The penultimate episode of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, titled “Braemar,” puts its characters through an emotional wringer, culminating in a life-or-death cliffhanger for one of its main heroes. At the Earl of Mar’s grand tynchal, a ceremonial hunt that brings all the clans together, love is sacrificed, alliances are tested, and arrows start to fly. The episode ends with a shocking attack that leaves Brian Fraser’s fate hanging in the balance.
The Heartbreaking Sacrifice
To protect Brian Fraser from her brother’s wrath, Ellen MacKenzie makes the painful decision to end their relationship. After Colum MacKenzie discovers their secret affair, he threatens to have Brian killed. Ellen confronts her brother, and they strike a deal: she will cut all ties with Brian if Colum vows not to harm him “from this moment onwards” .
The breakup scene is brutal. Ellen meets Brian and, to make her decision convincing, tells him he is a penniless bastard and that she does not love him. Actor Jamie Roy, who plays Brian, described the scene as “so brutal,” noting that Ellen was “really full on” and didn’t give Brian a chance to argue . Harriet Slater, who portrays Ellen, explained the character’s motivation: “She had to break his heart in order to save him” . This sacrifice is reinforced by a conversation with Julia, who speaks about the painful choices made to protect loved ones .
A Father’s Rejection and a Mysterious Attack
Brian’s terrible day gets worse when his father, Lord Lovat, humiliated by Malcolm Grant’s uncle in front of the other clan chieftains, takes out his fury on his son. He beats Brian, blames him for failing to ruin Ellen, and finally disowns him, declaring that Murtagh will take his place in the hunt and that Brian is “no son of mine” .
Dejected and heartbroken, Brian is sent to act as a beater during the tynchal, tasked with flushing out the game. While alone in the woods, he is suddenly targeted by a group of hired assassins known as the Gallowglass, who shoot arrows at him .
The Last-Minute Rescue
Just as Brian’s life is in immediate danger, his cousin Murtagh appears to save him. This is a significant moment, as the two friends have been estranged since Murtagh felt betrayed by Brian’s relationship with Ellen. Murtagh tackles Brian to the ground, hiding them from the assassins. He tells his cousin, “If anyone’s gonna kill ye, it’s gonna be me” .
The episode ends with Brian and Murtagh escaping on their horses, fleeing the Gallowglass and the events at Braemar together . Therefore, Brian Fraser does not die in Episode 9. His life is saved by the unexpected return of his best friend.
Who Wants Brian Dead?
The identity of who hired the Gallowglass remains the central mystery. While Colum MacKenzie is a prime suspect, he gave Ellen his word not to harm Brian “from this moment onwards,” leading to speculation that he may have hired the assassins before making the promise . Other potential culprits include the Grants, who would want Brian out of the way to secure Ellen’s marriage to Malcolm, or even Lord Lovat himself, who has just violently disowned his son .
Other Key Developments at Braemar
The episode also advanced other storylines. Henry and Julia were reunited, allowing Henry to meet his newborn son, William. After a moment of confusion over Julia’s marriage to Lovat, Henry forgives her, understanding she did it to protect their child. With Ned Gowan’s help, they begin to plan their escape from the Grants and Lovat . Their plan is jeopardized when Seema, the sex worker Henry slept with in a previous episode, overhears their conversation .
Politically, the clans at Braemar vote to support the Jacobite rebellion after a rousing speech from Rob Roy MacGregor. In a foreboding moment, the finial falls off the top of the newly raised Stuart flag, seen as a bad omen for the rebellion’s future .
Also Read: 11 Best Characters from ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’
