The Kindness of Strangers

“She's drawing you in, Merlin. It's a trap. She knew your real name. There's only one explanation for that. Alator told Morgana who you really are and she has sent this woman to lure you to her.”
— Gaius to Merlin about Finna

The Kindness of Strangers is the tenth episode of the fifth series of Merlin, which was first broadcast on the 8th of December 2012.

It marks the return of the Saxons, the first appearance of Beroun, the death and final appearance of Alator, and Morgana's declaration of war against Camelot.

Synopsis

Morgana leads a terrifying manhunt in pursuit of her old foe, Alator, for she knows without a doubt that he can tell her exactly where to find Emrys. Merlin’s life has never been in more danger, so when the mysterious Finna offers to help him, is he right to trust her? Or will he find himself cornered with nowhere to run?

Plot

Merlin510-000043 — Alator flees from Morgana and her men.

Morgana and her men pursue Alator through the forest. She uses her magic to summon a series of contained explosions around Alator, knocking him to the ground. Her men drag him before her on his knees and she demands that he tell her who Emrys is. When Alator refuses, Morgana smirks and says she was hoping he'd say that.

Two days later, Arthur takes Guinevere on a picnic with Merlin attending them. Merlin finds a mark made by magic on the trunk of a nearby tree and alerts Arthur, but the king dismisses his concerns. Merlin also finds a medallion abandoned on the ground.

When the trio return to Camelot, they find the city full of refugees from Helva. Sir Leon reports that Morgana attacked the city two days earlier and Arthur orders that they strengthen their garrison and double their patrols on the border. Merlin is puzzled as to why Morgana would attack Helva, as it is one of the few places where magic is practiced freely, but Arthur remarks that she must have her reasons.

Merlin shows the medallion he found to Gaius, who recognises the workmanship as being from Helva, but can find no other identifying marks. Merlin decides to go back to where he found it because he sensed that something terrible happened there, something only the strongest magic could do. Deducing that he means Morgana, Gaius asks him not to go, but Merlin assures him he'll be fine.

At the picnic site, Merlin finds a broken carriage and some papers scattered on the ground. He brings one of the papers back to Gaius, who finds that it's written in Catha. He identifies the signature as Alator's, and deduces that Morgana attacked Helva to capture Alator and force him to reveal who Emrys is.

Temple of Earu II — Finna at the Temple of Earu.

Meanwhile, Alator is being held prisoner at Morgana's fortress. She has her soldiers torture him, but he refuses to give up Emrys' identity. Alator begins to taunt her about how his Catha training has made him master of all physical pain, but Morgana does not rise to the bait and instead reveals her plans to torture him with a Nathair, which will cause him to feel pain not only his body, but his very soul.

The next morning, Merlin enters the royal chambers to find Arthur planning to surprise Gwen with breakfast in bed. He sends Merlin to get the breakfast and some flowers to go with it. When Merlin goes to the Darkling Woods to get the flowers, he is accosted by a strange woman who calls him Emrys and warns him that a great battle is nearing. He asks her how she knows his name, but she merely tells him that Arthur's enemies are closer than he thinks and if he values his king, he will meet her that night at the Temple of Earu.

Later, after delivering Gwen's breakfast, Merlin returns to his chambers and draws a picture of a tattoo he'd seen on the woman's arm. Gaius identifies it as the mark of the Bendrui, an order of priestesses who trained from birth to become High Priestesses, but failed to meet the exceptionally high standards.

Afraid that the woman is a spy for Morgana who intends to lure him into a trap, Gaius begs Merlin not to meet with her. However, Merlin believes that she means him no harm. He suspects that the enemy she warned him of is Mordred and says that if she can help him protect Arthur, then he doesn't have a choice.

Gaius is upset by Merlin's decision, especially since he was the one who told Alator his true identity. Determined not to let his mistake destroy Merlin, Gaius goes to Arthur and tells him that he's heard of a woman who practices the Old Religion at night near the Temple of Earu. Arthur then tasks Mordred with organising a patrol to capture to arrest this woman.

Morgana Alator — Morgana taunts Alator before killing him.

That night, Merlin meets the woman - whose name is Finna - at the Temple. He learns that she is a servant of Alator, who tasked her with sending a warning to Merlin. Before she can tell him anything further, however, Mordred and five other Knights of Camelot arrive and Merlin tells Finna to leave, promising to find her later. Merlin then uses his magic to summon a wall of fire between them and the Knights, covering their escape.

The next day, Mordred reports the patrol's failure to Arthur. He also says that Finna had an accomplice, though he was unable to see who it was. Arthur orders a second patrol be sent out after Finna and her accomplice to capture them and bring them to trial.

Gaius confesses to Merlin that he told Arthur about Finna. Merlin tells him that she was working for Alator, but Gaius says he had no way of knowing that and was worried about him. Retrieving a sword from his room, Merlin tells Gaius he intends to after Finna, as it is his fault she's in danger. However, Gaius says it wasn't Merlin's fault but his for acting like a foolish old man. Softening, Merlin comforts Gaius with a hug, then leaves to find Finna.

Meanwhile, Alator receives a message from Finna informing him that she has found Emrys. Her message is later found by Morgana's men when they search his cell after torturing him again. With no further need for Alator, Morgana taunts him about his failure, then snaps his neck with her magic. She then sends Beroun and the rest of her men after Finna.

Merlin 655 — Merlin, injured by a Saxon's crossbow.

Merlin returns to the Temple and begins his search for Finna. First he tries a tracking spell, then he discovered a trail of marks she burned into the trees. He begins to follow them, but runs into the Knights of the Round Table. He tells them that he's gathered herbs and tries to convince them to let him return to Camelot, but the Knights are concerned about letting him traveling alone with a dangerous sorceress on the loose and insist that he stay with them until Finna is apprehended.

After the Knights make camp for the night, Merlin tries to sneak away but is caught by Mordred. He tries to come up with an excuse for leaving, but Mordred has deduced that he wasn't really out gathering herbs earlier. He tells Merlin that he doesn't have to explain himself and that if he's willing to risk his life his errand must be important. Merlin confirms that it is and Mordred allows him to leave, promising to tell the other Knights that he escorted Merlin back to the bridge.

As morning dawns, Merlin finds Finna's trail and continues tracking her. However, Morgana and Beroun have also found her marks. Her men find Finna's camp moments after Merlin and attack them. Merlin and Finna fight them off, but one of them shoots Merlin in the side with a crossbow, badly wounding him.

With Morgana and her men on their trail, Finna takes Merlin to an abandoned watchtower. As they climb to the top of the tower, Finna explains Alator sent her to Merlin because without him Arthur cannot build the world they all long for. She gives Merlin a small, ornate wooden box and tells him to guard it carefully, as it will help him in the dark days to come. She also delivers a warning from Alator telling Merlin not to trust the Druid boy.

510 743 — Finna faces off against Morgana.

As Morgana and her men climb the tower, Finna sends Merlin onto the tower roof and stays behind to face Morgana. When Merlin objects, she tells him that it is her destiny to serve him until the end and only asks that he leave her his sword. She later uses the sword to commit suicide in front of Morgana, denying her the knowledge of Emrys' identity.

Merlin crawls onto the roof and collapses while Morgana and her men withdraw from the tower. He begins to succumb to his wound and falls unconscious, but not before using the last of his strength to summon Kilgharrah, who carries him to safety.

Merlin wakes the next day to find that Kilgharrah has carried him to a meadow and healed his wound with magic. He thanks the dragon and notices that he has a wound on his wing. He offers to heal him if he's ill, but Kilgharrah says he's merely old and tired and reveals that his time has almost come. Merlin is shocked by this and asks if he'll see him again, but Kilgharrah flies away without answering.

Back in Camelot, Merlin and Gaius open Finna's box and find a sealed piece of parchment. The parchment is written in Catha and contains a prophecy about Arthur dying at Camlann, where the dreadfire of the last Priestess will rain down from angry skies, brother will slaughter brother, and friend will murder friend. Seeing that Merlin is upset and overwhelmed by this, Gaius assures him that there is no one more capable of saving Arthur than him and that he will not fail.

510 845 — Gaius explains the ragaid's meaning to Arthur.

Alarm bells sound and Leon, Gwaine, Mordred and another Knight enter Gaius' chambers carrying a fifth Knight on a stretcher while Percival follows. The Knight's face has become covered in excess skin, causing him to suffocate.

When Arthur enters, Gaius tells him that the Knight has fallen victim to a magical punishment known as ragaid, the ultimately warning from the High Priestess to her enemies. It can only mean that Morgana has declared war on Camelot.

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast

Sorcha Cusack as Finna

Continuity

This episode marks the first appearance of Beroun.
This episode marks the second appearance of the Saxons.
This episode marks the death and final appearance of Alator.
Morgana resumes her search for Emrys by capturing Alator, who she once hired to obtain his identity.
Gaius worries for Merlin's safety because it was he who told Alator his true identity.
Alator repeats the Cailleach's warning about Emrys being Morgana's destiny and her doom.
Merlin learns of the Battle of Camlann from Finna and the Catha Prophecy.
Finna also passes on a warning from Alator directing Merlin not to make the same mistake as Arthur by trusting Mordred.
Kilgharrah tells Merlin that he is dying of old age, but vows to serve him for as long as he has strength.
Morgana uses the ragaid to declare war on Camelot.

Release & Reception

The Kindness of Strangers was broadcast on December 8, 2012 - 8.00pm on BBC One. 7.00 million viewers.

Gallery

To view the The Kindness of Strangers gallery, click here.

Transcript

View the transcript here.