After a day of hunting, Arthur (Bradley James) insists he's in need of some mead. Merlin (Colin Morgan) mistakenly believes it's sleep that he needs, not mead. They stop at a local tavern where Arthur posits he can tell what people are thinking about him in such a place. Merlin won't be Arthur's servant when they enter the tavern, but just a "simple peasant."
Merlin replies, "The simple part's right," referring to Arthur. The bar wench pays a compliment, which Arthur thinks is directed at him, but it's Merlin she finds handsome!
There's the usual trouble in the tavern; as we know by now, where Arthur goes, trouble is never far behind. A man asks the bar wench for his share of the takings and insists on getting more than a coin. Arthur, forever so chivalrous, has to come to her rescue. The thug whistles for the rest of his men. Arthur berates Merlin for having to open his mouth and speak, for the fight to ensue. A stranger comes to their aid in an all-out bar brawl, or in this case, tavern travesty. Merlin uses magic to dispose of a few of the unsightly lot. He then meets Gwaine (Eoin Macken), the stranger who comes to their rescue. (Gwaine is from Arthurian legend, he was one of the legendary knights of the round table. Also note for the purposes of this series, the spelling of 'Gawain' is changed to 'Gwaine'.)
Gwaine is hurt and is taken to Camelot, but not before the thug leader is put into the stocks. Arthur introduces himself as the king's son before he leaves. Gwaine saved Arthur's life and he's in his debt. (That's becoming a habit -- also Lancelot saved his life too in earlier episodes.) Gwaine is adamant if he knew who Arthur really was, then he wouldn't have saved him. To him, Arthur is nothing more than a noble. He's not enamored of kings and refuses a reward.
As per usual, there's another melee -- with knights in a tournament. Arthur calls it a "test of strength and courage." Merlin wouldn't know what the melee involves since he's not a knight, which Merlin confesses is just as well, as he wouldn't take any pleasure in being hit on the head. To which, Arthur throws a goblet at his head. (Dangerous!)
The thug from the tavern crops up again, as we knew he would and demands "stulorne blades" from an old man. The blades are unique and magical, as they appear to be blunt, but are sharp. He buys some crystals. (So why didn't the old man not realize he would be killed as soon as he activated the crystals magical properties?) Whoever has possession of the crystals will take on the appearance of the dead, host body, after touching their blood. Now he can have his revenge on Arthur. (Lots of shirtless "eye candy" in this show, if you like that kind of stuff!) This time it's Gwaine who is shirtless!
Gwaine notices Gwen (Angel Coulby). Everyone has eyes for her and attempts to place a flower in her hair. She looks like a princess. (Ahem that's the future queen, he's leering over!) She returns his flower.
Sir Oswald (John Hopkins) is killed by the thug and his body is taken over with the help of the crystals. The thug's accomplice takes on the appearance of Sir Ethan (Philip Brodie). They head for the melee. Arthur tells Oswald that Merlin loves to work hard, so that's exactly what they do, make Merlin work hard.
Gaius (Richard Wilson) questions Merlin as to whether he's eating or inhaling his soup. Merlin frets he's been treated despicably by Oswald, but Gaius can only recall Oswald as being nothing but kind. Gaius: "not all masters are good to their servants as Arthur." Merlin would find that debatable!
Gwaine gets drunk in the tavern and can't pay, so Merlin suggests Arthur should pay. Gwaine tells Merlin about Caerleon's army and how his father was a knight and was killed. He never knew his father, just as Merlin didn't know his either. Merlin only met his father for a brief moment, he had been banished. Merlin tells him Arthur isn't like a bad person. Merlin offers to pay for the tavern bill and Arthur makes them both clean boots, for the entire army. (More references to pickled eggs, 14 dozen, as mentioned in the second episode of this series, being Arthur's favourite breakfast food.) Merlin thinks Gwaine should tell Arthur his father was a knight and then he wouldn't be here. Gwaine believes titles mean nothing, the only things that matter are feelings and the sort of person you are.
Arthur practices for the melee and he and Oswald fight. They bet on who wins and naturally Arthur does. Oswald can't wait to use the stulorne blade on Arthur. Merlin would have to notice the sharpness of the blades when he picks it up and cuts his finger. Gwaine has witnessed those blades in practice, they entail the use of magic. Gaius warns Merlin he can't accuse Oswald without any proof; he's a knight. (Lately that's all Gaius seems to be telling Merlin, first with Morgana (Katie McGrath) and then with Oswald.)
More on the differences between knights and common peasants, demonstrating the inequalities of the time. Merlin attempts to retrieve the blade, but he sees Oswald change his appearance into that of the thug. Merlin is caught, leaving Gwaine to fight with Oswald, who demands an audience with Uther (Anthony Head). Gwaine says he fought for Merlin and Uther forbids Gwaine from talking to a knight in such a way. Uther: "For a commoner to attack a nobleman is in violation of the Knight's Code." Arthur pleads on behalf of Gwaine, he saved him, "he may not be of noble birth, but I can vouch he has a noble heart." (But it's okay for a nobleman to be lawless and unjust.) Gwaine is exiled.
Oswald is aware that Merlin knows about him. Gwaine asks Merlin to look after Arthur, as "maybe that one's worth dying for." Gwen (Angel Coulby) reassures Gwaine that Arthur is not like Uther. "He will be a great king." Now Gwaine realizes why Gwen wanted nothing to do with him, she has feelings for Arthur.
Merlin will have to use his powers to protect Uther, who gives Arthur his sword, the same with which he won his very first melee. Merlin asks Arthur to recall the times when he tells him that something isn't right and Arthur just ignores him; well this is one of those times. He doesn't want Arthur to enter the melee. But this is Arthur's chance to prove himself "a worthy leader."
Merlin throws Ethan off his horse using magic, whilst Oswald attempts to kill Arthur with the sword. Arthur is joined by a mysterious knight in armour. (Obviously it's Gwaine. So why can't Merlin tell it's him until much later?) Arthur concedes victory and Gwaine removes his face-guard to reveal himself. Uther orders his arrest and execution. Gaius removes the crystals from around Oswald's and Ethan's necks and reveals their magical trickery. Gwaine is ordered to leave Camelot again. Arthur knows Uther's wrong in his decision and if it were his choice, then Gwaine would remain. Merlin thinks he should tell Uther who he is and Uther will pardon him. They fought together and Gwaine thinks perhaps he will fight with Arthur once again.
Arthur is impressed with him and knows he would have been a good knight, but the rules only allow a nobleman to become a knight. Arthur spots Gwaine with Gwen and comments "they seem very friendly." Merlin reminds him that "Gwen can never consort with a nobleman -- that's the rule." She kisses him goodbye.
This episode shows a brief, future glimpse of how Arthur will be a good king and how Camelot and Albion will change under him.
No comments:
Post a Comment