Outlander – Season 7 Episode 15 “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood” Recap & Review

Episode 15

Episode 15 of Outlander begins with Claire recalling Murtagh saying war is inevitable and so is death. At present, Jamie cannot sleep as it is the eve of the first battle. He remembers his mother who died young during labour. He is glad Claire has lived life and he knows he can do what is needed with her by his side.

However, in the morning, he regrets his harsh words to William. Claire comforts him and he promises he won’t die. But she is troubled as she recalls a conversation with Jamie where she believes something is about to go wrong.

In 1739, Buck wonders about his parents. Unable to take it, Roger tells him about Geillis and Dougal and how he kept it a secret in case he messed up the past. An upset Buck points out that Roger messed with fate when he helped his father. He also realises that if they hadn’t time travelled, Dougal would have never met Geillis and unleashed the chain of events.

At the Tennet Church turned hospital, Dr. Leckie, the Continental surgeon refuses to accept Claire as a fellow doctor. She gives in and resorts to treating soldiers outside who have minor wounds. 

She once again thinks back to the conversation where she confesses that she thinks their actions are futile. Jamie assures her that soldiers believe that their deaths will matter and that is enough. Rachel notices that Claire is worried and tries to comfort her.

Claire confides that she is scared Jamie will go beyond his call of duty and get himself killed. This reminds Rachel of Ian’s promise of not killing unless he needs to and she panics as she hopes this promise doesn’t get him killed.

Meanwhile, Ian and John arrive at the Hessians’ camp, pretending to be Richardson’s allies. Oberst sees through their lie and tries to kill William. John and Ian kill everyone and set Oberst free out of mercy. He promises to make them regret it which worries Ian. William is glad to see John who explains Richardson’s plan and how their family reputation led to it. William thanks his cousin as well but after father and son leave, Ian kills Oberst.

At Tennet, a soldier is badly wounded and Claire is forced to use Leckie’s instruments. He is upset when she contradicts him and actually succeeds in saving the soldier. He lets her assist but keeps his distance.

William and John finally have it out when they reach the British camp. William renounces Jamie and claims he would never be a traitor like him. John tries to explain that loyalty isn’t so straightforward but William refuses to listen.

Outside, he is accosted by Frances who blames him for not protecting them. He is confused and she reveals that someone from the brothel saw Jane and testified that she killed Harkness. She has been dragged away and William goes after her.

The 1739 duo head back to Lallybroch and Roger writes a letter to Bree, updating her on his search. He puts it in the hidden drawer of Brian’s desk which exists in 1980. Meanwhile, Buck writes a letter to Geillis, thanking her for her help. Roger thanks him for helping him and calls him a good man. He says he is not and reveals how he tricked her into marrying him.

He doesn’t want to go back so Morag can finally be with whom she loves. While he will miss his son, Roger is his family. He decides to go to Bree for Roger’s sake in case she doesn’t get his letter. 

Fortunately or unfortunately, Brianna is writing a letter to Roger when she spots his in the hidden drawer. To save him from endlessly searching for Jem, she gets ready to time travel to 1739 with the kids. She gives Mandy a gemstone and tells her to think of him. However, little Mandy runs at the stones and Jem and Bree try to catch her.

In 1778, the Continental Army wins and the redcoats are forced to retreat. They have to cross Tennet and out of fear of retaliation, the Americans are ordered to evacuate. Claire and Leckie refuse but she goes one step further and insists on staying outside with the heavily injured. Jamie’s men show up and he is glad to see Claire.

The redcoats are provoked by the site and shoot at Jamie’s men in anger before running off. Claire falls and turns out she has been shot in the stomach. Leckie claims he cannot help while a messenger reveals Lee needs to see Fraser immediately. He refuses and when he is forced, he resigns. 

At the end of Outlander Season 7 Episode 15, Rachel and Denzell finally arrive and get ready to operate. Denzell tells Jamie to pray and he begs Claire not to leave him.

The Episode Review

Outlander Season 7 Episode 15 is a sombre affair given that it is the penultimate episode of a season that ran for almost 2 years. There is constant foreshadowing of death which finally makes it clear that Claire is the target when we think about the flashback conversation. And the fact that it is sepia-toned makes sense as it acts as a bridge between Claire’s prediction and reality, between life and death.

Sure, Claire and Jamie’s plot armour is going to hold for another season so we know they won’t die. Nonetheless, it is emotional to see Claire being the injured one for once as there is no one of her calibre in that time period.

The Bugs storyline comes to fruition as well and thankfully so as we refused to believe that the show would spend so much time on Arch’s measly attempt at revenge. While he fails, he succeeds in ruining Ian’s hope in others. We are pretty sure Ian was reminded of Arch when Oberst warned him of retribution.

John is another character that surprises us but in the best way possible, first with Mercy and now with Jamie. We know he does his best to understand Jamie but it is surprising that he actually succeeds as he tries to explain why a Scot being labelled a traitor to the English crown isn’t enough to judge said Scot.