The high-stakes world of Outlander: Blood of My Blood reached a fever pitch in Season 2, Episode 6, titled “Small Mercies.” Packing emotional loss, intense physical torture, and game-changing origin stories into a single chapter, the prequel series delivered one of its most talked-about installments yet. At the epicenter of the drama is a young Dougal MacKenzie, played by actor Sam Retford, whose chaotic journey took a dark and unexpected turn inside an enemy stronghold.

In an exclusive sit-down with Collider, Retford broke down the episode’s most harrowing filming moments, the introduction of an iconic franchise villain, and why his character owes a massive, universe-altering apology to original Outlander star Sam Heughan.

The Black Jack Randall Origin Shock and an Apology to Jamie Fraser

The most shocking revelation of Episode 6 arrived after Dougal was captured, chained, and brutally interrogated under the orders of Captain Lord Gerard Grey (Digby Edgley). Amid the beating, a young soldier steps forward wielding a hot poker—a character ultimately revealed to be a young Black Jack Randall, one of the most infamous villains in television history.

When Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) and Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser (Rory Alexander) arrive to launch a daring rescue, Brian stops Dougal from executing the young torturer on the spot. Letting Black Jack Randall walk away alive creates a direct ripple effect that haunts the original Outlander timeline decades later.

Reflecting on the scene’s script reveal, Retford shared his lighthearted apology to Sam Heughan:

• The Apology to the Future: “Sorry, future Sam Heughan, for what you had to endure because Dougal decided this one time to be a nice person and listen to Brian,” Retford joked.
• Tribute to an Iconic Villain: Retford praised the writing team and original actor Tobias Menzies, calling Black Jack Randall “one of the most, if not the most, iconic characters” in the universe.
• The Butterfly Effect: Retford noted that while Dougal wanted the soldier dead, staying Brian’s hand was essential to preserving Brian’s moral compass—a chivalrous standard that Jamie Fraser would eventually inherit.

Surviving Scotland’s Cold: Shackles, Water Tanks, and Drowning Scenes

Filming Episode 6 was an extraordinary physical challenge for Retford and the cast. From hanging in torture equipment to underwater rescue sequences, the production pushed the actors to their limits:

• Locked in Magnetic Shackles: To capture Dougal losing consciousness while chained above his head, the crew had to screw Retford directly into magnetic shackles. Between lighting setups, Retford remained hanging shirtless in the freezing Scottish climate: “I was very polite for a while, and then I realized, ‘Oh, no, I can’t feel my hands.'”
• The Drowning Tank Sequence: For the escape scene where Brian and Murtagh break Dougal out of a flooded dungeon, the production built a two-story studio tank. Retford, a seasoned cave diver, felt comfortable in the water, but praised co-star Ross Mann (Angus), who had never dived before but managed to film intense underwater scenes in freezing water before his character’s tragic demise.
• Realistic Acting Hazards: The underwater scene was so convincing that safety teams briefly pulled Retford out of the tank thinking he was actually drowning when he was simply performing his role.

Chaos Meets Light: Dougal’s Evolving Bond with Maura

Beyond the battlefield trauma, Retford highlighted the importance of Maura (Bobby Rainsbury) in grounding Dougal’s volatile nature. While Dougal represents a “beautiful cocktail of freedom and chaos,” his relationship with Maura introduces lightness and emotional vulnerability to the dark period drama.

Facing death in the dungeon marked a turning point for Dougal:

• Accepting Mortality: Imprisoned alongside Angus, Dougal experienced his first genuine fear of never seeing Maura again, planting the seeds for a deep, complex partnership.
• Reframing Power: Realizing he owes his life to Brian, Murtagh, and Maura forces the headstrong MacKenzie leader to realize he cannot navigate the harsh Scottish landscape entirely alone.

As Outlander: Blood of My Blood continues its second season, Sam Retford’s portrayal of Dougal MacKenzie promises even more unpredictable turns as war, family loyalty, and historical destiny collide.

Source: Compiled from various sources