Sir Leon (Rupert Young) and the knights of Camelot are attacked, and are found by Druids. Leon is still alive but barely hanging on. Carried to the Druids cave, he is made to drink from the Cup of Life, saving him from death. Leon relays this news to Uther (Anthony Head) who immediately sets his sights on the Cup. He must have it at all costs so that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. He sends out Arthur (Bradley James) on this perilous quest. I could call the search fruitless and futile because if Uther had left well alone, the Cup where it was, Morgause (Emilia Fox) and Morgana (Katie McGrath) wouldn't have have heard about the Cup and it would have been safer in the hands of the Druids. But Uther, being Uther, must covet such possessions and hide them away in his vault. This being in his nature. Uther: can't have it in the wrongs hands, since "Camelot would be all but lost."
Merlin: "If I don't know where we're going , how do I know what to pack?" [He's never had that problem before.]
Arthur: "Don't be such a girl Merlin, we're not going on holiday." Some great funny lines in light of the drama to come.
The Druids are somewhere on Cenred's (Tom Ellis) lands, making the quest doubly more dangerous; especially since Morgause has the information from Morgana. Cenred orders his men to find Arthur and search for the Cup.
Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Arthur are caught by Jarl: (Ralph Ineson) a slave trader who takes them to his lair, where he forces his captives to fight each other: the winner meeting the current champion, who just happens to be Gwaine (Eoin Macken). Jarl picks Merlin to fight, but Arthur takes his place instead, as Merlin would be no match for any opponent. (Little do they know.) Conveniently they met Gwaine here and didn't have to search for him in taverns, as they'll need his help in their search for the Cup.
Arthur and Gwaine feign fighting, allowing Merlin to use his magic and start a fire, so they can escape and Gwaine and Arthur don't keep squabbling over who was winning. Merlin: when no one can acknowledge how he saved them, they don't know, comes up with the line, "...and if it weren't for that fire, we'd all be sprouting daises."
Also blabbing to Gwaine about the Cup.
Arthur: "We're on a quest."
Merlin: "We're looking for the Cup of Life." Arthur slaps him on the head. Ooh someone's been tuning in to NCIS on the sly!
Finding the Druid's cave, Arthur threatens a little boy at sword-point and agrees to free him in exchange for the Cup. A marked change in Arthur's character. Arthur is desperate - yes - but to the point of harming a child, as we know he wouldn't have gone through with it, but again demostrating his shortcomings in coming up with an alternative method to gain the Cup.
The Druid leader communicates with Merlin, telepathically, calling him Emris, telling him the Cup must be protected by Merlin. It's almost as if he knew Merlin would be here at this moment in time.
Running into Cenred's men on their return to Camelot, the Cup is lost after a fight by Merlin after using his magic to take the Cup from the soldier, he allows it to roll over the edge of a hill. Well, perhaps if Arthur hadn't been carrying it wrapped in a cloth in plain sight... During the fight, Arthur is injured by a poison dart and try as he may, Merlin cannot cure him using his magic and once more his magic is deemed useless as he's powerless to protect the very person he must.
Jarl, working for Cenred, or rather they have an understanding not to bother each other, brings him Arthur's bags. Cenred: "Do not think for one moment that you can cross me - my lady."
Morgause: "Cross you - never." Seems these two were coming up with their own one liners in the comic stakes!
Morgause getting her evil paws on the Cup, uses the blood of Cenred's soldiers. The blood of each soldier collected in the Cup makes the soldier immortal. Finally Morgause does what was expected from her and betrays Cenred; rewarding him with death for his help.That was seen coming, but was a bit premature. Morgause and Cenred had another funny moment here when Cenred asks if she's threatening him and she says when she is, he'll know. Yes, they follow this through to this scene here, just before she sets the soldier on him. With Cenred trying to call him off, he's his man. Sorry dear, he's immortal! After killing him, she ends with, "...did I not say when I threatened you that you would know about it." Morgause does comedy and sarcasm all rolled into one, and she's good too!
The immortal army marches upon Camelot and even with the Knights of Camelot, sent to fight, their defences fail as the immortal army turns out to be invincible.
Camelot falls. At Morgana's mercy, she assures Gwen (Angel Coulby) will not be harmed. Well, only after Gwen begs her by telling her she has been nothing but loyal in serving her.
The poison affects Arthur as it flows through his body and he is weak to act. Arriving at Gwen's house, they stumble across Elyan (Adetomiwa Edun) and he conveys how he tried to fight but was powerless against the army's might.
Sneaking into Camelot, Gwaine and Elyan take Gaius (Richard Wilson) to the woods for safety, whilst Merlin and Arthur watch Uther being dragged to the throne room. He mistakenly believes Morgause wants the throne for herself, shouting that she cannot have it. But is shocked to see Morgana finally reveal her true colours. Informing Uther she is aware of being his daughter. Morgana is crowned Queen of Camelot.
Morgana appears to be just a token queen; nothing more than Morgause's puppet; as she is the one pulling her strings. Without her, Morgana is just a helpless, spiteful, spoilt child as she has no idea how to harness and use the magic within her.
An episode full of betrayal: Morgause killing Cenred. Did he really believe she would be anything but merciless when he's witnessed first hand the extent of her ruthless powers and determination. To stop at nothing and spare no one in her thirst for power. What more could Cenred have done for her and why would she leave him alive. For all this talk of the Cup of Life and retrieving it for Morgause - pity Cenred didn't think of putting his own blood into it too. Think about it, if his men were becoming immortal, why not himself too. Immortal forever - he could've won any battle. Maybe that would have been futile anyway seeing as how immortality wouldn't have lasted long.
Merlin and Arthur looking down into the throne room, was more characteristic of how Morgana and Morgause would scurry around listening and watching everything happening within Camelot, through their little "peep-holes." This time it was Arthur and Merlin in their place, doing the spying.
Followers and fans of Merlin will recall the Cup of Life was last used in the season 1 finale: Le Morte d'Arthur, when Merlin battled Nimueh (Michelle Ryan) on the Isle of the Blessed. Somehow it has ended up in the hands of the Druids.
Lots of action in this episode and betrayals too. Also Uther's words in the opening about Camelot being lost if the Cup fell into the wrong hands, ring true here, almost prophetic-like. However, it must be remembered that Uther brought about this fate on Camelot after he wanted the cup, so really he's the one to blame here for everything that happened.
When all is lost, can't wait to see what the finale will hold...
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