Episode 5 of *Outlander: Blood of My Blood* opens with a tantalizing flashforward: Ellen, resplendent in her May Queen attire, prepares for a momentous occasion. Shifting back to the present, Julia and Brian are bustling about, readying themselves for the Beltane festival. However, their plans are abruptly halted when Porter intercepts them, revealing that Maisri, the famed seer of Lovat, is soon to arrive. As part of Lovat's tradition, Maisri conducts readings for all his children, necessitating Julia's presence. Brian's mood darkens, his suspicions simmering that Julia might be carrying Lovat's child.
Meanwhile, Ned, Ellen, and Jocasta are en route to Beltane, their carriage a cacophony of tension. Jocasta, her envy simmering, picks petty fights with Ellen at every turn. Ned, sensing the brewing storm, intervenes, cautioning Ellen against jeopardizing her betrothal. In a moment of unintended inspiration, he also plants a seed of doubt in her mind: if Malcolm were to reject her outright, she might find herself wed to a far less desirable suitor.
Back in Leathers, Brian stumbles upon Murtagh, who is also preparing to attend Beltane, driven by his desire to reunite with Ellen. Despite Brian's attempts to dissuade him, Murtagh remains resolute. Eventually, the cousins set off for the festival side by side. Along the way, Henry quizzes Ned about the enigmatic Caigh na Dun and the swirling myths that surround it. He also raises the topic of Lovat's letter, casting aspersions on Ellen's honor. Ned, ever the defender, dismisses the claims as mere attempts by Lovat to sow discord, lacking any substantial proof.
At the festival, a dance unfolds to select the May Queen for the fire ceremony, a privilege reserved solely for maidens. Jocasta, her bitterness palpable, seizes the opportunity to put Ellen on the spot. Ellen, cornered, finds herself paired with Malcolm for the dance. However, Brian's timely arrival disrupts the scene. Seizing the moment, Ellen and Brian orchestrate a clandestine meeting, their actions not escaping Murtagh's keen eye. He also takes note of Jocasta's dejected demeanor and, in a gesture of kindness, whisks her away to dance, their momentary joy bittersweet. Yet, as soon as the music fades, Murtagh abandons Jocasta to confront Brian about his clandestine exchange with Ellen. True to form, Brian weaves a web of deceit.
The climax arrives as Ellen is crowned May Queen, a position that grants her the power to choose her king. Amidst the anticipation, Malcolm steps forward, but he is not alone. Murtagh, emboldened, joins the fray, and soon, others follow suit, including Brian. Ellen, her gaze fixed on Brian, seeks his approval, but he subtly shakes his head. In a twist of fate, she ultimately selects Malcolm, her choice tinged with a hint of defiance and unresolved longing.
At Leathers, Maisri boldly declares that Lovat is destined to reclaim his power. Soon after, her gaze falls upon Claire and a young boy, whom she prophesizes will be the catalysts for uniting the clans. A legendary prophecy looms in the air—the one foretelling a Scottish ruler, a belief held dear by Geillis. Both Maisri and Lovat become convinced that Julia’s unborn son is the very fulfillment of this ancient prophecy.
The preparations for the fire ceremony linger, incomplete, but Ellen manages to persuade Malcolm to lend a hand. Meanwhile, a tipsy Murtagh spouts his frustrations, and Brian, seizing the moment, uses it as an excuse to suggest that Murtagh should finally move on from Ellen.
Jocasta keeps a watchful eye on Ellen, who constantly tries to slip away unnoticed. It’s revealed that Jocasta harbors resentment towards Ellen for choosing an elderly and ailing husband for her. Yet, despite securing a favorable match for herself, Ellen stands firm against it. Ellen attempts to explain that her intentions were to steer their father away from the worst possible suitors for Jocasta. However, she empathizes with the feeling of being used as a pawn and strikes a deal with her sister. They agree that at Beltane, both sisters will do as they please, keeping their actions a secret between them. Jocasta also demands her mother’s necklace, which Ellen currently possesses.
In a private moment, Ellen and Brian finally come face to face and share a passionate kiss. Murtagh, catching sight of them from a distance, dashes away in a fit of emotion. In the meantime, Ellen and Brian openly declare their love for each other and partake in a handfast wedding, sealing their bond with a consummation of their marriage.
Later, as they reflect on their choices, they acknowledge that, despite all obstacles, they harbor no regrets for choosing each other. Back at the festival, a distraught Murtagh finds himself in a brawl with Bug.
At Leathers, it’s unveiled that Porter was the mastermind behind the seer reading on Beltane, aiming to ensure Julia wouldn’t be able to depart. Porter also reveals to Lovat that Julia is not carrying his child. Grateful for her loyalty, he then issues a chilling threat: if she breathes a word of this to anyone, he will not hesitate to end her life. It becomes clear that he is willing to go to any lengths for his legacy, even if it means adopting a future king.
That evening, Ned and Henry share a drink. Henry had hoped that the allure of the faeries or the magic of the festival would have drawn Julia to Beltane. Ned offers comfort, sharing tales of his first and only love, and how he found solace in purpose. But Henry remains resolute, refusing to let go.
Before the sacred fire ceremony that would mark the Beltane festivities, Malcolm presented Ellen with a brooch—a delicate, handcrafted memento from their childhood days when they had first crossed paths, innocent and full of dreams. Meanwhile, Jocasta tended to Murtagh, who bore a wound that bled silently, a physical manifestation of the turmoil within. Murtagh, in his stubbornness, claimed that no nurse could soothe the ache that gnawed at his soul. What he yearned for was to be desired, to be cherished, and Jocasta, with a depth of understanding that transcended words, grasped the essence of his longing. Their lips met in a tender kiss, a fleeting moment of connection, but in a cruel twist of fate, Murtagh's heart slipped, and he murmured Ellen's name instead of Jocasta's. Hurt and betrayed, Jocasta withdrew, leaving behind a trail of shattered emotions.
Across the realm of feelings, Julia, her heart heavy with忧虑 (anxiety, translated for context), removed her wedding ring, a symbol of vows once made and now tainted with uncertainty. She penned a letter to Henry, her words a testament to unwavering loyalty and love. She vowed to honor her promises, come what may, and to cherish his memory forever. Back at Beltane, Henry, oblivious to Julia's silent agony, wept silently, his thoughts consumed by her.
As the fire ceremony commenced, casting an ethereal glow over the gathering, Jocasta's gaze lingered on Murtagh, who in turn, watched Ellen with a mixture of longing and regret. Brian's arrival on the scene stirred the pot further, Murtagh's eyes blazing with a silent fury directed at the newcomer. Malcolm, ever the gentleman, bowed gracefully and pressed a kiss to Ellen's hand, but her eyes, bright with unspoken emotions, were fixed solely on Brian, their connection a silent storm brewing beneath the surface.
