Gwen (Angel Coulby)'s father got himself mixed up in sorcery and thus was arrested for conspiracy and treason. Uther (Anthony Head), always blinded when sorcery is involved, had him condemned before his trial even began, despite Morgana (Katie McGrath) and Arthur (Bradley James)'s requests for leniency. Perhaps Gwen's dad doesn't deserve any more leniency than anyone else in the kingdom, but Uther is always unusually harsh in these situations.
I'm not certain why Morgana took it so deeply to heart that this was a horrible wrong she could not bear. Her manner and attitude towards Uther rapidly decreased, and he, angry to be questioned so, threw her in the dungeon for the night. Clearly Morgana's behaviour is an indication of her own temper and irrationality, possibly indicating the future possibility of her part in the destruction of Camelot. She feels many things too strongly and takes them to extremes without truly considering the consequences. Young people commonly resent their parents everyone once in a while, and may even say they wish them dead, but to follow that up with the actual pursuit of a murder plot is another thing. And, worse than that, she planned to kill the king.
Merlin (Colin Morgan)'s choice was different. He is well aware of the many ways in which Uther has failed as a king, as well as what the future will hold once Uther is gone. But has that time come yet? And even if Arthur were ready to become king of Camelot, was it right of Merlin to sit by and do nothing when he could stop a murder. Naturally, he could not do this, though the decision took him longer to make than perhaps it ought to have. Frankly, I blame the dragon whose hatred for Uther makes his own advice and judgment very biased.
In the end, of course, Morgana changed her mind and saved Uther's life. I suppose that makes it even considering that she was the heart of that conspiracy in the first place. Merlin helped her own by eliminating most of the other attackers, and he also kept silent about the role she played.
I should also mention the particularly touching scene between Guinevere and Arthur. After her father's death, he promised her that her home would always be hers and that her position as Morgana's hand-maiden would be guaranteed. He also gave her his deepest condolences, and she, for once to grieved to be silly, was terribly gracious about the entire thing. Far more the image of a woman who could be queen.
In the end, the question of the episode is whether or not Morgana properly redeemed herself. Will this be the only time she considers the murder of her king? And was Merlin right to keep silent about her part?
