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You have waged war on the people of the Old Religion. Now the ancient gods answer you. The Disir have spoken.
Osgar to Arthur

The Disir is the fifth episode of the fifth series of Merlin which was first broadcast on the 3rd of November 2012. [3]

Synopsis

When three soothsayers from the court of the Disir pass judgement on Arthur for rejecting the Old Religion, the young king sets out with Merlin, Mordred, and a handful of Knights to their sacred grove to demand an explanation.

But when Arthur refuses to appease the Disir, his patrol comes under attack and Mordred is critically wounded. Wanting to save the young knight, Arthur must make a difficult decision - accept magic back in Camelot or condemn Mordred to die.

What will he do, and why is Merlin so reluctant to come to his aid?

Plot

Disir 1

The Disir entrust Osgar with Arthur's runemark.

In a dark cave, the Disir use their staffs to enchant a coin submerged in a pool of water. One of the Disir, Niede, later gives the coin to Osgar. She tells him that the fate of Arthur Pendragon is in his hands and that he must honour it, after which Osgar leaves.

In Camelot, Mordred and Arthur duel with swords while Merlin watches. Mordred gains the upper hand over Arthur for a short while, but eventually Arthur defeats him. Arthur tells him he fought well and that he may have to start trying soon if he continues to fight like that. Later, while walking to his chambers, Arthur tells Merlin that he thinks Mordred will one day be one of his finest Knights.

Back in Gaius' chambers, Merlin helps Gaius return books to their bookshelf and discusses his suspicions about Mordred. Though he appears to be the perfect knight - skilled, thoughtful, and modest - Merlin is still haunted by his vision of Mordred killing Arthur and his knowledge of his destiny. Gaius cautions him that the future has many paths and that Mordred has shown nothing but kindness towards Arthur, but Merlin remains concerned.

Later, during a council meeting, Sir Leon reports that Camelot's garrison in the Forest of Brechfa intercepted the sorcerer Osgar and tried to apprehend him. However, Osgar used magic to escape and Sir Ranulf was killed. Upset by the loss of not only a good knight, but a childhood friend, Arthur orders that all men in the eastern territories be on high alert and announces that he will personally lead a patrol to bring Osgar to justice.

Mordred Melding

Mordred learns the art of "melding".

In their chambers, Guinevere tries to talk Arthur out of leading the patrol, but Arthur insists because of his and Ranulf's past friendship. Mordred enters, having been summoned by Arthur, and the king informs him that he will join the patrol to the Black Mountains. Mordred is honoured and tells Arthur he won't regret it. After he leaves, Arthur mentions to Gwen that he thinks Mordred will make a fine knight.

As the patrol prepares to leave, the Knights of the Round Table tease Mordred while Merlin privately asks Arthur if it's a good idea to bring Mordred along, as he is very young. Arthur replies that Mordred is a good fighter and deserves to be given a chance. Gwen also approaches Merlin and asks him to take care of Arthur.

Arthur leads the patrol out of Camelot and they begin their journey to the Forest of Brechfa. As they ride, the Knights and Arthur play a joke on Mordred by convincing him to ride backwards on his horse. According to them, it is an ancient tradition of melding one must do their first patrol.

When they reach the Forest of Brechfa, they see Osgar nearby. They split up into three groups: Elyan and Gwaine, Percival and Leon, and Mordred, Arthur, and Merlin. Elyan and Gwaine find Osgar and surround him as he's resting. Osgar introduces himself and asks to be taken to Arthur, then attacks the Knights when they threaten him with their swords. Gwaine stabs Osgar in the ensuing scuffle and Osgar retaliates by throwing him and Elyan into a tree, knocking them unconscious.

Osgar's Grave

Merlin constructs a marker for Osgar's grave.

Mortally wounded, Osgar makes his way to Arthur. Both Arthur and Mordred draw their swords, but Osgar makes no move to attack. He collapses to his knees and informs them that he was sent by the Disir to pass judgement on Arthur.

Handing Arthur the coin given to him by the Disir, Osgar explains that because Arthur has waged war on the Old Religion, the gods have answered, and even as Camelot flowers, the seeds of her destruction are being sown. However, before he dies, Osgar also tells Arthur that he still has a chance to redeem himself.

Later, Mordred finds Merlin building a grave for Osgar. He reminds him that sorcerers are not permitted to have marked graves, but admits he'd have done the same, as Osgar was one of them. After a moment of silence, Merlin tells Mordred that he believes one day they will live in freedom again.

That night, Merlin treats Gwaine's wounds and both Arthur and Mordred compliment his physician and cooking skills. The group then toasts to Mordred, as he has successfully completed his first mission. Merlin declines to toast and worries about the judgment that has been cast upon Arthur. However, Arthur dismisses his worries and says he'll have the coin made into a memento of their success.

The patrol returns to Camelot the following morning. Arthur seems to be worried about Merlin, who he hasn't seen smile in days, but Merlin resists his efforts to cheer him up. They show the coin to Gaius, who identifies it as a runemark. Gaius explains that the Disir are the highest court of the Old Religion whose only task was to interpret the word of the Triple Goddess. When they cast judgment, their word was final.

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Arthur considers the runemark.

Arthur dismisses the Disir as superstitious nonsense, but Gaius insists that the runemark not only contains a man's guilt but the path the gods have chosen for him. Arthur insists he makes his own path, but Gaius replies that only when one repents and appears the gods can they change their fate, and cautions Arthur to be wary of dismissing other people's beliefs.

In his chambers, Arthur questions why he's being judged. He points out that he's made Camelot a fair and just land, rid it of the cruelties and injustices of the past, and is not the king his father was. Though reluctant to voice his opinion, Merlin says that perhaps the Disir believe Arthur worthy of being judged, as judgment is wasted on a man who will not listen.

Later that night, Merlin leaves Camelot to seek Kilgharrah's counsel. The Great Dragon explains that the Disir are the mouthpiece of the Triple Goddess, and that it is she who has decreed Arthur's fate. He also explains that the runemark itself predicts Arthur's death, but cautions Merlin that the future is never clear, and not all paths lead to Camelot's ruin. He also mentions that the fates of Mordred and Arthur are bound together like ivy around a tree, and says if Merlin has another chance to kill Mordred, he must not fail.

In Camelot, Gwen brings food to Arthur and they discuss his judgment. Arthur tells her how Osgar did not try to kill him, but gave him the runemark instead, and that he had looked at him not with hatred, but with pity. He fears the Disir are right and that he's put Camelot in danger, but Gwen reassures him that he is a good and just king and that if the Disir knew him as she did, they would feel nothing but love.

539

Arthur and his men address the Disir.

Arthur later goes to Merlin and Gaius and reveals that he's decided to seek out the Disir. Gaius is unsure of his plan, but tells him that the Disir can be found at the Caerlanrigh, an ancient pool located in the Grove of Brineved in the Black Mountains. After leaves to get a patrol together and Gaius cautions Merlin to be careful, as the Caerlanrigh is the very centre of the Disirs' powers.

As the patrol prepares to leave the next morning, Mordred asks to go with them. Arthur tells him that their mission is not for novices, but Mordred eventually convinces him to let him come along.

Arthur leads to the patrol to the Black Mountains. They soon find the cave where the Disir dwell and Merlin warns Arthur that it is a sacred place and the Knights should not enter the cave armed. However, Arthur dismisses his advice as ridiculous and lets his men enter the cave with their swords. He also allows them to treat the Disir's relics roughly; Percival even removes one from the wall and steps on it.

The men soon reach the pool where the Disir are waiting for them. Arthur introduces himself and says they have come to know the meaning of the runemark whilst throwing the object itself at their feet. He asks them to explain the meaning of their judgment and the Disir reply that they are but messengers of the Triple Goddess, who is angered by Arthur's actions. They agree that he has been a fair and just king, but point out that he has denied the Old Religion and persecuted its followers. They demand that he embrace the Old Religion or face the destruction of everything he values.

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Mordred lies mortally wounded.

Arthur rejects their decrees and states that he refuses to be judged by those who don't know him, but the Disir reply that he has always been known. They also condemn him for coming to the sacred heart of the Old Religion with weapons drawn, trampling hallowed relics and treating their sacred place with arrogance, conceit, and insolence.

Their words anger Gwaine, who jumps to Arthur's defense. The Disir throw Gwaine against the cave wall, which leads the other men to draw their swords. One of the Disir throws her staff in Arthur's direction, but hits Mordred when he tries to save Arthur, badly wounding him. She aims at Merlin as well, but he uses his magic to deflect the blow.

After escaping from the cave, Merlin examines Mordred and tells Arthur that he fears only Gaius can save his life. They return to Camelot and Gaius explains to Arthur that Mordred's wound is magical and can only be reversed by the Disir themselves. After Arthur leaves, Gaius tells Merlin that only his magic can save Mordred, but Merlin refuses to save the life of the man destined to kill Arthur.

As Mordred's condition worsens, Arthur decides to return to the Disir and ask for their mercy on Mordred. He travels alone with Merlin, and upon entering the cave, Arthur apologises to the Disir for his earlier conduct and petitions them for Mordred's life. They tell him he must embrace the Old Religion and bow to the Triple Goddess, and give him until dawn to make his choice.

Caerlanrigh III

Merlin and Arthur discuss the Disir's demands.

That night, sitting around their campfire, Arthur asks for Merlin's advice. His heart says to do everything he can to save Mordred, but he's seen the misery unfettered sorcery brings and how Morgana has used it for nothing but evil. He asks what Merlin would do in his place.

Though reluctant to answer, Merlin tells Arthur that the kingdom's future is at stake and he must protect the world he's spent his life building. Arthur asks if he would have him sacrifice a friend, and Merlin objects that he would see Arthur become the king he was destined to be.

Arthur admits that if he saved Mordred, he would be undoing all his father's work and sorcery would reign once more in Camelot. He wonders if his father was wrong and the Old Ways aren't as evil as they'd thought. Eventually, he asks Merlin straight out whether they should accept magic or let Mordred die. Heartbroken, but not wanting Mordred to survive for Arthur's sake, Merlin tells him that there can be no place for magic in Camelot.

The next morning, Arthur informs the Disir that he cannot do as they ask. Somewhat disappointed, the Disir tell Arthur that he has sealed his fate and that of his kingdom and bid him farewell. Later, Arthur begins to second guess his decision. He is upset at having condemned a man to death, especially a man that saved his life more than once, and though Merlin reassures him that he did it for the sake of Camelot, Arthur remains uneasy.

When they return to Camelot, Mordred comes out to greet them, completely recovered from his wounds. Arthur is surprised, but Merlin is horrified.

Disir 15

Merlin watches Arthur congratulate Mordred.

Later, Merlin and Gaius watch as Mordred and Arthur spar. Merlin laments that he has condemned Arthur to his destined fate to die, as the Disir obviously allowed Mordred to live so he could fulfill his destiny to kill Arthur. Gaius tries to tell Merlin that he mustn't blame himself, but Merlin still looks worried as he watches Arthur congratulate Mordred for defeating him.

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast

Continuity

  • This episode marks Merlin's second attempt to kill Mordred and avert his destiny.
  • This episode marks the second time Arthur considers legalising magic for personal gain.
  • Arthur has become very fond of Mordred and believes he will one day be among his finest Knights.
  • While trying to persuade Arthur not to lead the hunt for Osgar, Guinevere cites his near execution while rescuing Rodor.
  • Osgar gives Arthur the same warning about Camelot's destruction that Lochru gave Merlin.
  • The Disir pass judgment on Arthur for his persecution of the Old Religion. They demand that he embrace the Old Ways ways and bow to the Triple Goddess.
  • Merlin refuses to use his magic to heal Mordred after he is mortally wounded saving Arthur, and advises Arthur to reject the Disir's demands in order to ensure Mordred's death.
  • The Disir pass judgment on Arthur by allowing Mordred to live so he can one day fulfill his destiny.

Release & Reception

  • The Disir was broadcast on November 3, 2012 - 8.15 pm BBC One. 6.88 million views.

Trivia

Gallery

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To view the The Disir (episode) gallery, click here.


Transcript

View the transcript here.

See Also

References

Series 5
Arthur's BaneThe Death Song of Uther PendragonAnother's SorrowThe DisirThe Dark TowerA Lesson in VengeanceThe Hollow QueenWith All My HeartThe Kindness of StrangersThe Drawing of the DarkThe Diamond of the Day
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