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In episode 7 of season 5 of Outlander, there was a fierce battle between the regulators and the Redcoats. Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) had to put on a Redcoat and fight for the crown, but in the end, he wishes he hadn’t. Read on to learn what happened with Murtagh Fitzgibbons (Duncan Lacroix) after the battle. There are spoilers ahead.

In episode 6, Murtagh proclaims his love for Jocasta

Duncan Lacroix
Duncan Lacroix | Michael Tran/Getty Images

Murtagh has been fighting on the side of the regulators as their leader. He has no plans to stop or put what he believes in aside for anything. That’s the reason why Jocasta (Maria Doyle Kennedy) can’t be with him.

Murtagh goes to her on the eve before her wedding to another man to tell her he will always love her. It seems strange that he proclaims his love to her now, but after watching the next episode, it makes total sense.

What happened during the battle?

Jamie and the Redcoats fight the regulators and deal them a deadly blow. Jamie tries to get his godfather not to fight, but Murtagh can’t give up his beliefs. During the battle, the fighting is intense and Jamie stumbles across Murtagh who helps him out of a tight spot.

They look at each other and Murtagh starts to smile and walk towards Jamie to embrace him when a shot rings out from behind Jamie and Murtagh is shot. It’s one of Jamie’s men who shoots Murtagh and he seems proud of it and tells Jamie he did what he was told and, “he didn’t waver.”

Murtagh Fitzgibbons loses his life

Jamie and Murtagh look at each other in disbelief as Murtagh falls into Jamie’s arms. Jamie tries to stop the bleeding, but it’s impossible. “I released you from your oath, you had no cause to save me. You should have done as I asked,” Jamie tells him.

“I’d never betray your mother no matter who asked,” Murtagh tells Jamie about the oath he made. Murtagh dies, but Jamie can’t give up hope. He has some of his men help him get Murtagh to Claire (Caitriona Balfe). He pleads with her to save him, but she knows it’s too late. He’s already gone.

It’s truly terrifying and shocking to see Jamie realize Murtagh is actually dead. There’s nothing that can be done and Jamie leaves the tent in shambles. When he sees Governor Tryon, he can’t help but tell him how he really feels. He gives him back his coat and says he’s done. He no longer holds any obligation to the crown.

After the battle, Murtagh is dead and Jamie has released himself from his oath to the crown. Nothing will ever be the same again. How will Jamie be able to live with himself after what happened? He will of course blame himself in some capacity, even though he couldn’t have foreseen what was going to happen.

The Redcoats won the battle, but Jamie and his family lost the most.