Merlin: The Return of Morgana

If you’ll recall, last season there seemed to be four primary characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gwen, and Morgana.

We’ve gotten plenty with Merlin, Arthur and Gwen, but where has Morgana been this season? So far, she’s been nothing more than an extra lurking in the background and cheering at jousting games. It’s only taken until the third episode of the season for her to have more than just one line!

Since last season, Morgana has been suffering from “nightmares” that seem to eerily predict the future. Only this time, things get a little out of hand.

During a particularly stormy night, Morgana, in her sleep, lights up a candle that’s by her bedside to warm her up since she’s clearly shivering. Gwen enters her bed chambers to bring more blankets only to find the lighted candle. Gwen blows the candle out and moves it over to a table near the windows. Gwen leaves, a loud clap of thunder startles Morgana and she bolts up and uncontrollably causes the candle to light up again. It doesn’t just light up, though – the flames shoot up into the air causing the drapes to catch fire.

The morning after the fire, King Uther uses his extensive knowledge to figure out the origins of the flame. Finding no reasonable answer, he declares it was caused by magic and that someone must be trying to attack Morgana.

Morgana goes to visit Gaius who is still trying to convince her that these nightmares mean nothing, although he knows better. Morgana finally begins to realize she might just be carrying magical powers. Merlin feels a lot of sympathy for her – he knows what it’s like to be alienated because of magic. He suggests to Morgana that she go see the druids: magicians living peacefully in the forests outside of Camelot. They can provide her with the answers she wants.

Of course, Merlin’s suggestion goes against what the Dragon advised. The dragon tells Merlin that, “it would be better if the witch never knew the true extent of her powers.” The dragon always has some sort of ominous foreboding to report about; not very fun company to have.

After Morgana’s disappearance, Uther believes she’s been kidnapped. He threatens to execute all suspected witches & sorcerers in 24 hours if Morgana is not returned to him. This episode really reemphasized how much of a cruel dictator Uther is when it comes to magic. He looks for no other possibilities and will automatically assume the worst, taking innocent lives if need be.

Merlin panics after hearing of Uther’s plans and runs off into the woods to find Morgana and bring her back. Problem is, Morgana is well and happy with the druids – including Mordred! She knows for a fact she’s magical and the elder druid even calmed her thoughts by explaining that magic can be a force for good, contrary to what Uther preaches. Morgana tells Merlin she does not want to return to Camelot.

Arthur and his men arrive at the druid camp after following a trail (accidentally) left by Merlin. They kill the elder druid who had been helping Morgana escape, but fail to capture Mordred whose powerful screams can apparently knock people off their feet quite literally! Morgana surrenders herself to Arthur and returns to Camelot (while they are still under the impression that she was kidnapped). No one knows the truth of what really happened and what is really going on except for Morgana and Merlin.

During some lighter moments in the episode, Arthur gets the impression that Merlin must have some “affectionate” feelings for Morgana because of how often he’s been visiting her (…and the flowers probably didn’t help, either). Merlin laughingly denies the claims, but Arthur teasingly tells him: “You can’t hide anything from me, Merlin.” Ohhhhh, the irony!

Season 2, Episode 3: The Nightmare Begins (aired April 16, 2010)

For more on Merlin, click here.

Fridays at 10/9c on Syfy

Photographs courtesy of NBC Universal and SyFy.