Outlander: Blood of My Blood episode 4 aired on August 22, 2025, and it’s a turning point that the fandom has been waiting for: Julia Moriston Beauchamp finally meets Ellen MacKenzie — and becomes the linchpin in Ellen’s secret romance with Brian Fraser. This Outlander: Blood of My Blood recap compiles the most significant plot points, along with fresh insights from the cast in an on-camera aftershow and interviews.

Two detailed write-ups chart the hour’s parallel tracks — Henry’s fraying mental health and Julia’s risky gambits to stay alive and help true love along — in an ELLE recap and a 4-star Vulture recap. Meanwhile, the actors unpack Julia and Ellen’s first encounter in a spoiler-filled TV Insider aftershow, and reflect on the Brian–Ellen–Julia bond in an Entertainment Weekly interview. New episodes air Fridays at 8/7c on Starz, per TV Insider.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood Recap — Episode 4 highlights

  • Henry’s PTSD & the lottery scheme: Flashbacks to post-WWI London reveal Henry’s trauma and how a conversation with Julia about national lotteries inspires his tenant “rent lottery” in 18th-century Scotland — a plan that doubles collections but angers Isaac Grant and puts Henry under Arch Bug’s watch.
  • Julia’s rash ruse & the road to Leoch: To keep Lord Lovat at bay after their calculated liaison, Julia irritates her skin to feign illness. Brian volunteers to escort her to an apothecary, susses out the ruse, and brokers a deal: she’ll carry a message to Ellen; he’ll protect her and the baby.
  • Ellen behind castle walls: Under Colum’s pressure and a looming betrothal to Malcolm Grant, Ellen is watched closely inside Castle Leoch — but Julia slips in, finds Mrs. Fitz’s orbit, and delivers Brian’s message.
  • The forest rendezvous: Guided by Julia, Ellen meets Brian outside Leoch and vows to find a way out of the Grant arrangement — with Beltane fast approaching.
  • Henry’s breaking point: Still searching for Julia, Henry seeks quiet in a brothel (not sex), clinging to a St. Anthony pendant — a visual of “lost things” that mirrors his isolation.

Cast & character notes (and what the stars say)

  • Hermione Corfield (Julia): Corfield says Julia recognizes a kindred spirit in Ellen — women “who refuse to be put in a box” — and becomes the “bridge” that lets the lovers see each other.
  • Harriet Slater (Ellen): Slater calls the scene a rare moment of connection; Ellen finds a confidant in Julia amid castle surveillance. 
  • Jamie Roy (Brian): Roy frames Brian’s impulse to protect Julia as rooted in his moral compass — the loving guidance of Davina versus Lord Lovat’s cruelty — and teases a sibling-like rapport forming between Brian and Julia.
  • Jeremy Irvine (Henry): Episode 4 centers on Irvine’s portrayal of a soldier’s fractured psyche — the nightmares, the sudden violence, the talismanic necklace — which grounds the Beauchamps’ separation in deeply personal character stakes.

Franchise & timeline context

Episode 4 threads the prequel’s families more tightly. ELLE notes Julia and Henry’s decision to name their unborn child Claire — “clear and bright” — a beacon in Henry’s darkness, while Vulture points to the St. Anthony pendant as a tidy emblem of separation and longing. The hour’s biggest swing, though, is how Julia actively shapes Jamie’s parents’ story, a dynamic the cast underscores in EW: she’s “fundamental” to Brian and Ellen’s ability to communicate despite clan politics and castle walls.

What’s next

Beltane is the next inflection point — and a powder keg. Ellen plots a way out of the Grant betrothal, Julia’s pregnancy is now declared to Lord Lovat, and Henry’s position with Isaac Grant grows more precarious. TV Insider confirms Outlander: Blood of My Blood continues Fridays at 8/7c on Starz, but episode titles or specifics beyond “A Soldier’s Heart” weren’t detailed in these sources.

Related: ‘Outlander’ Season 8: Release Date, Streaming Windows & What’s Coming Next

Bottom line: As a pure Outlander: Blood of My Blood’ recap, episode 4 is the season’s emotional hinge — aligning Julia with Ellen and Brian while pushing Henry to his edge. If the Beltane plan holds, the fallout could redefine every relationship on the board.

Buddy TV

With a collective experience in film analysis and entertainment journalism, our team, comprised of avid movie buffs, has always been on the frontline of exploring cinematic universes, from the enchanting realms of Disney to the action-packed scenes of the MCU.

Our passion has led us to exclusive interviews with notable figures, early access, and active participation in the industry.

Recognized by the press, we dive deep into various genres, including drama, cartoons, comedy, and foreign films, always eager to bring fresh insights to our readers.

Connect with us or explore our journey to learn more about our adventures in unraveling the magic of the big screen.