When does Murtagh die in Outlander? Details explored in depth 

Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser, portrayed by Duncan Lacroix, is an iconic character in Outlander who suffers a tragic death in Season 5, Episode 7 titled 'The Ballad of Roger Mac.'

During the battle between the British force and his group of Regulators, Jamie, his son, is seen standing against a Regulator who is about to shoot him. To save his godson, Murtagh shoots one of his own men, and before Jamie could say anything, Jamie's militia shoots Murtagh down in a heartwrenching scene.

Jamie is left shocked and in guilt while Murtagh utters his last moving words to his son, reinforcing his loyalty towards his mother, Ellen, and a promise he had made to her. His death comes out as tragic and changes Jamie Fraser's fate. Read on to know more.

Here is when Murtagh dies in Outlander and how

Murtagh, as mentioned, dies in season 5 episode 7 in the Battle of Alamance in May 1771, unlike the books. The battle was a result of accumulated tension between the Regulators, a group led by Murtagh, and the British forces.

During the battle, Murtagh is shown keeping his promise to Ellen Fraser, his wife, on her deathbed. He had promised that he would save the life of their son Jamie at any cost. In the battle, when one of his Regulators was about to shoot Jamie, he killed the man, saving his son's life. Looking at Jamie still holding a gun against Murtagh, one of Jamie's men kills Murtagh before Jamie could say anything.

This moment is done differently in Diana Gabaldon's novels. Here, Murtagh dies at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, much earlier than 1771. In the TV show, Season 3 revealed him to be alive after the Culloden battle and being imprisoned at Ardsmuir. He later became the leader of the Regulators, a rebel group against the British authority.

Till season 5, the conflict between the two parties escalates, leading to the Battle of Alamance.

What does Murtagh's death mean for Jamie in Outlander?

The death of Murtagh leaves Jamie in guilt, devastated by losing his Godfather and mentor. While dying, Murtagh tells his son that he would never break the promise he made to his mother:

“I would never betray your mother no matter who asked”

This reinforces his lifelong loyalty and the central promise he made to Ellen Fraser. While speaking with Parade in January 2022, the book's author asserted that this moment will be a major turning point for Jamie. Gabaldon said:

“As for the effect of Murtagh’s death and the timing of it, this is the turning point for Jamie; the place where he definitively severs his connection (however unwilling) with the Crown and becomes in his own soul a Rebel.”

Murtagh's death scene in Outlander is shocking and emotional as both characters bid a final goodbye to each other, while Jamie witnesses the extent Murtagh can go to keep his mother's promise. In March 2020, while speaking with Vanity Fair, Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser, also expressed that his character's grief of losing Murtagh is layered:

“It’s like losing a part of his past, his connection to Scotland."

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The latest season 7 of Outlander premiered in 2023, and the show has been renewed for a new season 8 with no release dates known as of now.

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