In Episode 9 of *Outlander: Blood of My Blood*, the Earl of Mar throws a grand tynchal—a sprawling clan gathering—at the imposing Braemar Castle. The event promises to be a spectacle, with all the major Highland clans converging under one roof, including the formidable Grants. Seizing the opportunity, Brian and Julia scheme to coerce Lovat into bringing them along, Julia cradling their infant in tow.
Amidst the bustling preparations, Isaac Grant’s elder brother, Malcolm Senior, makes his entrance—a staunch loyalist with a stern demeanor. His heart, however, softens at the sight of his young nephew, and he vows to shield the child from harm at all costs. Meanwhile, Colum, ever the watchful patriarch, pulls Dougal aside, cautioning him to tread carefully and avoid stirring up trouble at the gathering.
Upon arrival, Malcolm Sr. wastes no time in asserting his authority, issuing orders to the MacKenzie brothers with a brusqueness that leaves Dougal seething. Ellen, sensing an opportunity, attempts to charm the formidable lord, but her efforts fall flat. Malcolm Sr. remains diplomatic yet unyielding, delivering a chilling warning: the Grants hold loyalty in the highest regard, and any betrayal on Ellen’s part would be met with swift and deadly retribution. The threat sends a shiver down Ellen’s spine.
At Braemar, Ellen redoubles her efforts to win Malcolm’s favor, recognizing the importance of his support. Her charms, however, are lost on Brian, who arrives and finds himself utterly captivated by her presence. Murtagh, ever the mischief-maker, can’t resist taunting Brian, claiming he’s lost Ellen for good. The cousins engage in a heated exchange, their rivalry reignited.
Elsewhere, Henry’s face lights up with joy at the sight of his son, Malcolm. But his smile quickly fades when Lovat introduces Julia as his new wife and the baby as his heir. Henry, reeling from the revelation, has little time to process his emotions before the Grants usher him away to a crucial clan meeting.
The gathering is abuzz with activity, escorts brought in for the male guests’ entertainment. Among them is Seema, whose presence adds an air of intrigue to the proceedings. At the clan meeting, the elder statesmen engage in lively gossip, their whispers carrying through the hall. Malcolm Sr. takes center stage, showcasing his unwavering loyalty by defending the MacKenzie brothers and his young nephew with fervor.
Right at that moment, the Earl steps forward to introduce his guest of honour, the legendary Rob Roy. He launches into a passionate speech about the Jacobite cause and the quest for Scottish freedom. Lovat, ever the opportunist, throws his full support behind the Earl, his mind fixated on the fantasy that his own son might one day ascend to the Scottish throne. Malcolm, ever the critic, can't help but pass judgment on the Earl's grandiose vision, but Malcolm Sr. sternly orders him to keep his opinions to himself and maintain decorum. Henry, meanwhile, looks on with a sad and resigned expression, for he knows deep down that the Jacobite cause is a lost one.
Dougal, feeling emboldened by the Earl's words, begins to strut about, while Colum, the more cautious of the two MacKenzie brothers, worries about the potential consequences of ruffling too many feathers. Lovat, sensing an opportunity to curry favour with the Earl, attempts to cosy up to him, only to be called out as a liar by Malcolm Sr., who sees through his false flattery.
Rob Roy, ever the joker, playfully inquires about the pledged money that the MacKenzies were supposed to have provided, and jokes that the redcoats must have stolen it. Colum's face turns ashen as he realizes the gravity of the situation—Dougal had tried to pledge the dowry money without his knowledge. Alone with Dougal later, Colum unleashes a furious tirade, severely reprimanding his brother and threatening to kill him if he ever keeps such secrets from him again.
Outside, amidst the crowd, Brian and Ellen engage in a furtive flirtation, their eyes locked in a secret embrace. But their moment is cut short as Ellen is summoned to Colum's side. Dougal has informed him of their clandestine meeting. The two men square off, each issuing threats and counter-threats, until they reach a tense stalemate. Colum, ever the pragmatist, promises not to harm Brian if Ellen agrees to break things off with him and ensures that the Grants do not turn against the MacKenzies.
Meanwhile, Brian finds Henry in a daze, lost in thought. He pours his heart out, telling Henry everything that Julia has had to endure. An upset Ellen, her mind a whirlwind of emotions, runs into Julia. The two women share a heartfelt conversation about sacrifices and the burdens they bear. Ellen doesn't understand how Julia can stand being with another man, but Julia, with a steely resolve, claims that she must do what is necessary for the safety of her family. Ellen nods, understanding the gravity of the situation, and makes a decision.
To protect Brian from the wrath of both the Grants and the MacKenzies, she breaks things off with him, her words cutting like a knife. When he tries to refuse, to cling to the hope that their love can endure, she pushes him away with a cruel lie, claiming that she never loved him in the first place.
To add insult to injury, Lovat, still smarting from his humiliation, blames Brian for his downfall. Brian, having had enough of Lovat's bullying, tries to lash out, but Lovat, ever the brute, beats him down.
It's the fateful day of the hunt. In a sinister turn of events, three assassins are hired by an unknown hand to take Brian's life. But fate has other plans, as Murtagh, ever the valiant protector, springs into action, rescuing Brian from certain doom and aiding his desperate escape.
Meanwhile, by the tranquil riverside, Julia finds Henry. With a heart heavy with regret, she attempts to apologize for the web of deceit she's spun. Henry, with a gaze full of understanding, reassures her that there's no need for forgiveness; their bond runs deeper than any deception. Yet, with William now in the care of the wet nurse, they hatch a plan. They agree to rendezvous at Leathers, the designated haven for their flight to safety. Unbeknownst to them, Seema, eavesdropping on their whispered plans, is left shattered, her heart breaking into a million pieces.
As the hunt concludes, the Earl, a figure of authority and ambition, steps forward, seeking the men's allegiance to his cause. The call resonates, and many rally to his side, including Malcolm Sr., who pledges the Grants' unwavering support to the Jacobite cause. Later, in a moment of candidness, he explains his bold move as a demonstration of their clan's decisiveness and strength. However, Malcolm, his nephew and the rightful Laird, is far from pleased. He sternly reminds his uncle of his place, asserting his authority as the leader of their clan.
In an ominous twist of fate, a piece of the Scottish flag tears away, fluttering to the ground. The clansmen, witnessing this, interpret it as a dire omen, a sign of the turbulent times ahead.
