Recap: Merlin – A Remedy to Cure All Ills

Would we know the “face of evil” when we see it?  Or would we be seduced by the insidious whisperings of false faults, matched by seductive, soothing false promises?  This is the dilemma that Merlin grappled with in this past episode of “Merlin.”

A beautiful bouquet of lilies is delivered for Morgana, but rather than being tidings from an admirer, they were merely a pretext.  For behind the beauty of the blooms lie the blackest of hearts intent on vengeance – even if it caught Merlin and Morgana in the cross-fire.   For there was a beetle concealed in the flowers which rendered Morgana dangerously ill.   After two days of anxiously waiting and feeling increasingly frustrated by Morgana’s continuing comatose state, Arthur heard an offer too good to be true.  Out of nowhere appeared a young black-hooded physician who claimed to have a remedy that can cure all ills.  Desperate for anything to revive Morgana and save her life, Arthur persuaded King Uther to give the young physician a chance.  And this is when things began to go terribly wrong.

For the physician is a sorcerer in the dark arts of alchemy.  Arriving with glistening bottles and potions, including some mysterious dead black beetles, the young alchemist grandly proclaimed that “science explains everything.”  To which Merlin mischievously quipped:  “It cannot explain love”  ad the alchemist asked:  “You are in love?”  “No,” Merlin hastily replied, “I meant feelings and emotions.”  Upon hearing this insightful remark, the alchemist stared long and hard at Merlin and slowly said:  “You seem too bright to be just a servant.”  Realizing he may have said something much too revealing, Merlin flippantly replied:  “Don’t be fooled.  I am not that bright.”

But later after catching Merlin reviving a box of dead beetles, the alchemist exclaimed:  “You have magic!”   To which Merlin sheepishly responded:  “I didn’t do anything!”  Seeing his guardedness, the alchemist beguilingly stated, “People like us have a gift.  Do you not think it should be used to make a better world?”

It is amongst these simple exchanges with Merlin that we begin to see the face behind the mask that the alchemist wears.  He is but a fraud whose only intent is to weasel his way into the graces of King Uther and supplant Gauis as the court’s physician.  It is only then that his true desire can be attained:  revenge for sins of the past.  It is the buried secrets from 20 years before that have come back to haunt King Uther Pendragon.

Alas, discovering Merlin’s secret has put the alchemist in a position of power and he uses it to secure Gauis’ position and favor.  It is but a cruel twist of fate that it is Gaius’ punishment to be banished from the castle all for the sake of protecting Merlin.

As Arthur proved, he would try any remedy to save Morgana; and in turn, Gaius would do anything to keep Merlin safe – even if it meant a king’s life for Merlin’s.  So while Merlin slept oblivious in his ignorance and innocence, Gaius snuck down into the forbidden dungeon where the dragon awaited him magnificent despite his chains.  When Gauis asks if he must sacrifice Merlin for the king, the dragon tells Gaius:  “You have struggled against his destiny, but you can no more prevent it than he can” to which Gaius responds:  “So it is true then?”  “Oh yes,” replied the dragon, “one day he and the young Pendragon will one day unite the land of Albion.”  Gauis again demanded, “Must Uther be sacrificed for the boy?” and the dragon sagely replies, “Their time cannot come until his has past.”  Gaius still struggling to comprehend asked, “But is that time now?” and the dragon responded, “That is your choosing.”  Thus, when
posed with the dilemma of Uther’s life for Merlin’s life, Gaius is torn between duty and loyalty to his king and his love and belief that Merlin will one day save them all.

But in the end it is not Gaius who must chose, it is Merlin.  For when confronted, the angry alchemist entices Merlin with the offer of, “We could rule the kingdom with you at my side!”  But his foolish and vain presumption that Merlin needs him is for naught, for Merlin did not even hesitate and struck down the evil alchemist who was threatening everyone he loved.  For Merlin, there was no choice.  He chooses love over power every time.

WHAT WORKED:

Everything.  This episode sparkled from start to finish.  It was about love and honor and each character rose to the occasion and demonstrated a pure heart and loyalty in the face of insidious lies.  It was also a delicious delight seeing how distraught Arthur was over Morgana’s near death-bed state, which did much to endear a somewhat aloof young man to many female admirers.

Merlin also proved to be true in his stalwart defense of Gauis and his insistence that Gaius must not leave simply because he had lost his position.  It was also great to see Gwen stepping up and seeking Gaius’ aid in proving that the alchemist was a fraud.  Each of the young people are growing before our eyes and slowly becoming the people that legends are made of.

WHAT DIDN’T WORK:

Watching those disgusting black beetles creep slowly up both Morgana and King Uther’s faces and into their ears was nauseating.  Must depictions of bugs always be so nightmarish and never-ending?  It seems excruciating to draw out such scenes.

GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE:

“Merlin – A Remedy to Cure All Ills” was written by Julian Jones and directed by Ed Fraiman.  “Merlin” stars Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Santiago Cabrera, Richard Wilson and Anthony Head.  “Merlin” airs Sundays on NBC.