We knew that Henry and Ned would end up forming some sort of bond in Outlander: Blood of My Blood. That’s become a bromance that is worth watching the series for.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS for Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1, episode 5.
Ned Gowan has always been one of those men with a world of experience in life. Yet, he only shares that experience when necessary. It’s something that he and Claire were able to connect over in Outlander, even if they did have different opinions. Now it’s time for Ned to connect to another Beauchamp, Henry.
Ned opens up to Henry in a way he hasn’t with others in Outlander: Blood of My Blood
We don’t know too much about Ned Gowan in Outlander. We learn that he has been the lawyer for Clan MacKenzie for decades by that point, working with Red Jacob before Colum and Dougal. Now in Outlander: Blood of My Blood, we see other layers to him.
This is a man with a heart. As he learns that Henry is searching for someone, he wants to help. He knows what it’s like to lose a love, and he wants to offer Henry a chance to find Julia. However, he’s never really shared exactly why he wanted to help Henry. Not until Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1, episode 5.
During the latest episode, Henry and Ned had a quiet moment, as Ned shared his fears that Henry’s search for Julia will kill him. As Henry asks if Ned has ever been in love, we get information that nobody else has heard. Yes, he loved someone in Edinburgh, and no, he’s never loved anyone since. There’s a weight to the story, making it clear that some people really only do have one true love.
We need to see more of these types of relationships. Make it clear that men can open up about the emotional aspects of their life.
Ned may put more effort into the search for Julia in the Outlander prequel
I do wonder if this discussion will lead to Ned helping Henry a little more. The end of the conversation makes it clear to Ned that Henry isn’t going to stop. And maybe, Ned doesn’t want Henry to end up like him. In a way, Ned is a lonely man. He doesn’t have the woman of his dreams, and he never will.
This bromance offers a little hope for Julia and Henry. Eventually, there’s a chance that Ned will need to go to Castle Leathers to see Simon Fraser, especially now that Ellen and Brian are handfasted. He’s got to find out, of course, but there’s only a matter of time before Simon’s story combines with the stories of Clan MacKenzie.
As soon as Ned hears the name Julia, he will know that she’s connected to Henry. The question is whether he’ll let Henry know, especially with the story that Julia is pregnant with Simon’s child.
Outlander: Blood of My Blood airs on Fridays on STARZ.