The Knights search for Morgana who makes a sacrifice of a dying Morgause in a bid to keep a grip on Camelot, and Arthur must prevent sacrificing himself in the process.
In the opening episode to season 4, the Knights of Camelot come across Morgana (Katie McGrath) after her deception and betrayal. She is with a disfigured Morgause (Emilia Fox) and she strikes them down. Merlin (Colin Morgan) is in the kitchen and he hasn't been there before. Arthur's (Bradley James) shirt gets dirty and Lancelot (Santiago Cabrera) suggests he should use salt but hinting to use magic on it instead. "I'm sure a man of your talents can think of something." Arthur's already dressed with his shirt sticking out at the back. Merlin gives him a lecture and teases him as usual. Merlin's also written a speech.
Morgana must reach the Isle of the Blessed with Morgause. Gwen (Angel Coulby) has a new dress for this season 4 and Uther (Anthony Head) isn't over Morgana's betrayal as it's been a year. His heart was broken by her that is something he will never recover from, even for the sake of his son. Gaius (Richard Wilson) also calls it heartbreak. Gwen stays with Uther for the sake of Arthur.
Sir Leon (Rupert Young) tells about encountering Morgana and Agravaine (Nathanial Parker) Arthur's uncle on his mother's side sends out a patrol. Her powers have increased. Agravaine believes Arthur shouldn't have to live in fear and his uncle promised his mother he'd be there for Arthur and Morgana too. Beware men wearing black in this show.
Morgause is worried that whatever Morgana does will affect everyone including Morgana herself and will "bring our enemies to our knees." Morgana sacrifices Morgause as she was dying anyway and this way she can open the veils between the two worlds. This is Morgause's "final parting gift to Morgana." Merlin feels the evil unleashed and a woman calls out to "Emrys." Merlin faints to Agravaine's chagrin. The woman is the Cailleach (pronounced kay-lyx) the gatekeeper to the spirit world. Morgana has torn the veil between the worlds and the Drocha: the voices of the dead have been freed. Enemies will rue the day and destruction, a new world will be created. "Emrys will walk in your shadow - he is your destiny and he is your doom." Cailleach (Gemma Jones) warns Morgana. Gaius tells Merlin he was out cold.
The Drocha will be released at the stroke of midnight when the veil between the world's is at its thinnest. Merlin doesn't believe the Cailleach was a vision as she knew him. Another scene with a gratuitously shirtless Arthur, really it's only the first episode! A girl is attacked in the village and Drea (Katie Moore) describes them as being without faces. Merlin gets an eerie feeling and Arthur asks if he needs his comfort blanket, also calling him a clodpole. Merlin: "That's my word." Arthur: "it suits you perfectly." Nice to know when the chips are down and there's plenty happening they can still find time to be funny. As does Gwaine (Eoin Macken) who has to eat as usual. "We are literally chasing shadows."
Screams are heard and Merlin's magic proves to be useless. Of course that's why Lancelot was around with the torch cos he knows of Merlin's magic. Merlin knows they can't be chased or killed. Camelot is attacked and Merlin's never felt so powerless, he felt empty inside and couldn't breathe. Gaius reassures it's not his fault and calls the Drocha the spirits of the dead which have been released by a blood sacrifice, that being Morgause. Morgana would do it. No mortal has survived their touch.
Merlin thinks he saw something in the shadows and Arthur has to prove he didn't. Arthur makes light of Merlin once again. Arthur: "I could never let myself look so spineless." Merlin replies he could not make himself look so "heartless, humourless." Arthur's afraid more than Merlin is. Knights are also attacked in the village. Percival (Tom Hopper) rescues the children and Elyan (Adetomiwa Edun) isn't going to let Percival have all the glory as he comes to help.
Gaius tells they're not defeated by swords and they must travel to the Isle of the Blessed and repair the veil. But sealing it will require another blood sacrifice, which Arthur will undertake. Arthur must lay down his life. Agravaine rushed to Morgana, she always needs help from some quarter and she can't wait to tell him about Emrys. The throne will belong to her with Arthur dead. Still going after that unattainable throne, when will she learn it's not hers for the taking. She missed that chance last season when she was queen for an instance.
Arthur bids his farewell to Uther who taught him to be a prince and Uther wants Arthur to stay. As does Gwen. Arthur wants her to recall the first time he kissed her and he wants that memory. He also trusts his uncle completely and leaves Camelot in his hands. Merlin will go as it's his destiny to protect Arthur, then he has to sacrifice himself. Merlin's life has been marked by destiny. "I will gladly die knowing that Albion will live."
Gwen asks Lancelot for a promise and no she didn't want to talk to him to declare her love. She wants him to look after Arthur. "I will protect him with my life, you have my promise." Well that will turn out to be prophetic and have repercussions also for the future. Lancelot tells Merlin he's not a warrior and his duty is to protect Arthur which Lancelot can understand.
Morgana dreams of dead knights and of Emrys as an old man asking her if this is what she wanted. Does she care about life? No, only what she desires. The knights are attacked by the Drocha and Merlin accompanies. Since when does he know how to collect firewood? Arthur and Merlin are caught out alone and Merlin doesn't feel cold. Arthur thinks he's brave and Arthur has never worried about dying with everything he's encountered. Merlin believes they would have been good friends if things were different and they shall defeat them together. Arthur believes Merlin's a great man "between battles." Merlin says Arthur doesn't know how many times he's saved his life. Merlin saves Arthur from the Drocha, heading straight into its path and is frozen.
The action jumps forward a year - though it's not abundantly obvious, other than a brief mention and there's been character development from Arthur and Merlin but not much else. Arthur looked after the kingdom for a year as prince after the season 3 finale and he has matured, even though his comments to Merlin are still childish and churlish at times. Then that's the relationship of master and servant, but there's much more than that going on here. Merlin still gives as good as he gets and has been 'promoted' to speech writer.
Now Arthur has Uncle Agravaine to contend with and from the outset it is apparent he's not as innocent as he appears; as Morgana now finds a new ally to spy for her in the Camelot camp. One thing not explained is how the two came to meet ad strike an ill-fated bond. What is clear is Agravaine holds great contempt and animosity towards Uther for his sister's death - but why hold a grudge against Arthur: he is still his sister's son after all; irrespective of whether magic was used to conceive him. Is Agravaine really privy to that secret when Arthur isn't?
Merlin feels he's the one who is going to make the sacrifice even if his magic proves useless in the face of the Drocha and by episode's end this won't be the case as Merlin is in no condition to do much of anything. Morgana sacrifice Morgause to open up the veils still thinking she has a shot at Camelot and Arthur. Yet her anger and bitterness has not been reduced within a year as she now enters her "Goth stage." Dressed in less than luxurious attire - would've thought she could have conjured up something more fetching. However even her clothes are a reflection of her determination and her evil persona as well as an indication of her dark personality.
What was the significance behind tearing the the veil? Only logical explanation is that she wanted Arthur in the Isle of the Blessed so he'd have to sacrifice himself for his kingdom, noble regent that he is. That could have been better explained. Uther is now a shadow of his former defiant self, which Anthony Head managed to bring out with his limited lines of the scene. He bemoans the betrayal by Morgana and losing her as a daughter but still had love for Arthur.
The screeching and screaming added some dark creepiness to the episode which is more eerie than past. Nathanial Parker could have been given more to do than play Morgana's minion as he rides about everywhere like a lowly messenger. What does Agravaine hope to gain and what has Morgana promised him, other than revenge?
This episode was a hark back to the season 1 finale 1.13 Le Morte d'Arthur where Arthur was bitten by a Questing beast and after vanquishing the creature he hovers between life and death. The Dragon advises Merlin to find the Isle of the Blessed where followers of the old religion can save Arthur - but there is a catch: a sacrifice is needed, a life for a life. So how could Merlin have forgotten that now as Gaius explains what must be done? In this episode it was to be Gaius making the sacrifice.
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