During the second episode of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, we’re thrown straight into Henry’s time during World War I. This kickstarts a romance he likely never expected.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS for Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1, episode 2.
The episode opens with a look at how Henry and Julia met. It’s only later on that we pick back up with the story in the 1700s, where the two are separated by clans that aren’t too far apart. They are forced to navigate the past, while trying to find each other.
It’s time to take a look at the best moments of the episode. This is shaping up to be an exciting series.
Getting a real look at World War I
It’s easy for a show to gloss over some of the horrors of World War I. Downton Abbey was set during this time period, but never really touched on what the men would have to go through in Trench Warfare. We get to see that in the opening moments of Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1, episode 2, and it’s heartbreaking and scary to watch.
Seeing Henry start writing to just anyone about what he’s witnessing is important. He has no idea how long he has left, and he just has to hope that he can get the word out to someone.
Seeing the work of the women in World War I in Outlander: Blood of My Blood
After that, we go back to London, where Julia is working in the mailroom. We see the work of the women, as they go through the letters and start redacting pieces of information. The idea of the families getting these letters with elements redacting is bittersweet.
However, Julia ends up breaking some rules by taking Henry’s letter. It sets them up for a romance, and it gives us a real look at what life was like for people back home, especially those who had an idea of the horrors of the Western Front.
Watching Henry and Julia attempt to fit in
After going through the stones, Julia and Henry are separated in Outlander: Blood of My Blood. Julia is taken and sold to Simon Fraser, while Henry manages to get to a tavern and is taken in by the Grants. We get to see who the two tackle the time period that they have found themselves in.
At first, they don’t know they’ve time traveled, which makes sense. They never meant to do that. As they realize what’s happened, they take it on as another hurdle to get through. Getting home is, of course, a focus for Julia, but that’s because she doesn’t know Henry followed her. For Henry, it’s all about getting to Julia, and that means being careful.
Henry getting his job with the Grants in Outlander: Blood of My Blood
Henry is an observant man, and he’s able to help the Grants without even knowing who they are or necessarily meaning to. He just knows that someone isn’t doing their job properly.
Of course, Henry doesn’t necessarily want to end up with a job with the Grants. He just knows that he needs to if he wants to get to Julia and stay alive. The best part about this, though, is that Ned Gowan likely thinks that he’s manipulated his way into the Grants’ household, but he really hasn’t!
Brian standing up for Julia
Finally, it’s back to Castle Leathers. Julia attempts to escape the castle to get back to the stones, but she’s captured, and she will need ot face the consequences of that. She fears the pain, but she doesn’t exactly fight against it all.
However, Brian can’t stand to see something happen to her. He takes her punishment for her, showing us that he is very much like his son–or more like, his son is very much like him. He knows that Julia shouldn’t be here, and keeping her here is wrong, but there’s only so much he can do. He’ll help where he can.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs on Fridays on STARZ.
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