REVIEW: Merlin – The Tears of Uther Pendragon Part 2

We no longer weep for Uther’s madness, but for his willful blindness.

This article contains spoilers for this episode.

Morgana’s (Katie McGrath) treachery knows no bounds. She returns solely to destroy Uther (Anthony Head) and demolish Camelot, yet has somehow wormed her way back into Uther’s heart and took the credit for destroying the magical spell which raised the army of the dead and forcing Cenred’s (Tom Ellis) army to flee.

How does one combat the enemy from within? One of Camelot’s greatest strengths has been the fact that Merlin (Colin Morgan) was fighting on Camelot’s side from within. But now, with a traitor in their midst fighting constantly to destroy also from within, Merlin is taxed seemly beyond his abilities. He cannot be at Arthur’s (Bradley James) side protecting him — and still keep an eye on Morgana to circumvent what she may be plotting next.

Thus, the epic battle between Merlin and Morgana looms as they both learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Morgana senses that Merlin will do anything to protect Arthur, and she will use that loyalty against him. Merlin may one day have to choose whether he protects Uther or Arthur — and that will be the choice which Merlin will live with for the rest of his life.

Merlin will one day be the greatest wizard in the world, but as of yet, he is still only one person. He does not understand the lengths that Morgana will go to in order to achieve her evil plans. For, in Morgana’s mind, she has nothing to lose; but Merlin has everything to lose. Because, for the time being Merlin must keep his magical abilities secret from everyone, and yet he still feels the weight of destiny hanging upon his shoulders to ensure that Arthur is one day king as prophesied.

Perhaps the Dragon (John Hurt) said it best when he told Merlin, “I fear your [and Morgana’s] futures are now joined forever. She is the darkness to your light — the hatred to your love.” The choices have been made: Merlin will fight for what is good in the world and Morgana has chosen to fight for all that is evil in the world. There is no going back and it will ultimately be a battle unto death. Until Merlin can bring himself to kill Morgana, he allows the noose of her evil intentions to slowly tighten around all their necks. The clock of destiny is ticking.

What Worked

After last week’s heroic rescue of Merlin, the Dragon was a creature of beauty to behold. No longer hidden in the shadows of the cave which imprisoned him, he is glorious. There is a regality that glistens off his impenetrable scales. As if it were not magnificent enough to behold his natural beauty, it was an even greater delight to hear his fatherly advice to Merlin. Not chained by his anger over his unwanted captivity, the Dragon seems more concerned for Merlin and willing to share his wisdom.

Once he rescued Merlin, the Dragon could have flown away. Yet he chose to stay and provided an enchantment to heal Merlin from the serpent’s poisonous sting. He also volunteered a few words of warning to Merlin, after Merlin admitted, “I should have listened to you. I should have never trusted Morgana,” by sharing, “You did what you felt was right, and that shows great courage. But trust is a double-edged sword.” When Merlin sadly said, “I thought because she has magic, I thought we were the same,” the Dragon said, “In some ways you are.” But Merlin angrily responded, “No, I’ll never be like her,” and the Dragon knowingly shared, “You have learned an important lesson, Merlin. You’re determination to see goodness in people will be your undoing.”

This will be the most important thing that Merlin learns: he needs to learn who to trust. That the Dragon chose to share this vital insight is telling. He has shown an unexpected fondness for the young wizard that set him free. Merlin may have a big heart, and it is that capacity to love and trust makes him unique and perhaps more precious than any other wizard in history.

Another magnanimous moment came during two key exchanges between Merlin and Arthur. After addressing the court to inform them to prepare for war and acting in his father’s place while he was incapacitated, Arthur seemed unduly worried after his decision. So when Merlin told him, “You’re just worried. But you don’t need to be. Look at what we’ve got” and Arthur exasperatedly asked, “What?!” Merlin boldly declared, “You — and me!” To which Arthur incredulously asked, “Merlin, what exactly are you going to do?” and Merlin nonchalantly replied, “I’m going to be at your side, like I always am — protecting you.” Arthur then muttered, “God, help me.”

The first exchange was to remind Arthur in a teasing way of Merlin’s faith in him, but later as Merlin assisted Arthur into his armor, he reassured Arthur again, “I’m not nervous ’cause I trust in your destiny. . . It is your fate to be the greatest king that Camelot has ever known, and your victory today will be remembered by every age until the end of time. Just trust in yourself.” As Arthur stared at him slightly bewildered, yet still touched by Merlin’s stalwart faith, one could see that Arthur was beginning to wonder why Merlin spoke with such assurance. What did Merlin know that he did not? For there was no hesitation in Merlin’s voice, Merlin was absolutely certain. So when Arthur slowly replied, “There are times, Merlin, when you display — I don’t know what it is — but I want to say — it’s not wisdom” and as he searched for the right word, he was forced to admit, “but yes, that’s what it is.”

Even Merlin seemed surprised that Arthur had noticed. To be the king that he will need to be, Arthur must start assessing the people around them and weighing their measure. Arthur senses an undying loyalty in Merlin, yet to trust Merlin with such an open acknowledgment and taking the time to say it, speaks of a man who will be a great king — for Arthur not only is beginning to see Merlin for what he is worth, but he appreciates Merlin enough to tell him.

However, even as Arthur is being forced to take on the mantle of kingship, he wonders if he is ready for it. It reassures him that the people closest to him believe he is up to the task. For not only does Merlin believe in him, but Gwen (Angel Coulby) does as well. She also made sure to tell Arthur on the eve of battle that she believes in him. While Arthur may have worried at his ability to lead the entire kingdom into battle and protecting Camelot, he is perhaps more worried that new status has elevated him to a level where his potential relationship with Gwen will be irrevocably altered forever. Yet one more obstacle to a forbidden love. So later when Arthur nods to Gwen in appreciation for her kind words and her efforts in the hospital, it is an unspoken promise that he will do his best and find a way to come back to her. They may not be able to say the words, but in their hearts they vow to find a way to be together.

Speaking of the future queen of Camelot, there was also a nice moment when Gwen noticed Gaius (Richard Wilson) and Merlin’s wariness of Morgana. The fact that they were keeping a watchful-eye alerted her that perhaps she too should be wary. Like Arthur, her royal training has begun. She needs to watch and listen and see what is not being spoken.

Then continuing her walk on the dark side and embracing her reign of terror, Morgana seemed to relish tormenting Uther. When she strangled the mandrake root, she knew that its screams would torture Uther who was already being driven mad by its visions. Then, later as Morgause (Emilia Fox) entrusted her with one final diabolic task, to raise the army of the dead, Morgana smiled with feverish anticipation. Her addiction is growing, and she is perhaps not the mere tool that Morgause thinks she is. For Morgana is a loose cannon — unpredictable and drunk in her newfound power and treachery. Morgana does not want to simply kill Uther and destroy Camelot, she wants to make them all pay for Uther’s blind hatred of magic and persecution of those who have magic. Out of her fear and anger, she desires to torment those she believes are her enemy. Morgana has become a sociopath — delighting in other’s pain. No longer burdened with a heart or conscience, Morgana is nearly unrecognizable as the young girl our hearts went out to in prior seasons.

Even while watching Morgana intoxicated in the evil she had wrought, it bears mentioning that the army of the dead was pretty amazing in and of itself. The simultaneous battle of Arthur and Merlin against the walking skeletons was fantastic — and it was about time that Merlin jumped into the sword play and did not hover off on the sidelines.

Finally, at the end when Merlin wearily asked Gaius, “Why is Uther so blind to [Morgana]s] true nature?” Gaius sadly replied, “I don’t know. But Morgana will try again.” To which Merlin determinedly said, “I’ll be ready for her . . . I’m not afraid of her.” But Gaius warned him, “You should be.” And with those haunting words ringing in our ears, a death knell has sounded — but for whom, that remains a mystery.

What Didn’t Work

After such a big build-up on getting Cenred to attack Camelot, it was rather deflating that he was so quick to give up. But one has to admire that he was willing to incur Morgause’s wrath than sacrifice anymore of his men’s lives on the battlefield when Morgause’s plan failed. It showed that Cenred had a soul when he said, “I would rather fail you, Morgause, rather than watch thousands of men die” and called off the attack.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

‘The Tears of Uther Pendragon (part 2)’ 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.