Outlander: Blood of my Blood Season 2 Episode 2 Review: There are Ghouls About

With Samhain approaching, Outlander: Blood of my Blood Season 2 Episode 2, “The Veil of Time,” shrouds itself in a tantalizing aloofness.

It’s a stark contrast to the blunt season premiere, pursuing on-screen magic between its leads rather than forced make-believe in aid of Claire’s backstory. With two feet planted firmly in the Highlands for the duration of this outing, the season recenters itself with the help of the clans.

As the veil thins between the living and the magical realms of the dead, Blood of my Blood strengthens itself on the blood and conflict of its overflowing ensemble.

Limiting the time we spend with Henry in his era aids the episode’s success.

When the show isn’t fraught with the strain it takes to justify his place in a time that rejects his existence, the premise is more enjoyable and precise.

What we see of Henry includes an urgency to get him out of that asylum and back through the stones as soon as possible. Given the grief Henry’s time in the institute has caused the story and himself, we couldn’t be happier to see him get a move on. His character has far more creative freedom in the past.

It is sweet to see the episode utilize Mrs. Graham effectively after going to such trouble to include her younger self.

She’s used effectively and in a brief way that doesn’t do more harm to the timeline of Outlander’s events. Additionally, her love for the occult means casual talk of faeries and reading tea leaves, and those are all things that slip effortlessly into this All Hallows’ Eve foreshadowing.

In addition to talk of the old magic, the episode finally reveals its true intentions for the Jacobite rebellion.

Each character is slotted into their roles for the impending war with renewed conviction. It feels like a natural progression of development for the ensemble as every player situates themselves on the board.

The war gives Brian a brand new hero complex to explore. The Fraser has never felt more alive or akin to his son’s legacy than when he is rallying the troops. Brian’s power of speech and persuasion is a new layer to his bravado that will be fascinating to explore.

It also puts the bastard son in a position of power for the first time in the series, and that leverage is fascinating to explore as he comes to blows with the Mackenzies at the center of their territory.

Ellen and Julia are also standouts, and the work is there from the show to back up their performances this time.

Julia’s moments with the seer Maisri are disarming in their uncertainty. When it seems like the witch is misguided or without any real power, she slaps Julia with a tidbit of knowledge that hits the mark.

Plus, the suggestion that Claire is safe with a fatherly figure is the perfect way to tease that connection between the two worlds/shows without having to bend the integrity of the entire show to do it.

Despite it feeling like the season had already backed Ellen into a corner, she swiftly fights her way out. The decision to have her stand her ground against her brother’s authority with a candlestick in hand is an epic moment.

The knowledge that Ellen has used the Jacobite cause to gain the upper hand and the Mackenzie property she rightfully should inherit is an exciting prospect as well.

She is at a disadvantage with Brian but in a powerful new position within the clan, and that will provide a lot of unknown twists and turns for her individual arc this season.

This episode is more than proof that Ellen is just one of the excellent cogs in the machine, but without her fiery defiance, the entire production would come to a screeching halt.

That said, there’s a ton of enjoyable character moments that provide story movement as well as a good laugh.

It’s refreshing, as it is delightful, to see Blood of my Blood extend the focus of its story to the larger ensemble of characters.

Whether it’s a pointed remark from Jocasta or Mrs. Fitzgibbons reprimanding Murtagh for doing something reckless, there’s a collective crackle of energy to this episode as it bounces from performance to performance.

Dougal and Maura’s kink-driven sex scene is one of the best to come out of the show thus far, and that shared look between brothers when Colum announces his wife is pregnant is oh so juicy.

This episode feels confident and alive, finding its footing quickly in this developing storyline and sprinting forward.

The interwoven tapestry of old Scottish traditions and folklore transitioning into the harsh realities of war is captivating. The characters are charming and unabashedly likable.

This episode, much like the many familiar faces we see throughout, feels like being reunited with an old friend we miss terribly.

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Outlander: Blood of my Blood airs Fridays on the Starz app and streaming platforms.

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