We’re back! In Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7 ‘Luceo Non Uro,’ the brotherhood between Brian and Murtagh is definitively shattered, while Ellen and Brian are discovered. Also Julia, Davina, and Brian bond more than ever. Ready?
Here we go!
A Brother’s Betrayal in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7 ‘Luceo Non Uro’
The schism that opened between Brian and Murtagh in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7 ‘Luceo Non Uro’ broke our hearts. But we knew it was coming. As we discussed, what hurts Murtagh the most, and why he feels betrayed, is that Brian didn’t confess what happened between him and Ellen.
Finding out that they had fallen in love would have been painful because she is the woman he loves and Brian is like a brother to him, but he would have understood. It would have broken him into a thousand pieces, but he would have understood that it wasn’t their fault they fell in love; they didn’t choose it. They didn’t choose to hurt him. Murtagh would have helped them be happy even though it hurt.
But this is different. Brian chose to hide it from him. He chose to lie to him. He chose to betray him. To Murtagh, his brother. And that’s something that tears Murtagh apart from the inside out, much more than knowing that Brian and Ellen love each other. Brian is family. He and Murtagh have lived thousands of adventures together and have always had each other’s backs. Murtagh would have expected betrayal from anyone… except him. And he can’t bear it. He can’t bear to look at him, or be near him.
That’s why, when Murtagh had to choose between going with Dougal or riding the same horse as Brian, he chose Dougal in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7 ‘Luceo Non Uro.’ Before, Murtagh would have gone with Brian without hesitation and would have even chased Dougal together to prevent him from taking Ellen like that. But now everything has changed. Even though Murtagh would never betray Brian—it would have been really easy for him to rat Brian out to the Mackenzies or the Grants, even Lord Lovat—he wants nothing more to do with him. It’s too painful for Murtagh.
And we love Brian. But Murtagh is absolutely right about this. Mind you, we can’t wait to see how their relationship mends itself because right now that seems so far away, everything is so broken, but we know it’s happening. This is the same Murtagh who swore to Ellen that he would take care of her son and kept that promise until his last breath. So we need to see these two together again, NOW.
MORE: Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1, Episode 6 Review: ‘Birthright’
The Apple Does Fall Far from the Tree
Despite all this, his broken relationship with Murtagh isn’t the only blow Brian has to deal in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7 ‘Luceo Non Uro.’ He unwittingly indirectly aided his father in his plans against Ellen and her family. This makes him feel horrible and very guilty because Brian loves Ellen madly, and knowing that he participated in some way, however unintentionally, in something that will hurt her and her family eats at him inside. And his father’s reaction makes him want to throw up.
Despite knowing he’s a despicable man, Brian has always secretly wished that his father would tell him how proud he is of him and look at him with respect, as if he were worthy of being his firstborn, his successor, as if he truly loved him. That never happened.
On the contrary, Brian had to endure his father belittling him at every opportunity, making it clear that he considered him weak and unworthy of being his son. And the first time he looks at him with pride, the first time Lord Lovat shows anything but contempt for him, it’s because he thinks he’s done something despicable. And Brian hates it.
MORE: Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1, Episode 5 Review: ‘Needfire’
Mackenzie-Style Rivalry
Speaking of Ellen, we need to analyze the twisted relationship her brothers have with her. Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7 ‘Luceo Non Uro,’ once again highlighted the envy and resentment they feel toward her. When they should be more united to alleviate the clan’s weakness, each pulls in different directions.
And it seems that both Dougal and Colum enjoy reminding Ellen that she’s little more than a puppet in their hands, a piece in their power games. Almost as if they’re making her pay for having been their father’s favorite. It’s as if they want to see her fall, especially Dougal. While Colum is aware that they have to appear united on the outside and that he can’t let Ellen fall, no matter how much he sometimes wants to, Dougal is less pragmatic.
He couldn’t stand Ellen forcing him to keep quiet to avoid mutual destruction, and now he’s enjoying the fact that Ellen is in trouble. Dougal is rubbing his hands together expectantly. What Dougal doesn’t understand is that if one falls, they all fall. And that’s exactly what Ellen was trying to explain to him at the meeting.
Colum does understand that, but he doesn’t support her either. He’s just using her; they both do. That’s why they don’t get offended or refuse to humiliate their sister like that, by putting her through that test. Keeping the Grants happy is more important than Ellen. Anything is more important than her. And that’s sad, especially considering the close relationship Ellen and Colum had when Red Jacob was still alive.
MORE: Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1, Episode 4 Review: ‘A Soldier’s Heart’
Unexpected Journeys
On another note, in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7 ‘Luceo Non Uro,’ Henry begins to react to the supposed death of Julia and his son. Now, the only person he has left is Claire, and he must return to her. That’s why he makes preparations to leave… and says goodbye to Seema.
Just as we discussed last week, Seema has feelings for him. Something serious. Something halfway between love, gratitude, and understanding. Henry reminded her that she isn)’t an object made to be used at the pleasure of others, but that she has value, and she deserved to be happy. Henry gave her hope, which is why he breaks her heart.
And that’s why she wants to go with him, willing to pretend to be someone else, hoping that in the future she won’t have to and she will be enough. Seema clings to Henry like a lifeline. Without him, she wouldn’t have the courage to move on. She needs someone to remind her that she isn’t an object in order to believe it.
But for Henry, Seema will never be enough because he doesn’t love her. Although he genuinely cares for her. Seema helped him when no one else would; she listened and understood him. And she never asked for anything in return, not even an explanation.
That’s why, in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7 ‘Luceo Non Uro,’ Henry gives her enough money to start a new life. She deserves much more than rotting in that dump. She deserves hope. The question is, will Seema accept it knowing that Henry won’t be by her side?
MORE: Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1, Episode 3 Review: ‘School of the Moon
Other Stuff in Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 1 Episode 7 ‘Luceo Non Uro’
- Lord Lovat is disgusting and despicable, but there’s no denying he’s intelligent. Both in the way he manipulated the situation with the reverend and in holding out until the last moment to choose sides in the uprising.
- And because he has no scruples, he doesn’t have a conscience to worry about. Terrifying, in the worst sense of the word.
- But for the smart ones, Julia and Davina. They left that pig with no chance of attacking them. And we love them. In fact, I think we’re starting to forgive Davina. A little.
- What will Ellen do now? Mrs. Fitzgibbons helped her hide the secret of the handfast, but will she be willing to help her pass that test?
- Henry and Ned’s friendship is EVERYTHING. But the most special to us is Julia and Brian’s. He baptized the baby and melted our hearts.
- Malcolm is a good man…but too innocent for his own good. Ellen handles him with her pinky finger.
- Julia recognized Henry’s handwriting! Now she knows which Clan he’s with. What will she do to find him?
- Oh, Ellen is certainly just like her father. She always has a plan inside of another plan.
- We already know Claire’s brother’s name! To the world, he’s Simon Fraser, even though his real name is William Henry. And that has our heads spinning.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs on Fridays on STARZ.
