Merlin - The Beginning of the End, S01E08

An aptly named episode, all things considered. Merlin (Colin Morgan) could have acted differently, could have prevented the eventual conclusion to the dream that is Arthur's Camelot, but it was not truly in his power to do so, no more than it is in Guinevere's to choose between Arthur and Lancelot.

In many ways, I consider this a very odd episode. Morgana (Katie McGrath), for reasons unknown, was terribly drawn to the boy and desperately wanted to help him. So much so that she was willing to betray Uther (Anthony Head). Now the King may be a bit mad at times, but he has given her absolutely everything. And, although it is true that his fear of magic has turned into a blind hatred, he's not altogether wrong about what it can do.

I do hope that Morgana's connection to the boy will be revealed. I seem to recall Morgana may also be part of the reason that Arthur dies...but I can't remember if that is because of a connection with Mordred.

That's right, the boy is Mordred. Naturally, I felt a shiver when Arthur learns this at the end of the episode, even though it means nothing to me. But, Mordred is a sorcerer? Really? I do not remember that part. And it's hard to imagine this little child is the original lover that Guinevere betrayed Arthur for. So we have another course being taken. Frankly, I just want Gawain to show up; he's my favourite.

Could you have made the choice that Merlin had to make? Kill a boy now to prevent a future travesty? None of us believe that the future is set in stone, none of us believe that one innocent death (for it is hard to think the boy anything but innocent now, regardless of what he may become). We always think that there will be another way, and that the consequences of tomorrow are not so important as the consequences of today. But you decide - should Mordred have been allowed to live?