Merlin - Episode Guide

Merlin, a wizard on the cusp of adulthood, arrives in Camelot hoping to find a use for his burgeoning talent for magic. He is welcomed by Gaius, the court physician, but Merlin soon learns magic has been outlawed by King Uther, the tyrannical leader of the realm, its practice made punishable by death.

When the Great Dragon summons Merlin to his cave, he tells the young wizard that he has a great destiny - to use his skills to keep the young Prince Arthur safe. But Merlin hates the flashy, arrogant Prince, and Arthur despises the wizard with equal fervour. So when an evil witch threatens Prince Arthur's life, Merlin finds himself tested - will he face up to his destiny to keep Arthur safe? And can he do so without getting caught?

Camelot is hosting its annual sword tournament and knights from throughout the realm have come to compete for its coveted title. Among those hoping to win the crown is Knight Valiant. Armed with a magical shield, Valiant will stop at nothing to win his prize. Merlin tries to expose Valiant as a cheat, but even those closest to him do not believe his claims.

Battling with his faith, friendships and destiny, Merlin attempts to stop Valiant's evil scheme before Arthur becomes the next knight to die by his shield.

The fantasy-drama based on the King Arthur legend continues, as a deadly plague spreads through Camelot. When it seems that sorcery can be the only possible explanation, Merlin and Gaius race to find a cure, while Gwen is arrested and sentenced to death for practising witchcraft.

Venturing deep beneath Camelot to unmask the true culprit, Merlin, Morgana and Arthur are faced with a terrifying beast, conjured by the evil sorceress Nimueh. Can they expose the truth before Gwen is executed?

The evil sorceress Nimueh (Michelle Ryan) is back to wreak havoc on Camelot. This time Merlin is her target, and she tricks the young warlock into drinking from a poisoned chalice, causing him to fall dangerously ill.

Arthur must venture to the caves deep beneath the forest of Balor to obtain the antidote, but he does not realise he is walking into a trap. Determined to thwart his quest, Nimueh does everything she can to stop him.

Can Arthur overcome these magical hurdles and make it back in time to save his friend?

On a trip to the forest, Merlin is attacked by a terrifying winged monster. Help comes from an unexpected quarter when a heroic stranger fights off the beast. His name? Lancelot.

Keen to repay this debt, Merlin resolves to help his new friend become a Knight of Camelot. But at what cost? For Lancelot is not of noble blood, and to change the pages of destiny is a dangerous game. With the mysterious creature still on the loose, Merlin's actions could have disastrous consequences for Camelot - and for Arthur.

The fantasy adventure romp based on the legend of King Arthur continues. When the Lady Morgana is struck down with a mysterious illness, Gaius is at a loss for a cure. Thankfully a new physician, Edwin Muirden, is on hand to bring the King's ward back from the brink.

As the stranger charms his way further into Camelot's court, winning over everyone from Uther to Merlin, Gaius begins to doubt his credentials. Just who is the mysterious newcomer and what does he want with the royal family? Gaius' loyalty and bravery are going to be tested to the limit if he is to find out.

Arthur's chivalry lands him in trouble when he jumps to the rescue of a damsel in distress, Sophia, and her elderly father Aulfric.

Back in Camelot, Sophia uses more than just her feminine charms to take control of Arthur's heart. This strange behaviour doesn't go unnoticed by Merlin, but can he work out who the mysterious pair are, and what they want with Arthur?

When Merlin decides to help a magical young fugitive, he finds an unlikely ally in Morgana.

The pair are desperate to smuggle the boy back to his own kind, but this becomes increasingly difficult, as the hunt for his whereabouts increases with every minute. Their task takes a dangerous turn when Uther declares that anyone hiding the child will be executed.

With their lives now on the line, can they sneak the boy out of the castle without being caught? And perhaps more importantly, just who is the mysterious child, and how does he know so much about Merlin?

Uther's past comes back to haunt him when a mysterious Black Knight rides into Camelot. The visitor quickly makes his presence felt, throwing down his gauntlet and challenging the Knights of Camelot to mortal combat.

As the formidable fighter picks off his opponents one by one, it becomes clear he cannot be beaten; is it just his superior skill, or is there something more sinister behind his invincibility? With Arthur set to face this deadly foe, will Uther overcome his pride and do the right thing, or is the truth too difficult to face?

When Merlin's village is attacked by Kanan, a fearsome raider, Merlin rushes home to help - and is surprised when Gwen, Morgana and Arthur insist on coming with him.

It quickly becomes clear that the odds are stacked firmly against them. With dozens of lives at stake, Merlin's old friend William forces him to make a difficult choice. Is he prepared to use magic to save the village, and in doing so reveal his sorcery to Arthur? Or will his destiny to protect the future King lead him to keep his magic a secret, which may mean leaving his old friends to die..?

When Arthur kills a unicorn, the most prized and mystical of creatures, Merlin's heart is filled with foreboding.

The young sorcerer's concerns are soon validated when a curse descends on Camelot. With the fabled city fast running out of both food and water, Arthur is desperate to help his people. But to do so he must listen to the mysterious Anhora and he doesn't like what he hears. Will Arthur take Anhora seriously before it's too late? And if so, is he brave enough to face the challenges that are thrown at him?

When Gwen's father is imprisoned for treason and killed at Uther's behest, Morgana decides she must take revenge.

Merlin is stunned to discover just how far she is prepared to go when he uncovers a plot to kill the King. Can the young sorcerer summon the courage to foil her plan, or is this one occasion when he should just sit back and do nothing? After all, his life would be much simpler were Uther not around.

Gaius is deeply troubled when a Questing Beast is spotted in Camelot. A creature conjured from the nightmares of a long dead king, not only is its bite fatal but it is feared as an omen of impending doom...

Friendship, loyalty and love are all tested to the limit as Merlin is forced to choose between those he loves most in the world. Just how far is the young sorcerer prepared to go to protect his destiny? And what will he have to sacrifice in order to do so?

New servant Cedric muscles in on Merlin's position as Arthur's right-hand man, and turns the prince against his loyal friend. Merlin is convinced the slippery newcomer is up to something, and he is right -Cedric is a conman and a thief who is after a magnificent jewel, recently unearthed in a tomb far beneath Camelot. Little does he know, his precious prize is more dangerous than he could possibly imagine.

Camelot has never been more vulnerable, but how can Merlin make things right when, thanks to Cedric, he might have lost Arthur's friendship for good? Merlin faces the prospect of turning to the one creature he swore he would never trust again - The Great Dragon.

Arthur is determined to win Camelot's jousting tournament on his own merit, so with Merlin and Gwen's help he goes undercover as an ordinary man. But Arthur's in for a shock when Gwen challenges him to give up his spoilt, lofty ways. Will Arthur be able to shake the habits of a lifetime as easily as he did his princely robes? And why does he care so much what Gwen thinks anyway?

While Arthur is distracted, the bounty hunter Myror arrives in Camelot, intent on killing him. Can Merlin save the prince from the most deadly assassin in the land?

When Morgana's nightmares spill into waking hours, she becomes terrified that she has magical powers. Gaius is determined to keep her in the dark for her own good but Merlin won't stand by and watch his friend suffer. He knows exactly what she's going through and he knows she needs the truth. Is Merlin about to reveal his secret at last?

Wilfully disobeying Gaius, Merlin risks everything to help Morgana, not knowing what the far-reaching consequences might be. Lives are put in danger, loyalties are tested, and Morgana is reunited with the strange young druid boy Mordred, who the dragon predicted would one day kill Arthur.

Gwen is mistaken for Morgana and kidnapped by the savage outlaw Hengist. Uther refuses to pay her ransom, so Arthur defies his father and heads out into dangerous enemy territory to fight for Gwen's freedom.

Merlin suspects Arthur's devotion to Gwen is more than that of a prince to one of his subjects. How will Arthur react when he discovers Gwen is not alone in Hengist's castle? She and Lancelot have found each other again, and powerful feelings are rekindled.

Uther is captivated by his latest guest, the beautiful Lady Catrina. Arthur is appalled by his father's flirting, but Merlin is wary for a different reason - he suspects she is really a troll!

Catrina and her strange servant are welcomed into the heart of Camelot, and it is up to Merlin to prove she is a monster and save Uther from ruin. Unfortunately, Catrina has her sights set on a far greater prize than the king's heart - can Merlin overcome her powerful troll magic before it is too late?

Newly crowned Queen Catrina settles in as Camelot's first lady. As her true troll nature surfaces, her influence over Uther increases, and the repercussions are felt throughout the kingdom.

When Catrina accuses Merlin of stealing, he is forced into hiding. Forced to sneak around the castle, Merlin must find a way to expose Catrina's true form without getting caught and beheaded. Even if he succeeds, is it enough to break her powerful magic? Or will Camelot be stuck with a troll queen forever?

Uther is determined to wipe out magic in Camelot once and for all, and this time no one is beyond suspicion. He summons the most dreaded witchfinder in the land, Aredian, a terrifying man who will stop at nothing to uncover sorcery. Gaius impresses upon Merlin how much danger he is in but Morgana needs no such warning. She is certain Aredian will see straight through her and she will be burnt at the stake. Can Merlin protect Morgana and Gaius without ending up in the flames himself?

When a mysterious warrior challenges Arthur to a duel, no one could possibly predict the devastating chain of events that is set in motion - least of all the young prince himself.

Arthur and Merlin soon find themselves on a strange quest at the behest of the beautiful Morgause. Through her, Arthur discovers a dark secret which threatens to bring about the downfall of the kingdom.

When Merlin discovers the beautiful druid girl Freya trapped in a bounty hunter's cage, he knows he must help her escape. Gaius warns against getting involved, but Merlin refuses to listen, harbouring Freya in the tunnels beneath Camelot. But with the bounty hunter searching for his missing prize and a ferocious magical beast on the loose, Freya cannot stay hidden for long.

Merlin's intense new friendship is tested to the limit, and he is forced to make some heartbreaking decisions as he battles to keep Freya safe.

Dignitaries from rival kingdoms descend on Camelot for peace talks, but what King Alined really wants is war and he'll do everything in his power to stir up hostilities, even if it means using magic.

Alined's jester Trickler puts a spell on Arthur to make him fall madly in love with rival King Olaf's daughter Vivian. Chaos reigns in the palace and Camelot is once more poised on the brink of war.

Can Merlin free Arthur's heart before the prince loses his head in battle?

Uther has a precious magical relic of the Old Religion locked up tight in the Camelot vaults. Many have lost their lives trying to reclaim the Crystal of Neahtid, but the ruthless warlock Alvarr could succeed where they failed. For Alvarr has a secret weapon - Mordred.

Morgana has always shared a powerful bond with the druid boy, but will she go as far as turning thief and traitor for him? Merlin is shocked by her choice, and by the true purpose of the mysterious crystal.

When the Fires of Idirsholas burn for the first time in three hundred years, Gaius fears a sorcerer has revived the deadly Knights of Medhir. And he's right; Morgause has returned, hell-bent on ending Uther's reign. Arthur and Merlin face the knights, and barely escape with their lives.

Upon returning home, they find everyone in a deep, unnatural sleep - all except for Morgana. Could she be behind the sleeping spell affecting the kingdom? As Morgause and her Knights attack a helpless Camelot, Merlin's loyalties are stretched to the limit.

The Great Dragon is finally free. Full of rage, he attacks Camelot with pitiless intensity. The castle is crumbling and Arthur's men cannot hold out much longer but only a Dragonlord can kill a dragon and Utherwiped them all out years ago. Or did he? Gaius admits one such man could still be alive and in hiding.

The last Dragonlord is the key to Merlin's own past as well as the future of Camelot, but will Arthur and Merlin find Balinor in time to save the kingdom?

Merlin and Arthur have been on many quests in search of the missing Lady Morgana. The despondent Prince is all but ready to give up. But as they recover from their latest skirmish, a bruised, bloodied figure emerges from the mist... it is the Lady Morgana.

King Uther is overjoyed, but then starts to lose his mind. Merlin thinks that magic is the cause; could this be the work of his dutiful ward? The young warlock puts himself in grave danger trying to find out whose side Morgana is really on.

With Merlin gravely ill from the Serket's poison, Morgana and Morgause continue with their evil plan. They have mentally incapacitated Uther and convinced his enemy, Cenred, to invade Camelot. The fate of the kingdom now rests on Arthur's shoulders.

The Prince and his Knights resist the invaders, but Cenred's soldiers are not the only threat they face. Can Merlin stop Morgana in time to save Arthur from the enemy within?

Merlin stumbles across a secret chamber and accidentally releases a Goblin. The mischievous creature possesses Gaius, leading the once-wise physician to develop a taste for gold, ale and magical jokes.

With a suddenly-bald King and a scourge of flatulence sweeping the royal household, can Merlin work out what is going on and banish the Goblin back to where he came from before any real damage is done?

When Merlin and Arthur find themselves vastly outnumbered in a tavern brawl, an enigmatic man helps them to victory. The stranger risks his life to protect the prince, and is seriously wounded in the process.

Arthur takes him back to Camelot, where he quickly sets about drinking, charming the ladies, and causing trouble for Merlin. But when what appear to be two unscrupulous Knights try to kill the Prince, can Merlin and the inscrutable stranger save the day?

When Merlin has an unexpected meeting with the mysterious Taliesin, the wizened old sorcerer takes the young warlock to the crystal cave and shows him a glimpse of the future. But this gift turns out to be more of a curse when, to his horror, Merlin sees Morgana, set to kill Uther.

Merlin knows he must do all that he can to stop the future from playing out. But changing the pages of destiny is a dangerous game, and his actions have fatal consequences. With the whole of Camelot in a state of grief, can the young warlock undo the damage he has caused, or is it too late?

Arthur is pressured into an arranged marriage with a visiting princess, Elena. Merlin's reservations are vindicated when he discovers Elena may not be exactly who she claims to be. Whilst trying to uncover the dark secret hidden inside her, Merlin learns that Elena's nanny is a pixie. But who is she working for? And what do they have to gain from this marriage? Can Merlin get to the bottom of this mystery before Arthur makes the biggest mistake of his life?

Gwen finds herself with an impossible dilemma when she is forced to choose between Arthur and her estranged brother, Elyan. With one of them certain to die at Cenred's hand, who will Gwen choose? The love of her life, or her only sibling?

Loyalties are tested to the limit and friendships are thrown to the fore as Arthur, Merlin and Gwen work together to try and find a way out of the situation. But with Morgana and Morgause doing all that they can to scupper the threesome's plan, can good conquer evil, or will Gwen lose another of those she loves?

Arthur embarks on a solitary quest to retrieve the Golden Trident from the Fisher King and prove himself worthy of the Camelot throne. With the Prince beyond the protection of the citadel, Morgana sees an opportunity to use her dark magic and gives him a precious bracelet containing a Phoenix Eye. She insists he wears it at all times for protection, but it saps him of his life force and he is left defenceless in the Fisher King's perilous realm. With the help of Gwaine, can Merlin reach him in time and fulfil his own quest to protect the future king of Camelot?

When an old flame of Gaius's arrives in Camelot, Merlin is pleased to see a different side to his curmudgeonly mentor. But after discovering she is under the influence of a Manticore, a creature from the Old Religion, Merlin has no choice but to tell his old friend of Alice's evil intentions.

Morgana is tormented by dreams of Guinevere becoming Queen of Camelot. Encouraged by Morgause, she decides to reveal Arthur and Gwen's courtship to Uther, who will do whatever it takes to stop his son from marrying a serving girl.

The only rule in Camelot's legendary tournament is that there are no rules. The mythic city fills with terrifying warriors and are joined by Gilli, who despite his small stature has victory in his sights and a secret weapon to help him - magic.

Merlin and Arthur are sent on a dangerous mission to capture the Cup of Life, a powerful magical artifact that carries the gift of immortality. Before they can retrieve the Cup, they are captured by the unscrupulous slave trader, Jarl.

Queen Morgana begins a reign of terrible evil over the innocent citizens of Camelot. With Morgause's immortal army at her command, it seems there is no hope for Uther, who must watch his Kingdom crumble under the unimaginable cruelty of his own daughter.

Merlin faces his toughest challenge yet when Morgana's blinkered determination threatens not only Arthur's future, but the very balance of the world. With her magic stronger than ever, the sorceress summons the mighty Callieach to tear open the veil between the worlds. Hellish creatures pour forth, killing any who succumb to their touch. With Uther a shadow of his former self, it falls to Arthur and his loyal knights, including Lancelot, to protect the kingdom. But it will take more than just swords to vanquish their enemy and Merlin is shocked to the core when he discovers the only way to restore the equilibrium requires a sacrifice of unimaginable proportions.

The kingdom is on the brink of collapse, with Morgana poised to strike. As Lancelot races back to Camelot with the dying Merlin, Arthur must continue on his mission to vanquish the Dorocha without them. Though the Knights know their journey to the Isle of the Blessed is fraught with danger, none could anticipate the sacrifice Arthur intends to make there.

The mighty citadel is buzzing in anticipation of the prince's birthday celebrations. But Arthur's old adversary, Odin, promises to ensure this is one party Camelot will never forget. For amongst the assembling guests lurks a deadly assassin, set to strike.

The mysterious Julius Borden arrives in Camelot with news of a magical secret that threatens to change the landscape of the kingdom forever. He has located the final part of the key to the tomb of Ashkanar, an ancient mausoleum which holds a very special treasure: the last remaining dragon's egg. Merlin is understandably drawn in by Borden's news, and promises to help him. But just who is the enigmatic stranger and, more importantly, what does he really want with the egg?

Arthur faces his first true test as King when he incurs the wrath of the formidable Queen Annis. With the lives of thousands hanging in the balance, Arthur must find the strength to be his own man and become the leader Camelot so desperately needs.

Merlin becomes a deadly weapon in Morgana's fight for supremacy when he falls into her hands. By recurring to ancient magic, she manages to turn friend against friend and creates the perfect assassin out of the young sorcerer which puts an oblivious King Arthur in great danger. Will anyone notice Merlin's unusual behaviour before he is able to do any serious harm to the King?

Morgana joins forces with enigmatic wizard Alator to uncover a secret that could change the course of destiny, as the magical drama continues. With allies on both sides of the castle walls, can anyone stop her before Merlin's greatest secret is revealed?

A mysterious illness draws Merlin to a distant village. But it soon becomes clear that there is more at stake than just his patients' well-being as something sinister turns the air sour. Far from home and with no-one to trust, Merlin becomes embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. No longer sure who is the hunter and who is the hunted, can the young warlock survive long enough to uncover the truth?

When Sir Lancelot returns from the dead, old feelings reignite, as the drama continues. Gwen must fight temptation before she commits an unspeakable act of betrayal; one that would destroy the legacy of Camelot forever. With heads and hearts thrown into turmoil, Merlin becomes suspicious. Can a man really defy death, or is there something more sinister at play?

The Camelot Knights stumble across an eerie shrine deep in the forest, its chilling atmosphere betraying a dark history best left undisturbed, as the magical drama continues. But when Elyan ignores Merlin's warning, his actions spark a chain of events more frightening than anyone could possibly have imagined... Can a grievous wrong be put right? Or will past demons change the future forever?

Morgana ends up discovering a powerful ally in the Southron warlord Helios and they come up with the perfect plan to bring Camelot to its knees. With Arthur preoccupied by the beautiful Princess Mithian, it ends up falling to an absent friend to raise the alarm.

With Morgana at the helm of a vast Southron army, a deadly net is closing in around Camelot forcing everyone to run for their lives - even Arthur. But Morgana won't let him escape that easily. And so begins a chilling hunt. Can Merlin save the King from Morgana's clutches? Or has Arthur's luck finally run out?

Morgana and Helios have successfully captured Camelot, and Merlin and Arthur are outlaws on the run. Arthur must take control before Camelot is lost forever... but the young king has started to doubt himself. Only Merlin can restore his faith, and only an extraordinary act can prove to the King that he was born to rule. Will the young warlock convince Arthur before his dreams of Albion fall to pieces?

Camelot basks in the halcyon days of a new golden age. But even as she flowers, so the dark seeds of her destruction are being sown... For in the frozen wastelands of the north, men are disappearing without trace.

As dawn breaks across the icy tundra, Merlin and Arthur are close to exhaustion. With each tortured step, the fortress of Ismere looms ever nearer, and Merlin's fear intensifies. What game is Mordred playing? And what powerful secrets are Morgana and the druid Ruadan searching for amongst its twisted catacombs? It seems like this time, not even Merlin can stop Arthur from walking right into the lion's den... For in this bleak and transient wilderness, only one thing is certain: the great trial for Albion has finally begun.

When a stranger gives Arthur the power to summon the dead, the king finds himself torn between head and heart. Unable to resist temptation, he seizes the chance to speak to the person he misses most - his father, Uther. But the spirit world is a dark and dangerous place... Little does Arthur realize that his decision comes at a terrible price. Against all odds, Merlin must put right Arthur's mistake before Camelot and everything they have built is destroyed forever.

With Princess Mithian as the perfect bait, Morgana conjures a deception so powerful that the whole of Camelot is taken in - even Merlin himself. But as the storm clouds gather, will the young warlock see through the lies? Or will Morgana at long last fulfil her dreams of revenge?

In the inky depths of an ancient pool, three soothsayers cast a dark judgment upon the King of Camelot. But despite Merlin's warnings, headstrong Arthur refuses to take the words of the Disir seriously and their fury rains down on Camelot. Only the greatest sacrifice can appease them, and with the kingdom in jeopardy, is it one that Arthur is prepared to make? Faced with the King's uncertainty, Merlin has just one chance to save him from his destiny, but this decision comes at the highest price.

When Gwen is snatched from Camelot without warning, Merlin knows there can be only one person responsible: Morgana. Arthur is determined to rescue his queen, but it will not be easy; she is locked in the Dark Tower, a place that haunts the dreams of men...

Darkness steals into the very heart of Camelot, as Morgana and her puppet Queen hatch a sinister plan to murder the King. But when stable hand Tyr Seward becomes caught in the crossfire, he threatens to ruin everything… As the plot thickens and reaches its deadly climax, can a suspicious Merlin unravel the truth before it's too late?

When Merlin agrees to help a young Druid boy, he has no choice but to leave Camelot on a dangerous mission. And with the citadel distracted by the visit of the fearsome Sarrum of Amata, it seems that no one will notice his absence. But as the sky darkens, so do Merlin's suspicions - is there more to Daegal than meets the eye? And can a man as ruthless as the Sarrum ever really be trusted? Too late, the young warlock realises he's made a terrible mistake.

Merlin knows he must act fast before Morgana's twisted control over Gwen gets further out of hand. But only the most powerful magic can save the Queen and this will not be easy, even for Merlin. As the High Priestess tightens her grip on Camelot, one thing is clear - she will not give up her puppet without a fight.

Morgana leads a terrifying manhunt in pursuit of her old foe Alator of the Catha, for she knows without doubt that he can tell her exactly where to find Emrys. Merlin's life is in severe danger, so when the mysterious Finna offers to help him, is he right to trust her?

Mordred finds himself torn between loyalty and love, but little does he realise that the path he chooses will shape Camelot's destiny. As the drums of war beat ever louder, a desperate Merlin feels trapped by the cruel circle of fate - is he powerless to stop his dreams of Albion from crumbling to dust?

High in the mountains, a great horde gathers; Morgana prepares for war with a vengeful Mordred at her side. Merlin feels the weight of his destiny like never before as the ancient prophecies play out with terrifying accuracy. But before he can save his beloved Camelot, he must save himself. For it is not just the kingdom Morgana wishes to destroy – it is also Emrys.

And so it seems the Prophets did not lie. As the great battle rages on Camlann's mighty plain, Merlin faces his moment of destiny. Can he find the strength to save the man he made a King; the Camelot they fought to build; and the brotherhood they shared?