Lamia is the eighth episode of the fourth series of Merlin, which was first broadcast on the 19th of November 2011.
It marks the first appearance of the Southrons.
Synopsis
A mysterious illness draws Merlin, Gwen, and the Knights of the Round Table to a distant village as the magical drama continues. But it soon becomes clear there is more at stake than just his well-being as something sinister turns the air sour.
Far from home and with no one to trust, Merlin becomes embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. No longer sure who is the hunter and who is the hunted, can the young warlock survive long enough to uncover the truth?
Plot
Mary Howden, an old friend of Gwen's family, comes to Camelot seeking help for her village, which has been stricken with a mysterious disease. Gaius is too busy treating an outbreak of sweating sickness to go and help the people of Longstead, so he suggests that Merlin go in his place. Arthur is skeptical of the idea, but Gaius persuades him Merlin is up to the job.
Merlin sets out for Longstead accompanied by Gwen and the Knights of the Round Table. When they arrive, Merlin tries to treat the sick villagers but not even his magic works, making him suspect magic is involved in the sickness. He decides to return to Camelot to fetch Gaius, as only the physician's experience can help the sick people.
On the way back to Camelot, the group comes across a camp of bandits who have captured a pretty young woman. Gwaine and the other Knights attack, knocking out or killing the bandits and saving the woman. The woman is extremely nervous and afraid of Merlin, but once Percival comforts her she says her name is Lamia.
After rescuing Lamia, the Knights, starting with Percival, become aggressive and hostile, especially to Merlin. As their behaviour changes, the Knights become more concerned with helping Lamia get home than returning to Camelot. Overruling Gwen and Merlin's objections, Leon orders the group to change course and head deeper into the Feorre Mountains.
Meanwhile, back in Camelot, Arthur becomes concerned when Gwen, Merlin, and the Knights fail to return and sets out for Longstead with Gaius, Agravaine, and a company of Knights. They come across the plundered camp of of some Southron slave traders and take the only survivor with them to Longstead.
After questioning the villagers and the Southron (who was one of Lamia's original captors), Gaius concludes that the Lamia is responsible of the sickness. He explains that the Lamia is a monstrous creature of magic that can take the form of a girl, control men, and drain their life force with a single embrace.
Arthur, Agravaine, and their men search for Merlin, Gwen, and the Knights while Gaius remains in Longstead to treat the ill. Meanwhile, the Knights' aggression worsens and Gwaine and Leon get into a fight. Merlin tells Gwen he suspects Lamia is responsible for their strange behaviour, as it only began after they found her.
That night, the Lamia seduces Elyan and drains his life force. The next morning, the group finds Elyan gravely ill and Gwen tells Merlin she knows Lamia is responsible. Merlin attempts to convince the knights to return back to Camelot so Elyan can be cured, but they angrily refuse as Lamia convinces them to go to a place of shelter.
As they follow Lamia through the woods, Gwen ties a cloth to a tree so Arthur will find them. Later, when Agravaine tries to throw Arthur off the Knights' trail by covering their hoof prints, Arthur finds Gwen's cloth tied to a tree. Recognising the cloth from Gwen's tunic, Arthur vows to keep searching.
Meanwhile, Lamia leads Gwen, Merlin, and the Knights to an abandoned castle, then disappears. Leon and Percival search for her while Gwaine guards Gwen and Merlin, who are looking after Elyan. When Gwaine leaves to collect more firewood, Gwen wonders why Lamia hasn't affected Merlin, and actually seems afraid of him. Merlin deflects her questions, then goes to find the Knights.
Lamia hunts down Gwaine and Percival, who succumb to her powers. Leon returns to his senses when he sees Percival fall by her hand and attempts to attack her, but is quickly knocked unconscious. Merlin finds Lamia crouched over Leon and tells her he will not be such easy prey. A magical duel ensues, during which Merlin stabs Lamia with Leon's sword and causes the ceiling to collapse on her.
However, the Lamia survives his attacks and, transforming into her monstrous form, chases him through the castle. Gwen, hearing the sounds of their fight, grabs a sword to defend Merlin, but the Lamia disarms her and knocks her to the ground. Just as Merlin is about to attack the creature with his magic, Arthur arrives and kills it with a spear.
The group returns to Longstead, where Gaius cures the Knights and villagers of the Lamia's sickness. Later, back in Camelot, Arthur privately praises Gwen for her courage. He tells her she is equal to any Knight of Camelot and that he is proud of her.
Cast
Main Cast
- Colin Morgan as Merlin
- Bradley James as Arthur Pendragon
- Angel Coulby as Gwen
- Richard Wilson as Gaius
- Nathaniel Parker as Agravaine de Bois
Recurring Cast
- Rupert Young as Sir Leon
- Eoin Macken as Sir Gwaine
- Adetomiwa Edun as Sir Elyan
- Tom Hopper as Sir Percival
Guest Cast
Continuity
- This episode marks the first appearance of the Southrons.
- Merlin has become a skilled enough physician that Gaius is comfortable sending him to treat the people of Longstead in his place.
- Agravaine attempts to prevent Arthur from finding the missing Knights' trail.
- Merlin almost reveals his magic to Gwen to save them both from the Lamia, but Arthur arrives before he can do so.
Trivia
- Morgana does not appear in this episode.
- The ridge where Merlin, Gwen, and the Knights of the Round Table spot Lamia's Castle doubles as the ridge where Arthur and Mithian have their picnic in The Hunter's Heart. However, it is unlikely they are meant to be the same location, as Lamia's Castle is in the Feorre Mountains and the picnic takes place within easy riding distance of Camelot.
Gallery
To view the Lamia (episode) gallery, click here.
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Transcript
See Also
- Characters: Mary Howden, John Howden, Southrons
- Locations: Longstead, Feorre Mountains, Lamia's Castle
- Creatures: Lamia
- Magic: Healing Spells, Fire Spells, Telekinesis, Shapeshifting
- Events: Duel between Merlin and Lamia
- Relationships: Arthur and Guinevere