Want to relive Outlander Season 4 Episode 6? We do a minute-by-minute reaction to “Blood of My Blood.”
[8:00 p.m.] So good to see you again, friends! I see you still have the Murtagh honeymoon glow about you as well. I’d hate to wear it alone.
[8:02 p.m.] I do hope Jamie plans to wash his hands after that little title card number. Please let it be a nod to Willie and not an actual snake. One episode without festering skin wounds or death would be great. K? Thanks.
[8:03 p.m.] And just like that, old home week continues… enter Lord John Grey within the first seven seconds. I’m with Jamie, what the devil? We sure aren’t wasting any time this week.
[8:04 p.m.] “Virginia’s some way north, John.” Lord John Grey is every high school guy or girl who tried to roll by their crush’s house with an “Oh, you live here? I just happened to be in the neighborhood.” And Jamie is every said crush who gave a flattered smile in return, while also calling them out on it.
[8:05 p.m.] We agree, Claire – having Murtagh here has made Fraser’s Ridge feel more like home. Please stay awhile, Murtagh. We’ve missed your curmudgeon charm.
[8:06 p.m.] I’m trying to do some quick math, and would gladly accept help in doing so. Willie (err, sorry – William) was six when Jamie left him, but how old is this mulleted kid? 12? Early teens at most? If so, has it really been less than 10 years since Jamie left Helwater, made a life in Edinburgh, married Laoghaire, reunited with Claire, crossed an ocean to save his nephew, washed up in Colonial America and built a homestead on 10,000 acres of land? And here I felt pretty good about my productivity for getting out of my pajama pants today.
[8:08 p.m.] I can’t even sort through all the thoughts and feelings pin-balling around in my head throughout this scene – there’s Jamie trying to remain collected as his eyes emote all over an aged William, Claire piecing it all together, John’s pleasant surprise that Murtagh lived and, my favorite, Murtagh in the corner shooting a hearty WTF glance at it all.
[8:09 p.m.] Not pivotal to the plot whatsoever, but I’d love to know what’s for dinner. Also I hope this meal started with a blessing that gave thanks be to Outlander Costume Team God for all the wigged glory seated at one table.
[8:11 p.m.] While I love that Murtagh’s moved from trusty sidekick to outspoken leader, this would be when I’d encourage him to simply smile, sip on his wine and keep his mouth shut. We’d all prefer to see the Silver Fox live for more than a couple episodes.
[8:12 p.m.] The notion of taking a pee outside is preposterous, but doing so within five feet of the dinner table in full view of all other guests is considered high class. Noted for upcoming holiday gatherings.
[8:14 p.m.] “Fondly.” If I struggle to find it later, someone please remind me that Jamie just put my heart in my throat.
[8:15 p.m.] Claire has the same quizzical interest and follow up questions on how Google Maps routed John to Virginia through Fraser’s Ridge.
[8:16 p.m.] I just figured it out. It’s Christmastime and I’m on holiday movie overdrive, which has made me realize that Lord John Grey’s just pulled a Cousin Eddie with his unannounced visit. There’s a chance Claire might wake up with her head sewn to the carpet.
[8:17 p.m.] We’ve enjoyed plenty of Jamie learning about Bree through Claire’s stories, so I’m loving the flip with Claire getting to know Jamie’s son through his stories. And that she’s finally laying eyes on him for herself.
[8:19 p.m.] If I could have your full attention for a moment, Jamie – I’ve got some questions. Like how quickly can you get started on a guest cabin? Does Ian live inside in that cabin with you? Where does he sleep? Are he and Murtagh in a bunk bed together somewhere? So many questions. Because if I’m following this correctly, you and Claire finally feel you have some privacy now that you’re outside in a lean-to propped up next to the crapper. And that just ain’t right.
[8:21 p.m.] “Don’t worry about me keeping yer secrets… I’ve kept them, each and every one.” Murtagh’s promise is genuine, I’m sure, but there’s also a tinge of disenchantment in his words stemming from Jamie’s insistence that he won’t help Murtagh’s cause by leveraging his closeness with the man who once imprisoned them both.
[8:22 p.m.] I’ve heard of the men retiring to the study or parlor for brandy and cigars after dinner while the women remain, but this… well, this is new. The men remain inside the warm cabin to drink and play board games while the woman retires to the cold, hard ground outside. Neat. Snark aside, I love that time has passed and stations and circumstances in life have changed, but the chess board still represents a mere excuse for these two to share conversation, space and affection with each other.
[8:23 p.m.] You’re a good man, Jamie Fraser, with your priorities beautifully in check. #LifeGoals
[8:25 p.m.] Claire’s got one hell of a healing gig ahead of her – an uninterrupted week with the man in love with her husband, aided only by a friend formerly imprisoned by that man who now rests squarely on the other side of politics and the law from him.
[8:26 p.m.] There are 43 muscles in the human face, and this kid actor (Oliver Finnegan) has apparently committed to using every single one of them to bring us William.
[8:27 p.m.] “Have you ever seen such a glorious thing before, Sir?” Never. I’m not crying, you’re crying. Okay fine, we’re both crying.
[8:29 p.m.] I don’t know what the heck was in that tea, but let’s keep it coming. It’s clearly been brewed with honesty and candor. Devastatingly straightforward, as John labeled it, looks fantastic on both of them.
[8:31 p.m.] The dialogue in this scene is off the charts stellar, as is David Berry and Caitriona Balfe’s acting together. Word for word, look for look.
[8:33 p.m.] It’s not as if we haven’t seen Jamie’s paternal instincts numerous times with Fergus and Ian, among others, but seeing him with his own son – teaching him and learning more about him in the process – is doing something altogether different and flippy floppy to my insides. This is a man that was born to raise a child in his/her presence every single day, and we’re a crowd that would’ve loved to have seen it.
[8:35 p.m.] William assuming Jamie will field dress his deer for him is just like when my six-year-old expects me to cut the crust off his sandwich. Still no.
[8:37 p.m.] Emotional outbursts from a tween/teen feel so incomplete if there isn’t a door to slam.
[8:39 p.m.] Is it me or does sickness look dreamy on Lord John? He finally has some color to his face, and who knew all that pectoral wonder was hiding under that clothed pomp and circumstance?
[8:41 p.m.] Y’ALL, THE TEA IS BACK.
[8:42 p.m.]
Claire the healer’s mouth: “You should stop talking; you need your rest.”
Claire the wife’s brain: “Shut your pie hole before I give your head a real reason to hurt.”
[8:43 p.m.] I don’t think Jamie’s slept soundly in 40 years without an ear out for caution, so I’m finding it hard to believe that this newbie-to-the-woods kid rustled out of that lean-to without Jamie hearing.
[8:44 p.m.] These Cherokee have to be thinking “Ah, Christ – you Frasers again? Every week with you people.”
[8:45 p.m.] “The boy is mine… his blood is my blood! …and we have the same awkward banged ponytail! See, we’re related.”
[8:46 p.m.] Yep, that boy might have the upbringing and refinement of Lord John Grey, but he is all James Fraser. And thank you, Outlander, for hearing my earlier plea and gifting us a week free of maim, death and dismemberment.
[8:47 p.m.] Okay so the tea is back again, but this time with a spoonful of empathetic honey stirred in for good measure. And it’s the perfect medicine for both John and Claire.
[8:48 p.m.] That’s rhetorical, right Claire? Because you of all people should know there is likely never a time when someone stops feeling all they have for Jamie Fraser.
[8:49 p.m.] I got used to seeing Claire saddled up against Jamie on a long, cold ride but I could get used to this too.
[8:50 p.m.] I know that guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days (thank you, Ben Franklin), but I’m still sad to see both this father-son camping trip and Claire and John’s ongoing little game of three truths and no lies come to an end.
[8:51 p.m.] Claire laundry listing health-restorative foods as an actual reply to John’s question about how he could repay her is proof that her verbal filter is a stronger grade than mine.
[8:52 p.m.] John laments that they have to leave and and I can barely hear it over Claire’s smile so laced with “Oh darn, leaving already? What. A. Shame.”
[8:53 p.m.] If I thought that Bob Dylan cover song playing while Jamie rode away from his son in Season 3 did me in (shameless plug for this post), it’s only because I had yet to experience this moment of Jamie tearfully watching his son do the riding away to Bear McCreary’s Willie theme. Gut me like the stag of your first kill, why don’t you.
[8:54 p.m.] Of all the things we’ve seen Jamie’s hands bare hands plunge into and tackle this episode (you know, snake in a toilet, fish with a tickle), this one suits him best.
[8:55 p.m.] TORRENT. OH PLEASE OH PLEASE PICK TORRENT.
[8:56 p.m.] Anyone else having flashbacks to Jamie’s gifting of his mother’s pearls and the key to Lallybroch? I distinctly recall having trouble breathing normally through those too. I love how the man seamlessly works gifts that remind him of his mother into sexy time with his wife.
[8:57 p.m.] I retract my previous statement about math. This is math I can get behind. Do math regularly, please. And also, get to building that guesthouse ASAP…
Closing Thoughts:
Another week, another old friend or two, another 60 minutes of compelling television. If Jamie promised Claire a thousand kisses with that gorgeous ring, Outlander‘s promising me a thousand emotions with the story lines of Season 4. I know I’m not alone in this. It just keeps getting better and better.
Confession: I’m a book reader, but wouldn’t put my right hand on it and swear by a vivid memory of every minute detail of Drums of Autumn, and that’s for the best. Every thing that comes at me feels comfortably familiar and warm, but still excitedly new. This episode illuminated that more than most, and celebrated my love for a beautiful hybrid offering of the book and TV storytelling. How else would we enjoy the delights of Jamie, Claire, William, Lord John Grey and Murtagh all in ONE scene?! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.
The acting from all (even the kid held his own!) was as on fire as John’s pec-tacular fever, and I immensely enjoyed that we got an episode where we stayed put in one time, one setting with limited characters. I’ll cling to that as I fear we’re headed straight into drama and trauma (but with a clean-shaven Roger!) and I’ll long for this easy, breezy episode full of sharp dialogue, emotional relationships and no racing from point to point to propel a plot forward. It all felt like a blanketed hug on a cold, dreary night. Or like a soak in a fireside bath…………….patience, please. I’m going to need a minute……………..exhale.
Until next week, friends!
If you’ve missed any of our Season 4 episode recaps, you can catch up with them here:
Episode 4.01: “God Bless America”
Episode 4.02: “Do No Harm”
Episode 4.03: “The False Bride”
Episode 4.04: “Common Ground”
Episode 4.05: “Savages”
A complete library of recaps from Seasons 2-3 is also available here.
I must admit this wasn’t my fav episode of this season. Didn’t love seeing John Grey basically lusting after Jamie, and having Claire revisit another painful memory from the past. Happy Jamie got a small glimpse of his son.
And while I loved Jamie giving Claire the new ring, I’m still waiting for the amazingly sexy, love scenes.
Tina, I hope you get your wish. Because then the rest of us get the treat of another fabulous Jamie-Claire scene as well. I can see how this episode might be a love or “meh” reaction. Here’s hoping you feel better about next week’s!
For me this was solid five kilts episode! I loved Claire and John getting frank finally. I did like the political talk at dinner, and it highlighted the fact that both John and William will likely be fighting in the war when it comes, and that maintaining that friendship might be really hard.
I love that you loved it, Ned! I thoroughly enjoyed it too. The acting was dynamite and I did love that we didn’t bounce around as much as in previous episodes. Watching Claire and John was a highlight for me, as was watching Jamie’s face as he spent time with his son. Thanks for reading and commenting! Come back next week. Pretty please.
Hey Outlander fam,
another great episode, time just flew by in this one. I loved every bit of it and I am glad we got to see Jamie and Willie together. I loved the scenes between Lord John and Claire. I especially loved when Claire said: “I was born that way.” and Lord John said the same, it felt like a not to LGBT community (or someone in the writers room really likes Lady Gaga). Loved Jamie and Claire getting their sexy/romantic time back. Da mi basia mille – give me a thousand kisses, love the Latin quote and the new ring. Anyways, looking forward to the next episode and wondering will we see Wille again… (just wondering, no spoilers please, non book reader here).
Nancy, my fellow blogger and pal Anne Gavin pulled the Lady Gaga reference out of that scene as well! Once she mentioned it, I couldn’t stop singing the song in my head. It’s a great song and perfect for this scene. Good call! Thanks for reading and for your comments. Spoil ye, I shall not. Also, because I can’t fully remember everything I read three years ago. 🙂
I found your blog a few months ago, have read everyone of your writings, and am a devoted fan. I love the way you write, your insight scene per scene, and your great sense of humor. I specifically enjoyed your “confession”. I, too, am a book reader and you described my thoughts and feelings spot on. I now look forward to your blog with as much enthusiasm as I have for each new episode. Thank you for adding to my enjoyment of Outlander.
Beverly, thank you for giving my humble little ramblings your seal of approval. It means more than I can express! I hope you’ll be back for more. While I can’t promise it’ll be near as good as the episodes coming (they’re doing such a great job this season!), I promise to give it a hearty Highlander try to entertain you and provide you some levity here and there. Cheers!
Hi Ashley.
Love your thoughts, and boy, I am with you. Five Kilt episode and Merry Christmas to me and all Outlander Fans out there!
I still can’t stop watching last week’s episode, and Blood of My Blood will be no different.
Oh how much did I love the John Grey/Claire scenes. Both of them were acting their hearts out, and I can’t help but feel sorry for Lord John.
Out of the many, many, many people who lust after Jamie (and the list is so long, it would be easier to mention those who don’t lust after the Lord of Lallybrock at this point)
Of all of them, I feel Lord John is the one that really conveys the heartbreak of unrequited love. There’s truly an affection there, and a friendship between the two men, so it does make you feel for him.
If I had to pick a bad of the episode, it would be in the dialogue: A lot of times writers will break the golden rule of “show don’t tell” by over explaining.
I felt the lines “I was born this way,” just undermined the whole scene between Lord John and Claire.
They could have just let the emotions they built before the lines in that scene marinate. They were going to have the newly discovered understanding and connection between them regardless.
I feel that the dialogue insulted the viewer, making us feel that we were too stupid to figure out what the unsaid, underlying message was without their assistance.
For myself I hate when writers do that, and often the unspoken is more powerful than the spoken sometimes.
Anyway my GREAT hands down is Willie. Where exactly did they find that kid? He really could have been Sam’s.
Wow, he was just amazing: Haughty and spoiled like Geneva, and so very British like Lord John.
But Willie is Jamie, through and through. I cried right along with him when he cried over Lord John possibly dying, felt my heart break when he reminisced with Jamie over the last time he saw him, just melted when he courageously faced the Cherokee telling them, “I stole? the fish alone!” The boy taking his punishment, so Jamie would not have to.
Oh, I am tearing up all over again. So sweet.
Willie giving Lord John that hug–It seemed like John’s heart was bursting.
And please don’t get me started on Willie looking backward as they rode away.
I’ve got the chills thinking about it.
What a romantic bath at the end-a thousand kisses. Oh my!
Dawn
By the way, I love your Cousin Eddie reference! Hilarious.
They really took us through the ringer with this episode! Not in a Faith-like way by any means, but I did really enjoy the range thrown at us with humor, touching emotion, raw honesty and conversation, the works! The works is how I describe your weekly commentary too. Please keep it coming!
I LOVE the series, “Outlander”! I, for one, am glad for the deviations from the books, because now I get to be surprised when watching the show as well. And though a past life in editing sharpens my eyes, these notations do not lessen my affection for all things, OUTLANDER…
• Okay, there it is! Jamie hair! Not all goofy fringe and stiff, ponytailed-wig, Jamie hair… Joy, albeit fleeting…
• So there is not one, “Hey kid, who are you and where did you and your posh English come from?” uttered by Murtagh or Claire when encountering Willie?
• In all the correspondence between Jamie and John, leading John to come to Fraser’s Ridge, Jamie is only just NOW learning of Isobel’s death during the trip from England to Jamaica, to meet John there? Really? Who thought that was plausible?
• Murtagh and Jamie have been apart faaarrrrr too long… Murtagh is feeling like the odd man out, and rightfully so. Since this is all different from the books, hope the writers will prove to have taken good care with OUR hearts, with regards to Murtagh. Yes, Murtagh, you HAVE always been there for Jamie, and I hope the writers have been there for YOU!
• Speaking of Murtagh, when it’s discovered that John has the measles, why does Claire mention, “I’ll have Murtagh stay with me,” when talking to Jamie about taking William away, yet he’s never seen again in this episode?
• Awwww… The look of pride on Jamie’s face, when William asks, “Have you ever seen such a glorious thing before, Sir?”, as they look down at Fraser’s Ridge. That he gets to share that with his son!
• “You cannot be at all a comfortable woman to live with.”, says John to Claire… Oh Lord John, you only wish that was the case. Jamie appears more than comfortable. “I was an adequate husband” is hardly a ringing endorsement for yourself. The repartee between these two during this episode is so good, and these two have been just waiting for an opportunity like this!
• CLAIRE (leaning in): Oh yeah, well I’ll see the son (who I knew about) and your time spent with Jamie, and I’ll raise with our daughter YOU knew nothing about, and well, that look on your face says you’re too stunned to remember my next couple of lines… Aw, snap! You meant no offense, John? Oh, of course you did.
• More Claire lines, more Claire lines, more Claire lines… JOHN (a bit shell-shocked): “You are a rather remarkable woman.” Duh, John. Really, these two are long overdue for these conversations. The repartee between these two is so well acted!
• I hear Lady Gaga singing, “Born this way…” ? , with Claire and John as backup singers!
• William has just laid blame for his “papa’s” potential death at Jamie’s feet. Jamie, does not respond, probably conflicted in that he doesn’t want John to die, yet if he did, wouldn’t Jamie now have his son all to himself? As he’s experienced over the last few days?
• FINALLY! John is tortured seeing Jamie with Claire, and she asks why does he do this to himself? And NOW, now the cat is out of the proverbial bag when John reveals the offer Jamie made to him, in exchange for being father to the boy.
• CLAIRE: Note to self; hang on to that bit of self-offering I’ve learned about between Jamie and John, for next big fight with Jamie! Oh yeah… Jamie, you got some ‘splainin’ to do…
• Yes! Jamie gets to shout it out to the world that he’s the father, whether or not any or all believe or know. Relief and angst all at once!
• So they both love Jamie, and that’s just the way it is. Game, set, match… For BOTH!
• Because of the conversation between Jamie and William on the way back to the cabin, Willie clearly knows what it means between them if he turns back to look at Jamie as he and John ride away. And, so does Jamie! Love the “Willie” theme music!
• Annnnd, now we’re back to the wedding ring in the books. All is well on Fraser’s Ridge. They can get on with that alone time they’ve been teasing. One, two, three, five… Five? And to all a good night!
Kimber, come sit in my living room with me this Sunday and watch the show with me? Your comments make me feel as if you are and I love it!
Ahhh, wouldn’t it be loverly?
I’m always good for a beverage of your choice and a cheese plate!
Hospitable!
Jamie wouldn’t get custody of William if John had died. First of all, there was no paternity test back then. Second, the Dunsany family would say that Jamie was claiming William as his son in order to get a hold of his inheritance. Third, because Geneva wasn’t yet 18 years old, technically Jamie would be guilty of statutory rape so he’d never admit to it. And fourth, the whole reason Jamie left was to make sure that William was never publicly disgraced for being a bastard child. If he took him in, everyone would see the resemblance and William would become a social outcast. So no. Jamie would never vie for custody. If John had died, William would be sent to his Uncle Hal who has three children of his own. Either that, or someone else in the Dunsany family.
How did I never read any ot those recaps before?
I follow you on Insta but just discovered this blog.
You make me laugh so much.
Excellent reading and teasing
Thank you
Daphne, you found us! That’s all that matters, and we adore you for it. We promise to keep things cozy and comfy if you promise to stay now that you’ve entered into our little home in this great big Outlander world. Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!
? Ahhh, wouldn’t it be loverly? ?
Question: In remembering ‘Mac’ (whom Willie hasn’t seen since he was 6), Willie is remembering Mac the groom, not his father. He clearly sees Lord John in this role, even though he knows LJG is his stepfather. The conversations that Jamie and Willie have about remembering each other and Willie’s entitled attitude re. privy, dressing the deer, Jamie’s position at Frasers Ridge, show he still thinks of Jamie as a servant, not his biological father. Jamie & John have agreed to keep that quiet for Willie’s sake. What then is the point of Jamie shouting ‘he’s my son’ at the Cherokee? A gut reaction, to protect his child, or a ruse to distract the Indians? A bluff, attempting to hide the truth in plain sight, thinking no one would ever believe it anyway?
Other question: some fans have criticised Bree’s ‘brattiness’ when she says something snarky, or acts impulsively, but they don’t do the same to Willie. Why does Willie get off lightly? Both of them are children separated from at least biological parent. Why are we more inclined to excuse brattiness in a 12-yr old boy than in a 20-something young woman?
Debra – great discussion questions and insight! I interpreted his blurting of Willie as his son in two ways: one, to protect his child from the same fate his other son, poor Fergus, suffered at nearly the same age. And two, yes – I think he was trying to hide the truth in plain sight. I don’t think Willie bought it, even if the Cherokee did, so no harm done per se.
Your point about Willie’s attitude is valid. All I can think is that he has lived a life apart from Jamie and doesn’t know he’s his father. Bree, on the other hand, lived a life with Claire and Frank as her parents and throws that treatment at Claire knowingly still.
That being said, I definitely see a different Bree this season and know that, after making the courageous trek to see/save her parents, she will be a more grown up Bree and treat her mother with a different attitude.
Just like the old Joni Mitchell song (or Counting Crows cover, if you prefer), “Big Yellow Taxi”:
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got til its gone.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
Great recap,Ashley!
I thought my favorite moment was when William looked back at Jamie, but on second viewing the hug William gave him (and riding back on the same horse) was my fave.
Well now you’ve given me a reason (you know, research) to go back and watch yet again to see which one ranks higher for me! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Funny. Very funny. Seldom do I laugh out loud at someone’s writing, but you have a knack. And wonderful insights. There were a few instances here where I was left scratching my head. Thinking I knew what was meant, but wondering if others saw the same thing. That kid kept smirking in places that raised questions about whether he knew something or was simply acting his age. Keep ’em coming!
Janie, I’m blushing a shade of LJG fever pink. So thank you! Appreciate you reading and commenting. Come back soon!
Everybody is commenting on the “Born This Way” song. The writers weren’t trying to reference the song, but they were quoting the book, which was written years before the song. And from my POV, I don’t think that John was referencing his homosexuality. He said that Claire was very open and honest. And she says she was born that way. I think what Lord John meant was that he was born as blunt and open as she was, but that his sexual nature forced him to lead a double-life. His entire life and profession is about keeping and acquiring secrets. So I think he envies Claire for not being confined into the Victorian repression that he has to conform to. it’s ironic that a female time- traveler can be more herself, than he can.
Ned, thank you for this. I think you are right about the original intent of the line, but since the book has been written, I do feel like the writers subtly made a nod to the double meaning of the “born this way” comment given LJG’s open love for Jamie, but private life regarding his sexuality otherwise. He makes no apologies for loving Jamie as he was born that way, or at least that’s how I picked up on the original plus updated message implied.
Sheets/towels in the tub are to keep your tender backside from scraping against the rough tin.
.. and as long as I’m here, that roof on the Fraser’s Ridge cabin irks me — those shakes look way too smooth and modern, no way is a backwoods cabin would have a roof that looked so polished!
Claire brought them back from the future with her in the batsuit. Along with power tools to get the job done quicker and neater.
My question is how did William get leeches on his legs when he had on socks and shoes? Clearly he hadn’t been wading in the water. Hmmmm. lol
Right? Dumb teen antics of the 1770s, perhaps? Like the Tide poda idiocy of today, but with less toxic danger.
Just finished reading this… my sides hurt from laughing so hard!! Thank you for your wonderfully witty writing!
Suzanne – not to inflict more pain, but now I just want to squeeze you big and tight! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hello all, l was thinking about the comment regarding the brattiness in Bree and William. What if that character trait is the result of being Jamie’s kids? Eventually being able to hold your own and find your way evolves in Bree and later in William. Does this brattiness mean they have inherited Jamie’s strong will and courage to face the challenges in their futures? While Claire certainly has courage so Bree gets that from her too, Geneva was just spoiled . We never got to see how she would develop. the characteristics we see in a young teen may be the marker for later growth as an adult. It takes a long time for William to mature in the books but you do see aspects of his nature that show he is developing . Jamie’s paternity is not just biological!
Speaking of the leeches, I was quite taken aback with Claire’s line to Willie “They won’t hurt you.”
In everything I’ve ever heard about the history of medicine in regards to leeches is that they were specifically used to bleed people.
It was common practice, unfortuantely.
In that sense, yes. Having leeches on his skin would have hurt Willie very much.