Merlin - The Moment of Truth, S01E10

Ah yes, the typical episode involving the former best friend of the protagonist and his current best friend. Neither can truly understand the other, but in the end, the former sacrifices himself for the other two, and all remains as it was. It may be a common plot line, but it always accomplishes important things in the character development of the leads, and was done very well.

When Merlin (Colin Morgan)'s home town is attacked, his mother comes to Camelot begging help. Unfortunately, the village is in another kingdom, and Uther (Anthony Head) can do nothing. But Merlin goes back with her, and Morgana (Katie McGrath), Gwen (Angel Coulby), and Arthur (Bradley James) go with him because they each care about Merlin. Honestly, Camelot's nobility cares far more than it ought about common servants.

While Arthur is busy trying to rally the people so that they will be prepared to fight, Merlin's best friend from home, Will (Joe Dempsie), who has a strong dislike of nobility, is certain Arthur will get them all killed. Funny thing was that I really agreed with Arthur on this one. Often when these situations present themselves, you agree with the person in Arthur's position, but you can still see the perspective of the other. But in this village, the options were fight or die. And I'd rather die fighting than of starvation.

Still, in the end, Will sacrificed his life to save Arthur, and claimed that he was the sorcerer who had saved the village so that suspicion would not fall on Merlin. It was the only possible way the episode could have ended, and I expected that outcome the entire time, but I thought it was really well done. Both taking the arrow for Arthur and his confession and last words to Merlin came out very naturally, and I nearly cried with Merlin when Will died.

But Merlin's secret remains safe for another week. The question is: what do you think would have happened if Arthur had learnt Merlin's secret?