In a turn of events that we did not see coming, Outlander: Blood of My Blood has just changed the universe’s canon. It’s not the first time that something has changed, but this one is much more significant than any other change before.
Caution: This post contains MAJOR SPOILERS from the Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1 finale.
There have been plenty of small changes in Outlander: Blood of My Blood from what we know of Ellen and Brian’s story. Many of these have been easily explained by having unreliable narrators in Outlander. After all, it’s always a third party telling Ellen and Brian’s story, and never the two of them themselves.
However, there was a major change in the Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1 finale. While switching from The Gathering to the wedding for Ellen and Brian to escape changes little, the fact that Brian has killed off Malcolm Grant changes absolutely everything.
The Grants’ anger toward the MacKenzies in Outlander makes a lot more sense
We do learn in Outlander season 1 that the Grants and the MacKenzies do not get along. Jamie explains to Claire that Ellen was supposed to marry Malcolm, and when Ellen ran away with Brian, Malcolm held a grudge.
Sure, that made some sense. The idea that they would hate each other after that but then allow Maura and Dougal to marry in 1719 (which is the year it would have been in the books, based on them being married for 24 years) doesn’t make a lot of sense, though. Why would the Grants agree to this union when so much had happened?
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It’s actually why I like how the wedding had to change in the Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1 finale. Maura and Dougal marrying because Ellen ran away fit perfectly for the needs of the two clans. This also allowed for a much deeper-rooted reason for the Grants to hate the MacKenzies. After all, at this point, the Grants are going to blame the murder on MacKenzies, not realizing that it was Brian Fraser. Nobody else was there to see it.
Yet, Malcolm Grant is supposed to be alive in Outlander
There’s just a huge problem for Outlander season 1 with Malcolm’s death. Malcolm Grant is supposed to be alive at Castle Grant in Outlander season 1. He’s supposed to still hold a grudge. Yet, that can’t be because Brian has killed him.
I guess we could learn that he was saved somehow, but that would be impossible considering where the dagger hit and how long it would likely be for someone to find Malcolm’s body. Plus, he looked pretty dead on the screen. So, it changes canon.
There is a way around this, and I bet it’s the way Outlander: Blood of My Blood is going to go. Malcolm’s uncle was also called Malcolm Grant. What’s stopping him from now taking over as laird, as he clearly fancied the position for himself anyway? This could be the Malcolm who is actually in charge, and Jamie just never heard the full story.
Again, I guess it comes down to unreliable narrators in Outlander, which it certainly does have that problem now and then. However, it’s a little far-fetched at this point, making me unsure how I feel about canon being changed.
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Outlander: Blood of My Blood is available to stream on STARZ.