One of the most beloved characters in the hit STARZ historical romance Outlander was Murtagh Fitzgibbons, godfather and the most staunch friend and ally of the dashing Jamie Fraser.
Actor Duncan Lacroix did a remarkable job bringing the grumpy but golden-hearted Murtagh to life, making him immediately adorable and a fan-favorite for the masses. In season 5, the series bade farewell to his character in a tear-jerking moment between him and his godson. Here are a few details about Murtagh that might have gone unnoticed.
10 Murtagh Was Related to Mrs. Fitzgibbons & Laoghaire
Murtagh was related to the beloved Mrs. Fitzgibbons, the friendly housekeeper at Castle Leoch who was an instant fan-favorite during her brief stint in the hit Starz drama. Mrs. Fitz as she was lovingly called by all, was apparently Murtagh's aunt, stated author Diana Gabaldon on social media.
By that logic, Murtagh would also be a distant relative of the deceitful Laoghaire who was Mrs. Fitz's grandaughter. Laoghaire, as fans know, was the one largely responsible for Claire having to appear for the witch trial in season 1 and she later married Jamie, although the latter did not love her.
9 He Was Supposed To Appear More In Season 3
Actor Duncan Lacroix has stated that his character was supposed to appear in a more extended role during season 3 when Murtagh was at Ardsmuir prison alongside Jamie after the Battle of Culloden.
However, the producers wanted to give him more time in season 4 because of which his arc in season 3 was drastically cut short.
8 The Character Was Never Meant To Survive Culloden
Fans of the television series might not be aware that Murtagh Fitzgibbons was never meant to come back after season 2 in the first place as his character did not survive Culloden in the novels.
Thankfully though, although in a huge departure from the books, the creators decided to bring the fan-favorite back in season 3 and then give him some crucial storylines in the following seasons.
7 It Was Murtagh Who Referred Jamie To Mother Hildegard
When Jamie and Murtagh were trying to make sense of Charles Stuart's correspondence that young Fergus had stolen for them while in Paris, they came across a bunch of musical scores which they realized were code.
It was Murtagh who then drove Jamie's attention to Mother Hildegarde at the L'hospital des Anges. Claire had already mentioned that Mother Hildegarde had once been a music protege herself, making her best suitable to help Jamie decode the letter.
6 He Was A Ridiculously Poor Dancer, Or Was He?
In the latter half of season 1, Claire and Murtagh went searching for Jamie across the length and breadth of the Scottish countryside when he was taken captive by the redcoats in Lallybroch and then manages to escape somehow.
While Murtagh launched Claire in a unique role as a traveling "Sassenach" performer to get Jamie's attention, he himself performed traditional sword dance, although he was unfortunately terrible at it. There was nothing to suggest that he did this intentionally, purposely making himself a laughing stock so that people talked and the gossip reached Jamie. But given that this was Murtagh, one couldn't put it past him.
5 The Grumpy Man Was A Quick Thinker
The adorably grumpy man was also a quick thinker and it was his idea that eventually saved Jamie from the horrors of Wentworth Prison.
When the strapping redhead was in the clutches of the sadistic Black Jack Randall, Murtagh had the brainwave that they could set loose a herd of cattle inside the prison premises. This would cause utter chaos amidst which they could simply walk in and rescue Jamie who was going through a nightmarish experience.
4 He Wasn't Able To Prevent Mary Hawkins' Assault
Murtagh was loyal to a fault and stayed by Jamie and Claire through thick and thin until the Battle of Culloden. However, in Paris, he wasn't able to save Claire and young Mary Hawkins from being attacked.
The little group of three was set upon by a handful of violent men who attacked Murtagh first and rendered him unconscious before turning their attention to Mary and Claire. He was heavily outnumbered although he later managed to avenge Mary by murdering the Duke of Sandringham who had plotted the rape.
3 Murtagh Could Play Fast & Loose With Honesty At Times
Jamie and Young Ian came across the older Murtagh while in town looking for tenants for their land in season 5. Murtagh, now a blacksmith, met Young Ian first and didn't know who he was, and ended up charging him several times more for a minor repair.
This daylight robbery was slightly inconsistent with the otherwise decent man's character. Yet, the fact remains that complete honesty when it came to his profession might have been a hidden trait in his personality.
2 Strawberry Jam Standing In For Blood
Although the grumpy Scots did survive the Battle of Culloden in the series, he did not make it till the end of Jamie and Claire's journey together. Fans were heartbroken when Murtagh died tragically during the Battle of Alamance fought between Governor Tyron's men and the Regulators in season 5.
What fans don't know is that the blood that gushed out when Murtagh was shot was actually strawberry jam and given that the actors were shooting under a tree, they had a hard time keeping the wasps away.
1 Murtagh Lying On The Table Was The Final Shot Taken
Murtagh was carried to Claire's tent by Jamie and his men in the vain hope that she would find a way to heal him, although Jamie's beloved godfather was already beyond help at the time.
Lacroix has stated that although the moment of his death wasn't necessarily the last shot he had given on the show, Murtagh lying dead on Claire's table was indeed his last shot, thus becoming a fitting farewell to the character.
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