The Diamond of the Day is the two-part finale consisting of the twelfth and thirteenth episodes of the fifth series of Merlin. They were first broadcast on the 22nd and 24th of December 2012.
It marks the deaths of Mordred, Gwaine, Morgana, and Arthur, and the long-awaited magic reveal.
Synopsis
Part One
High in the mountains, a great horde gathers as Morgana prepares for war with a vengeful Mordred at her side. Merlin feels the weight of his destiny like never before as the Catha's ancient prophecies play out with terrifying accuracy. But before he can save his beloved Camelot, he must first save himself. For it is not just the kingdom Morgana wishes to destroy – it is also Emrys.
Part Two
And so it seems the prophets did not lie. As the great battle rages on Camlann's mighty plain, Merlin faces his moment of destiny. Can he find the strength to save the man he made a King, the Camelot they fought to build, and the brotherhood they shared?
Plot
Part One
Morgana welcomes the powerful Druid Ari to her fortress and asks for a demonstration of his powers. Ari obliges her request by extinguishing two braziers, after which Morgana has her guards restrain him while she reveals the Gean Canach. Ari begs her not to use it on him, but Morgana awakens the creature and it attacks him. Ari, weeping, is then forced to try to relight the braziers, but can't; the Gean Canach has drained him of his magic.
As the guards take Ari away, Mordred questions Morgana's actions and points out that by robbing Ari of his magic, she's lost a powerful ally. However, Morgana reveals that she plans to win the war against Camelot by using the Gean Canach to take away Merlin's magic, thereby robbing Arthur of his secret protector.
Later, a Saxon warrior sneaks into Camelot while Merlin and Arthur gamble in the tavern. The Saxon enters Gaius' chambers and knocks Gaius unconscious with a rock, then hides the box containing the Gean Canach beneath Merlin's bed.
Merlin returns to their chambers late that night, having used his magic to cheat Arthur out of a pouch full of coins, and the Gean Canach emerges and attacks him. Gaius kills it with a shovel, but it has already drained Merlin's magic. They use Gaius' library to identify the creature and realise Mordred must have finally told Morgana of Merlin's powers, causing her to strike out against him.
Soon afterward, Mordred and Morgana attack Camelot's garrison at Stowell. They use their combined magic to launch a massive fireball at the garrison. In the ensuing battle, Gwaine sees a young woman, Eira, being dragged away by a Saxon and goes to her rescue. The Saxon knocks him down, but Eira hits him over the head with a piece of wood, giving Gwaine an opening to stab him. Gwaine then escorts Eira to safety as Sir Leon orders Camelot's retreat.
At the citadel, Merlin watches the casualties pour in, miserable in the knowledge that he cannot help. After Gaius encourages him to use his skills as a physician to help the wounded, Merlin takes his advice by treating Eira's leg wound. Gwaine and Eira begin to fall in love and it is revealed that Eira lost her entire family in the attack.
In the aftermath of the battle, Arthur holds a meeting of the Round Table. They discuss Morgana's actions and her obvious intentions to conquer Camelot. Leon suggests that they prepare their defense at the citadel, but Arthur is reluctant to put his citizens at risk. Instead, he decides to ride out and meet her army at Camlann, a decision which leaves Merlin and Gaius shaken because of the Catha Prophecy.
Meanwhile, Morgana has her dragon ally Aithusa burnish a sword for Mordred. She tells him that nothing can survive the touch of a blade burnished in a dragon's breath and Mordred replies that he will wield it in victory, and with honour.
Knowing that Arthur will never change his mind about going to Camlann, Merlin resolves to protect him by regaining his magic at the Crystal Cave. However, the journey will prevent him from accompanying Arthur to the battlefield. Arthur is shocked by the news and sadly remarks, "You know, Merlin, all those jokes about you being a coward... I never really meant any of them. I always thought you were the bravest man I ever knew. Guess I was wrong."
Defenseless without his magic, Merlin asks Gwaine to escort him to the Valley of the Fallen Kings to protect him from bandits and other dangers. Gwaine mentions their plans to Eira, who is revealed to be an enemy spy when she later relays the information to Morgana. Mordred tells Morgana about the Crystal Cave and she realises that Merlin means to get his magic back.
Upon reaching the Cave, Merlin assures Gwaine he'll be fine on his own and sends him to catch up with the rest of Camelot's army. Armed with Gwaine's sword, he enters the Cave and finds Morgana waiting for him. Morgana taunts him about his powerlessness, then uses her magic to cause a rockslide. The rocks seal off the mouth of the Cave and trap Merlin inside.
As Camelot's army marches to Camlann, Leon and Percival scout out Morgana's army and realise that they've underestimated her forces; the Saxons will outnumber them five to one. Arthur questions Gaius about Merlin's absence and is unconvinced by his story that Merlin is obtaining vital supplies. Gwen also doubts his story, but Gaius' privately tells her that Merlin is on a secret errand of the utmost importance and she says whatever it is, she wishes him luck.
Injured and unable to shift the rockfall, Merlin crawls deeper into the cave and passes out in a chamber full of glowing crystals. When he wakes, he is visited by the spirit of his father Balinor, who encourages him not to give into despair. Merlin says that there is no hope without his magic, but Balinor reveals that Merlin is the embodiment of magic itself; he cannot lose what he is. He tells Merlin to rest, and soon he will awaken into the light.
Camelot's army sets up camp at Camlann. Arthur worries that it was a mistake not to make their stand at the citadel, but Gwen reassures him that he made the right choice. Meanwhile, Morgana tells Mordred to send one hundred of their best warriors to a hidden path in the mountains. She also tells him to prepare the rest of their army, for she means to attack that very night.
When Merlin wakes, he has been healed of his injuries and his magic has returned. He uses the Cave's crystals to contact a sleeping Arthur and explains Morgana's plan to ambush him. The urgency of his warning wakes Arthur, who chooses to believe it wasn't a dream. He orders Gwaine and Percival to lead a patrol to find the secret path and tells Leon to prepare the army.
As the Battle of Camlann begins, Merlin thanks Balinor for his guidance, but Balinor says his journey has only just begun and sends him to the heart of the Crystal Cave, where his true self will be revealed. Merlin later blasts his way free of the Cave and emerges disguised as Dragoon the Great, ready to ride for battle.
Part Two
As the Battle of Camlann rages on, Camelot's army is being overwhelmed by Saxons. Mordred searches the battlefield for Arthur while Morgana protects him with lightning and her dragon ally Aithusa breathes fire at the Knights of Camelot.
Gaius and Guinevere tend to Camelot's wounded in the hospital tent. A Saxon bursts in swinging an axe and is blocked by a Knight. The Saxon strikes the Knight in the stomach and raises his axe to kill him, but Gwen stabs him from behind before he can deliver the finishing blow.
Merlin arrives at the battlefield disguised as Dragoon the Great just as a group of Saxons charge Arthur. He proceeds to decimate Morgana's army with powerful lightning and orders Aithusa away from the battle. As Morgana screams in rage, he strikes her with lightning as well, knocking her unconscious.
Merlin's attack sends the Saxons into retreat and Camelot's forces fight with renewed vigour. Merlin enters the battlefield in search of Arthur, but Mordred finds him first. Arthur hesitates when faced with his former friend and Mordred stabs him, mortally wounding him. As Mordred hisses that he gave him no choice, Arthur gathers his strength and strikes Mordred twice, killing him. He collapses from his own wound a moment later.
Sir Leon tells Gwen that the Saxons are in full retreat and begins organising a search for Arthur. Meanwhile, Merlin finds Arthur collapsed on the battlefield and carries him to the forest.
When Arthur wakes, Merlin tearfully apologises for failing him and reveals that he was the sorcerer who routed the Saxons. Arthur doesn't believe him, but Merlin demonstrates his magic by conjuring a dragon out of sparks. Shocked and horrified, Arthur orders Merlin to leave.
Meanwhile, Camelot's forces have returned to the citadel. Leon tells Gwen that their patrols have questioned people throughout the White Mountains, but have found no sign of Arthur. Leon also reports that Gaius is unaccounted for, as no one has seen him since the battle.
Gaius meets Merlin in the forest and begins treating Arthur. After Gaius sends Merlin to care for the horses, Arthur stops feigning sleep and informs him that Merlin is a sorcerer, only to realise that Gaius already knows. He tries to make Gaius send Merlin back to Camelot, but Gaius tells Arthur that Merlin is the greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth and that if he is to survive, he'll need Merlin's help, not his.
Gaius tells Merlin that Arthur has a fragment of sword embedded in his chest. He fears that the blade was burnished in a dragon's breath and that only the Sidhe the possess magic ancient enough to thwart its fatal power. Because of this, Gaius recommends that Merlin take Arthur to the Lake of Avalon, where an ancient isle serves as the source of the Sidhes' power.
While Gaius convinces Arthur allow Merlin to take him to the Lake, Morgana tearfully buries Mordred and promises him that they will have their revenge. She then returns to her fortress, where Beroun reports that they have found no sign of Arthur. Screaming that she wants Arthur dead, Morgana kills one of her remaining men and demands that the rest keep looking.
As Merlin and Arthur prepare to leave, Arthur hands Gaius the royal seal and instructs him to give it to Gwen, as he wants her to succeed him as Camelot's ruler if he dies. Merlin also tells Gaius that Eira betrayed him and cannot be trusted, to which Gaius replies that he knows and tells Merlin that Arthur has two days at the most. Gaius hugs Merlin and promises to have his favourite meal waiting for him when he returns, then sends them on their way.
After returning to Camelot, Gaius informs Guinevere of Arthur's injuries and explains that Merlin is taking him somewhere to be healed. Gwen wants to send Knights to protect them, but Gaius points out that Morgana is still searching for Arthur and that two men will have a better chance of evading her. He also reveals Eira's true loyalties.
Merlin and Arthur are spotted by a pair of Saxons as they cross a plain. Merlin tries to convince them that he and Arthur are harmless travelers, but the Saxons become too curious and he is forced to kill them. Arthur watches him do so and states that Merlin has lied to him all this time.
As Merlin and Arthur continue their journey, Arthur starts asking questions about Merlin's magic and his reasons for helping him. He gradually begins to understand Merlin's talents and accept that he's still the same person he's always known.
Meanwhile, Gwen and Gwaine trick Eira into sending false information about Arthur's whereabouts to Morgana. Eira is unmasked as a spy and is publicly executed the following day.
Shortly before the hanging, Gwen thanks Gaius for his help and hints that she's figured out Merlin was the sorcerer at Camlann. Gaius confirms Gwen's suspicions and she tells him she's pleased.
Gwaine and Percival watch Eira's execution from a castle window. Heartbroken and angry, Gwaine convinces Percival to join him in hunting down Morgana. They set up an ambush for her at Brineved and kill her Saxon guards, but Morgana evades their attack and uses her magic to knocks them both unconscious.
Morgana ties them up some distance from each other and uses a Nathair to torture Gwaine into telling her Arthur's true location. Percival hears his screams and pulls free of his bonds, but is too late to rescue him. Morgana has already left for Avalon and Gwaine dies moments later in his arms.
As Merlin and Arthur near the Lake, Morgana catches up to them and scares away their horses. She attacks Merlin with a stunning spell and taunts Arthur about his impending death, but Merlin quickly recovers and confronts her with Excalibur.
The two face off. Merlin tells Morgana that he blames himself for what she's become, but her bloodshed has to end. He runs her through, Morgana making no move to defend herself from what she believes to be a mortal blade. As she gasps in shock and pain, Merlin reveals that Excalibur was burnished in a dragon's breath and holds her as she dies.
Merlin tries to get Arthur to the Lake of Avalon, but Morgana has cost them too much time. Arthur bids Merlin an emotional goodbye, thanking him for everything he's done and accepting him as a friend before passing out. Desperate to save him, Merlin summons Kilgharrah to carry them the rest of the way, but Arthur is already dead when they arrive.
Merlin is devastated by his failure, but Kilgharrah assures him that he has not failed and that all he's dreamt of building has come to pass. He also reveals that when Albion's need is greatest, Arthur will rise again.
After Kilgharrah leaves, Merlin casts Excalibur back into the Lake, where it is caught in Freya's hand and drawn under the water. He then places Arthur's body in a boat, weeping as he utters a spell to send it to Avalon.
At the citadel, Gwen takes her place upon the throne as sole ruler of Camelot. The court assembles before her and Leon intones, "The King is dead! Long live the Queen!"
Merlin lives into modern times, having become immortal since coming into his true power. A truck rushes by him as he walks past what used to be the Lake of Avalon, waiting for Arthur to rise again as he is destined to do.
Cast
Main Cast
- Colin Morgan as Merlin
- Bradley James as Arthur Pendragon
- Angel Coulby as Guinevere Pendragon
- Katie McGrath as Morgana Pendragon
- Richard Wilson as Gaius
Recurring Cast
- Rupert Young as Sir Leon
- Eoin Macken as Sir Gwaine
- Tom Hopper as Sir Percival
- Alexander Vlahos as Mordred
- John Lynch as Balinor (Part One Only)
- Barry Aird as Beroun (Part Two Only)
- John Hurt as the voice of Kilgharrah (Part Two Only)
Guest Cast
- Erin Richards as Eira
- Peter Guinness as Ari (Part One Only)
- Uncredited Actor as Freya (Cameo, Part Two Only)
Continuity
Part One
- This episode marks the second appearance of the Crystal Cave.
- This episode marks the second and final appearance of Balinor.
- This episode marks the fourth appearance of the Saxons.
- This episode marks the fifth appearance of the Valley of the Fallen Kings.
- This episode marks the seventh appearance of Merlin's alter ego, Dragoon the Great.
- Having learned that Merlin is Emrys, Morgana targets him by taking away his magic.
- Gwaine rescues Eira from Saxons and falls in love with her.
- Morgana uses Aithusa's fiery breath to burnish a sword for Mordred.
- Arthur decides to meet Morgana's army at Camlann, unknowingly fulfilling the Catha Prophecy.
- Merlin regains his magic at the Crystal Cave, the birthplace of magic itself.
- Balinor reveals that Merlin is the embodiment of magic itself and helps him realise his true power.
- Merlin sees several past events in the Cave's crystals, including Kigharrah rescuing him from Serkets, Freya returning Excalibur, Morgana in a red dress, and himself receiving a spell from Kilgharrah.
Part Two
- This episode marks the deaths of Mordred, Gwaine, Morgana, and Arthur.
- This episode marks the eighth and final appearance of Merlin's alter ego, Dragoon the Great.
- Mordred fulfills his destiny by dealing Arthur a mortal blow at Camlann; a piece of his sword breaks off and begins working its way to Arthur's heart.
- Merlin reveals his magic to Arthur.
- Arthur also learns that Gaius is knows about of Merlin's magic.
- It is also heavily implied that Guinevere realises Merlin has magic.
- Merlin decides to take Arthur to the Lake of Avalon in the hope that the Sidhe's ancient magic can heal him.
- Arthur realises that Merlin used magic to cheat during their first duel.
- Eira is unmasked as a spy and executed, driving Gwaine to hunt down Morgana for revenge.
- Morgana uses a Nathair to torture Gwaine, who dies from his wounds.
- Morgana meets her destined end at Merlin's hand; he runs her through with Excalibur in defense of Arthur.
- Merlin tells Morgana he blames himself for what she has become.
- After Arthur dies, Kilgharrah reveals to Merlin that when Albion's need is greatest, Arthur will rise again.
- Merlin returns Excalibur to the Lake and sends Arthur's body to Avalon.
- Gwen succeeds Arthur as the ruling Queen of Camelot.
- Merlin is revealed to be immortal and awaits Arthur's return into the modern age.
Release & Reception
- The Diamond of the Day: Part One was broadcast on December 22, 2012 - 7.55pm on BBC One. 8.45 million views.
- The Diamond of the Day: Part Two was broadcast on December 24, 2012 - 8.15pm on BBC One. 7.80 million views.
Trivia
- The episode ends with an epilogue in modern times, where an elderly Merlin walks down a road bordering the Lake of Avalon, now Glastonbury Tor. In the legends, Glastonbury Tor is where Arthur was buried.
- The staging of Morgana's death was Katie and Colin's idea and was meant to parallel Merlin poisoning her in The Fires of Idirsholas:
Gallery
To view the The Diamond of the Day gallery, click here.
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Transcript
See Also
- Characters: Ari, Eira, Balinor, Beroun
- Locations: Stowell, Camlann, Valley of the Fallen Kings, Crystal Cave, Lake of Avalon, United Kingdom
- Creatures: Kilgharrah, Aithusa, Spirit, Nathair
- Magic: Fire Spells, Dragon Breath Enchantment, Lightning Spells
- Objects: Excalibur, Magical Staff, Mordred's Sword, Royal Seal, Gallows
- Events: Battle of Stowell, Battle of Camlann, Death Sentence, Second Duel between Merlin and Morgana
- Relationships: Merlin and Arthur, Arthur and Guinevere
Reference
Series 5 |
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Arthur's Bane • The Death Song of Uther Pendragon • Another's Sorrow • The Disir • The Dark Tower • A Lesson in Vengeance • The Hollow Queen • With All My Heart • The Kindness of Strangers • The Drawing of the Dark • The Diamond of the Day |