Episode 3 of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood" commences with Ellen immersed in a steamy, dream-induced encounter with Brian, her desires unfurling in the throes of slumber. Her euphoria, however, is abruptly shattered upon learning of her impending engagement to Malcolm Grant. Desperate, she endeavors to strike a deal with Colum, her once-closest sibling, but her pleas fall on deaf ears; he sees no leverage in her offer. Heartache ensnares her as the rift widens between them, even as Colum grapples with his own tumultuous emotions. News of the betrothal ripples through their circle, stirring up discord, particularly within Murtagh, who is deeply distressed. Brian, too, is taken aback by the revelation, a pang of guilt tingling alongside his shock, as Murtagh vociferously proclaims Ellen as the love of his life, despite their unspoken bond.
Back in Leathers, the astute eyes of Mistress Porter discern Julia's burgeoning pregnancy. Compassionate yet pragmatic, she offers assistance in terminating the pregnancy, drawing from her own experiences of bearing an illegitimate child. A stunning revelation unfolds: she is none other than Brian's mother. Julia, resolute, declines her offer, determined to embrace motherhood.
Meanwhile, Ellen conspires with Dougal, who harbors reluctance towards aligning with the Grants. He proposes a deal: he will aid her in dissolving the engagement if granted the title of Laird. With cunning, he sets his plan in motion by whispering tales of Colum's disloyalty to Marcus MacRannoch, a fellow Jacobite. Subtly, Dougal teases the possibility of bestowing Ellen upon Marcus should he ascend to Lairdship. As anticipated, Marcus, swayed by ambition, pledges unwavering support from all Jacobite factions to Dougal.
That fateful night, Mrs. Fitz extended her sympathy towards Ellen. She contemplated that if MacKinney, one of Ellen's former suitors, were to ascend the throne as the next MacKenzie Laird instead of Dougal, his rule would be even more oppressive than Colum's. However, Ellen harbored a secret belief; despite being manipulated like a pawn, she still possessed a few aces up her sleeve.
The following morning, the scene shifted to MacKinney actively canvassing for votes. He had already secured the allegiance of the majority of the menfolk. Meanwhile, the MacKenzie sisters deliberated on their future, with Jocasta revealing a surprising lack of support for Dougal. As the wife of a Jacobite, she was the bearer of disheartening news – Dougal had pledged Ellen's hand in marriage to Marcus. Ellen felt deeply frustrated, reduced merely to an asset in others' eyes.
Our spying Frasers returned home, where Brian resolved to unveil all he had gathered to shield Julia from Lovat's scrutinizing gaze. He harbored an ulterior motive as well – he disclosed Ellen's betrothal to his father. Lovat, realizing that an alliance with the Grants would be lost if Malcolm Grant married into a rival clan, devised a vicious plan to tarnish Ellen's reputation. To Brian's consternation, this was Lovat's means of dissolving the engagement. Adding insult to injury, Murtagh misconstrued Brian's intentions, believing he sought to break the engagement for personal reasons....
Drama unfolded at Leoch as Ned solemnly warned Ellen that MacKinney, once he became Laird, would unleash a reign of terror upon them all. The MacKenzie brothers needed to unite against this looming threat.
A nostalgic flashback transported us to a time when Red Jacob sent his sons on a raid, a trial to ascertain who among them deserved the mantle of heir. Dougal subverted the mission by assaulting a rival clan. Amidst the chaos, Colum toppled from his steed, shattering his leg. Red Jacob was disheartened that Colum couldn't reign in his own brother and perceived him as fragile for his slow recovery. As Colum attempted to plead his case, he dismissed Ellen's assistance and tumbled down the stairs, breaking his other leg. It was Ellen who nurtured him back to health.
Presently, MacKinney derided Colum's crippled legs, leaving him distraught. Ellen tried to solace him, once again volunteering her services as an advisor, but Colum saw it as a futile endeavor.
Another flashback unfolded, where Ellen witnessed Red Jacob lashes Dougal for jeopardizing Colum's safety. Dougal defended his actions, blaming Colum for his perceived weakness. Jacob dismissed him as foolish for failing to comprehend the bigger picture.
At this very moment, Ellen reprimands Dougal for his mirthful response to MacKinney's humiliation of Colum, labeling him selfish and reminding him that their father never deemed him worthy of the Laird's title. She warns that should MacKinney ascend to the Lairdship, their fate would be sealed. Unity, she insists, is their only hope.
Subsequently, Ellen confides in Ned, outlining a devised plan to eliminate MacKinney from their lives. As the hour for the oath-taking ceremony approaches, Malcolm renews his courting of Ellen, who, now bound by promise, feigns receptiveness to his advances. Ned, meanwhile, ingratiates himself with both Malcolm and MacKinney, much to Henry's cautionary warning about their deceitful intentions.
Colum and Dougal arrive at the ceremony, but it's Colum who takes center stage on the throne, with Dougal stepping into a supporting role. Colum vows to serve as the brain, while Dougal pledges to be the strength. MacKinney challenges the legitimacy of this dual leadership, but Ned produces evidence that it's not only plausible but also strategic, with Colum as the peacetime leader and Dougal as the wartime chieftain. The Jacobites begin to pledge their allegiance to the brothers, forcing MacKinney to follow suit.
The MacKenzie sisters are awestruck, realizing that this diplomatic maneuver is Ellen's doing. That evening, Henry and Ned toast to the success of the Gathering, a momentous occasion. Ned, keeping his word, enlists Una Hay, the brothel madam, to assist in locating Julia.
Julia, on her end, continues to pen heartfelt letters to Henry, her worry escalating as she struggles to conceal her pregnancy. Balloch keeps a vigilant watch over her, while Porter fends off Lovat's advances, albeit temporarily. The stress takes its toll on Julia, eroding her hope. Desperate to protect her unborn child, she burns her letters to Henry but vows to persist. In a calculated move, she sleeps with Lovat, framing him as the father to shield her child from harm.
