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The tears of Uther Pendragon have only begun to fall...
Morgause to Morgana

The Tears of Uther Pendragon is a two-part story consisting of the first and second episodes of the third series of Merlin, which were first broadcast on the 11th and 18 September 2010.

Set one year after Morgana went missing, it marks her return and the beginning of her role as a villain.

Synopsis

Part One

Merlin and Arthur have been on many quests in search of the missing Lady Morgana. The despondent Prince is all but ready to give up. But as they recover from their latest skirmish a bruised, bloodied figure emerges from the mist... it is the Lady Morgana?

King Uther is overjoyed, but then starts to lose his mind. Merlin thinks that magic is the cause; could this be the work of his dutiful ward? The young warlock puts himself in grave danger trying to find out whose side Morgana is really on...

Part Two

With Merlin gravely ill from the Serket's venom, Morgana and Morgause continue with their evil plan. They have mentally incapacitated Uther and convinced his enemy, Cenred, to invade Camelot. The fate of the kingdom now rests on Arthur's shoulders.

The Prince and his Knights resist the invaders, but Cenred's soldiers are not the only threat they face; using their magic, Morgana and Morgause have raised an army of the dead. Can Merlin stop Morgana in time to save Arthur from the enemy within?

Plot

Part One

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One year after her kidnapping, Uther is reunited with Morgana.

Merlin, Arthur, and his men are still searching for Morgana after spending most of the previous year looking for her. They find a field littered with the bodies of Knight. Merlin tries to stop Arthur going after the bandits that killed the Camelot patrol, but Arthur ignores him as usual.

Back in Camelot, Gaius tells Uther that they should stop searching for Morgana after a year with no results. However, Uther refuse to give up.

Meanwhile, Arthur, Merlin and the soldiers find a deserted camp in a forest and are attacked by bandits. After a short battle (in which Merlin uses magic to save himself and Arthur several times), the men of Camelot are victorious, but in the battle's aftermath they see one final figure approaching. As they get closer, the group see that it is a bloodied and disheveled Morgana.

Back in Camelot, Gaius sees to a sleeping Morgana, confirming that she is unharmed. He returns to his chambers, where he is confronted by a worried Merlin, who is wondering about what Uther would do to him if he found out that he had tried to poison Morgana.

The next morning, Gaius wakes Merlin and tells him that Arthur has requested him in Morgana's chambers, which greatly worries Merlin. When he arrives, Morgana is talking to Arthur about the past year before they share a passionate hug. Arthur leaves and Morgana tells Merlin that she understands why he tried to poison her, and that she would have done the same if she had been in his place. Merlin leaves to do his chores, happy.

Uther Haunted

Morgause and Morgana's mandrake root causes Uther to hallucinate.

Morgana goes to see Uther and they share a moment of happiness and reconciliation. After a short visit, Morgana leaves, smirking.

Later, after nightfall, Morgana heads into the forest and walks to a cave to meet with Morgause. Morgana confirms that Uther does not suspect her true loyalties and hands Morgause a handkerchief covered in Uther's tears.

Morgause throws the handkerchief and a mandrake root into a cauldron filled with black liquid. The root emits a piercing scream which Morgause explains can only be heard by those with magic. For those without magic, it can pierce someone's soul and bring their worst fears to life.

Morgause pulls out the mandrake root, now covered in the black liquid, and gives it to Morgana, who returns to Camelot and hides it under Uther's bed. That evening, at a celebration party, Uther gets a little drunk in his happiness and toasts Morgana's return. She smiles through most of the evening, but scowls when forced to hug Uther.

Uther goes outside for some air and hears a noise in the well. Initially thinking Arthur is playing a trick on him, Uther walks over to the well and looks down the shaft. Seeing nothing, he begins to turn away when all of a sudden a withered arm grabs him. Looking back down, Uther sees his dead wife Ygraine in the well, begging him for help. Uther pulls away from Ygraine and falls to the ground, screaming in terror, where he is found cowering by guards. Uther is taken to his room, where he is to rest at Gaius' orders. Everyone leaves, and Morgana smirks at his still form.

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Morgana stabs the sentry who tries to help her.

At the cave, Morgana tells Morgause that rumours of Uther's condition have already begun to spread. Morgana asks when Morgause will go to Cenred, the warlike king of a neighbouring kingdom; Morgause replies that she will leave the next day and assures her sister that Cenred will do exactly what they want.

They make up a fresh mandrake root and Morgana returns to Camelot with it. A sentry finds her on her way back to her chambers and sees what he believes to be blood dripping from beneath her cloak. He tries to help her and Morgana stabs him and pushes him off the battlements.

Morgana returns to her chambers and hides the root in a chest, then realises her clothes are covered in muck from the forest. Hearing Gwen coming up the stairs, she quickly takes off her cloak and throws it across the room. Gwen asks if Morgana needs her for anything, but Morgana insists she does not need any help, but her abrupt tone makes Gwen suspicious.

The next day, Morgause goes to see Cenred and tells him of Uther's condition, saying that Uther has become weak, and that Camelot is free to be attacked. Cenred is unsure, stating that even with Uther incapacitated an assault on Camelot is not to be taken lightly, but Morgause reminds him of their ally in the city and assures him that Morgana can be counted on until the end, convincing Cenred to march on Camelot.

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Merlin discovers the mandrake root beneath Uther's bed.

Back in the high chamber, Arthur and Sir Leon inform Uther that mercenaries are flooding into Cenred's Kingdom and that they fear he is raising an army. Suddenly, Uther sees a boy standing in the middle of the room. He tells the boy to leave, and everybody in the court believes Uther has gone mad. He is dragged out of the chamber by Arthur and Leon and taken to his room.

In private, Gaius explains to Merlin that, during the Great Purge, Uther had many of those who practiced sorcery, even children, drowned. All of a sudden, the warning bells sound; the body of the sentry Morgana stabbed has been found.

Gaius tells Arthur that the knife used to injure the man is marked with the sigil of the Blood Guard, an order of warrior priests who protected the High Priestesses of the Old Religion, and voices his fear that there was a traitor in Camelot. He also states that the man is still alive and will soon identify his attacker, which Morgana overhears. She sneaks into Gaius' chambers and poisons the wounded man. When Merlin and Gaius return, they realise what has happened and begin to fear what it means.

Later, Merlin is checking in on Uther when he spots some black liquid on the floor. At the same time, he sees a shadow and hides under the bed, where he finds the mandrake. As he remains as quiet as he can, a hand reaches under the bed and grabs the root. Merlin sees Morgana leaving the room and follows her out of the castle and into the forest, where he hides behind some trees.

Morgause and Merlin

Morgause questions Merlin's loyalty.

Morgana meets with Morgause and tells her that everything is ready, but that Merlin is growing suspicious of her. Morgause remarks that they need to deal with him soon, to which Morgana replies that it shouldn't be too hard to dispose of him. Surprised, Morgause asks how so, and Morgana replies that it is because he's already there.

Merlin stands up and Morgana sneeringly asks him if he thought she was stupid enough not to notice that she was being followed. He tries to flee, but is soon captured by Morgause's Blood Guard, who knock him out.

When Merlin regains consciousness, he is chained up and confronted by Morgause. She questions Merlin, wondering why he went to so much trouble to save Arthur and Camelot, since he is just a servant. Merlin replies that he believes Arthur will be a fair and just king, but leaves out his part in their shared destiny. Morgause realises there is something more and that Merlin is not telling her something, but loses interest and tells Merlin he can take his secret to his grave, as she intends to kill him for daring to try and poison her sister. She places an enchantment on his chains to strengthen them, then departs.

Serkets Burn

Kilgharrah chases the Serkets away from Merlin with his fiery breath.

Unable to break the chains with his magic, Merlin soon finds himself surrounded by Serkets. He tries to blast them away, but one manages to sting him. As the Serket's venom takes affect, Merlin uses his power as a Dragonlord to call out to Kilgharrah, who drives the Serkets back with his fiery breath before carrying Merlin to safety.

Cenred begins his invasion of Camelot and enters the kingdom with an army numbering in the thousands and Morgause watches events unfold with satisfaction. Gaius desperately urges Arthur to take control, but the prince refuses to give up hope that Uther will soon recover.

Part Two

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Morgana uses the mandrake root to torture Uther.

Having rescued Merlin from the Serkets, Kilgharrah carries him to cave where he uses enchantments to break his chains and heal him of the Serkets' venom.

Merlin thanks Kilgharrah for saving him, but laments the fact that he didn't heed the dragon's advice about Morgana. Kilgharrah explains that she and Merlin are the opposites of one another (light against dark, hate against love) and that their futures are likely joined together.

Once Merlin has recovered sufficiently, Kilgharrah flies him back to Camelot and drops him off in a clearing near the citadel. Kilgharrah departs, refusing to go nearer to the castle, but warns Merlin to be careful, as "the great battle for Camelot has begun".

Back in Camelot, Merlin tells Gaius, who had been worried about Merlin's whereabouts, that Morgana is in league with Morgause and that they are responsible for the madness afflicting Uther. They go to Uther's chamber and find him curled up in a corner crying, tormented by ghosts of Ygraine and several children he had drowned in the Great Purge staring at him.

Acting quickly, Merlin removes the mandrake root from under Uther's bed and throws it into the fire, wincing at the resulting shriek. The enchantment is broken and Uther's sanity restored. As they leave Uther to rest and recover, Merlin insists that they tell him Morgana was responsible, but Gaius replies that Uther would never believe their word against his beloved ward.

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Morgana threatens to tell Uther that Merlin poisoned her.

The next day, Merlin goes to Arthur's chambers and finds that they have become a complete mess during his absence. Arthur is furious about Merlin's absence and becomes enraged by Merlin's excuses. After listening to Arthur shouting at him for a few seconds, Merlin glibly remarks that Arthur has obviously not had his breakfast yet; now exceptionally enraged, Arthur throws a cup at Merlin, shouting that he would eat Merlin for breakfast.

Merlin backs up slightly before fleeing the room altogether as a furious Arthur throws another object at his head. As Merlin retreats back to his chambers, Morgana, having discovered Merlin's survival and the mandrake's disappearance, pulls him aside and threatens to tell Uther that he previously tried to poison her if he tells Uther of her and Morgause's plan.

That night, Morgana tells Morgause that Merlin is still alive and has broken the mandrake's hold over Uther. Hower, Morgause assures her that the mandrake has already done its work and by now, and that Cenred's army is less than a day from Camelot. She also gives Morgana the Rowan Staff carved from the Rowan Tree on the Isle of the Blessed, remarking that she must play her part. Morgana expresses fear that her magic is not strong enough, but Morgause reassures her that the staff's power will help.

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Morgause tells Morgana how to use the Rowan Staff.

The following day, a patrol of Camelot's Knights led by Sir Leon discover Cenred's army and race back to alert Arthur, who is in charge of the city. Leon reports that Cenred's army number at least 20,000, outnumbering Camelot's forces two to one.

Gaius suggests they negotiate with Cenred, if only to buy them time to prepare, but Arthur, knowing Cenred will not be easily satisfied, orders Camelot to prepare for a siege, insisting that the castle has never been taken, thereby giving them the advantage. He also orders that the people of Camelot's outlying villages take shelter within the city.

With Cenred's army only hours away, preparations begin in full; weapons and armour are distributed, barricades and defences are erected, and the knights of Camelot prepare for battle. As night falls and Cenred's army surround the city, Merlin helps Arthur into his armour. As he does so, Merlin speaks openly about Arthur's destiny for the first time and assures him that the victory he will win will be remembered forever. Arthur seems touched by Merlin's faith in him and shows a grudging respect for Merlin's wisdom, though he is quick to disguise it with his usual abrasiveness.

At the urging of Morgause, Cenred begins the attack; as catapults bombard Camelot, Cenred's army break through the city gates and battle erupts in the streets. Arthur and his men defend the walls and barricades, keeping Cenred's men from advancing, and Uther, ignoring the advice of Gaius, Leon and Arthur, dons his armour and joins the battle, fighting against the invaders until a crossbow bolt hits him in the leg.

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Morgana uses the Rowan Staff to summon a skeleton army.

With their king injured and Cenred's men overrunning the barricades, Arthur orders a retreat back to the castle (covered by Merlin's magic), leaving the Lower Town to the invaders. Cenred remarks that taking the castle will be more difficult than the Lower Town, but Morgause assures him that Morgana will come through.

Meanwhile, in the castle, Gaius and Merlin tend to the wounded in a makeshift hospital, where Morgana is also present. They try to keep an eye on her, but Morgana evades them and heads down to the crypts with the Rowan Staff. She drives the staff into the stone floor, releasing a blast of energy that only those with magic can feel. As she watches, the staff's power uses necromancy to bring all the skeletons in the crypt to life.

As the Knights of Camelot fight a desperate battle to keep Cenred's men from breaking into the castle, Morgana's work becomes apparent; skeleton warriors begin to emerge from the castle and attack Camelot's army from behind. Arthur, Merlin, Leon and a number of knights try to hold the skeletons off, but their weapons cannot kill the undead warriors, only slow them down.

As Arthur and his men fight a losing battle on two fronts to hold off Cenred's men and the undead, Arthur insists that they must evacuate Uther. However, Gaius replies that with the Lower Town lost, there is no way to escape; this is now a fight to the death.

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Merlin and Morgana duel over the Rowan Staff.

As the battle grows worse, Merlin confronts Morgana and begs her to stop, but she refuses, saying that she had no intention of showing mercy to Uther, as he hunts down all like her. Merlin, not revealing he has magic, empathises with her and insists that there can be another way, but Morgana refuses to listen. She and Merlin draw swords and duel until Merlin secretly uses his magic to cause part of the ceiling to collapse, knocking her out.

With Morgana incapacitated, Merlin casts an enchantment that allows his sword to destroy the Staff. The loss of its power causes the skeleton warriors collapse into inert piles of bones. With the undead threat defeated, the Knights of Camelot return to the battle against Cenred's men, fighting with renewed vigour. Seeing the battle turning against him, Cenred orders his army to retreat, ignoring a furious Morgause's warning that he has failed her.

In the battle's aftermath, Merlin tries to tell Arthur what happened in the crypt, but Morgana has gotten there ahead of him and taken credit for destroying the Staff and stopping the skeletons. At a ceremony to recognise her bravery and that of all those who fought and died in the battle, Uther again asserts vigilance in Camelot against magic while unnoticed by all, Merlin and Morgana glare hatefully at each other across the chamber.

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Merlin glares as Morgana takes credit for destroying the Rowan Staff.

Back in Gaius's chambers, Merlin laments that Uther cannot see Morgana's true nature. Gaius cannot explain why that is so, but warns him Morgana will try to undermine Camelot again and advises Merlin to be wary of her.

Merlin says he feels nothing but sadness for Morgana, for she has become so twisted by bitterness and hate. Gaius advises him never to become like her and Merlin assures him he never will, though he soon has second thoughts when Arthur bursts into their chambers and demands his presence for yet more chores.

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast

Continuity

Part One

Part Two

Release & Reception

  • According to Digital Spy, the first episode got an average of 5.68 Million viewers, up from last years average season opener. The official ratings for this episode were 6.49 million viewers.
  • The second episode was directly up against The X Factor, and lost 700k viewers, as episode 2 received 4.99 Million viewers. Despite a low average, the episode managed to officially pull 6.06 million viewers.

Behind the Scenes

  • Katie McGrath doubled as Ygraine for some shots.  In April 2010 (8th), during the filming tour at Pierrefonds, she was spotted by fans wearing Ygraine's ragged dress.
  • Cenred's army, as seen by Sir Leon and his patrol, was one of the special effects created by The Mill, that worked also on the skeleton army. A video released by The Mill showing their work on series 3 was released at their website: with the page deleted, the original source not working and the channel on YouTube that reposted it shut down, it is sadly cannot be found online anymore. Some screen captures can be seen at Merlin Hypnoweb here and here.
  • During the shooting of the battle against skeletons, in order for the fight to be realistic, Bradley James and all the actors involved fought stuntmen who were then erased to be replaced in post production by the computer-graphic generated skeletons. Bradley James's opponent is stunt co-ordinator Andreas Petrides.

Trivia

  • This is the show's second two-parter, and the first time a series has started with one.
  • When Morgana worsened Uther's enchantment, it should be noted that even though she was standing right in front of him and it seemed he was awake (his eyes were open), he didn't notice her. It is unknown why Uther showed no awareness of Morgana, but it's probably that he wasn't conscious of what was happening around him, being lost in the mandrake's visions.
  • In the second part of the episode, during the scene between Morgana and Gaius, Morgana says she has lost her earring. Though Katie pronounces it, "Me earring", the subtitles caption it as "My".

Gallery

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To view the The Tears of Uther Pendragon gallery, click here.


Transcript

View the transcript here and here.

See Also

Series 3
The Tears of Uther Pendragon  • Goblin's Gold  • Gwaine  • The Crystal Cave  • The Changeling  • The Castle of Fyrien  • The Eye of the Phoenix  • Love in the Time of Dragons  • Queen of Hearts  • The Sorcerer's Shadow  • The Coming of Arthur
Interactive quest: The Quest for Morgana
Mini-episode: Merlin in Need special
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