Open Book Society discussion

Brought to you by OBS staff member Karloina

Written By: Julian Jones
Directed by: Alice Troughton
Special Guests: Santiago Cabrera (Lancelot), Emilia Fox (Morgause): Gemma Jones as The Cailleach, Katie Moore as Drea, Nathaniel Parker as Agravaine


Season four begins in what looks like a wasteland - a solitary figure in a coat dragging a cart behind themselves. The person is stopped by four knights - two of them being Sir Leon and Elyan. Leon asks the weary traveller where they are heading. The traveller answers , in a very familiar voice and reveals themselves to be none other than- DUN DUN DUN - Morgana. To further prove she is in fact the lady Morgana, she quickly knocks the tfour knights out with a surge of magic. Once they are taken care of, she makes her way to the cart , asking “Are you alright ?”. She uncovers the cart to reveal Morgause (who has far more boils on her face than I remember her having). Morgause states that she is, but they must hurry, as night is nearly upon them, and they still have far to go.

Camelot is buzzing with people -and looks like it is preparing for a celebration or a feast. Merlin runs through Camelot , almost running into people as he gets to the kitchens. He pilfers a pastry - just before he is stopped by the cook, demanding to know what Merlin is doing there. He states that he is there for the Prince’s shirt (which is hanging near the cooked meats, drying). The cook sends him off. As Merlin retrieves Arthur’s shirt (which is near a plate of chicken) he notices a rope hanging from the ceiling, with a hook attached. He looks up, to see Gwaine and Percival through a vent (Gwaine gives Merlin a little wave) Merlin laughs, attaches a piece of meat to the end of the hook and gestures for his friends to pull it up. He escapes the kitchen just as the cook realises what is going on. He continues his journey with Arthur’s shirt, only to knock into a man carrying wine. Merlin looks in horror at the wrecked shirt - enter Lancelot. Lancelot who seems much more sedate than I’ve ever seen him. As Merlin laments over his death by Arthur for the shirt - Lancelot decides to remind Merlin that he is “smart” enough to figure something out. Hey, presto change-o ; a little magic goes a long way. Merlin finally makes it to Arthur’s room - where he sees that Arthur has dressed himself - not very well (his shirt is riding up at the back, much to Merlin’s amusement)- but , still, what do expect from a Prince? Arthur mentions needing to write a speech - and Merlin pulls out one that he prepared earlier - all night - apparently. Arthur reads it and tells him that it needs some work - but still puts away his parchment. When Merlin gives a less than enthusiastic answer to Arthur’s request - Arthur reminds him that not all servants are privileged enough to write for a prince and the least he could do is say thank you. With a withering look, Merlin is gone, and Arthur smiles.

To Read more of the Recap: http://forum.openbooksociety.com/merl...

Karolina says: I was so excited by this episode - and I have to say, I really really enjoyed it. I loved seeing the knights from last season . I adore the idea of Arthur trusting Merlin to write speeches for him - and that they do appear closer and on slightly more equal ground already in this season. I like the implicit suggestion that Gwen and Arthur have an understanding between each other -and that Lancelot has changed in the year that we have skipped ahead. Uther completely broke my heart. I liked Morgana’s part in this episode, she does seem calmer this season - not as comic book evil , and the Dorocha were quite a creepy ‘bad guy’. I liked the return to the Isle of the Blessed, and the rift between worlds is an interesting one. Arthur, however, needs to learn from his mistakes and STOP TRUSTING RANDOM FAMILY MEMBERS WHO TURN UP. Especially with the kingdom! I can’t wait to see what the fall out of Merlin ‘sacrificing’ himself is going to be (if any) and the fallout of this storyline in general. (I actually think next episode is the episode i was lucky enough to see a few scenes being filmed while I was in France this year, so , yay!)

What did you think? Did the opening episode of Season 4 meet your expectations? What did you love? What did you hate? Do you like the new credits?

So happy syfy is broadcasting Merlin. Have seen the first episode on Friday. It looks so dark this season. Can't wait for this Friday to get here. I love Morgana, evil or not she's my fav.

I have always loved King Arthur tales and Merlin is just awesome! Morgana is a great villain!

~Annabell