Lord Jacob MacKenzie, Laird of Castle Leoch. The man had died without naming a successor. So, it was the job of the clan to choose between Colum and Dougal at the gathering.

This is where Ellen and Brian met, but these two aren’t the only primary Outlander: Blood of My Blood characters we are introduced to in the series’ first episode. At Castle Leathers, the home of Lord Lovat and Brian Fraser, Claire’s mother, Julia Beauchamp, could be seen serving as a maid. Additionally, Henry Beauchamp could be spotted in the company of Clan Grant.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood, season 1, episode 2, revealed precisely how Henry and Julia came to be in the 18th century. The ending of episode 1 saw the couple get into a car crash, which Claire believed in Outlander had killed them. Instead, it only led to their jumping through time. Immediately separated, Henry and Julia now must find their way out of their current predicaments.

Julia Is Trapped In The Service Of Lord Lovat (& Is Hiding A Secret)

While looking for Henry in Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Julia was abducted by a highlander family, who sold her to Lord Lovat to pay off their debts. It wasn’t until Julia was faced with the reality of her enslavement that she realized that she was no longer in the 20th century. Not only did Julia have no idea how to escape Castle Leathers, but she was also clueless about how to return to her own time.

The end of Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1, episode 1 revealed that Julia is pregnant with Claire’s younger sibling.

This is, of course, quite familiar. Little did Claire ever know in Outlander that her mother had once been in the same predicament as her. However, there are some key differences here. Julie is hiding a secret besides being a time traveler. The end of Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1, episode 1 revealed that Julia is pregnant with Claire’s younger sibling.

This is another detail that Claire never knew. Of course, whether or not Julia ever had her baby is still unclear. As of right now, it’s likely essential that Lord Lovat and his house staff do not know that she is pregnant. Julia may be called a maidservant, but she is very clearly a slave. The baby would belong to the Laird just as Julia herself does.

Another significant difference between Julia’s predicament in Outlander: Blood of My Blood and Claire’s captivity at Castle Leoch in Outlander is that the husband Julia is desperate to reunite with is also in the 18th century. Julia believes that Henry has likely returned home to Claire in England, but, in reality, he is with another Highland clan. Though he isn’t enslaved, Henry is far from safe.

Henry Is The Bladier For Clan Grant In Outlander: Blood Of My Blood

In addition to teasing Julia’s place at Castle Leathers, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, season 1, episode 1, subtly revealed that Henry Beauchamp was the Bladier for Clan Grant. Episode 2 reveals precisely how he ended up there. After coming through the stones, Henry discovered the S.W.A.T. (Sealed With A Kiss) that Julia had scratched onto a boulder nearby. He followed her arrow, but went much further than his wife, ending up at a pub.

This is where Henry ran into the Grants, who were busy striking a deal with the Camerons. A bit of legal advice later, and Henry was being dragged to see Laird Isaac Grant. It was clear to this man that Henry was more honest and educated than his current Bladier, so he was promptly offered the job.

Bladiers are essential heralds or spokespersons for Highlander leaders. Though Henry initially declined Isaac Grant’s offer, it became evident that finding Julia on his own would be all but impossible. Surely, as the Grants’ Bladier, Henry will end up at Castle Leathers eventually. Of course, for now, the Grants are a bit preoccupied with their dealings with the MacKenzies.

Colum Plans To Offer Ellen’s Hand To Malcolm Grant (For A Price)

The Grants were in attendance at the gathering at Castle Leoch, in Outlander: Blood of My Blood, season 1, episode 1, and things quickly got out of hand. This prequel series makes it clear that Dougal MacKenzie is just as hot-headed as ever, and this got him into quick trouble with the other clans. Believing that Malcolm Grant kidnapped Ellen, Dougal mounted an attack on their retreating group.

The conflict with the Grants is enough to show the MacKenzies that Dougal isn’t leadership material. Fixing the whole thing up will show that Colum is.

This is actually just as Colum MacKenzie intended. His clan will have to choose between him and Dougal to be Laird, and Column’s disability (Claire noted he had Toulouse-Lautrec syndrome in Outlander) puts him at a disadvantage. The conflict with the Grants is enough to show the MacKenzies that Dougal isn’t leadership material. Fixing the whole thing up will show that Colum is.

Colum instructed Ned to offer a marriage between Ellen and Malcolm in exchange for peace between the MacKenzies and Grants. We see Ned present this offer to Henry in Blood of My Blood episode 2, along with the promise that if the Bladier makes this deal happen, Ned will help Henry find his girl. Interestingly, Julia and Henry’s happiness may depend on Ellen marrying someone else.

How Outlander: Blood Of My Blood Season 1, Episode 2 Sets Up The Continued Story

The first two episodes of Outlander: Blood of My Blood were the perfect way to set the stage for the continued story. All the pieces are in their places, and our two couples must now overcome all the odds to be with one another. Ellen is already in love with Brian, but knows that their families would never approve. Now, in episode 3, she will have to deal with Colum’s marriage deal on top of everything else.

Then there is Henry and Julia. Outlander has shown us that lovers will always find their way back to one another. However, something interesting about this prequel is that we know the Beauchamps won’t make it back to their daughter. Claire will grow up with her uncle—but what happened to her parents in the past? This is the mystery that Blood of My Blood will have to solve.