The Wicked Day

“All I know for sure is that I've lost both my parents to magic. It is pure evil. I'll never lose sight of that again.”
— Arthur to Merlin

The Wicked Day is the third episode of the fourth series of Merlin, which was first broadcast on the 15th of October 2011.

It marks the death of Uther and the beginning of Arthur's reign as King of Camelot.

Synopsis

The court of Camelot is buzzing in anticipation of the prince’s birthday celebrations, as the fantasy drama continues. But Arthur’s old adversary, Odin, promises to ensure this is one party Camelot will never forget – for among the assembling guests lurks a deadly assassin set to strike.

As the dust settles, Camelot is left devastated. Just how far is Merlin prepared to go to put things right; would he really risk everything and reveal his secret?

Plot

Uthergleeman5 — Uther duels the Gleeman to protect Arthur.

As the court prepares to celebrate Arthur's birthday, a circus troupe arrives in Camelot to perform at the feast. Much to Arthur's delight, Uther is feeling more like his old self and announces that he will attend the celebration.

However, one of the troupe members, the Gleeman, has been hired by King Odin to assassinate Arthur. While performing during the feast, he invites Arthur to to take part in his knife throwing game and puts an apple in his mouth. Although it seems like the final knife is going to kill Arthur, it doesn't and hits the apple instead.

After being released from the performance, Arthur takes a bite of the apple and the Gleeman tells his colleague Geldred that the apple had a sedative on it. He explains that it will take effect in a few hours and they will strike when the prince is weak.

That night, after the party, Arthur returns to his chambers with Merlin. The sedative begins to take effect and Merlin accuses him of being drunk as he staggers out the door to go check on Uther.

When he reaches Uther's chambers, Arthur sees that his father is sleeping and removes a cup from Uther’s hand, sitting down in the chair opposite him and beginning to fall asleep. However, he sees the Gleeman coming at him after killing two guards and grabs a sword to defend himself. Barely able to stand, Arthur is easily defeated and knocked down by the Gleeman, who then proceeds to raise his sword above his head to kill him.

393-Evangeline — Morgana enchants a pendant with the power to reverse healing spells.

However, Uther grabs a sword and intervenes. He fights the Gleeman and kills him, but is stabbed in the process. Arthur catches him and begins to cry, shouting for someone to help them and offering to get help himself, though Uther tells him to stay with him. He tells Arthur that he will be a great king and that he has loved him his whole life, despite putting his duty as king before Arthur.

Later, while Uther is unconscious in his bed, Gaius tells Arthur that the Gleeman's dagger has touched Uther’s heart and that he is now bleeding inside. He assures Arthur that there is nothing he can do for Uther and that it is only a matter of time before he dies. After a few hours of reflection, Arthur decides that he will use magic to save his father, and though Gaius cautions him against it, Merlin concocts a plan to save Uther's life so Arthur will return magic to Camelot.

Agravaine goes to the woods to tell Morgana about Arthur’s plan. She enchants a pendant to reverse any healing spells and increase the power ten fold, stating that Uther won't have chance to survive. Later, Agravaine puts the enchanted necklace around Uther's neck, telling the unconscious king that now he gets what he deserves.

Merlin tells Arthur that a sorcerer lives in the Forest of Glaestig and they set off to find him. Excusing himself to pee, Merlin transforms into Dragoon the Great. He says he will heal Uther on the condition that Arthur removes Uther's anti-magic laws in exchange, and agrees to meet Arthur in Camelot later that day after he collects a few herbs. He then leaves the hut, telling Arthur to stay put for a moment, and uses a potion to return to normal.

That night, Merlin disguises himself as Dragoon and goes to meet Arthur at the southern gate. Arthur escorts him to Uther's chambers, avoiding the guards and Dragoon casts the healing spell, unaware of Morgana's pendant around Uther's neck. The spell appears to work at first and Uther opens his eyes and looks at Arthur, who is relieved. However, to both Arthur and Dragoon's horror, Uther seizes in pain and then dies.

Grief-stricken and enraged, Arthur accuses Dragoon of purposely killing his father and tries to attack him. However, Merlin uses magic to knock him out and flees to reverse his transformation. Gaius later shows Merlin the necklace and Merlin realises that it was Morgana who caused the spell to go wrong, not his own magic.

Meanwhile, Agravaine informs Morgana of Uther's death, but she takes no pleasure in it. She complains that Arthur will replace him and there will be no cause for celebration until she takes her place on her throne. Agravaine vows that he will ensure Arthur fails as king by giving him bad counsel whenever possible.

Later, Arthur tells Merlin that he has lost both his parents at the hands of magic and that he sees magic and its practitioners as pure evil. He vows never to forget that, saddening Merlin who already feels guilty.

As Arthur mourns Uther’s death all night, Merlin blames himself for hardening Arthur’s heart against magic and worries that Arthur will never learn his secret. Gaius reassures him his time will come and that Morgana killed Uther when she broke his heart with her betrayal, but his words bring Merlin no comfort.

Arthur crowned s04e03 — The Coronation of King Arthur.

Merlin spends the night in front of the throne room where Arthur mourns his father. When Arthur realises that Merlin had waited in front of the door to be there for him, he thanks Merlin and instantly wants breakfast, obviously in a relaxed mood again.

Later, Merlin watches with the rest of the court as Arthur is crowned King of Camelot. The people begin to chant “Long Live The King!” and Merlin joins in strong on the last chant.

Cast

Main Cast

Colin Morgan as Merlin/Dragoon the Great
Bradley James as Arthur Pendragon
Angel Coulby as Gwen
Katie McGrath as Morgana Pendragon
Richard Wilson as Gaius
Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon
Nathaniel Parker as Agravaine de Bois

Recurring Cast

Guest Cast

Continuity

This episode marks the death of Uther Pendragon.
This episode marks Arthur's coronation as King of Camelot.
This episode marks the final appearance of Geoffrey of Monmouth.
This episode marks the second appearance of Merlin's alter ego, Dragoon the Great.
King Odin hires the Gleeman to kill Arthur in order to avenge his son's death. This is his second attempt on Arthur's life.
Uther begins to show signs of recovering from the breakdown he suffered from Morgana's betrayal. He is more aware of his surroundings, attends Arthur's birthday feast, and protects Arthur from the Gleeman.
Agravaine reminds Arthur that magic caused his mother's death and says using it to heal Uther would be disrespectful to her memory.
Merlin takes Arthur to the charcoal maker's hut where he and Lancelot sought refuge from the Dorocha.
Arthur recognises Dragoon as the sorcerer who claimed to have enchanted him and Gwen.
Gaius once again explains Merlin's absence by telling Arthur he's at the tavern.
Merlin poses as Dragoon to heal Uther in exchange for Arthur legalizing magic, but Morgana's pendant causes his spell to backfire and kill Uther instead.
Gaius discovers Morgana's pendant around Uther's neck, but he and Merlin do not tell Arthur.
Agravaine tells Morgana he will make sure Arthur fails as king by giving him bad counsel.
Arthur blames himself for his father's death and vows to never again lose sight of the fact that magic is pure evil.

Release & Reception

15 October 2011 at 8.15pm on BBC One and BBC One HD

Trivia

The Australian TV Week misprinted this episode's title as "The Wicked Way".
This episode marks Anthony Head's last live action appearance, and his last appearance in the opening credits.

Gallery

To view the The Wicked Day gallery, click here.

Transcript

View the transcript here.