Excalibur

Merlin Episode Review

In which there is a vengeful ghost.

What Happened

Nimueh sends the Black Knight to Camelot to challenge Arthur, but Uther refuses to let Arthur face him. Uther and Gaius are freaked to see that the Black Knight bears the crest of Tristan du Bois - a man Uther killed twenty years ago.

Tristan was brother to Uther's wife Ygraine and he blamed Uther for her death. Unknown to anyone, Uther had bargained with Nimueh for the son he wanted. He knew that he was trading a life for a life, but was devastated when it was Ygraine who was taken and blamed Nimueh and her sorcery.

Merlin takes a strong sword from Gwen's father to the Great Dragon and begs him to forge it in dragon's breath. The dragon makes Merlin promise that the sword will be wielded by Arthur and Arthur only. It is too powerful to be given to another.

Merlin doesn't know that Uther has decided to take Arthur's place. Uther helps himself to Arthur's new sword and wins his battle against the Black Knight - much to Nimueh's disgust. Arthur's upset that he was drugged and locked up, but Uther doesn't care. Uther tells Arthur that his son's life is more important than anything else - surprising and touching Arthur.

The dragon summons Merlin - wanting to know whether Arthur is dead or not. Merlin has to explain about Uther and the sword. The dragon is pissed that Merlin's promise held for a whole hour or so - take the sword away where no mortal can find it, he orders.

Scared by his words, Merlin takes the sword and flings it into the lake.

The Good

• The Black Knight's entrance is certainly impressive.
• Arthur and Uther facing off again. Uther and Gaius. And Uther and Nimueh. Pretty much all of Uther all over the place.

The Bad

• Doesn't anyone notice the Black Knight being lit on fire in the front courtyard?

The Cliche

• Checking graves for dead bodies that have gotten away. (Gaius making worried-face.)
• Vengeful spirits. (The Wraith.)

Best Lines

Merlin: "So you don't think [the Black Knight's] from around here?"
Gaius: "Doesn't seem likely."

What Did I Think?

Holds together and has an emotional weight. And explains what happened to Arthur's mother, why Uther outlawed magic, and what the fuss is about Nimueh.

Again, we see them using pieces of the Arthurian "cycle" for their own ends, weaving bits and pieces into a strong storyline.