When last seen in the first season finale, Prince Arthur (Bradley James) had been at death’s door poisoned by the questing beast. Yet under the tender and watchful care of Gwen (Angel Coulby), Arthur held on long enough for Merlin (Colin Morgan) to bargain with the evil sorceress Nimueh for his life. The episode foreshadowed the loves and trials of the second season.
In ‘Le Morte D’Arthur,’ Gwen had beseechingly told the feverish Arthur, “I know one day you will be king — a greater king than your father could ever be. That’s what keeps me going. You are going to live to be the man I have seen inside you, Arthur. I can see a Camelot that is fair and just. I can see a king that the people will love and proud to call their sovereign. For the love of Camelot, you have to live!” Thus, later once Arthur’s life had been saved, he awoke and curiously asked Gwen, “Tell me again what you said.” Blushing, she replied, “I don’t remember.” To which Arthur teasingly said, “Yes, you do.” And with this one exchange, the foundation of an epic romance bloomed. Gwen had unknowingly let Arthur know she cared for him and he in turn revealed his tickled delight about it. If one had ever wondered how a mere servant girl caught the prince’s eye, this was perhaps the moment.
And while Gwen and Arthur’s romance was just beginning, Merlin was testing the strength of his power and his willingness to do anything to save Arthur’s life — even if it cost him his mother’s life and Gaius’ (Richard Wilson) life in the process. Merlin was learning to be the great and ruthless sorcerer the world would tremble before.
So as the second season opened in ‘The Curse of Cornelius Sigan,’ it appeared that all was as it should be in the world. Yet for Arthur and Merlin, life would never be that simple and easy. With the opening of a long-buried crypt, another devilish foe was unleashed. There was yet another test of the friendship forged between Arthur and Merlin and what each would sacrifice to save the lives of those they had sworn to protect. Arthur must protect the people of Camelot, while Merlin has to protect Arthur who continues to throw himself headlong in harm’s way. Which of them has the tougher job is hard to say, but both seem taxed by their burdens and duties. The life of a prince is not as dream-worthy as one might expect; and neither is that of a magician who must hide his abilities and yet still protect a noble, and sometimes foolhardy, prince.
In the end, it was due to a dastardly bargain struck with the Great Dragon that Merlin conquered the evil sorcerer and saved Camelot. But at what price? For as the Dragon warned, “You made a promise, young warlock, and one day I shall keep you to it.”
What Worked
The strong camaraderie between Arthur and Merlin continues to be a major draw. For if we did not believe that these two young men genuinely care for another, it would be hard to envision their eternal friendship. The teasing banter between them is filled with humor and under-currents of affection; and regardless of the status of master and servant, Arthur clearly knows that Merlin is perhaps his only friend. Merlin is also aware that his gifts are really only good if he can help others and for him there is no greater privilege than to assist the man who will one day bring peace to the entire kingdom.
Another relationship that continues to entrance is the delicate dance of heightened awareness and growing affection between Arthur and Gwen. When Gwen threw herself between him and the gargoyle-beast, she showed a willingness to sacrifice her life for his; and this time Arthur was not feverish and saw what she did for him. Arthur was amused to find she had thrown herself atop him to protect him and in response to her stammering apology, merely smiled and said, “my pleasure.” When he later told her, “You always surprise me,” his look of stunned appreciation was humorous and fun to behold.
Also just as fun is the quasi-father/son relationship between Gaius and Merlin. Without Gaius’ gentle encouragement and reminders that he is destined for more, Merlin would perhaps collapse under the weight of his preordained destiny. Such as when Merlin told Gaius, “I just want Arthur to trust me and to see me for who I really am. . . everything I do is for him and he just thinks I’m an idiot.” To which Gaius replied, “Now is not the time to be questioning these things, Merlin. I believe you and Arthur are destined for greatness — and that your calling is to serve and to protect him.”
It was also nice that Gaius finally admitted that he knew of Merlin’s discussions with the Dragon and, despite the Dragon’s duplicitous nature, Gaius still pushed Merlin to seek him out so that they could all be saved.
As for the Dragon, how more magnificent can it be? As it majestically stood before Merlin, trapped but not cowering, its power emanated around him as if he wore it like a cloak. Even the sorcerer Cornelius Sigan, who merely offered to mentor Merlin as they jointly ruled the world, did not convey the unlimited depths of power that the Dragon has innately — for with but one breath the Dragon bestowed untold knowledge upon Merlin.
So perhaps it was not the thief Cedric (Mackenzie Crook), nor the evil sorcerer Cornelius Sigan that Merlin was up against in the end. It was the temptation laid before him by the Dragon. Cedric wormed his way into Arthur’s good graces by making Merlin look like a fool; Sigan possessed Cedric’s body when he fell to the temptation of the glowing blue-heart stone and tried to rain down destruction on Camelot; yet, ultimately, it was the Dragon who posed the greater threat when he offered Merlin the one thing he truly wanted, knowledge to slay his enemy – but at a price: and the price may one day prove too high as the Dragon made him promise to one day release him from his dungeon. When Merlin asked, “If I release you, what will you do?” The Dragon merely said, “That is not your concern.” Even Merlin looked unconvinced in the end.
What Didn’t Work
It was a shame that Morgana’s (Katie McGrath) visions are not put to better use. If she is going to be plagued by such disturbing nightmares, which Gaius knows are magical prophecies, more credence should be given to them by both Gaius and Merlin. She has a gift and it should not be ignored.
Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due
‘The Curse of Cornelius Sigan’ was written by Julian Jones and directed by Dave Moore. “Merlin” stars Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Richard Wilson and Anthony Head. “Merlin” airs Fridays at 10 pm on Syfy.
The TV Watchtower 