At the Gathering, Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie meet for the first time and are struck by their strong connection.
Providence opens a Castle Leoch immediately after the death of “Red” Jacob MacKenzie. Woman of the clan are washing his body before his eventual burial. And we meet Ellen, the oldest of his children, who sits by her father’s body weeping.
Through flashbacks, we realize Ellen is smart and had the confidence of her father who loved her dearly and treated her as an equal. We watch Ellen being readied for her father’s funeral by non-other than Glenna FitzGibbons (well a younger version), who secures Ellen’s plaid with a MacKenzie pin her father gave her (normally reserved for a man).
The all gather for the funeral, walking behind Jacob’s body as they make the trek to his final resting place though if Ellen has a say she’d burn him with his sword.
Colum and Dougal MacKenzie, Ellen’s brothers, are now vying for the position of Laird. Colum is smart and cunning, but Dougal is physically capable and strong. Separate neither would make a great Laird. The two take the opportunity of the post funeral Gathering to plead their case for the Lairdship but there are other clan member campaigning for the position which would leave “Red” Jacob’s family in peril.
Ned Gowan tries to be a voice of reason for the brother, including Ellen in on things but neither brother is keen on taking their father’s advisor’s words to heart.
We are then taken to Castle Leathers where we meet Murtagh FitzGibbons Fraser and Brian Fraser. The too seem to be the best of friends, like brothers, working together on the castle’s grounds. Murtagh is keen to go to the Gathering (he’s got it bad for a girl there—Ellen—but hasn’t told Brian who he pines after—not sure Murtagh realizes Brian and Ellen are destined to be Jamie’s parents).
The pair have dinner with Brian’s father, Simon, who frankly is the biggest ass you’ll meet. Simon is happy about Jacob’s death. Simon wants Murtagh to go spying and take Brian along with him. Brian is resistant but Simon threatens to whip him for daring to challenge him. But then a servant enters with Lord Lovat’s supper, and we realize (admittedly I didn’t realize until the second episode) that Julia (Claire’s mother, and a time-traveler) is said servant. Simon takes a shine to her (he’s so gross). But Mistress Porter quickly hustles her out of the room and reminds Julia to not linger in the Laird’s presence as he has a taste for rape (though he thinks he’s entitled and she doesn’t call it that).
Note: Mistress Porter’s name is Davina Porter named after the incomparable audiobook narrator of the same name who has done all the Outlander books in the past. I love this Easter Egg because Davina Porter is probably one of the best narrators I’ve listened to. Her Jamie voice is always how I’ve heard Jamie in my head.
The Gathering is well under way when Murtagh and Brian arrive. We get to see food, feats and Shinty. Dougal is just the same when it comes to how he plays now and in the future (Outlander Season One episode The Gathering).
Brian draws the attention of some clansmen who aren’t very pleased with him and he hides out in the paddock where he stumbles upon Ellen who is also hiding out from suitors. Brian’s suitor’s aren’t after wooing and when the two come face to face it is like a thunderclap. The two clearly have instant affection for each other. Before Brian runs off he asks, “I ken this may be forward, but will you meet me in a more suitable place?” And Ellen agrees. The two plan to meet at the bridge on the edge of the property.
Meanwhile, the Grants have arrived to pay their respects but Malcolm Grant—the Laird’s son—is clearly there to try to win the hand of Ellen. We meet his father’s bladier who again I didn’t recognize as Henry Beauchamp (Claire’s father).
What is a bladier? A bladier is an advisor. Henry ended up with the role because he was observant of the paperwork and offered Malcolm his advice. This is the type of man the Grants need, especially when they know they can keep him in line with threats of danger with him being English. He would be in charge of collecting rents which we see Ned Gowan do in the episode Rent. Ned was Jacob MacKenzie’s bladier and then Colum’s.
As the boar hunt begins, Ellen tries to slip away only to be met with Malcolm, who she feigns illness to. Not being detoured, Malcolm offers to accompany her back to the castle. Malcolm is sad when Ellen heads inside looking at a small heart token he’s brought for her. But Ellen’s illness is a ruse to slip away and meet Brian and Malcolm just so happens to see her as she makes her escape from Leoch.
At the bridge, Ellen wishes the bridge to be there chaperone with her on the MacKenzie side and Brian on the other. Finally, Brian asks for her name and figures out their two families are sworn enemies. But the two can’t seem to stay away from each other meeting in the middle of the bridge. They hold hands discussing how her brothers and his father won’t want them together, but it doesn’t really seem to be what is on their respective minds.
Back at Leoch, we see Murtagh with the boar tusks (he killed it). Jocasta Cameron approaches and Murtagh flirts with her. (We see you two.)
A worried Mrs. Fitz informs Colum and Dougal Ellen is missing and that she was last seen with Malcolm Grant. Dougal’s hothead leads him to conclude Malcolm has kidnapped Ellen and rushes after the Grant party catching them up on the road where he knocks Malcolm off his horse and proceeds to beat him.
Henry is in the fight and holds a blade to one MacKenzie to stop Dougal’s attack. Henry mocks Dougal pointing out Elle isn’t among them.
Back at Leoch, Ellen returns but refuses to say where she’s been despite her brother’s threats. She returns to her room where to remembers talking to her father about the succession. “Ye ken your brothers and how to influence them.” Jacob tells Ellen she’s more of him in her than both of her brothers together saying lastly, “If only you had a c—k.” Ah gross.
Ned figures out Colum riled up Dougal when Ellen disappeared so he would be seen as a hothead; hoping that would win him the Lairdship. His way to smooth things over with the Grants; give Ellen to Malcolm. Also gross. Ned reminds Colum that his father promised Ellen wouldn’t have to marry but Colum’s parting statement is, “My father is dead, and so is his word.” You know, I never liked Colum.
We travel to the 20th century where we find Lovat’s maid and Grant’s bladier going at it under a tree. This is where we learn they are Henry and Julia Beauchamp away on holiday in Scotland without their daughter Claire.
On their way back, they discuss Claire being with Henry’s brother Lambert (Uncle Lamb) and are worrying over when they tell Claire mommy is pregnant.
Henry is distracted by their discussion when a stag steps into the road. The car careens off the road, hitting a rock and dumping them into the nearby river. The two are washed down river where they do manage to save themselves and get ashore. The two are walking (back or to the car I’m unsure) when they stop for Henry to get a rock out of his show. Julie goes up the hill to get their bearings and we hear her scream. Henry rushes to find her but instead steps into the standing stones of Craig na Dun where he hears buzzing, like bees only much louder. Julia is nowhere in sight.
Some additional thoughts on this episode:
I didn’t realize I was seeing Julia and Henry, Claire’s parents, until I watched the second episode which means I’m very grateful Starz dropped two episodes on the premiere night.
I loved beyond reason seeing younger versions of our Outlander characters including a young Rupert and Angus.
It is uncanny how these new actors exude the characteristics of the past characters. Sam Retford and Seamus McLean Ross as Dougal and Colum were fantastic and reminded me so much of their older counterparts. Conor MacNeil as Ned Gowan felt just like his older counterpart though a big less world weary.
Jamie Roy! First, his name. They call Jamie Fraser that in the books. So yeah perfect. But as I watched him, I could feel Jamie like an echo of Brian. It was quite amazing. And Harriet Slater as Ellen was just wow. You saw all that fire that we see in Jamie and Brianna. And you realize where they get all that confidence.
But honestly, I think the one that floored me was Sadhbh Malin as Jocasta. Holy cow she reminds me of Maria Kennedy Doyle. The moment she came up on screen I knew who she was.
I love all the little Easter Eggs. What did you see?
