The Outlander television series delivered one of its most heartbreaking moments with the death of Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, a character whose journey ended differently and much later than in the original books. As Jamie Fraser’s godfather and fierce protector, Murtagh’s final act was one of loyalty and sacrifice, leaving a permanent mark on the show’s central characters. His death in Season 5, Episode 7, titled “The Ballad of Roger Mac,” was a pivotal turning point in the story, reshaping Jamie’s destiny and the course of the emerging American rebellion.
How Murtagh Died: A Sacrifice to Save Jamie
Murtagh’s death occurred during the Battle of Alamance in May 1771. The battle was the climax of the conflict between the Regulators, a rebel group Murtagh led, and the British forces commanded by Governor William Tryon.
During the chaotic fighting, Jamie Fraser found himself in immediate danger when one of Murtagh’s own Regulators, a man named Lee Withers, aimed a gun at him. Seeing his godson threatened, Murtagh acted instantly. He attacked the man to save Jamie. At that very moment, a young, eager soldier in Jamie’s militia saw Murtagh holding a weapon and moving toward his commander. Misunderstanding the situation and wanting to prove his loyalty, the militiaman shot Murtagh.
The scene was tragic and abrupt. As Murtagh fell, a smiling Jamie turned to see his godfather struck down. Jamie rushed to catch him, easing him to the ground at the base of a tree. It was there, in the forest, that Murtagh said his final words to the man he had sworn to protect since infancy.
Murtagh’s last words to Jamie were, “Dinna be afraid… It doesn’t hurt a bit to die.” He also reassured Jamie of his lifelong loyalty, saying, “I’d never betray your mother, no matter who asked,” a final nod to the oath he had sworn to Ellen MacKenzie on her deathbed.
A devastated Jamie, unable to accept the loss, later carried Murtagh’s body back to the medical tent, desperately begging Claire to save him. But it was too late; Murtagh was already gone.
Why Murtagh’s Death Was a Major Change from the Books
For viewers who have not read the books, it might be surprising to learn that Murtagh’s story in the TV series was dramatically extended. In Diana Gabaldon’s original novels, Murtagh’s fate is sealed much earlier.
In the second book, Dragonfly in Amber, Murtagh is killed during the Battle of Culloden in 1746. His death in the book is just as sudden, but his body is never found, denying Jamie any chance to say a proper goodbye. This earlier death underscores the chaos and hopelessness of the Jacobite defeat.
The decision to keep Murtagh alive in the show for three more seasons allowed his character to be developed in much greater depth. Actor Duncan Lacroix portrayed a Murtagh who was not only a warrior but also a leader and a romantic partner to Jocasta Cameron. This expansion provided richer storylines and made his eventual death in Season 5 even more impactful for the audience.
The show’s writers created a new, powerful conflict by having Jamie and Murtagh end up on opposite sides of the Regulator movement. Jamie, bound by an oath to Governor Tryon, was forced to hunt the Regulators, while Murtagh was their leader. This set the stage for their tragic reunion on the battlefield.
The Impact of Murtagh’s Death on Jamie Fraser
Murtagh’s death was far more than a personal tragedy for Jamie; it was a catalyst that changed his political allegiance forever. Jamie was left shattered, burdened by guilt and the loss of a man who was a father figure, a mentor, and a living connection to his parents and his Scottish past.
Sam Heughan, the actor who plays Jamie, noted that losing Murtagh was “like losing a part of his past, his connection to Scotland.”
More importantly, the event became a turning point for Jamie’s role in American history. As author Diana Gabaldon explained, Murtagh’s death is “the turning point for Jamie; the place where he definitively severs his connection (however unwilling) with the Crown and becomes in his own soul a Rebel.” The personal loss he suffered at the hands of the British military machine solidified his commitment to the cause of American independence.
Behind the Scenes of an Emotional Farewell
Filming Murtagh’s death was an emotional experience for the cast. Duncan Lacroix, who played Murtagh, shared that he felt a wave of unexpected emotion during the shoot, particularly when Caitriona Balfe, as Claire, took his hand and mourned him.
“I was fine lying there, doing my thing, but believe it or not, it was when Caitriona took my hand and started adjusting my jacket and said something like, ‘Oh, Murtagh, my friend.’ That got me as well,” Lacroix recalled.
He also described the finality of shooting his last scene, which was Murtagh lying dead on the table in Claire’s tent. In a fitting but challenging detail, the production used strawberry jam to simulate the blood from his gunshot wound, which attracted wasps during the outdoor filming.
Lacroix felt his character’s end was fitting, noting that Murtagh’s “tragic flaw” is his “allegiance to justice and family” and that his death serves the larger story by giving Jamie the determination to join the Revolutionary War.
Also Read: Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Finale: Release Date and What to Expect
