The Dragon (John Hurt) cannot fight the call of the Dragon Lord and so has to obey. The Serket's (scorpions) poison that attacked Merlin (Colin Morgan) required the aid of an enchantment to heal him.
Arthur (Bradley James) is angry as he has no clothes for archery practice. He swears Merlin will be the target when he finds him. Morgana (Katie McGrath) sneaks into Uther's (Anthony Head) chamber to plant more of the mandrake root, tormenting Uther even further. The Dragon informs Merlin that the venom was too potent for Merlin's powers to overcome. It's Merlin's fault that Camelot is in peril and he should have heeded the Dragon when he told Merlin not to trust Morgana. "Trust is a double-edged sword."
Merlin believed Morgana to be like him as she also possessed magic. The Dragon says that Merlin and Morgana are similar, but Merlin insists he will never be like her. His fault to see only the good in everyone will lead to Merlin's "undoing." Merlin is told by the Dragon that "both their futures are now joined forever. She is the darkness to your light; the hatred to your love." The Dragon carries Merlin to Camelot. Merlin is told once more that Arthur's destiny and that of Albion are in his hands.
Merlin reports Morgana being behind Uther's visions to Gaius (Richard Wilson). Uther once again sees Arthur's mother in his visions, before Merlin throws the mandrake root into the fire. Gaius informs Uther of the spell he was under. Merlin wants to tell Uther that Morgana was behind it all, but Gaius warns it's too dangerous since he'd be charged with treason, accusing the King's ward. Uther will always see the good in Morgana.
Merlin warns of the great plan Morgause (Emilia Fox) and Morgana have concocted, whilst Morgause and the Camelot knights watch Cenred's (Tom Ellis) army. Arthur berates Merlin for being absent without permission and tells him he wouldn't be too bothered if Merlin was somewhere dying. Arthur knows that Camelot's future lies with him, but Merlin wouldn't know how that feels. (Of course he does, since the future of Camelot and that of Arthur also rests on his shoulders!) Another scene with a shirtless Arthur (!) shouting at Merlin: "I'll have you for breakfast!" Arthur in a moment of anger throws things at Merlin, like a girl!
Morgana finds that the mandrake root has disappeared from under Uther's bed and is surprised by Gaius. She's lost an earring. Gaius tells her Uther was under a spell and she's glad he will be fine. Morgana warns Merlin not to tell Uther anything of what transpired in the woods and threatens to make his life difficult for him, as well as threatening to tell Uther Merlin poisoned her.
Camelot will be under siege within two days. Arthur is adamant Uther wouldn't surrender Camelot to his enemies and neither will he order them to prepare for a siege. Merlin tells Arthur he will be there to protect Arthur, "God help me" is his reply. This gives Merlin an opportunity to stock up on Arthur's favourite breakfast food, pickled eggs! (Oh the stench in Arthur's chamber!)
Gwen (Angel Coulby) wants Arthur to have faith in himself, she trusts him more than Uther and he must do what his heart says; what he believes to be right. Arthur doesn't wish Gwen to call him "sire." Morgana watches the siege preparations, before slipping away to meet with Morgause. She tells of Merlin still being alive, but Morgause still needs Morgana's help from within Camelot. She gives her a branch carved out of the rowan tree, which grows on the Isle of the Blessed (this is another name for Avalon.) And can be seen only by the High priestesses. Morgana will be guided by the staff.
Arthur keeps vigil at Uther's bedside and promises not to let him down. Cenred's army reaches Camelot. Merlin helps Arthur with his armour, he's not nervous, because Merlin tells him, "I trust in your destiny." Arthur wonders if Merlin's been at the cider. Merlin: "It's your fate to be the greatest king Camelot has ever known..." and his victory will be recalled by everyone forever. Arthur is surprised Merlin is giving him the pep talk and is shocked that at times, Merlin displays signs of wisdom, whilst at other times he's nothing more than an idiot. Arthur heads into battle, chanting: "For the love of Camelot!"
Uther awakens at the deafening din of battle raging outside and joins in. Merlin suggests Gaius should watch Morgana in the make-shift hospital. Arthur drags Uther from battle, even if it is his kingdom. Merlin magically sets up a line of fire to keep back the soldiers. Morgana disappears to use the staff. Arthur promises Uther he will still have Camelot.
Morgana uses the staff and its power is felt by Merlin and Morgause, the staff causes the skeletons in the crypt to rise up and fight the knights from within. Arthur questions why Merlin keeps disappearing and Merlin can only point to the skeletons with swords. (In a scene reminiscent to a Harryhausen movie, think Jason and the Argonauts (2000).) Merlin attempts to stop Morgana. Arthur is wounded.
Merlin begs Morgana to stop. She's happy with what she's doing and has magic. She hates Uther for disliking people like her, those who have magic. Merlin tells her she can challenge Uther to stop his treatment of people in that way. She refuses to listen as Merlin doesn't have magic of his own and so can't understand. If he had her powers, he calls them gifts, then he would use them for good. She says Merlin doesn't know what it's like to be an outsider, having to hide who he is and how he was born (but he does). She doesn't deserve to be killed for her magic. Merlin and Morgana fight, before Merlin uses magic, making rocks fall onto her. He removes the staff from her grasp, stopping the skeletons in their tracks.
Cenred angrily tells Morgause her traitor has failed her and calls off the attack on Camelot, he can't afford to lose men. (Why didn't Morgause just kill Cenred for deserting her like that?) Merlin wants to tell Arthur about Morgana. Uther thanks everyone for their brave fight, informing them of the traitor in their midst and thanks Morgana for saving them, she destroyed the magic being used. Merlin and Morgana exchange glances.
Merlin ponders why Uther can't see the real Morgana (his question will be answered very soon.) But he will be ready for her. He's not afraid of her, but only sad. Gaius doesn't want Merlin to become bitter like her.
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