Merlin would have been killed by a giant griffin (half eagle, half lion) if it hadn't been for valiant Lancelot, who bravely attacked it and got them safely away. When Arthur brings the flower, Uther jails his disobedient heir and refuses to have it brought to Gaius, but now, courtier ingenuity helps out endangered magic. Nimueh plays the local damsel in distress and guide, to make sure Arthur is fully exposed to horrible monsters but even on his deathbed Merlin conjures a magical aid.
Arthur bravely rides, although Uther forbids him to 'risk a king' for a pawn. Gaius diagnoses a fatal poison the only cure is from a flower which grows only in certain caves, but the perilous journey to it may take too long. Then the sorceress warns the page-magician, blaming Bayard, so king Uther makes Merlin test the drink from the goblet (as he is a 'disposable' servant).
While Camelot prepares to celebrate peace with Mercia's visiting prince Bayard, Nimueh forges a poisoned chalice and places it at the royal table where Arthur is to have his cup filled by Merlin. Season 1, Episode 4: The Poisoned Chalice Merlin tells Gwen's caring mistress, Morgana, only Arthur can help him fight the monster (an afanc), which they search for in the dragon's cave. However, when Arthur reports the recovery Uther orders her execution at the stake. When Gwen's father exhibits symptoms, Merlin waves Gaius's warning by curing him. King Uther orders prince Arthur to search all Camelot for the sorcerer he believes to have caused the epidemic - only a magic trick saves Merlin from having his book found.
#MERLIN SEASON 5 EPISODE 1 SUMMARY SKIN#
The next day a plague causes people to die, their skin turns white with dark blue veins. The dark sorceress Nimueh casts a spell on a dragon egg she throws into the castle's water. After enigmatic encouragement from the Great Dragon, Merlin decides against giving up- it's high time to resort to the magic from the book Gaius gave our hero. By the time the prince challenges Valiant, the only 'worthy' witness has died (by more serpentine magic), a servant's word is worthless against a knight: Arthur is furious to be humiliated, seeming scared, and fires Merlin. Nursing snake-poisoned knight Ewan, Merlin finds out that's why the vile knight defeats adversaries as easily as Arthur (whom he informs). Sir Valiant comes with a magic secret weapon: a shield from which the painted poisonous serpents can come to life and attack (Sir Valiant also murdered it's creator).
King Uther Pendragon holds an annual tournament, where Prince Arthur Pendragon is to defend his title against other knights of the realm. As a reward he is promoted to valet to Uther's son, Arthur. Only Merlin sees what is happening and stays awake, saving the situation without being exposed as a warlock. Uther has just executed a sorcerer, whose mother comes to Camelot in the guise of a pretty girl who charms the court to sleep with her singing. When Gaius realizes that Merlin has magical, telekinetic powers he agrees to keep the boy's secret. Young Merlin is sent by his mother from their village to start a better life in Camelot, where he is apprenticed to Gaius, the physician to the repressive King Uther, who believes magic is evil and punishable by death. Merlin becomes squire to the noble but imprudent crown prince, Arthur, whose fate is linked with Merlin. Magister Gaius, King Uther Pendragon's learned court physician to whom he's assigned as humble page, teaches him medicine, coaches his magical self-study, and warns him of Uther's strong aversion to magic. Young Merlin is a teenager, discovering and then learning to master his magical gift. 3.12 Season 1, Episode 13: Le Morte d'Arthur.3.11 Season 1, Episode 12: To Kill the King.
3.10 Season 1, Episode 11: The Labyrinth of Gedref.3.9 Season 1, Episode 10: The Moment of Truth.3.7 Season 1, Episode 8: The Beginning of the End.3.6 Season 1, Episode 7: The Gates of Avalon.3.5 Season 1, Episode 6: A Remedy to Cure All Ills.3.3 Season 1, Episode 4: The Poisoned Chalice.3.2 Season 1, Episode 3: The Mark of Nimueh.