Changes: The Disir (episode)

Revision as of 20:41, 4 November 2012

The Disir is the fifth episode of Series 5. ^[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 a 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 druid, 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

In a dark cave, three sorceresses chant a sinister spell. They dip their scepters into water, and one of them pulls a coin from the water. She passes the coin on to a man, Osgar, and tells him that the fate of Arthur Pendragon is in his hands, and he must honour it. Nodding, the man leaves.

In Camelot, Arthur and Mordred spar. For a few moments, it seems as if Mordred might win, but Arthur turns the tables and defeats Mordred. Helping Mordred to his feet, Arthur compliments Mordred's progress and comments that soon he will have to work hard in their spars. Still speaking to Mordred, the two of them pass Merlin by.

Later, in his chambers, Arthur tells Merlin that he believes Mordred will be one of the finest knights in Camelot. Disturbed, when he returns home Merlin brings the subject of Mordred up with Gaius. Merlin reminds him that Mordred is destined to play a part in Arthur's death, but Gaius points out that Mordred has never shown any hostility towards Arthur, and destinies can be changed. Merlin is unconvinced, and though he admits to liking Mordred, he still cannot trust him.

In the council chambers, Sir Leon arrives to report that a sorcerer, Osgar, apprehended in a garrison in the Forest of Brekfar has escaped through the use of magic, killing Sir Randulf, a childhood friend of Arthur's. Against Guinevere's advice, Arthur decides to personally lead a patrol into the White Mountains to catch Osgar. He includes Mordred in this patrol, who is very touched and honoured. Guinevere comments that Arthur has grown quite fond of Mordred.

The next day before they leave, Sirs Percival, Elyan, Leon, and Gwaine tease Mordred as Merlin pulls Arthur aside to question Mordred's presence on the patrol. Arthur dismisses Merlin's concerns, and as the patrol leaves, Guinevere asks Merlin to take care of Arthur.

The patrol tracks Osgar through a forest. They split into three groups: Elyan and Gwaine, Percival and Leon, and Arthur, Mordred, and Merlin. Gwaine and Elyan find Osgar, but he disarms them, causing Gwaine to pull a separate dagger and stab him. Osgar throws them back with magic and staggers off to search for Arthur. Finding him, Osgar tells Arthur that he has been sent by the Disir to pass their judgment on. Osgar gives Arthur the coin the sorceresses had given him. With the final words that this is Arthur's final chance to change his ways, Osgar dies.

Later, Mordred finds Merlin marking the grave of a sorcerer. When Mordred comments that such an act is illegal, Merlin shrugs it off and tells him that things will not always be this way.

That night, Merlin applies a poultice to Gwaine's wound and says that the swelling will fade. Mordred says that Merlin is a skilled physician, and Arthur interjects that Merlin is also a fine cook, as Mordred will discover. They make a toast to Mordred. Arthur notices Merlin's unhappiness and declares that even if granted eternal happiness, Merlin would still be miserable. Merlin observes that Osgard could have killed Arthur, if he had so desired, and asks again to see the coin.

In Camelot, Gaius examines the coin and identifies it as a runemark, given by the Disir, the highest court of the Old Religion that interpreted the will and final judgments of the Triple Goddess. The runemark contains the subject's guilt and the path chosen for him. Though Arthur declares he chooses his own path, Gaius tells him that only the gods can change a man's fate.

Bothered by being found unworthy, Arthur asks Merlin in what ways he has been an inadequate king to Camelot. Merlin points out that they have found him worthy to be judged, as judgment is wasted on someone who won't listen. After leaving Arthur's chambers, Merlin summons Kilgharrah to ask him about the Disir and the runemark. Kilgharrah says that the runemark predicts Arthur's death. When Merlin asks about Mordred, Kilgharrah tells Merlin that Arthur's and Mordred's fates are bound together. Kilgharrah tells Merlin that if he has a chance to kill Mordred, he must take it.

Guinevere brings Arthur food, commenting that he hadn't eaten much at dinner. Arthur tells her that Merlin was right: Osgar could have killed Arthur, and yet chose to give Arthur the runemark with something like pity in his eyes. Arthur wonders at how they could judge him so, and Guinevere says that it is because they don't know him like she does. This prompts Arthur to decide to confront the Disir about their judgment.

Arthur goes to Gaius to learn their location. As they prepare to leave the next day, Mordred asks to accompany Arthur. Arthur agrees, and the company of Arthur, Merlin, Mordred, Gwaine, Leon, Elyan, and Percival leaves.

They reach the cave of the Disir. As they are about to enter, Merlin cautions them, saying that they must leave their weapons outside because this is a sacred place. Proclaiming this Merlin's most stupid idea ever, Arthur leads his men, armed, into the cave. As they walk, they trample over delicate artifacts.

Finding the Disir, Arthur tosses the runemark at them and demands to know its meaning. He points out that their cave is within Camelot's lands, and thus is subject to his laws; namely, the right to trial by a jury of his peers. Yet they have cast judgment on him in his absence. The Disir respond that they are not the judgers, but the medium of the judgment. They are the interpreters of the Triple Goddesses. They tell him to embrace the Old Religion or embrace destruction.

Arthur declares he will not be judged by those who do not know him, but the Disir tell him that he has always been known because he is the Once and Future King. But he has come armed to the heart of the Old Religion with no regard for its artifacts. Gwaine steps forward, shouting that they speak of the king, and the Disir send him flying with magic.

The other knights pull out their swords. The Disir send a scepter flying towards Arthur; before Merlin can stop it, Mordred jumps in front of Arthur and takes the blow. The knights retreat, but Merlin lingers behind, magically blocking another scepter. The Disir watch him as he goes.

Merlin catches up with the knights and checks Mordred's wound. He realizes that the wound has been cursed by sorcery. He says it is beyond his skill and only Gaius can save him.

In Camelot, Gaius confirms that the wound is enchanted and assures Arthur that he will do everything he can to save Mordred. After Arthur leaves, Gaius turns to Merlin and tells him that only Merlin's magic can save him. Merlin refuses. When Gaius challenges him, Merlin says that he has grown up and cannot disregard his duty.

Meanwhile, Arthur is tormented by guilt. Gaius arrives and tells him that Mordred can only be saved by the Disir. Arthur and Merlin leave to beg the Disir for mercy. Upon arriving at the cave, Arthur leaves his sword outside.

Inside, he kneels to the Disir and apologizes for his previous behavior and begs forgiveness. He asks them to save Mordred's life. They tell Arthur that if he wishes to save all he holds dear, he must accept magic in Camelot. Arthur initially refuses, and they tell him that he has until dawn to give them his final decision.

Camping outside, Arthur asks how Merlin knew this place was sacred. Merlin responds that everything is so full of life here. Arthur asks Merlin what he would do, in Arthur's situation. After beating around the bush, Merlin finally tells Arthur that there is no place for sorcery in Camelot.

The next day, Arthur delivers his decision to the Disir: there will be no magic in Camelot. Arthur and Merlin travel back to Camelot, Arthur full of guilt over sentencing Mordred to death. As they enter Camelot, they are greeted by Mordred, miraculously recovered.

Later, Merlin expresses his bitter regrets to Gaius. By healing Mordred, the Disir have punished Arthur for not accepting magic because Mordred is free to fulfill his destiny.

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Kilgharrah - John Hurt ^[13]

Guest Cast

Brodcast

The Disir November 3, 2012 - 8.15pm BBC One.

Trivia

'The Disir' is a group of three hooded soothsayers who interpret the word of the Triple Goddess

Morgana does not appear in this episode.^[1][2]

Gallery

Video Gallery

SPOILERS: Click "show" to see a video gallery.

Mordred's_first_quest_as_a_knight_-_Merlin_-_Series_5_Episode_5_-_BBC_One-0 — Mordred's first quest as a knight - Merlin - Series 5 Episode 5 - BBC One-0

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References

Series 5
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

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[1] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[2] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[3] ttp://www.radiotimes.com/episode/sttd7/merlin--series-5---5-the-disir

[4] ttp://www.radiotimes.com/episode/sttd7/merlin--series-5---5-the-disir

[5] ttp://www.radiotimes.com/episode/sttd7/merlin--series-5---5-the-disir

[6] ttp://www.radiotimes.com/episode/sttd7/merlin--series-5---5-the-disir

[7] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[8] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[9] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[10] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[11] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[12] ttp://www.radiotimes.com/episode/sttd7/merlin--series-5---5-the-disir

[13] ttp://www.radiotimes.com/episode/sttd7/merlin--series-5---5-the-disir

[14] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[15] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[16] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

[17] ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nvls9

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@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 Later, in his chambers, Arthur tells Merlin that he believes Mordred will be one of the finest knights in Camelot. Disturbed, when he returns home Merlin brings the subject of Mordred up with [[Gaius]]. Merlin reminds him that Mordred is destined to play a part in Arthur's death, but Gaius points out that Mordred has never shown any hostility towards Arthur, and destinies can be changed. Merlin is unconvinced, and though he admits to liking Mordred, he still cannot trust him.
-In the council chambers, [[Sir Leon]] arrives to report that a sorcerer, Osgar, apprehended in a garrison in the Forest of Brekfar has escaped through the use of magic, killing [[Sir Onoth]], a childhood friend of Arthur's. Against [[Guinevere|Guinevere's]] advice, Arthur decides to personally lead a patrol into the [[White Mountains]] to catch Osgar. He includes Mordred in this patrol, who is very touched and honoured. Guinevere comments that Arthur has grown quite fond of Mordred.
+In the council chambers, [[Sir Leon]] arrives to report that a sorcerer, Osgar, apprehended in a garrison in the Forest of Brekfar has escaped through the use of magic, killing Sir Randulf, a childhood friend of Arthur's. Against [[Guinevere|Guinevere's]] advice, Arthur decides to personally lead a patrol into the [[White Mountains]] to catch Osgar. He includes Mordred in this patrol, who is very touched and honoured. Guinevere comments that Arthur has grown quite fond of Mordred.
 The next day before they leave, Sirs [[Percival]], [[Elyan]], [[Leon]], and [[Gwaine]] tease Mordred as Merlin pulls Arthur aside to question Mordred's presence on the patrol. Arthur dismisses Merlin's concerns, and as the patrol leaves, Guinevere asks Merlin to take care of Arthur.