With King Uther's sudden death, chaos threatens to engulf Britain. The sorcerer Merlin has visions of a dark future and installs young and impetuous Arthur, Uther's unknown son and heir raised as a commoner, as the new king. The two install themselves in Castle Camelot with their allies, which include Arthur's biological mother, his foster brother, and a quartet of loyal warriors. From Camelot, Arthur tries to build a new and better Britain, where people can live in peace. Meanwhile, Arthur's cold half-sister Morgan plots to take the crown from him. Banished by Uther, who was responsible for her mother's murder to put Arthur's mother on the throne, Morgan is responsible for Uther's death and wants to rule as his successor. Aided by her loyal maid Vivian and the devious nun Sybil, Morgan takes up residence in Castle Pendragon, from where she schemes against Arthur.
Episodes
Homecoming
Uther's daughter Morgana returns from banishment and poisons her father. Merlin arrives too late to save the king but gets Uther to acknowledge his illegitimate son on his deathbed. Merlin takes the young Arthur to the ruined citadel of Camelot.
The Sword and the Crown
Morgana faces opposition in her alliance with King Lot. Meanwhile, Arthur acquires the sword in the stone and is crowned King.
Guinevere
Morgan invites Arthur to a feast and Merlin accompanies him. While the temptress delays Merlin, Arthur returns to Camelot, drawn by his fascination with Guinevere. Meanwhile, Kay and Leontes seek out a famed warrior to recruit him to Arthur's cause.
Lady of the Lake
Whilst Guinevere wants to leave Camelot with Leontes, he's obliged to stay as one of Arthur's knights being trained by brilliant strategist Gawain, who breaks Arthur's sword in combat. Having warned Arthur to resist his feelings for Guinevere, Merlin sets out to have a new sword made by reclusive bladesmith Caliburn, a widower living with his daughter.
Justice
Arthur and his knights arrive at a village where the head man has been killed and his alleged murderer Colfur is about to be lynched. Arthur insists his trial take place at Camelot as a precedent for a justice system to establish fairness. By getting Guinevere to talk to Colfur's young daughter, he finds that the case is not as simple as it first appeared.
Three Journeys
Morgan impresses the supplicants who come to her court but is visited by a woman who claims Sibyl set fire to a convent in which her daughter died, requiring Morgan to punish the nun. Arthur accompanies Guinevere to visit her dying father, resisting further sexual temptations on the journey.
The Long Night
Despite the misgivings of Igraine and Kay, Arthur and his inner circle attend a banquet given by Morgan as a sign of reconciliation, during which her castle is attacked. Arthur's men prepare for defense but Merlin is suspicious as the 'attack' is evidently stage-managed by Morgan to break up the party.
Igraine
Morgan fools Camelot with her disguise, even Merlin. However, after Redwald, a little orphan boy, whom she and Merlin have helped celebrate his birthday, accidentally dies because of her, Merlin has his suspicions. Vivian, feeling sorry for Igraine, releases her to confront Morgan but Morgan, in her guise as the queen, has let slip to Leontes his wife's indiscretions with Arthur.
The Battle of Bardon Pass
Morgan makes her escape, leaving a puzzled Igraine believing she is going mad until Merlin explains Morgan's deception. They go to Castle Pendragon to confront her but end up as her prisoners. Leontes, now aware of his wife's infidelity, prepares to depart Camelot but joins Arthur and the knights in defending Bardon Pass.
Reckoning
Morgan enters Camelot with her prisoners, claiming that they're traitors and that only she can save the realm from the marauding bands. Arthur does a sterling job of holding the attackers at bay using booby traps until his men return to rout the invaders.
Top Cast
Joseph Fiennes
Merlin
Jamie Campbell Bower
King Arthur
Tamsin Egerton
Guinevere
Peter Mooney
Sir Kay
Philip Winchester
Leontes
Eva Green
Morgan Pendragon
Diarmaid Murtagh
Brastias
Clive Standen
Gawain
