Review: 'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' Season 2, Episode 2 Explores Time Travel and Family Ties

A Glimpse of the Past and Future

The second episode of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood," titled "Veil of Time," opens with a scene featuring the original time traveler, Claire, in 1924. Her Uncle Lamb expresses concern that his search for Julia and Henry Beauchamp is affecting Claire, leading him to decide to take her to the Middle East. However, he misses a crucial newspaper article detailing Henry's confinement in an Inverness asylum. Meanwhile, Henry, portrayed by Jeremy Irvine, finds clarity in the asylum as he recalls his time-travel experiences with Mrs. Graham. She offers him information about the Craigh na Dun stones, advising him on the conditions for time travel, including the thinning veil during Samhain, the need for a blood sacrifice, a gemstone, or a ritualistic dance.

Family and Rebellion in the Past

In the past, Ellen, played by Harriet Slater, is held in Castle Leoch's chapel. She confronts Colum about his order to kill Brian. Dougal intervenes, but Colum and Ned Gowan de-escalate the situation. Ellen reveals her intention to protect their home from seizure by the British Crown following the Jacobite rebellion, proposing that Castle Leoch be placed in her name as an unmarried woman without a treasonous claim. Colum eventually agrees, with the condition that she does not marry during the war.

Lord Lovat, portrayed by Tony Curran, struggles to recruit a Jacobite army, his reputation tarnished by his past actions. Brian steps in with a rousing speech, securing the men's allegiance. Impressed, Lord Lovat leaves Brian and Murtagh to continue recruitment, while he returns to Castle Leathers. At Castle Leathers, Julia has summoned the seer Maisri, seeking protection for her and baby William. Julia questions Maisri about the stones, but the seer implies Julia does not possess the gift of time travel. Maisri then delivers a prophecy about two heirs, one bearing a brighter crown, and foretells that if a specific heir stands as the last of his line, he will one day be king, leaving the identity of this heir ambiguous.

Maisri also provides Julia with a ward for William's protection on Samhain and hints that baby William might be the time traveler, suggesting Julia could only travel when pregnant with him. She also indicates that Uncle Lamb, not Henry, is the "father's heart" watching over Claire.

Escape and Intrigue

As Samhain arrives in 1924, Mrs. Graham aids Henry's escape from the asylum, providing him with a costume and a gemstone. He is destined to return to 1715. Julia grapples with the possibility of never returning to her time, fearing Claire will not be reunited with her father. Lord Lovat introduces Seema, a former sex worker now acting as a spy for Arch Bug, tasked with gathering information about Henry. This development raises questions about whether Henry should remain in the 20th century.

Samhain Feast and Shifting Alliances

Brian and Murtagh attend a Samhain feast at Leoch, where Colum's wife, Letitia, announces her pregnancy. The Frasers engage in a skirmish with MacKenzie clansmen. Brian offers Dougal 100 men to fight for the Jacobites, indicating he will fight alongside his brother-in-law.

Murtagh receives care from Grace, a servant to Jocasta, who displays jealousy over Murtagh's interaction with Grace, recalling a past kiss between them. Meanwhile, Ellen and Brian share a private moment, with Ellen explaining they cannot marry until the Jacobite uprising concludes. She performs a ritual with chestnuts to divine the future of their union, signaling their impending separation due to the war.