REVIEW: Merlin – The Tears of Uther Pendragon (part 1)

Uther’s wish came true, but it was not exactly as he hoped.

This article may contain spoilers.

This season may start with tears of Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head), but this season really is about the wrath of Morgana (Katie McGrath). It began in the second season when Morgana reunited with her long-lost sister Morgause (Emilia Fox) and they plotted to destroy Camelot. Yet, like in any war, just because one battle is lost, it does not mean the war is over. After the failed attack with the Knights of Idirsholas, Morgana and Morgause remained undeterred.

This season, Morgana has returned with renewed vengeance. In the year away she solidified her bond with Morgause and allowed her fear and anger to fuel her growing hatred of Uther. In a carefully orchestrated return, Morgana unleashed the first round of their next battle against the kingdom of Camelot. Using a poisoned mandrake root to torment Uther, he became incapacitated while plagued with distorted hallucinations from his past. It has led even Gaius (Richard Wilson) to question whether Uther is fit to be king and whether it is time for Arthur (Bradley James) to take the crown. As everyone now fears that Uther has lost his mind, and with Morgana’s successful infiltration of Camelot, Morgause maneuvers to persuade King Cenred (Tom Ellis) to invade.

With Merlin (Colin Morgan) literally tied-up and bound by chains resistant to his magic, it was only with the aid of the Dragon Kilgharrah (John Hurt) that Merlin escaped death by the surrounding scorpions. Part 1 leaves Camelot on the brink of war and part 2 shall reveal whether the impending attack is successful.

What Worked

Morgana, Morgana — how wicked you have become? Yet there is a certain beauty in her fall into the darkness. Katie McGrath has never been more radiant in beauty and inner strength than watching her relish the chance to play a woman of such determination and strength. Despite Morgana’s choice to embrace the dark side, Katie seems to be enjoying the chance to portray a woman who knows what she wants and who will do anything to get it. Thus, there is a duality to Morgana — not just Morgana pretending to be happy to be back with Uther at Camelot and yet plotting his downfall — but the duality of Katie inhabiting the skin of Morgana and having a ball stretching her creative acting wings. It makes her fascinating to watch every second she is on screen. There was a sense in earlier seasons that Morgana was holding back and Katie was chafing under the restraints placed on the character. To see both unleashed is a thing of beauty.

We may not want to cheer for Morgana and all her evil deeds, yet seeing how much fun Katie is having, one cannot help but cheer anyway.

It is also fun watching the newfound tension between Morgana and Merlin. Morgana still does not know of Merlin’s magic, but he fully suspects that she has been dabbling, if not growing stronger, with hers. Thus, they watch each other and circle around each other with careful interest and suspicion. It has made the dance between them much more mesmerizing. For the growing chasm between good magic and dark magic is the real war. The battle for Camelot will not be fought with blood and swords, but within the realm of magic.

Morgause also remains an interesting character that is showing more depth than previously imagined. Her chemistry with Cenred is undeniable and it was fun watching them test each other. It is perhaps an unwilling alliance, yet they seem determined to use each other to attain their goals. It also appears that Morgause may have fallen in love with a mere man — or is she toying with King Cenred?

In addition, Morgause’s curiosity as to why Merlin is so devout towards Arthur and persists in ensuring that Arthur is one day king also adds another layer to Morgause. She is not so wholly caught up in her crusade that she does not wonder why a mere servant boy is so loyal as to repeatedly risk his own life. She must sense some of Merlin’s magic for she took the effort to make sure that he was bound in chains resistant to magic. Why would she have done that unless she suspected he was something more?

When Morgause asked curiously, “You intrigue me, Merlin. Why does a lowly servant continue to risk everything for Arthur and for Camelot?” Merlin only looked away. Morgause then noted, “You know that answer, but you’re not telling me. Why? . . . Time and again, you’ve put your life on the line. There must be a reason.” Even in his silence and resistance in telling her, Morgause just knows that there is more to Merlin. Like any good warrior, she can sense a foe, yet she does not understand why he puts her on edge.

Also suspecting that something is not entirely right with Morgana is Guinevere (Angel Coulby). Right for the start, Morgana was too jumpy and resistant to her to be the same girl that Gwen once knew. While she was not in this episode very much, Gwen seemed to be listening intently to her heart as if she was trying to figure out if Morgana was really Morgana. This also belies the woman that will one day be queen. Gwen is honing her skills to see beyond the surface and to see what lies in the heart of a person and not just believing what they say. To assess a person by who they are, and not just their carefully placed facade will make Gwen an extraordinary queen. Hopefully we will see more of her instinctual insight in future episodes.

Finally, it was such a wonderful relief to watch as Kilgharrah swooped down to save the day and rescue Merlin. After Merlin set the Dragon free at the end of last season, it felt like we had seen the last of him for a time. It was nice to see that the Dragon came just when Merlin summoned him. Since Merlin must hide his magic from everyone, it is only when he is with the Dragon that he can truly be himself. Thus, the Dragon could be a remarkable ally in a time when Merlin will have few friends. Arthur is distracted by his father’s health, Gaius fears for the kingdom and is determined to make Arthur step up and take the crown, and Gwen is preoccupied with her concerns over Morgana and her love of Arthur. Alone, Merlin must take on Morgana, Morgause and aid Arthur in keeping Cenred’s armies at bay. Thus, it would be nice to have a dragon at your side, providing counsel at such at time.

What Didn’t Work

While perhaps a relief for both Merlin and Arthur to return to the carefree days when they could make fun of each other like mere teenage boys, it felt a bit unnecessary and cruel this time. Did Arthur actually have to dump the bucket of water on Merlin’s head to make his juvenile point? Did Merlin need to retaliate by having Arthur drop his sword while sparring so that he was hit by the mace? When last seen at the end of the second season, both Arthur and Merlin were barring their souls about their respective fathers. In the intervening year, one would have expected that they would have matured and allowed the bond of friendship to bring them closer. They should be working together and not taking snipes and jabs at each other. Are they boys on the verge of manhood or are they now men? If they are men, they need to demonstrate it and not act so childishly.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

‘The Tears of Uther Pendragon (part 1)’ was written by Julian Jones and directed by Jeremy Webb. Merlin stars Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Richard Wilson and Anthony Head. Merlin airs Fridays at 10/9c on Syfy.