The Hollow Queen is the eighth episode of the fifth series of Merlin, which was first broadcast on the 24th of November 2012.
Synopsis
When Merlin agrees to help a young Druid boy, Daegal, he has no choice but to leave Camelot on a dangerous mission. With the citadel distracted by the visit of the fearsome Sarrum of Amata, it seems that no one will notice his absence.
But as the sky darkens, so do Merlin's suspicions. Is there more to Daegal than meets the eye? And can a man as ruthless as the Sarrum ever really be trusted? Before long, the young warlock realises he has made a terrible mistake...[1]
Plot
A cloaked figure scales the walls of Camelot, scraping his arm in the process. A group of Knights escorting Queen Guinevere come across him as he walks through the city. Sir Leon orders the figure to show himself; he does so, pulling down his hood to reveals the face of a boy. He tells them that he's been out catching frogs and Gwen insists the knights let him go home.
Soon afterward, Gwen arrives at the royal chambers to find Arthur and Merlin (mostly Merlin) decorating the room with flowers and rose petals. Taking Gwen in his arms, Arthur dismisses Merlin for the evening, but not before Gwen asks him to draw her a bath.
Merlin goes to the kitchens to prepare the water. The boy approaches him, having entered the citadel through the tunnels. He introduces himself as Daegal and says he needs help for his little sister, who is fatally ill with a sweating sickness. Merlin tells him to bring her to Gaius, but after Daegal shows him his Druidic tattoo he agrees to go with him to the Valley of the Fallen Kings. He tells Daegal to meet him at the entrance to the Darkling Woods at dawn.
The next morning, Gaius attempts to dissuade Merlin by pointing out that Daegal is a stranger and reminding him of all the dangers in the Valley of the Fallen Kings. However, Merlin refuses to change mind. He asks Gaius to keep his errand from Arthur - reasoning that with Sarrum of Amata arriving, Arthur will be too busy to notice his absence - and promises to be back by nightfall.
Merlin finds Daegal waiting for him by the Darkling Woods and gives him some bread to eat for breakfast. As they begin their journey, Daegal confesses he thought Merlin wasn't going to come and asks if he'll get in trouble with Arthur, but Merlin assures him that Arthur won't even notice he's gone.
Back in Camelot, Arthur shouts for Merlin as he rummages through a drawer. Gwen enters and immediately finds the comb Arthur was searching for. Arthur tries to flirt with her, but Gwen teasingly reminds him to prepare for Sarrum's arrival and leaves.
Realising he doesn't know where his robes are, Arthur goes to Gaius' chambers to find Merlin. Gaius tells Arthur that Merlin is gathering herbs and that the errand could take him all day, but Arthur senses a lie and assumes that Merlin is actually at the tavern. He tells Gaius that Merlin he has exactly one hour to sober up and get to his chambers, as they have a guest to prepare for.
While traveling through the woods, Merlin notices Daegal's wounded arm and stops to care for it. Daegal is surprised by Merlin's proficiency and Merlin credits Gaius, explaining that the physician took him in when he first came to Camelot. He asks after Daegal's family and learns that Daegal is an orphan, the son of a Druid woman. They continue on their way.
Meanwhile, Arthur is still struggling with his clothes. When Gaius enters without Merlin, claiming he still hasn't returned, Arthur presses him into service to help him get dressed. However, Gaius accidentally helps him into Gwen's nightdress instead of his shirt, ripping it in the process.
As they continue on their way, Daegal claims he'll eat a fly if he can catch one and Merlin tosses him an apple instead. Daegal questions Merlin's kindness, saying that most people aren't like him; they don't care about him and he doesn't matter. Merlin tells him to never think that and that we all matter. He offers Daegal some water and then they continue on.
Gwen sneaks out the castle and leaves a note for Morgana at the base of a tree. Meanwhile, Gaius helps Arthur finish dressing. They discuss Sarrum of Amata, who has a reputation for sadistic cruelty and for assassinating his friends. Though Arthur disagrees with his regime, he is curious about the rumours that Sarrum once had Morgana under lock and key and fears that Camelot has little choice but to pursue an alliance if they are to achieve peace in the Five Kingdoms.
As they near the Valley of the Fallen Kings, Daegal returns the apple to Merlin, claiming he doesn't want it. Soon afterward, Merlin notices bandits patrolling nearby. He tries to warn Daegal with telepathy, but the boy continues walking, oblivious to his call. Merlin lunges forward and grabs Daegal, dragging him into hiding just as the bandits pass by. Daegal thanks Merlin for saving him and confirms that he didn't near his warning. Merlin replies that they aren't safe yet and that the sooner they reach his sister, the better.
In Camelot, Arthur and his Knights have assembled to welcome Sarrum and his men. Sarrum remarks that the last time he saw Arthur, he was ten years old and Uther held a tournament in his honour. Arthur replies that he fights his own tournaments now and Sarrum laughs, saying he shall enjoy putting Arthur to the test.
Merlin and Daegal reach the Valley of the Fallen Kings, but there is no sister for Merlin to tend to. Merlin reveals that he knows Daegal is not a Druid and demands to know why he brought him here, but Morgana appears and blasts Merlin with magic, knocking him unconscious.
Morgana tosses Daegal a pouch of coins, declaring that Merlin has meddled in her plans too often. She forces a lethal poison down Merlin's throat and then kicks him over the side of a ravine, leaving him to die.
Arthur and Gwen dine with Sarrum. Arthur asks him about Morgana and Sarrum reveals that he kept her like an animal. He explains that he took Aithusa hostage, forcing Morgana to give herself up for the dragon's sake, and imprisoned them for two years in the bottom of a pit. Over time the pit became too small for Aithusa, who gradually grew crippled and twisted.
Arthur is visibly disturbed by the account and Gwen excuses herself, unable to listen further. She goes to the woods to meet Morgana, who confirms that Merlin has gone to his death along with everything he knows. Together, they plan to use Sarrum to assassinate Arthur, after which the knights will kill Sarrum and make Gwen their Queen. Gwen also promises Morgana that Sarrum's last moments will be filled with agony.
Meanwhile, Merlin wakes suffering from the effects of Morgana's poison. He coughs up foam and bleeds black blood from a wound on his leg. He attempts to use magic to heal himself, but fails and passes out again.
The next morning, Gwen helps Arthur dress and assures him he shouldn't worry about Merlin. She says he's probably just overworked and that Arthur should let him enjoy himself, and Arthur reluctantly agrees.
Later, Arthur duels Albin, Sarrum's best warrior, and loses. After Sarrum leaves the training grounds, Gwen approaches him and says he should have let Arthur die. She tells him she'd richly reward anyone who could ensure Arthur's death and they agree to meet later and discuss the matter.
As Merlin continues to suffer terribly, Daegal returns and shakes him awake, giving him water. He tells Merlin he couldn't just leave him to die and begs him to tell him how to heal him. Merlin tells Daegal to gather some herbs and grind them into a tincture. Daegal rushes to do so and administers the antidote to Merlin, who convulses and goes limp.
That evening, Gaius searches for Arthur but finds Gwen instead. He tells her that he hasn't seen Merlin since yesterday morning and asks if they could send out a search party. Gwen refuses, saying that they need to keep all their men there in case Sarrum were to try anything, but promises to ask the servants if they've seen Merlin.
Gwen meets with Sarrum in the castle solar and proposes that Sarrum kill Arthur so she can assume the throne. In return, she will give one third of Camelot's land to Amata. Sarrum agrees to provide an assassin if Gwen will supply the means, and they plot to kill Arthur during the treating signing the next day.
Merlin regains consciousness later that night, cured of the poison. He accuses Daegal of betraying him, but Daegal insists that he didn't know what Morgana intended. Merlin asks what Morgana's plan is, but Daegal doesn't know anything except that she intends to kill Arthur.
Merlin and Daegal head back to Camelot to warn Arthur, Merlin limping badly due to his injured leg, but are waylaid by bandits. Merlin tells Daegal to run, but he refuses and tosses the bandits the money Morgana him instead. When the bandits refuse to let them pass, Merlin attacks their leader with magic, causing the rest of the bandits to retreat.
The next morning, Gwen slips Sarrum a key that will give him access to the balcony overlooking the throne room, which is where the treaty signing is being held. Sarrum gives the key to Albin and tells him that once Arthur is dead, they need only kill the Queen and Camelot will be theirs.
As Merlin and Daegal rush to Camelot, Daegal questions Merlin about his magic and Merlin admits that only Gaius knows. When Daegal asks about Arthur, Merlin initially snaps that if he ever knew he'd have him hanged. However, he then explains that he knows in his heart that Arthur is a good man, and that one day he'll bring about the world he dreams of. Daegal asks to help Merlin, saying that he may be a great warlock, but he still needs his leg treated.
Meanwhile, Gaius brings his concerns about Merlin to Arthur and again asks for a search party. However, Gwen intervenes and claims that Merlin is visiting a girl. Though incredulous that Merlin has a girlfriend, Arthur is relieved he is not in danger and decides to go ahead with the treaty signing.
Daegal bandages Merlin's leg and Merlin compliments his work. Daegal is surprised, commenting that he hasn't done many good things in his life.
Examining the bandages, Merlin remarks that Daegal has the physician's gift and Daegal replies that it must be from his mother. He explains that he lied about having a sister and his mother being a Druid, but everything else he told Merlin was true. He also reveals that his mother really did have magic and that Uther killed her for it.
Merlin and Daegal reach Camelot and begin searching for Arthur. Merlin notices an unlocked door and they quickly climb the stairs to the balcony. They interrupt Albin, who is aiming a crossbow at Arthur. The assassin quickly turns the weapon on them, firing arrows that Merlin uses magic to deflect. Albin then throws knives at them and Merlin dodges, but his leg gives out and he trips, falling to the ground.
Albin turns the crossbow back to Arthur, but Merlin recovers and uses his magic to hurl an arrow at him. The force of the blow throws off Albin's aim, causing him to hit Sarrum instead of Arthur. Both Sarrum and Albin die from their wounds.
As Arthur orders his Knights to the balcony, Merlin realises that one of Albin's knives is embedded in Daegal's stomach. Merlin stays by his side as Daegal dies, having finally done something good in his life.
That night, Merlin serves dinner for Arthur and Gwen, who are discussing Daegal's actions. Arthur asks Merlin to make sure Daegal receives a decent burial, then asks Merlin about his girl, saying that Gwen told him that Merlin was seeing someone. He also wants to know why Merlin's walking with a limp. Merlin stares at Gwen, who merely smiles back.
The next day, Merlin and Gaius bury Daegal in the Darkling Woods. As they walk away from his grave, they decide that they need to do something about Gwen.
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 Sir Mordred
Guest Cast
- John Shrapnel as Sarrum
- Alfie Stewart as Daegal
- Matthew Clancy as Albin
- Mitch Benn as Gerin
Continuity
- This episode marks Guinevere's third attempt on Arthur's life.
- This episode marks the fourth appearance of the Valley of the Fallen Kings.
- Though he disagrees with his regime, Arthur attempts to establish an alliance with Sarrum of Amata due to their shared hatred of Morgana.
- Morgana attempts to kill Merlin because of his tendency to meddle in her plans and his suspicions about Gwen.
- She hires Daegal to pose as a Druid and lure Merlin out of Camelot with a story about a sick sister, citing Merlin's fondness for outcasts, especially Druids.
- Sarrum is revealed to be the person who imprisoned Morgana and Aithusa at the bottom of a pit for two years.
- Sarrum tells Arthur and Gwen that he captured Morgana by holding Aithusa hostage.
- He also reveals that Aithusa grew crippled and twisted because the pit became too small.
- Morgana attempts to exact revenge on Sarrum by having Gwen conspire with him to assassinate Arthur, after which they plan to let Sarrum take the blame.
- Merlin resolves to do something about Gwen's treachery after Daegal is killed helping him save Arthur's life.
Release & Reception
- The Hollow Queen was broadcast on November 24, 2012 - 8.00pm on BBC One. 6.86 million viewers.
Trivia
- Gwen says that gillyflowers are her favorite flowers.
- Merlin tells Daegal that apples are his favorite fruit.
- This is one of only two episodes in which no verbal spells are used, the other being The Drawing of the Dark.
Gallery
To view the The Hollow Queen gallery, click here.
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Transcript
See Also
- Characters: Sarrum, Daegal, Albin, Gerin
- Locations: Darkling Woods, Valley of the Fallen Kings, Amata
- Creatures: Aithusa
- Magic: Telepathy, Stunning spells
- Objects: Morgana's Poison, Potion, Crossbow
- Events: Camelot-Amata Alliance, Duel between Arthur and Albin