The irony in Outlander's fan-favorite character Murtagh Fitzgibbons' rebellion against the Redcoats

The irony in Outlander's fan-favorite character Murtagh Fitzgibbons' rebellion against the Redcoats

Starz's hit drama 'Outlander,' adapted from Diana Gabaldon's book series of the same name has a life of its own now, especially after the character Murtagh Fitzgibbons played by (Duncan Lacroix) was seen alive, well and rebelling in season 4 of the time-traveling drama.

Now, fans fraught with 'Droughtlander,' are ruminating about Murtagh's ultimate fate after season 4's cliffhanger, and sadly, we cannot even turn to the books for answers. Season 4 ended with Murtagh's life in jeopardy along with Jamie Fraser's (Sam Heughan). Soon after Brianna Fraser and Roger MacKenzie reunited in River Run, a team of horses come with Redcoats, with a special message for Jamie Fraser from Governor William Tryon.

The governor has entrusted the Scottish Highlander to kill the "criminal" Murtagh Fitzgibbons for leading the rebellious group Regulators to fight against the Redcoats. The Regulators are an underground group of Scottish people who despise the British for what they consider unjust taxation. Murtagh happens to be the leader of the group and a wanted criminal.

Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh) - Outlander Episode 405 (Starz)
Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh) - Outlander Episode 405 (Starz)

However, in the books, the Regulators are mentioned in passing and Murtagh, who is also Jamie's godfather, dies in 1745 at the Battle of Culloden between the Scots and the British. The character, resurrected in the series, gets a bigger storyline as he gets into an unexpected relationship with Aunt Jocasta.

The powerful Aunt Jocasta and a powerful godson may be able to protect Murtagh and the upcoming season may heavily focus on the conflict. However, ever since we re-met Murtagh in season 4, the fan-favorite character has a lurking hypocrisy.

Murtagh gave a stirring speech against the British when he took Jamie to see the underground revolutionary meeting, staunchly accusing the British of robbing them of their hard-earned income. However, hypocrisy was noted when Young Ian met Murtagh for the first time in Wilmington not knowing he is related to him.

Jamie asked Young Ian to get a horse bit fixed because they had to return to Fraser's Ridge the same evening after an unsuccessful run to find settlers in Fraser's Ridge. Murtagh, who was the blacksmith that Young Ian approached for the work, seemed least interested in fixing the horse bit and said he would do the deed only if he was paid a whopping amount of 21 shillings.

That was all the money Young Ian had and he did not want to disappoint his uncle, Jamie, so he paid the entire amount. When Young Ian told Jamie that all the shillings were gone to get the shoe fixed, enraged Jamie went to charge the blacksmith who had basically robbed the young boy. Ironic.

Aunt Jocasta and Murtagh Fitzgibbons (Starz)
Aunt Jocasta and Murtagh Fitzgibbons (Starz)

As it turned out, it happened for the best since that is when the Frasers reunion took place. They flung open hugs and Murtagh eventually returned the shillings to Young Ian at the bar when they needed money for a beer refill.

However, because it was Murtagh Fitzgibbons, the fan-favorite character, we chose to overlook that he had basically committed the same foul deed he accuses the British of, "robbing" them by means of taxes, charging them much more than required.

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