Outlander: Blood of My Blood and the Canon Change
The finale of Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 1 made a significant change to the established Outlander canon by killing off Malcolm Grant. This was surprising because, in the original Outlander season 1, Malcolm is portrayed as the laird of the clan.
Initial Reactions and Explanation
Initially, this death felt unsettling, as it contradicted what fans knew. However, the addition of Malcolm’s death brought dramatic and emotional weight to the story, especially considering the kind of person Malcolm turned out to be. It also heightened tension and set up events for Outlander: Blood of My Blood season 2.
Reconciling the Difference with Season 1
Reflecting more on this, the change becomes more understandable when considering how the first Outlander season was written. Although Malcolm Grant was referenced, he never appeared on screen, and while it was implied that he was alive and the clan's laird, some details may have been lost or altered over time.
Jamie tells Claire the story of Ellen, who was to marry Malcolm, and how Brian and Ellen fled Castle Leoch on the night of The Gathering in 1715, leaving Malcolm behind. After that, Malcolm developed a deep resentment toward Clan MacKenzie, which lasted for decades.
Summary
This background gives a plausible narrative reason for Malcolm’s fate, allowing Outlander: Blood of My Blood to diverge from the original canon while maintaining story coherence.
Author’s Conclusion
The decision to kill Malcolm off, while initially jarring, ultimately serves the story by deepening character motivations and increasing dramatic stakes for future seasons.
Author’s summary: The killing of Malcolm Grant in Outlander: Blood of My Blood reinterprets his role while adding emotional depth and new tension, making the canon change justifiable.