The Season 1 finale of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, titled Something Borrowed, didn’t just wrap up storylines; it cracked them open, poured salt into the wounds, and somehow made me beg for more. From the very first scene, I felt the weight of what was coming. Ellen’s long-awaited wedding day loomed like a bad omen, and yet, I didn’t expect her to snatch the reins of her life so boldly.
After a season of being the pawn in her brothers’ brutal chess game, Ellen finally chose herself. But the real sting? That final moment with Julia. Standing breathless at the stones, on the run, on the edge of something unknown, and then cut to black. Did she cross? Did she disappear? Did Henry make it with her? I still haven’t unclenched.
But let’s not sugarcoat it: this finale of Outlander prequel doesn’t hand out happy endings. It’s harsh, calculated, and often cruel. That’s what made it hit so hard.
Ellen’s Moment of Reckoning Anchored the Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Finale
Let’s start with the heart of the story: Ellen. Harriet Slater has carried this season on her back, but in this episode, she soared. Her decision to leave Malcolm and run away with Brian wasn’t about romance; it was about self-worth. She finally saw Colum for what he was: a puppet master with no strings of loyalty to anyone but himself.
Her reunion with Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) was everything I wanted it to be. Tender, charged, and, crucially, not melodramatic. The show wisely resisted drowning their escape in sentiment. Instead, it framed their union as the start of a choice born of truth, not fantasy.
Meanwhile, Malcolm’s death served as a brutal reminder that even good intentions, when twisted by pride and power, can lead to disaster. His confrontation with Brian, messy, drunken, and laced with misdirected rage, was a ticking time bomb. And when it finally went off, the show didn’t glamorize it. Just let it hurt.
Colum and Dougal’s Arc Added Grit to the Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Finale
Colum might’ve won the award for Most Loathsome Sibling this season. Hiring mercenaries to kill Brian? That’s cold, even by 18th-century clan standards. But it was the final straw that pushed Ellen to sever ties for good. I appreciated how the finale made it clear: sometimes family isn’t who you’re born to; it’s who you run to.
Now, let’s talk Dougal. His surprise marriage to Maura? Chef’s kiss in terms of ironic payback. The man who spent the entire season policing Ellen’s choices got boxed into a union of his own. The fact that Maura is a total firecracker only made it better. Their dynamic brought a bite of dark humor to an episode that could’ve easily sunk under its emotional weight.
Jocasta and Murtagh: Redemption & Restraint in the Finale
I’ve been tough on Jocasta all season, but I’ll admit it; she earned my respect in the finale. Her shift from competitive sibling to quiet protector gave her depth I didn’t expect. She didn’t need a redemption arc; she needed clarity. And she found it just in time to help Ellen.
Murtagh, meanwhile, deserves his own monument. His steady, loyal presence was like a balm amidst all the chaos. Watching him evolve from a wounded cousin into Ellen’s fiercest supporter has been one of the season’s most rewarding subplots. Sometimes the quiet characters leave the deepest scars and Murtagh left one on my heart.
Henry and Julia’s Journey Mirrors Ellen’s But With More Uncertainty
Though Ellen and Brian took center stage, Henry and Julia’s arc was the slow burn I didn’t know I needed. Their flight across the countryside echoed Ellen’s own escape, only theirs ended on a far more ambiguous note. The image of them pausing at the stones, breathless and hunted, will haunt me until Season 2 drops.
The decision to leave their fate open-ended was a bold one, and I respect the writers for trusting the audience with that uncertainty. Not every story needs to be tied up in a bow. Sometimes the best endings are the ones that leave you guessing.
Is Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Finale Worth a Watch?
If you’re still on the fence about whether to dive into Outlander: Blood of My Blood, let me say it plain: yes, the Season 1 finale is absolutely worth your time. It balances historical drama, emotional gut-punches, and sharp character development with a confidence that feels earned, not forced.
The finale, in particular, is a masterclass in restraint. It knows when to hold back, when to hit hard, and when to let silence speak volumes. Performances shine, the pacing never stumbles, and the emotional payoff? Immense.
So, what did you think of the Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 finale? Were you satisfied with Ellen’s arc? Do you think Julia and Henry made it? And is Colum officially on your “worst TV brother” list, too? Let’s get into it. Drop your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments in the comments below.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 is now streaming on STARZ. Trust me, you’ll want to once you hit that finale.
Season 2 is expected to premiere in late 2026, though STARZ has yet to confirm an exact date.
