3.02: The Tears of Uther Pendragon (Part 2)

[ctg]

The young warlock struggles to recover from the serket's poison, as the fantasy drama continues. Meanwhile, Morgana and Morgause are free to step up their plans for the invasion of Camelot.


Morgause continues her manipulation of Cenred, as he prepares to launch an attack on the citadel, but Cenred knows he cannot take the castle alone. Morgause promises him that they have an ally within King Uther's court who will ensure they win the day – no one can fight a battle on two fronts. Morgause gives Morgana a powerfully enchanted rowan staff to aid her in her magical treachery.

King Uther is still unable to rule as he recovers from the enchantment inflicted by the mandrake root. So, as Cenred's army attacks the citadel, Camelot's fate now rests on Arthur's shoulders. The young prince and his men fight bravely but, just as they think the tide might turn, Morgana plays her deadly card. In the vaults beneath Camelot she uses the rowan staff to summon a skeleton army to wreak havoc within the castle walls.

Arthur and his men cannot hold off both an army of the living and an army of the dead. Merlin knows that their only hope is for him to stop Morgana and vanquish the enemy within. Will he be able to do so without revealing his own magical powers?


- BBC Press Office


Oh no, Uther recovers.

 

[FeedMeTV]

Will he be able to do so without revealing his own magical powers?

I hope not.

I think it is about time Arthur knew something.

 

[Pyan]

I'm sure he'll manage, somehow...

 

[Mouse]

What a handsome man that Cendred fellow is. Grr muchly.

 

[ctg]

Mmm, flame-grilled or raw? ... Decisions, decisions, decisions...


Maybe the would had get easier if the Great Dragon would just had popped him in his mouth and got over it. I mean this episode was by far the weakest of three seasons. They even had Morgana to wear Pyan's red cloak, and made the fearless-warriors-of-Camelot to stab skeletons between the ribs. Not talking about making the prince brave to stand at the barricade facing a wall of pikes with a sword on his hand What on earth was going on in the director's head? This could had been so much better.

 

[HareBrain]

I'm not a long-term fan of the series, but quite enjoyed last week's. However, this one was absolute pants as far as I was concerned. I gave up and turned off towards the end when it turned out that Morgana had (surprise of surprises) done a switcheroo on the blame/credit thing. Too much cheese in the evenings gives me bad dreams.

Oh, and everything ctg said too.

 

[Alexa]

In my opinion, part 2 was better than part 1.

I adore that dragon. His replies make me lough.

Morgana is not so much of a wizard. Without her sister, she has no power, so Merlin could kill her easily if he finally makes the big decision. Pitty of hear ? No way. It's time for Morgana to leave the scene.

 

[Connavar]

Ep 2 was epic and stronger than last week for me. Arthur and Merlin realationship improved alittle,the dragon talked well to Merlin. Arthur is growing.

Only real minus is the dogdy skeleton effects and the fact Morgana is blind to the clear fact the a mere servant boy like Merlin stops every spell of theirs....

 

[Alexa]

Those skeletons really scared me. They looked more like Terminators. Did you see the red light in their skulls ?

 

[Dave]

I think I have to agree with ctg and Harebrain - both the battle and the switcheroo - I suspected some kind of reset button, but everything is practically back to nice, cosy normal - and ready again for monster/visiting knight/magical threat of the week. Those episodes were becoming very tedious and moving the story forward had been refreshing.

I can't accept that Morgana does not suspect Merlin is a Warlock. Apart from the several instances last season in which she would known, how could he possibly escape from the scorpions and the magical tightening chain if not by the use of magic? She doesn't even care to ask him?

And is no one in Camelot interested in who the traitor was either? He/she would have to be someone fairly high up the food chain. Morgana's story would only be feasible if she named the person she had rid them of. That could have easily been achieved too. There must have been plenty of casualties: an introduction last week to some Captain of the Guard who was killed by a skeleton when no one else was around this week would have been all it would have taken.

 

[purple_kathryn]

Seriously - I really need Uther to die

 

[Mouse]

Just watched it. The whole Merlin not telling anybody is so frustrating! I would've loved for him to just have shown Morgana what he could do! Would've been better.

I agree about the traitor thing, I was waiting for them to name some randomer. But just to name nobody at all? Odd.

 

[Dave]

I agree about the traitor thing, I was waiting for them to name some randomer. But just to name nobody at all? Odd.

I was actually waiting for them to name Merlin. It would have been supported by his disappearances. If the intent was to bluff us into thinking that, then I think the ending was a little too rushed - maybe there was a chunk of script edited out?

 

[Mouse]

I didn't think it would be Merlin, cos that's happened before hasn't it?

I thought I missed something when Merlin was fighting off the skeleton hand and then next thing he was halfway up the stairs indoors. Did that happen on the TV too? Felt like a chunk missing.

 

[ctg]

It certainly felt that there was more footage than what they showed us. What I cannot understand is that when the head of the BBC is going to understand the continuity errors and allow the head-writer to dictate what goes into the series and what doesn't? I mean, the head-writer whoever he/she is must have a vision, and even certain arcs in his/hers head to support the direction, where this season is heading.

They could had extended this little piece over four to six episodes, gradually deepening the story-line and forcing the cast really into their roles, while the production crew gears up to a mid-season twist and so on. In that way they could had been able to use the castle and the siege as their setting and use the dialogue as Arthur/Uther sends out messages to get help from the outside to illustrate what's happening at elsewhere in the kingdom (a-la Babylon 5).

Does Merlin have a head-writer?

 

[Mouse]

Talking of continuity... I thought last series that head knight fella got flamed by the dragon? Or didn't he?

 

[FeedMeTV]

I really enjoyed this episode. As has been said before the battle could easily have been stretched over more episodes but I think the fact they squeezed it into one shows the writers have big plans for the series. If they had to cram an entire battle into one episode surely they must have a lot of stories to tell? I think it bodes well.

Mouse, I can't remember if head knight guy 'died' last series but I feared for him in this ep what with the slow-motion running towards the enemy. I thought a spear was going to be heading his way any second, I am glad to see he has survived, I like him.

Overall a bit shaky in places perhaps but highly enjoyable, I love this show.

Am I right in thinking Merlin is only 45 minutes long? If it was able to be a full hour perhaps we wouldn't have had the choppy editing and been able to flesh out the story a bit. Shame on you BBC! Give Merlin the full hour it deserves!

 

[Alexa]

An episode has 42-45 min without the pubs.

I want more action with the Dragon and less of Uther. Geez, how many times he can survive ?

 

[reiver33]

If Merlin is worried that facing down Morgana with magic would blow his cover then why not just stab her and then make the evidence vanish? A bit harsh I know, but what will it take so she moves from ‘misguided’ to ‘irredeemable’ in his eyes? I’m sure the dragon would do a contract killing if asked nicely…

 

[Alexa]

I can ask him nicely !

I have a feeling that this evening episode will be much more interesting.