What started as a simple hunting trip in the woods got serious when the Questing Beast appeared, and even after Arthur and his knights had prepared to go fight the creature, things did not work out well. Arthur was knocked down and bitten before Merlin was able to distract the creature. He then magicked Arthur's sword and slew the beast, showing himself a proficient warrior and hunter when allowed to use his magic. But it was too late - Arthur had been bitten and no known cure existed.
Before they went out on their quest, Morgana (Katie McGrath) tried to stop Arthur going. She was in utter distress, fearing for his life. We hardly saw her for the rest of the episode, but it seemed as though a promise that her dreams would become a more central aspect of the series was made. I loved seeing how wretched she was over the idea of something happening to him.
Uther (Anthony Head) was also beside himself, though he never fully gave up hope or gave into his grief. He knew that Arthur was supposed to die, that Gaius (Richard Wilson) had no real cure, and yet no matter how many times he said to himself that he was about to lose his son, he never managed to sound convinced. And when the draught was procured and his son saved, he was pleased but not entirely surprised.
Gwen (Angel Coulby), who is always referred to as Guinevere whenever Arthur is talking to her, sat with Arthur during his illness to help relieve Gaius as Merlin went on a quest to save the Prince. When she sat with him, she spoke to him of all the great things he would do for his kingdom when he recovered. Naturally, she was embarrassed when he recovered and remembered all the things that she had said, but I thought it was a lovely look at the bond developing between the pair which will one day lead to love.
Finally, Merlin was wonderful. He went on his quest, returning in time to save Arthur, although to do it, he promised his own life. When, instead, it was his mother's which was threatened, he confronted the Dragon and finally realized how he was being manipulated. The Dragon gives no indication that he cares for Arthur beyond fulfilling the destiny of allowing magic back in the kingdom during his reign, which might mean the Dragon's freedom.
Merlin promised the Dragon that he would never be freed, and his magic was strong enough to protect him when he was attacked by a breath of flames.
Next, Merlin returned to Nimueh (Michelle Ryan) to demand his mother's life back, again for his own. Gaius beat him there, trying to save the boy. In the end, Merlin, again having somehow allowed his magic to grow exponentially, managed to turn the curse around on her, giving her life for that of Arthur's and sparing all those we love.
I certainly hope that this new development in Merlin's powers will play a central feature in next season's plot, as well as the relationship between Arthur and Guinevere, and Morgana's dreams. What do you want to see happen next?
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