‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ lacks the drama and tension of its predecessor

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Have I ever encountered a love story as authentic, untamed, and downright legendary as the one shared between Claire Beauchamp (played by Caitríona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (portrayed by Sam Heughan) in “Outlander”?

Through a stone circle (and the vivid imagination of Diana Gabaldon, author of the books that inspired it) and despite the hardships of war, torture, rape, shipwrecks, and countless dangers faced individually and together across four continents, the intense love between a British time-traveling former WWII nurse and a young Scottish Highlander has endured.

It’s no wonder that, with “Outlander” approaching its eighth and concluding season, there’s curiosity about the factors that have fueled this enduring love story. Given that it’s been Starz’s flagship series for over ten years, such interest is certainly expected.

The TV series “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” is intended to portray the romantic relationships and marriages of Jamie’s parents, Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) and Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater), as well as Claire’s partners, Julia (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine).

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Following her time in quarantine, Irish actress Caitríona Balfe has been showered with praise for her role in Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” and encountered fresh obstacles on the set of “Outlander.

As a movie reviewer, I must commend casting directors Simone Pereira Hind and Suzanne Smith for their exceptional work in finding Roy and Corfield – two remarkable actors whose striking resemblance to their on-screen offspring adds an authentic touch to the film. Kudos to these talent scouts for bringing such finesse to the project!

In “Blood of My Blood,” there’s much to appreciate, particularly its setting in the 18th century Scottish Highlands, rich with tartans, castles, and rugged hills. The series brings back Castle Leoch, now home to Mrs. Fitz (played by Sally Messham) and Ned Gowan (Conor MacNeill), who bring a sense of tranquility after the passing of Jamie’s grandfather, “Red Jacob” MacKenzie (Peter Mullan). Their presence helps fill the leadership void left by his death.

Ellen, a lively and cherished daughter, was not eligible to become a lord due to her gender. Instead, it’s her brothers, Colum (Seamus McLean Ross) and Dougal (Sam Retford), who find themselves embroiled in rivalry, seeking power, and arranging strategic marriages for Ellen. Tragically for them, Ellen catches the eye of Brian Fraser, a bastard son sworn as an enemy to Simon Fraser (Tony Curran), during a clan gathering. Whether this encounter will write their shared future remains to be seen.

Ellen, a loved daughter but not allowed to become a lord, has brothers who fight and plot, while trying to marry her off. However, she meets Brian Fraser, an enemy’s bastard son, at a gathering, which could change everything.

Claire’s parents may not have been torn apart by feuding clans, but they share a romantic tale just as compelling. During World War I, Henry, a soldier traumatized by the war’s horrors, penned a letter denouncing its cruelty from the trenches. Coincidentally, Julia, working as a censor, read this letter and was moved to respond. Their shared perspective sparked a connection, leading to love, marriage, and the birth of Claire (who happened to be visiting her archaeologist uncle when the couple were traveling through the Highlands). Thus, another tale unfolds of love born from improbable attraction, fortified by hardships such as Henry’s PTSD, and fraught with perils including harrowing separations.

Surprise! Contrary to what we were led to believe in “Outlander,” Claire’s parents did not perish in a car accident. Instead, on a trip reminiscent of the one she took with her former husband Frank (played by Tobias Menzies), Julia and Henry get into an accident, but fortunately they emerge unscathed. While searching for their way back to their inn, they stumble upon none other than Craigh na Dun – the very same mysterious stone circle that Claire encountered in the past!

And those darn stones are at it again, claiming first Julia and then Henry.

In a playful yet thought-provoking manner, one could rephrase the statement as:

It’s quite amusing and ironic to think about, but isn’t it fascinating that being part of the “Outlander” universe wouldn’t feel complete without some element of time travel? And the idea that Claire and Jamie’s immediate deep bond could have origins beyond just hormones adds a touch of mystery.

By the sixth and seventh seasons of “Outlander”, so many individuals had traveled and re-traveled through those stones (and their counterparts worldwide) that Craigh na Dun seemed less enchanting as a mystical gateway and more like a bustling subway station, with the next stop being 1714.

Due to them not being together, Julia and Henry end up in the same time period but under drastically different situations. Julia is swiftly taken by a tenant family who then give her to Simon as a means of settling a debt, with no one – including Brian Fraser and his mother Davina (Sara Vickers) – protesting this action. Even though Julia has an unusual British accent, peculiar attire, and claims she’s already married, these facts do not raise any concerns or questions from those around her.

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Henry, in the process, manages to win over clan leader Isaac Grant (Brian McCardie), such that he is appointed as his attorney; his responsibilities later expand to include organizing the marriage of Grant’s son Malcolm (Jhon Lumsden) with Ellen.

It’s clear where this story is heading – while Henry and Julia face their own challenges in finding one another, they both unwittingly contribute to the union of Jamie’s parents.

People who have watched “Outlander” are familiar with the development and essential aspects of Ellen and Brian’s illicit romance, as well as who will ascend to lead the clan. Luckily, Slater portrays Ellen as a captivating protagonist, while Roy brings an endearing charm to Brian. Encountering earlier iterations of popular characters such as Murtagh (Rory Alexander) and Ellen’s sister Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin) is delightful.

Perhaps it might be more naturally expressed as follows: It’s wishful thinking that Ellen may one day recognize in Julia a reflection of their shared predicament under male control, and offer her assistance. However, since this is a series rather than a movie, we must patiently anticipate how their stories unfold.

The narrative structure of juggling two primary love stories across various time periods (Red Jacob frequently reappears in flashbacks) showcases an impressively ambitious approach. However, it’s somewhat peculiar that in the six preview episodes, the Beauchamp family, whose tale is more enigmatic (“Blood of My Blood” is not derived from Gabaldon’s books), seems to receive less dramatic emphasis. In these episodes, Ellen emerges as the strong-willed, headstrong protagonist, while Julia is relegated to a gentler, more compliant role. In letters that we can only hope Claire uncovers in the final season of “Outlander,” Julia expresses her emotional turmoil and bewilderment, but this narrative technique falls short compared to actually portraying these feelings on screen. Henry, played by Irvine, delivers a subtle, moving performance as a war-traumatized man, but his pursuit of Julia lacks both innovation and impact.

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It’s more significant to note that neither she nor Henry seem to be utilizing their supposed ability as time travelers effectively. Neither of them shows any interest in investigating the standing stones further or finding a means to return to their original timeline. Julia doesn’t realize that Henry might still be stuck in the 20th century, and they both fail to position themselves strategically in history that could potentially help their situation, considering a major Jacobite rebellion is imminent.

And that is the show’s biggest failing.

Instead of “Outlander’s” precursor, “Blood of My Blood” presents two passionate romances and numerous intriguing subplots, yet it fails to replicate the complex layers of tension that characterized its forerunner, a situation not due to any shortcomings on the part of its talented cast.

Outlander” is not just a love story; it’s a tale that delves into the complexities and consequences of time travel. The deep bond between Claire and Jamie forms the core, but the narrative also explores the challenges and potential duties of navigating different eras. Early episodes explore Claire’s struggle to adapt and manage her unexpected time-travel predicament, offering viewers a glimpse into what it might truly feel like to be transported 200 years back in time. Throughout these initial episodes, Claire grapples with the brutal realities of her time, particularly the oppressive figure of Captain Jack Randall, who symbolizes the dark aspects of her nation’s past. For two seasons, she attempts to alter history, specifically working towards thwarting a British victory at Culloden.

In an effort to address criticisms like the “rape glut” against “Outlander,” the villains in the series seem less menacing. For instance, Simon Fraser is lewd and malicious, yet he doesn’t compare to the terrifying Black Jack Randall. The Jacobites are indeed present, but the main political intrigue revolves around internal clan rivalries. Instead of the usual power struggles, we see Henry working towards a more compassionate tax system for the peasants, Julia strategizing to protect her pregnancy, and Ellen and Brian taking significant risks for love.

Gratefully, we’ve returned to Scotland, where a significant uprising seems imminent. Given the precedent set by “Outlander,” it appears another time-traveler might make an appearance shortly.

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2025-08-08 13:32