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Gaius, you don't understand. There's something you should know. Something I've told no one...
Uther to Gaius

The Crystal Cave is the fifth episode of the third series of Merlin, which was first broadcast on the 9th of October 2010.

It marks the first appearance of the Crystal Cave, and the revelation of Morgana's true parentage.

Synopsis

Merlin has an unexpected meeting with the mysterious Taliesin. The wizened old sorcerer takes the young warlock to the Crystal Cave and shows him a glimpse of the future, but this gift turns out to be a curse when, to his horror, Merlin sees Morgana murder Uther.

Merlin knows he must do all that he can to stop the future from playing out, but changing the pages of destiny is a dangerous game and his actions have fatal consequences. With the whole of Camelot in a state of grief, can the young warlock undo the damage he has caused, or is it too late?

Plot

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Taliesin leads Merlin to the Crystal Cave.

Merlin and Arthur are chased through the forest by a gang of armed bandits. They enter the supposedly cursed Valley of the Fallen Kings to escape them, which alerts Merlin's magical senses.

Arthur is hit in the back by a bandit's arrow and collapses, forcing Merlin to hide with an unconscious prince while the bandits ride past. He then attempts to use magic to heal Arthur's wound, but to no effect.

As Merlin begins to lose hope, he is confronted by an old man named Taliesin, who claims that their meeting has been written. Taliesen has powerful magic and heals Arthur. Leaving the prince to recover, Taliesen takes Merlin to the Crystal Cave, where the young warlock has a series of terrifying visions in the crystals - a crowned Morgana sitting upon Camelot's throne; an elderly man being led away; Morgana struggling with a white horse; Morgana unsheathing an ornate dagger, followed by her walking down a hall in her red cloak; a hand seemingly dripping with blood; Merlin himself surrounded by fire; and finally Morgana stabbing Uther with the ornate dagger.

Afterwards, Merlin returns to Arthur and finds him completely recovered. As they walk back to Camelot, Arthur thanks Merlin for his help and offers him a reward, but Merlin is distressed by his vision and rejects Arthur's offer. Back at the citadel, Merlin reveals his vision to Gaius, who states that Taliesen was a great seer who died 300 years ago. Merlin fears that the events he saw will occur soon, but Gaius warns him that the cave's magical crystals are treacherous.

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Arthur's gift to Morgana is the dagger from Merlin's vision.

The following morning, Arthur is up early to buy Morgana a present for her approaching birthday - a dagger. Merlin later sees her struggling with a horse, as in one of his visions, and worries that the things he saw are beginning to come true. Later, however, Arthur shows him Morgana's present: a plain knife, quite different from the dagger in his vision. Relieved, Merlin tells Arthur that women generally prefer pretty things like jewelry.

That night, a feast is held for Morgana's birthday. She is presented with Arthur's present - the ornate dagger from Merlin's vision. The prince tells Merlin that he took his advice and bought Morgana something "pretty". Later, Merlin becomes worried and decides to watch Morgana, hiding outside of her chambers. Inside, Morgana receives a message from Morgause via a magic mirror - "Sister, come to the Darkling Woods at midnight, Morgause."

That night, Morgana sneaks from her chamber with the dagger. Merlin, concerned that she intends to kill Uther, follows her closely and uses magic to slam a door in her face. The closing door knocks over a flaming torch, which falls towards Morgana. She leaps out of the way, but trips and tumbles down a set of stone stairs.

Arthur carries the injured and unconscious Morgana to Gaius while Gwen fetches medicine. Gaius reveals that Morgana's cranium is broken and she is suffering from internal bleeding. A distressed Merlin hides in his room, telling Gaius that although he wanted to change the future, he did not mean for this to happen.

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Uther reveals that Morgana is his daughter.

The citadel is in mourning - Uther watches over Morgana while Arthur holds Gwen as she cries. Uther tells Gaius that Morgana cannot be allowed to die and that he must do whatever he can to save her. He even implies he would allow Gaius to use magic. When Gaius reacts with shock and caution, Uther explains that Morgana is more than just his ward: she is his daughter.

Uther confesses that he had a brief affair with Morgana's mother, Vivienne, while Gorlois was away fighting on the Northern Plains. Unbeknownst to Gaius and Uther, the king's confession is overheard by both Merlin and the seemingly comatose Morgana.

That night, Morgana's condition worsens and Gaius tells Gwen that she will be "gone by morning". Conflicted, Merlin goes to meet with Kilgharrah. He describes his vision and begs the dragon to help him save Morgana. Kilgharrah refuses, but Merlin uses his powers as a Dragonlord to command it. Kilgharrah concedes and gives Merlin a powerful spell, but warns him that the evil that follows will be of his own doing.

Merlin uses Kilgharrah's spell to heal Morgana and by morning she is fully recovered. A delighted Uther believes that Gaius is responsible, but Gaius realises the truth and warns Merlin that he is toying with powerful forces.

In Morgana's chambers, Morgana hints that she knows about their true relationship by telling Uther he is like a father to her. She regrets that the people of Camelot don't know close they are and only consider her to be Uther's guest, but Uther remains oblivious to her hints and insists it doesn't matter what the people think.

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Merlin fails to prevent Morgana from trying to murder Uther.

That night, Morgause sneaks into the citadel by drugging the guards on duty. She meets with Morgana, who explains that she overheard Uther to being her real father. Morgana is furious that Uther has lied to her and insists that he must pay for his actions, but Morgause tells her that she now has a claim to the throne and must not do anything rash.

As Morgause departs, Merlin and Gaius discover the unconscious guards. One has dropped a goblet of wine and the red, blood-like liquid drips from his fingers, just as in Merlin's vision. The young warlock realises that he has not prevented the future he foresaw.

Merlin runs to Morgana's chamber and they argue. She uses magic to throw him back into a stone wall, knocking him unconscious. A flaming candle is knocked over in the struggle and fire begins to spread through the chamber. Morgana leaves Merlin to die and heads toward Uther's bedroom.

Merlin awakes and chases her, arriving just in time to see her raise the knife above a sleeping Uther. He uses magic to blow open the bedroom window, sending Morgana flying backwards. A startled Uther wakes and, while Merlin remains hidden, Morgana claims that she had been scared by the fire and that she only feels safe at Uther's side.

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Her plan foiled, Morgana pretends to seek comfort from Uther.

Later, Merlin speaks with Gaius, frustrated that in trying to stop the future he made it happen. Gaius sympathises, but believes they have more important things to worry about.

Gaius tells Merlin that he is afraid that Morgana knows the truth about her parentage, as it would explain why she acted so quickly against Uther. He warns Merlin that Arthur must be careful - if Uther dies, the prince will be the only thing standing between Morgana and the throne of Camelot.

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast

Release & Reception

  • Air date : 9 October 2010. 6.36 viewers.

Continuity

Trivia

  • This episode marks the first time Merlin's attempts to change the future cause it to come true.

Gallery

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To view the The Crystal Cave gallery, click here.


Transcript

View the transcript here.

See Also

Series 3
The Tears of Uther Pendragon  • Goblin's Gold  • Gwaine  • The Crystal Cave  • The Changeling  • The Castle of Fyrien  • The Eye of the Phoenix  • Love in the Time of Dragons  • Queen of Hearts  • The Sorcerer's Shadow  • The Coming of Arthur
Interactive quest: The Quest for Morgana
Mini-episode: Merlin in Need special
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