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I had a choice... to let Caerleon live or die. I made the wrong decision. And now I've brought this war upon Camelot myself.
Arthur to Merlin

His Father's Son is the fifth episode of the fourth series of Merlin. It was first broadcast on the 29th of October 2011.

It marks the first appearance of Queen Annis.

Synopsis

For the first time since his coronation, Arthur finds out what it means to be a King. By killing the husband of Queen Annis, he starts a war with the kingdom of Caerleon.

Horrified by his mistake, Arthur rushes to make a deal with Annis: a single combat battle to the death. The agreement is if Arthur wins, Annis' armies fall back, but if he loses, Annis receives half of Camelot.

Determined to see Arthur dead and herself on the throne of Camelot, Morgana allies herself with Annis and assures her that she has the power to make sure Arthur dies...

Plot

Caerleon4

Caerleon refuses to sign the treaty.

An army of men chase a Knight of Camelot, who is actually Merlin in disguise. A soldier flings an axe at Merlin and then the army corners him in a ravine. However, the chase is revealed to be a trap set by Arthur to catch the army which has been raiding Camelot.

The Knights of Camelot defeat the invaders and take the survivors prisoner. King Caerleon is discovered among them and Agravaine urges Arthur to prove his strength as the new King of Camelot by forcing Caerleon to sign a treaty. When Caerleon refuses, Arthur ignores Merlin's advice that he show mercy and executes Caerleon in cold blood.

Caerleon's body is taken back to his castle, where an examination quickly reveals that he was not killed in battle. Furious, the widowed Queen Annis declares that the whole of Camelot with pay for her husband's murder.

In Camelot, Merlin tries to talk to Arthur about his decision as a friend, but Arthur feels his duty towards Camelot is his to bear alone. Arthur also struggles with Agravaine's advice that he set aside his feelings for Gwen, as her lowly status makes their relationship inappropriate. A messenger later arrives and informs them that Annis' army is heading towards Camelot; the kingdom of Caerleon has declared war on Camelot.

Meanwhile, Morgana visits Annis and proposes an alliance. She points out that she, too, has suffered at the hands of the Pendragons, as Uther was responsible for the death of her adoptive father Gorlois, who Annis remembers as an honourable man. Morgana offers to help Annis seek revenge for the wounds Arthur and Uther have inflicted upon them, and Annis accepts.

Invoking the right of single combat

Arthur visits Annis to invoke the right of single combat.

The night before Camelot's army leaves to meet Caerleon's in battle, Arthur sneaks to Gwen's house and ends their relationship. Heartbroken and confused, Gwen accepts Arthur's decision, but urges him to be true his own heart in order to be the king he wants to be.

The next morning, Camelot's army sets out for the Ridge of Landshire. In their camp, the Knights of the Round Table assure Arthur that they will stand by him and fight in his name. However, Arthur feels that he had made the wrong decision and has brought the war upon Camelot himself, and that he does not deserve their loyalty. He sneaks out in the night to see Annis and ask her to call off the war, invoking the right of a single combat: if he wins, Caerleon's army will withdraw, but if he loses, half of Camelot will be given to Annis.

The meeting is interrupted when Merlin, who followed Arthur without his knowledge, is discovered and captured. Annis orders him to be killed, but Arthur asks her to spare him, calling Merlin a "simple-minded fool". Annis spares Merlin and grants Arthur the favour, accepting Arthur's challenge of single combat. Their respective champions will be announced at noon the following day.

Though each of the Knights volunteers to be Camelot's champion, Arthur decides that the fight is his. His decision worries Annis, who believes it must be a trick, but Morgana assures her that Arthur would always risk his own life before those of his men. Morgana also promises that she has the power to ensure Arthur fails. With Agravaine's help, she enchants Arthur's sword to hold the weight of a thousand ages; it will become too heavy to hold when Morgana activates the enchantment.

Derian duel

The duel between Arthur and Derian.

When the moment of truth arrives, Caerleon's champion is revealed to be Derian, a man of great size and strength who towers over Arthur. Witnessed by both armies, the two champions begin their duel. During the fight, Morgana activates the enchantment and Arthur loses his weapon, leaving him vulnerable to Derian's attacks.

However, Merlin quickly intervenes with his own magic against Derian, causing him to freeze mid-strike and then to drop his sword. Arthur quickly seizes Derian's sword and wins the fight, but chooses to spare Derian's life.

Annis goes to meet Arthur after the duel and assures him that she will abide by their agreement and her army will be gone by nightfall. She also asks Arthur why he chose to spare her champion, to which he replies that it is not victory he seeks, but peace. Pleased with his answer, Annis tells Arthur that there is something in him that gives her hope for them all, indicating a new beginning for their two kingdoms.

Back in Annis' tent, Annis taunts a disappointed Morgana about Arthur's victory and declares that he was made of sterner stuff than she imagined. She also declares her intentions to make peace with Camelot, which infuriates Morgana. She urges Annis not to be taken in by Arthur's fine words and reminds her of her husband's loss, but Annis no longer feels revenge is the right thing to do.

Furious, Morgana dismissed Annis as weak and declares she will not rest until all of Camelot bows before her. In response, Annis shocks Morgana by stating that although she came to her in Gorlois' name, she's more like Uther than she realises.

Morgana shocked

Morgana is shocked at being likened to Uther.

As Camelot's army returns to the citadel, their victory is celebrated in the streets. Merlin compliments Arthur, saying that he is a hero, but only to his people and not to Merlin, as he knows something that others don't; namely, the fact that Arthur is a 'cabbage head'. Arthur agrees to this and states that he should have listened to Merlin, even if Merlin is the worst servant in the Five Kingdoms.

The next day, Arthur apologises to Gwen by giving her flowers - one of which he embarrassingly snaps in two in front of Gwen. Arthur, repeating Gwen's words to him, tells her that a good king should listen to his heart, do as he sees fit and be seen with those he cares for, even if they are "inappropriate". He pulls Gwen close and kisses her. They then share a more passionate kiss after Gwen forgives Arthur for the mistake he made.

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast

Continuity

  • This episode marks the first appearance of Queen Annis.
  • This episode marks the first appearance and death of King Caerleon.
  • This episode marks the beginning of Camelot's alliance with Caerleon.
  • Agravaine advises Arthur to prove his strength as King in order to deter the likes of Odin, Bayard, and others who covet Camelot's wealth.
  • Arthur ends his relationship with Gwen at Agravaine's urging, but later realises his mistake and reconciles with her.
  • Morgana uses her adoptive father Gorlois' memory to manipulate Annis into an alliance, but is later told she is more like Uther than she realises.

Release & Receptiont

  • 29 October 2011 at 8.10pm on BBC One

Trivia

Gallery

Wiki-wordmark
To view the His Father's Son gallery, click here.


Transcript

View the transcript here.

See Also

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Series 4
The Darkest HourThe Wicked DayAithusaHis Father's SonA Servant of Two MastersThe Secret SharerLamiaLancelot du LacA Herald of the New AgeThe Hunter's HeartThe Sword in the Stone
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