EPaws Merlin irritated the crap out of me this episode. He had two perfect opportunities. I want to wring his neck!

ellarose88 Me too! And Gaius's too, he gives the worst advice!

Lucerne28 This episode is prime example that one should watch the actual episode instead of relying on spoilers or reviews. Based upon the spoilers, I expected something totally different. I really enjoyed this episode, despite the fact that it appears to indicate that this series will end with Arthur’s death. It was good to see the entire cast being used, and have important parts to play. Merlin- I know that some are upset that Merlin in order to protect Arthur from Mordred, told Arthur that there was no place for magic in Camelot. I understand where Merlin is coming from. He has been told over and over again that allowing Mordered to live will result in Arthur’s death. Arthur is no longer merely a tool to Merlin, someone to be used to bring back the old religion. Arthur is a friend/brother to Merlin. Someone that Merlin has deemed worthy of his loyalty and protection. Merlin did what he felt he had to do to protect his friend from dying. Too bad that in doing what he did, Merlin just might have created the very future that that he was trying to prevent. Hopefully the show runners have more up their sleeves, and this series is not merely a death march to the end of Arthur and Camelot. Arthur- I was glad that finally Arthur voiced his reasons for his trepidation in allowing the old religion back. Since he was born he has been told how bad magic was, and he has seen with his own eyes the evil side of magic thanks to Morgana. He saw Morgana, a kind, compassionate woman turn into this evil, psychotic being who is hell bent on killing him, and conquering and subjugating the people of his kingdom. Also glad that Arthur used his brain. He got information from Gauis, sought out to learn more by visiting the Disir in order to learn about the coin. This is the king that I want to see. The king of legend, brave, honorable and smart. Glad to see some much needed interaction between Arthur and Gwen. Conversation between the royal pair, and tender, touching moments. Finally- Riddle me this batman how does this makes any sense: Uther an autocratic, elitist, spent twenty plus years hunting down, and killing magical beings was never judged. Yet the Disir do nothing. They let Uther continue his reign of terror unchecked. Yet Arthur who has been ruling for four years, and who by all account is a fair and just king who places the lives of his people above his life, and who by all accounts has not been actively hunting magical beings, is deemed somehow unworthy, judged, and now by all appearance condemned to death. WTF. I don’t understand the logic of these women.

ellarose88 That is a good point Lucerne about the Disir. But then maybe that is because with Arthur they can see something good in him, only issue is that he made the wrong decision in listening to Merlin. With Uther they probably knew they was no way of getting him to change his mind in regards with magic.

Bonne-Bell I wondered why they never judged Uther too, Lucerne. But Merlin did tell Arthur that he thought that they'd judged him because they found him to be worthy of being judged whereas they wouldn't waste their time on someone who would never listen. I think this might be the reason why they never judged Uther. Not only would he not listen, he would have probably tried to kill them. It still doesn't seem right that they would let Uther roam around persecuting and murdering people when they could have stopped his reign early on by condemning him to death.

HumbleQueen Well, thank the Lord, our power is back and I got to see the best episode of Merlin this season so far and I'm dancing in the streets for both reasons. (Well not quite but you should have seen us when we came into the house tonight. No you should have heard us when we rode down the street and saw all the porch lights on and the street lamps. ) Enough of that. The episode: 1. Richard McBrien is officially my favorite writer for the show. It is because of this that "The Hunter's Heart" was my all time favorite and now this one is contending with that one. His writing has quality that brings out the best in all of the performers. 2. Colin Morgan blew me away tonight. Other than the last two episodes of season 2, I've never seen him better. Merlin's agony over what advice to give Arthur and how he sacrificed his personal desire for Arthur's life are what hung in the balance for him and he chose the latter. The depth of his determination to protect Arthur won over even himself. Colin mastered it. 3. The music was awesome. 4. The scene in Gaius's chambers was intense as was the scene outside the cave. Everyone was on point. No foolishness. Even the few moments of banter were played down. Colin and Bradley played them down. This was mature viewing at its best IMO. 5. The husband and wife were perfect. Just as we would expect of a loving and caring relationship. As others said, what a relief to finally have conversations between them. Meaningful ones. The kind that are realistic to the situation at hand. I absolutely adored the scene when she brought him his dinner--the kiss on the check, how he laid his head back on her. Perfect. So natural and realistic. More intense stuff coming so hold on.... 6. GREAT ending. Great twist. Wow. I repeat: Mr. McBrien knows how to write an episode.

kbrand5333 Wow. That was actually clever. Colin was brilliant in this episode. You could really see his conflict, his angst. That being said, Merlin is getting on my damn nerves. He is SO AFRAID of Mordred that he's letting his fear guide his actions and it's clouding his judgement. Yes, we get it, you love Arthur and it's your destiny to protect him. But man up, Merlin, you're a powerful wizard. There was a scene where Merlin tells Mordred that he knows that they will be able to be free again, and Mordred asks, "You really believe that?" And Merlin says that he does, very earnestly. THAT is what Merlin should be doing: trying to keep Mordred to HIS path, not Morgana's. Doing things to convince Mordred that killing Arthur will not solve anything, if that is indeed his intent. And am I the only one just WAITING for some of the Mordred/Merlin telepathic communication? I'm just dying over the fact that they haven't done it yet. Arthur was giving me fits. The first half it was like he was his old arrogant self from season 1 where he thought the world owed him everything. When they went stomping into the cave, breaking and stepping on things, I was like, "No! Don't break stuff! You're just making it worse for yourselves!" I LOVED the scene by the fire with just Arthur and Merlin, where Merlin explains how he could tell the place was sacred. Merlin's speech was beautiful and it was such a poignant moment that really showed how different Merlin and Arthur are as people. People, not King and servant. Nice to have some real interaction between Arthur and Gwen (but would it kill them to give us an actual kiss on the lips? Just sayin'). They were very sweet and tender with each other. Looking forward to more. Oh! And why did the Disir not seem to know Merlin? It seems every powerful magic-type person knows him. I was hoping that they may have had some parting words for him at the last scene with them, but no. And the dragon can just bite me.

KshMcKenzie I agree with you Lucerne28 where the hell were Disir when Uther was King I guess all the Karma falls on Arthur. Which totally Wack I must say.

ellarose88 @Kim: you are not the only one who was wanting Merlin and Mordrex to communicating telepathically. I have wanted that since Mordred returned. I don't even think Mordred has used any magic yet this series come to think...

kbrand5333 No, I don't think he has.

famfan THIS WAS THE BEST EPISODE OF MERLIN I HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I liked the music, the acting, it was balanced. I felt like everything was in order. Wow, I just watched again, It was that good. Wow thanks HQ I did realize that the same guy who wrote Hunter's Heart wrote this one, makes sense. They need make him the permit Merlin writer. I didn't like some parts and the outcome sucked but wow..... you don't have to love everything to recognize greatness. *I didn't like the no magical reveal, boy if Merlin ever reveals magic to Arthur he going to have a lot of explaining to do. *I didn't like the whole trampling into the cave, Arthur tends to be more respectful of sacred places... *I did't agree with Arthur being judged so early. I also don't see how they could pass judgement on Arthur and not Merlin.... It was like they didn't even recognize him which was weird. These are just thing that made me have go hummmm. All together this was a excellent episode... Heck I am (for the 1st time this year) actually looking forward to next weeks episode..

famfan Oh yeah one last thing, this was a double edged sword. If Arthur had embraced magic, Mordred would have died. Which may have had the same effect on the outcome. It would have seemed as if the Disir's had betrayed him. Well at least if Merlin didn't reveal magic.

EPaws The Disir set him up. It was a no win situation. Either way, fate calls.

Lucerne28 The fact the Disir left Arthur with no way out is why I have to believe that there is more to this tale. There has been no evidence, at least so far from what we have been shown on screen, that Arthur is actively hunting down magical beings. In fact in the episode “The death song of Uther Pendragon’ we see that Uther believes that everyone deserves a fair trial before any judgment is passed, and goes so far as to save a sorceress. Arthur is thriving to make Camelot into a land that is just. Yes, at this point it appears that his land is a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ land, but it is certainly better than Uther’s kingdom wherein magical beings were hunted down and slaughtered. To condemn Arthur to death seems…fill in the adjectives… arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable. The whole Disir thing doesn't make sense. I have to believe that at the end something will be done to save Arthur’s life. His current actions do not seem to warrant a death sentence. Also, wondering why the Disir did not react in any way to Merlin. A man who is supposed to be the greatest wizard that ever lived, and who is to bring back the old religion. If they are all seeing, and sent by the triple goddess, shouldn’t the Disir know this? Shouldn’t the Disir know about this supposed destiny that Arthur and Merlin have to bring magic back and create this utopia? Shouldn’t the Disir know that Merlin is Arthur’s protector? It doesn’t make sense. How do we know that the Disir are good beings?

kbrand5333 ^Exactly.

MISAforever Okay, did anyone notice that "couch" in their chambers, next to the window I never noticed before?? sorry i don't know the name of it in english nor croatian.

kbrand5333 Just went back and looked. I would call it more of a bench or a chaise. I think it is new. Gwen's redecorated, you know.

MISAforever I could't help but notice!

Pocketgal mmmm.... I can think of some uses for the couch!

famfan ^LOLOLOLOLOL oh I'm sure they have. LOLOLOLOOLOLOLOLOL

kenya1234 I think that this was a very good episode. I also think that we the magic reveal episode finally does happen than it is going to be by far even more angst in it than episode 4x9. Though Arthur gives Merlin a hard time he respects and trusts his opinions. With this being said, Merlin's opinions as of late have become to be manipulative as shown in last night's episode. When the truth comes out all of this is going to come back to him from Arthur. I also agree with Merlin when Gauis tried to play the guilt trip on him to heal Mordred when he said he grew up. All I am saying is when the truth is revealed it is going to be an explosive moment no matter what Merlin does to reveal it. What got me too was this episode was the perfect opportunity for magic to be restored in Camelot. I am interested to see how this episode impacts the future ones. There have been less Arwen moments it seems in this season so far. I am also disappointed that Arthur is not truly listening to Gwen's advice when it comes to him directly. All and all the season so far has been great. I have been looking forward to each episode.

kenya1234 In regards to the comment on the judgment on Arthur and not Merlin they are judging Arthur as a King. Merlin cannot bring magic back. I believe it has been at least five years Merlin timeline since Uther's death. I also think they are laying some of Uther's sins on him too because they did not judge Uther who was far worse where magic was concerned. Merlin may be judged in a different way though because those ladies knew who he was though sometimes I think Merlin has been judged enough. No one cuts him a break. He has no love life, no life for that matter but for following Arthur around and saving his. This season it seems that Merlin is even less appreciated at times. Even Gwen. But I think the focus of the episodes are more on the action scenes and not the personal aspects of the show though they did a three year jump in time.

kenya1234 I have not seen Mordred use his magic at all so far. Has anyone else? Also, do you think he is on the up and up?

sportyshuie Guess i'm the last to review ... Loved this episode ... improvements and happy that episodes are getting better. And hope this helps with the ratings. Agree with all been said above but for me, this episode belongs to one and that is none other than my baby COLIN!!!! The moment he chokes up to tell Arthur that magic has no place in Camelot, awwww ... i just wanna hug him. He nailed that scene .... hats off colin! Now ... next episode!!

RosalynCabenson no it's me Shu, haven't watched it yet...I'm so excited now...actually I'm too busy but I don't care.... Morwe arwen scenes and Mordred omg, can't wait !