Speaking of origin stories, we were finally told the origins of Uther (Anthony Head)'s hatred for magic. His wife, whom he adored more than anything in the world, died in child birth, bring Arthur (Bradley James) into the world. This we already knew. But that she had been barren and brought to fertility through the magic of Nimueh (Michelle Ryan) at Uther's request, we did not know. Her death, caused by magic evening the balance - a life for a life - launched Uther's vendetta against those who had been his friends. He rid Camelot of their supposed evil, and those he hurt, such as Nimueh, turned to evil out of vengeance. Really a sad story.
Nimueh, of course, was the source of trouble in this episode, bring back to life Uther's brother-in-law who blamed the King for the death of Arthur's mother. He challenged two knights, killing them easily and without feeling their blows upon him. Arthur could not stand to see such a thing happen, and, partially for honour partially out of arrogance, challenged the knight himself. Uther and Gaius (Richard Wilson) knew that the knight could not be killed, as did Merlin (Colin Morgan), and both set out to assure that Arthur would live.
Although Uther refused to tell his son anything, he did conspire with Gaius to drug the Prince and take his place in the fight. The knight would have his vengeance and Camelot would still have Arthur. Merlin, meanwhile, created a weapon for Arthur which would be able to kill the knight, despite the problem that he was already dead. Merlin created Excalibur.
He got the best sword Gwen (Angel Coulby)'s father had ever forged and asked the Dragon to bless it with its fire. The Dragon agreed to this, on the condition that only Arthur wield the weapon, which Merlin promised. When, the next day, Uther showed up to be armoured and Arthur was no where to be seen. Uther took up the weapon and defeated the knight, saving Camelot and his son in the process.
And Merlin, reminded of his promise, then took the sword and threw it into the lake where we previously had seen two beings try to cross to Avalon. And so Arthur, who currently has no knowledge of the sword at all, will later somehow be able to retrieve it from the lake.
The most touching moment of the episode was when Uther told Arthur how precious he was to him. In most versions of the legends, Uther and Arthur never know each other, and it is sweet to see the father-son bond between them.
But, the real lesson is that Gaius and Merlin should communicate with each other about what they are planning to do to save those they love from danger so that no conflict between them ever occurs again.
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