This week, we are back to family trauma, clan politics, and brutal decisions for women. Although, the title, “School of the Moon,” kept making me think of Mulan’s “Make a Man Out of You” especially the lyric that includes the words “dark side of the moon.” In many ways, the lyrics fit with the battle Colum and Dougal fought with their father to be considered strong enough or man enough to lead the clan. Yet I’m sure Ellen would totally pull a Mulan if she could and dress up as a man if it meant equality. Except it would mean she wouldn’t be able to have Brian.
Speaking of Brian…that opening scene is sure spicy! It’s a dream, and yet I don’t think I’ll ever think of the phrase, “say your prayers” the same way. Sadly, Ellen gets a cold shower in the form of Mrs. Fitz’s words when she drops the bomb that Colum has promised her to wed Malcom Grant. Ellen takes a sassy walk to Colum’s office to demand a why. Colum is pretty brutal and says that their dad’s promises and Ellen’s privileges died with their father. He tries to pass this betrothal as doing what’s best for the clan. There’s no “I” in the word team or clan. Yet Colum is using Ellen and Dougal to secure the lairdship for himself.
Poor Murtaugh has had a cold bucket thrown on him as well. Auntie Glenna made sure he knew Ellen was betrothed, and Cousin Murty ain’t taking it too well. Brian finds out and worries Murtagh knows the truth but instead has himself own heartbreak when he hears about Ellen and Malcolm Grant. The way Brian’s voice falters when he says that finding out the woman he loved was betrothed to another would break his heart breaks my own. They pack up and head home to report about their most favorite redhead to their least favorite redhead.
Meanwhile, Julia gets in trouble with Davina as she has figured out Julia is pregnant. Davina, in her own trauma-informed way, tries to look out for Julia and encourages her to take a tonic in order to miscarry. Julia says she isn’t pregnant but has to admit to herself that she’s faced with danger as she gets closer to showing.
Ellen continues her warpath to figuring out a way out of her betrothal. Unfortunately, Dougal isn’t much help. However, he does show that he has some street smarts as he questions the Grants intentions as they already have money and wouldn’t get much out of the deal, other than Malcom is probably off somewhere wishing he was with Ellen, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g. And yet Ellen is the only one pointing out to her brothers that MacKinney (no relation to me because my husband uses the Irish spelling, McKenney), is doing a pretty good job gaining support from other clansmen. Meanwhile, Dougal is creating his own betrothal plans for Ellen with the MacRannochs, which are known Jacobites. This is the same MacRannoch that gives Ellen pearls as a wedding present, which later saves Jamie’s life in Season 1.
Instead of sending the luckenbooth, Malcom sends a special pin to go in Ellen’s hair. She plays along and lets Mrs. Fitz put it in her hair. Poor Mrs. Fitz hopes to go with Ellen, but us OG Outlander fans know it won’t happen. What’s also starting to look like it’s not going happen is either Colum or Dougal becoming laird thanks to MacKinney’s efforts. Is he also hoping for Ellen’s hand if he’s made Laird?
Back at Leathers, Brian and Murtaugh give a full report to Lord Lovat. Lovat isn’t happy when he finds out the MacKenzies are trying to take the Grants’ alliance away from him by giving Ellen to Malcom. Lovat plans to write the Grants and make up a story about Ellen having a tarnished reputation. Brian is worried about Ellen’s reputation being damaged but it gives Murtaugh hope that he’d have a better shot with her.
My wishes came true this episode, and we got to see more flashbacks with Red Jacob. Sadly, it was his inability to be a father to Dougal and Colum. It wasn’t a pretty sight how he hurt both of his sons. It’s also hard to see Colum slow to heal, as he would with Toulouse-Latrec syndrome. It’s even harder to see that Dougal was the reason Colum originally got hurt, and that Red Jacob made it worse when Colum tried to prove his worth and fell down the stairs.
MacKinney gets more support and makes fun of Colum’s inability to physically compete in any games. Ellen gives Dougal a tongue-lashing about wising up to MacKinney’s support and that it would be better to be loyal to the family than lose everything to MacKenny.
In this episode, we are really seeing that Ned and Ellen are playing chess and Dougal and Colum are the pawns, stubborn as they are. Ned sees the field clearly that Dougal and Colum’s bumbling will make everyone lose and MacKinney win. In the end, Ellen wins by planting seeds in her brothers’ minds and feeding a solution to Ned but leaves him to see it through. In the wise words of the mother in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, “The man is the head, but the woman is the neck. And she can turn it any way she wants.” Finally the oath-taking is about to take place. Even though us OG Outlander fans know what’s going to happen, the tension is still so wonderfully set up that we aren’t sure if Dougal and Colum can team up and lead the clan together. In a beautiful moment, they swear loyalty to each other and help each other up. The rest fall in line, and Jocasta realizes it’s really Ellen’s doing. And while I’m sure Ellen is hoping this buys her time so she can delay marrying Malcom Grant, Henry is running out of time to save Julia. Even though Ned tries to get help from the local brothel, Henry’s sweet description of Julia is unfortunately quite vague, making her a needle in a haystack. Julia is starting to lose hope that Henry will find her and makes a choice that will hopefully keep her and the baby alive. We must hope that Lovat doesn’t put two and two together that the child isn’t his, as well as hope the child is a boy so Lovat sees value in the child and keeps him alive. However, I feel like this decision to sleep with Lovat and make him think the baby is his is opening a pandora’s box. While Henry and Julia are doing their best to stay alive, they really don’t know what game they are playing. It makes it hard to enjoy Ellen’s victory when Julia is losing and Henry doesn’t even know it.
Til next time… Slainte!
Dram: Chivas Regal 12. It’s a great peaty blend that goes down smoothly. While I enjoy a good single malt, sometimes a blend speaks to you and it’s a good reminder that we don’t need to do everything alone.
Comfort Food: This episode reminds me of a trifle. It’s delicious and messy, and the ingredients don’t always do well on their own. However, arranged beautifully together, it looks wonderful and tastes wonderful. In honor of the Frasers, we’ll do Ellen & Julia’s Strawberry Trifle. This episode was fabulous, and we know Ellen isn’t someone to be trifled with, and those brothers of hers would do well to remember it. Although, if you’re feeling down about Julia, just be careful not to eat it alone.
Song: “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” especially since we saw all the moments where Red Jacob tried to make men of out of his sons and felt that they were lacking.