Ooh scene 1 and already we get a shirtless Arthur! (Bradley James) Stop it writers, you can't spoil us already, you'll leave us with no surprises. Arthur meditates and soon after he comes up with a quest of his own: to search for The Fisher King and bring back his Golden Trident. This Merlin (Colin Morgan) calls "an important day in Arthur's life." This Trident is mentioned in the legends of the Fallen Kings. (It's Arthur who makes another reference to this.) Uther (Anthony Head) tells him Arthur must journey on this quest alone and this will prove him worthy of Camelot and to be King, in front of his subjects. Well going it alone is not on the agenda, not when Merlin's around and certainly not when he finds out about Arthur's bracelet.
Gaius (Richard Wilson) provides Merlin with the lowdown on the Fisher King (so what's happened to all these books he told Arthur he was reading, okay, there weren't any.) He was a sorceror who lived hundreds of years ago. After being wounded in battle, he was not only infected by this throughout his body, but his lands were also infected. Many believe him to be still alive, sustained in this way by his magic. Merlin has hiccups, he's eating hurriedly, he could have cured them with some magic! That's one thing about Merlin, he doesn't use magic for himself, or on himself, but only to help others. In sharp contrast to Morgana (Katie McGrath) who knows no bounds as far as being selfish and evil goes. (The one time he did try and use magic to save himself, look how that worked out.)
In the market with Morgana, Gwen (Angel Coulby) notices she's approached by an old hag and lead away. It's Morgause (Emilia Fox) in disguise. She hands Morgana a bracelet which will significantly weaken Arthur on his quest and drain him of his life force, eventually leading to his death. Begging the question of why Morgana didn't realize it was Morgause and not an old woman. Surely she can recognize her in any old disguise. She has to make a "likeness of Arthur" in order for the bracelet to work. Ahh, that'd be similar to a voodoo doll, to you and me. And "bind it to the gift" i.e. the gift Morgause taught her. Gwen sees Morgause's reflection in the mirror but thinks nothing of it.
Uther talks with Morgana about Arthur being the true heir and she reassures him that "a Pendragon will rule over Camelot for a long time to come." Referring to none other than herself as this Pendragon. Morgana really oozes evil and cruelty out of every orifice and that's a huge change in her character. She had us fooled into thinking she was so perfect, shy and timid and could do no wrong. Clearly the magic in her, the nightmares she had, has surpassed any civility or humility she may have once possessed.
Merlin worries about Arthur and the bracelet, he felt it's magical power and sets out to help Arthur. Well Merlin is the only one who can save him and knows of Morgana's treachery. The bracelet is the Eye of the Phoenix. Like the phoenix itself, the eye burned of fire and drains the life force, as said, which is why everytime we see it light up, it makes Arthur that much weaker. Anyway, the quest wouldn't be complete without the help of Gwaine (Eoin Macken) since Merlin isn't really any match in the fighting stakes, or should that be sword-wielding stakes, or both. Right, he's not a fighter but a magician. He finds Gwaine in a tavern, naturally, facing yet more trouble and having to escape the clutches of some thugs. Loved the music in this chase scene, it was very Pirates of the Caribbean (2003), at least to me!
Morgana weaves her magic and binds Arthur's doll, burning it. Prompting Gwen to become suspicious of the burning smell. Morgana is abrupt with her. Again letting her guard down around Gwen in her haste to hurry Arthur's demise along. I have to say, for someone who is meant to be endowed with the gift of magic, she doesn't come across as very bright. In fact she doesn't have half the power or brains that Merlin has. Morgause has to tell her what to do, practically all the time and give her magic 'gifts' to use. At least Merlin knows how to use his powers, to a certain extent, without any help.
Arthur barely manages to stave off his attackers and finally comes to a bridge, where he meets Grettir (Warwick Davis), akin to a magical dwarf. He comments, Arthur "must be courage." What was interesting about this conversation was that Grettir knows the bracelet Morgana gave Arthur is magical, but Arthur can't see that. It's as though he's had his eyes closed to magic since Uther outlawed it in Camelot. A cruel joke or kind teasing on Grettir's part about Arthur, especially when he tells him he'll need "strength and magic" to complete his quest. Not all within Arthur, but in all three (Arthur = courage, Merlin = magic and Gwaine = strength) put together. He disappears as as quickly as he appeared.
Morgana gives Gwen time off, for good behaviour, had to fit that in, no, it's for being short with her, but Gwen isn't falling for it and hides in her closet to spy on her. Merlin and Gwaine share a joke in a bonding moment. These two really have a developing friendship and it's good that Gwaine is ready and willing to help Arthur because he genuinely feels Arthur is a good guy and not because Merlin just tells him he is. He's always looking for a fight and a good tavern. I also like the threesome (not in that sense!) of the characters in how they all have such great chemistry together as actors and characters, bringing real passion to their scenes. shown by their stopping in front of the fire and Gwaine admitting he's there to help Merlin and not there for Arthur. Merlin is the only friend Gwaine has. Which is a sad indictment of Gwaine's position, he's a knight so would have had many prospects and no need to venture to taverns for drinks, he could make his mark in Camelot, but he chooses not to. Not only because he doesn't agree with Uther and his 'vision' of Camelot; but he doesn't like the entire injustices of the nobility.
Gwen admits what she saw in Morgana, her "fiery eyes" and Gaius tells her they must beware her. At last Gwen finally gets some meat to her role. She's been the servant for far too long and now she knows what Morgana is really up to and Merlin, Gaius and Arthur, unwittingly, gain another ally in her.
Arthur survives quicksand, only to meet Wyverns, magical creatures, similar to dragons, his energy diminishing as time goes on. Splitting up to find Arthur, Merlin has to call upon his role of Dragon Lord to cause the Wyverns to retreat. Arthur had to be unconscious so he wouldn't see Merlin using magic, but Gwaine kills one of the Wyverns with his sword when it attacks again. There, magic and strength both in action to save Arthur. Arthur can only be angry for ruining his quest, like who'd know they helped!
Merlin gets locked in the chamber with the Fisher King (Donald Sumpter), who calls him Emrys. He wants to die and was waiting for Merlin for so long. The others look for a door to get Merlin out and Gwaine calls Arthur a 'princess'. A bit of his own medicine there, as he's always calling Merlin a girl. The Fisher King was waiting for "the time of the once and future king." And the "chosen one." being Merlin, of course, not another chosen one seems all TV shows must have one or more. This is Merlin's quest and the Trident falls from his hand, this is all Arthur wanted. Merlin's true prize is the water from the Lake of Avalon and in order to save Albion, Merlin will find help in this water, it "...will show you the way." In return he wants something from Merlin, the gift of death. Merlin gives him the Eye of the Phoenix and places it on his wrist so he may die.
Morgana is shocked to see Arthur return, dropping her goblet. If only we could have had some looks from Gwen, now knowing what she's like, it's only fair, since Morgana gets to smirk in evil fashion. Gaius warns Merlin of their one enemy in Camelot and they should heed the warnings of The Fisher King.
The pursuit of the Fisher King and the Trident was not Arthur's quest but that of Merlin. Since sure enough, Uther has the Trident locked away in the vaults of Camelot. It was another extension of Merlin's destiny and the need for him to embrace it whole heartedly. Think that in an abstract way, when Grettir mentioned the three requirements to Arthur's quest, he could also be referring to Merlin's strength too, not physical, but will power; and courage: the courage and determination to do whatever it takes to protect Arthur. Morgana was Uther's ward once upon a time, and I like to think that Merlin is Arthur's guardian and protector.
Merlin has continually excelled this series (season) and this episode was no exception. Can't wait for the next.
Grettir appears to Merlin saying, "Magic has arrived." for Arthur to become king, Merlin has to be by his side, this is revealed as Merlin's destiny, but Merlin already knows that. he was told this several times by the Dragon. (John Hurt). Gwaine he calls "strength" and Grettir turns Gwaine's sword into a bunch of flowers. Grettir parts company with them by telling Merlin he should obey the wishes of the Fisher King. Already Merlin is told he is alive, even before he's arrived at his destination.
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