A boy by the name of Gilli, (Harry Melling) uses magic to fend off his attackers on a lowly road to Camelot. Hiding a ring in his belongings, but how could they have not found it, it wasn't very cleverly concealed. He's taking part in the tournament.
Merlin (Colin Morgan) wonders the sort of riff raff that will turn up, just for the money. Arthur (Bradley James) tells him it's an open tournament and it's a tradition that takes place every 10 years. Arthur: "The only rule is, there are no rules." As soon as he said this, I thought Fight Club (1999). So I ask you, "what is the first rule of fight club - there are no rules." Merlin's own version of the movie, circa medieval times.
Camelot is over-run with participants, as Merlin pointed out, so won't Uther (Anthony Head) fear there being sorcerers around. Merlin is menaced by the same thugs who attacked Gilli, also here for the tournament, well they wouldn't turn down the winnings and Gilli saves Merlin from a whipping.
Uther brags he's won the tournament 3 times. Morgana (Katie McGrath) urges him to compete by playing on his sense of pride. Merlin can only speak of the number of people killed in the tournament as if Arthur really wants to hear that. Gwen (Angel Coulby) is strangely absent from this episode, and in the past she would have had to sit with Morgana in the stand. Strange she wasn't there to cheer on Arthur, from a distance of course. Having said that, notice the purple favour on Arthur's arm, it was suggested he was given this by Gwen, as she may have been the subject of a scene being dropped. This is not questioned by Uther, probably thinking he was given this by Morgana.
After the first round, Gilli is wounded and uses his magic ring to heal himself, within the castle; leaving behind a burning odour. Dropping his ring when chased by guards. Uther suspects sorcery at work (now that's what I said already). Gaius (Richard Wilson) finds the ring on the floor and picks it up before Uther can see it and convinces him the smell is from the brewery. Gilli was very amateurish in his use of magic and talk about using it in the most obvious places. During the fight, his eyes would light up when he used magic on his competitors and yet nobody noticed; not even Uther in his fight scene.
Merlin attempts encourage Gilli to refrain from using magic and Gilli refuses to show him his wound. He denies he's using magic; giving Merlin the chance for his spiel on the old religion and he has nothing to be afraid of. Gilli believes his father was scared of Uther and of using magic and he wasn't proud of who he is for this reason. Merlin reminds him of someone, himself no doubt, but he doesn't tell him who. Gilli: "Without magic, I'm a nobody." Merlin calls him "special" and warns Gilli he'll be executed if he continues using his magic. (Prompting the question if those who were sorcerer's were put to death for using their magic, how come they never used their magic to evade death?)
One by one the opponents are whittled down. Leaving Arthur to face Uther in the next round. Arthur raises his doubts about fighting him: he could either kill him or humiliate him. Arthur: "Do you have any idea what it's like to live with a man who constantly thinks he's the best?"
Merlin: "....must be irritating." Conversation alluding to Arthur and Merlin here obviously. Arthur lets Uther win.
Gilli continues to fight in the tournament because people respect him now, he's the underdog who can take on the king. Merlin knows what it's like to be him and shows him some magic of his own. "It's lonely to be more powerful than any man you know and have to live like a shadow...to be special and have to pretend you're a fool. I know how it feels." Summing up Merlin's raison d'etre. Magic is for good, not "for vanity." Merlin did sound a little arrogant here, as if he's better than everyone else because he has powers; for someone who was meant to be convincing Gilli to be proud of his ability, but not to use it. Merlin is protecting Gilli and hasn't forgotten who he really is. Merlin shows who he is everyday, but he uses his magic only when absolutely necessary and only to save others.
Merlin calls upon the Dragon (John Hurt) who says, "I was beginning to hope you had forgotten me." Ahh, not so easily, poor Dragon. Merlin ignored his advice last time- and comments a Dragon Lord shouldn't abuse his power. He should hope that Arthur "brings about a new age...where the likes of you and I are respected once again...if he sees his father killed through the use of magic, it will harden his mind forever...all great struggles demand sacrifice."
Merlin: "...some choices...stay with you forever." It's difficult ro see why Merlin didn't know this for himself as he knows how much Arthur does care for his father, so if anything did happen to him he knows he wouldn't stop at hunting down those who would harm him. In the same way if Uther was harmed by magic, Arthur too would begin to see all magic as evil. Merlin can only converse with the Dragon since being of magic he is the only one who can advise him. Merlin's line of choices staying with him forever means merlin having to be the one to protect Arthur and ensure he brings about a better age for all, not just those with magic.
Merlin shakes his head towards Gilli in the tournament, in the hope he won't use magic and kill Uther. Morgana's absent from this scene, would've had her there in a flash to gloat at what Uther was going through! It was her suggestion he fight after all. Merlin uses magic to obstruct Gilli in the fight. That was a bit of a cheat, in the same way Gilli was going to use magic to win, Merlin used magic to make Uther win.
Merlin tells Gilli he was going to kill Uther regardless and "there's no honour in that." Gilli comes to see his father wasn't really afraid of magic, but he was frightened of how magic could corrupt. One day Merlin assures him, they'll be free to use magic in the open. They are kin and will meet again.
Uther is aware of Arthur throwing the fight, as if he wouldn't know and hopes Arthur's sons will give him the same honour when he's king; causing Morgana's blood to boil. Arthur's actions have "shown that he is now truly ready to be king." Prophetic words from Uther. A little confusing as to why Morgana would encourage Uther to fight, considering there are other ways to have him killed, was she so sure he would be killed as he has been champion 3 times in the past, granted he was younger then, but he hasn't lost his fighting prowess, even if Arthur did let him win. The heir apparent is still alive in Arthur, or did she think Arthur would also succumb to a stronger opponent. But wait, Morgana, Uther hasn't told anyone she's his daughter yet, so how would she succeed to the throne?
Don't much like these tournament episodes, they're usually more action than intellect; nevertheless, a chance for Merlin encountering a kindred spirit in Gilli. Again showing how positions could have been reversed and how Merlin could have found himself in Gilli's place, if he hadn't been taken in by Gaius. Some character development for Merlin, which was good to see, at least he's not stagnant and he is being moved forward and moulded into the merlin he will become one day.
Admittedly this episode felt out of place here, like it was just thrown in before the two part season finale. Since it's clear Morgana has no clue as to how to go about killing Uther and maybe it would have better served its purpose earlier on in the season.
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