The WORST episodes of Merlin

Every episode of Merlin ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Merlin!

Merlin is a drama series based around the legends of the mythical wizard and his relationship with Prince Arthur. Set in the early days of their relationship, it shows the development of each in his respective field, finding his way on the path to future greatness. Humour, danger and excitement abound, accompanied by mythical creatures, magic and of course much medieval swashbuckling.

Last Updated: 2/20/2024Network: BBC OneStatus: Ended
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Love in the Time of Dragons
star
7.33
2021 votes

#1 - Love in the Time of Dragons

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/6/2010

An old flame of Gaius' arrives in Camelot under the influence of a Manticore.

Directors: Alice Troughton
Writer: Jake Michie
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Curse of Cornelius Sigan
star
7.37
1789 votes

#2 - The Curse of Cornelius Sigan

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/19/2009

New servant Cedric muscles in on Merlin's position as Arthur's right-hand man, and turns the prince against his loyal friend. Merlin is convinced the slippery newcomer is up to something, and he is right - Cedric is a conman and a thief who is after a magnificent jewel, recently unearthed in a tomb far beneath Camelot. Little does he know, his precious prize is more dangerous than he could possibly imagine. Camelot has never been more vulnerable, but how can Merlin make things right when, thanks to Cedric, he might have lost Arthur's friendship for good? Merlin faces the prospect of turning to the one creature he swore he would never trust again - The Great Dragon.

Directors: David Moore
Writer: Julian Jones
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Valiant
star
7.40
1799 votes

#3 - Valiant

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/27/2008

Camelot is hosting its annual sword tournament and knights from throughout the realm have come to compete for its coveted title. Amongst those hoping to win the crown is Knight Valiant.

Directors: James Hawes
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The Sorcerer's Shadow
star
7.43
1795 votes

#4 - The Sorcerer's Shadow

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/20/2010

Camelot's legendary tournament only has one rule: there are no rules whatsoever. Terrifying warriors start to fill the mythical city, Gilli between them. Despite his small stature, Gilli is ready to join the action and committed to achieve victory with a secret weapon to help him: magic. When Gilli begins to realise the full extent of his powers, Merlin becomes torn since his new friend is putting his own life in danger as well as threatening the very heart of Camelot with his actions. Will Merlin be able to make Gilli see sense before it's too late?

Directors: Ashley Way
Writer: Julian Jones
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Changeling
star
7.44
2124 votes

#5 - The Changeling

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/16/2010

Uther pressures Arthur into an arranged marriage with a visiting princess, Elena, though Merlin soon has reservations after discovering that Elena may not exactly be who she claims to be. As he tries to uncover the princess' dark secret, he learns that Elena's nanny is a Pixie. But what are their motivations? Who do they work for? And most important of all, what benefit do they get from her marriage to Arthur, the heir to the throne of Camelot? Will Merlin be able to get to the bottom of it all and prevent Arthur from making the biggest mistake of his life?

Directors: Dave Moore
Writer: Lucy Watkins
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Lady of the Lake
star
7.44
1651 votes

#6 - The Lady of the Lake

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/21/2009

Freya is found by Merlin trapped in a bounty hunter's cage and decides to try and help her escape. Merlin refuses to listen to Gaius' warnings not to get involved. After freeing her Merlin hides Freya in the tunnels beneath Camelot. Merlin is forced to make some hard decisions to keep Freya safe.

Directors: Metin Hüseyin
Writer: Julian Jones
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Sweet Dreams
star
7.46
1602 votes

#7 - Sweet Dreams

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/28/2009

Peace talks are held at Camelot when dignitaries from rival kingdoms arrive. King Alined is determined there will be no peace though and will use magic to make sure his wishes happen.

Directors: Alice Troughton
Writer: Lucy Watkins
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The Gates of Avalon
star
7.47
1488 votes

#8 - The Gates of Avalon

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/1/2008

Arthur's chivalry leads to danger when he comes to the rescue of Sophia, a damsel in distress, and her father, Aulfric. When Sophia uses more than just her feminine charms to take control of Arthur's heart...

Directors: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Ben Vanstone
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Mark of Nimueh
star
7.47
1759 votes

#9 - The Mark of Nimueh

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/4/2008

A deadly plague spreads through Camelot. When it seems that sorcery can be the only possible explanation, Merlin and Gaius race to find a cure, while Gwen is arrested and sentenced to death for practising witchcraft.

Directors: James Hawes
Writer: Julian Jones
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Remedy To Cure All Ills
star
7.48
1586 votes

#10 - A Remedy To Cure All Ills

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/25/2008

When the Lady Morgana is struck down with a mysterious illness, Gaius is at a loss for a cure. Thankfully a new physician, Edwin Muirden is on hand to bring the King's ward back from the brink.

Directors: Ed Fraiman
Writer: Julian Jones
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Dragon's Call
star
7.48
2248 votes

#11 - The Dragon's Call

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/20/2008

Merlin is told by the Great Dragon that it is his destiny to make sure that the young Prince Arthur is kept safe. Anybody caught performing magic is punished with death and Merlin is not a fan of Arthur. When Arthur's life is endangered Merlin finds himself tested.

Directors: James Hawes
Writer: Julian Jones
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Witch's Quickening
star
7.48
1548 votes

#12 - The Witch's Quickening

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/5/2009

Alvarr is determined to allow magic to be used gain and destroy Camelot. Alvarr needs to reclaim the Crystal of Neahtid to make his plan work. Alvarr and Morgana try to get their hands on the crystal and use a druid boy to help them. Merlin is surprised when he finds out the real power of the crystal.

Directors: Alice Troughton
Writer: Jake Michie
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Sins of the Father
star
7.51
1689 votes

#13 - The Sins of the Father

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/14/2009

Arthur is challenged to a duel by a mysterious warrior. Arthur and Merlin then find themselves on a quest on Morgause's behalf. A dark secret is discovered by Arthur that could change Camelot forever.

Directors: Metin Hüseyin
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The Beginning of the End
star
7.52
1485 votes

#14 - The Beginning of the End

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/8/2008

Merlin finds himself becoming friends with Morgana when he helps a boy stay hidden. The two of them try to get the boy back whence he came, but things turn bad when Uther announces that anyone helping the boy will be executed.

Directors: Jeremy Webb
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
To Kill the King
star
7.52
1360 votes

#15 - To Kill the King

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/6/2008

Gwen's father, Tom, helps a sorcerer named Tauren turn lead into gold using a magic stone. As Tauren escapes, Tom is caught and will await trial. Whilst looking for Gwen, Morgana finds the magic stone, and Merlin can sense it. When Tom is killed by Uther, Morgana is out for revenge on Uther.

Directors: Stuart Orme
Writer: Jake Michie
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lamia
star
7.52
1596 votes

#16 - Lamia

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/19/2011

A mysterious illness draws Merlin to a distant village. But it soon becomes clear that there is more at stake than just his patients' well-being as something sinister turns the air sour. Far from home and with no-one to trust, Merlin becomes embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. No longer sure who is the hunter and who is the hunted, can the young warlock survive long enough to uncover the truth?

Writer: Jake Michie
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Crystal Cave
star
7.56
1984 votes

#17 - The Crystal Cave

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/9/2010

After an unexpected meeting with the enigmatic old sorcerer Taliesin, the wizard takes Merlin to the crystal cave allowing him to witness a glimpse of the future. However, this gesture turns out to be more of a curse than a gift when, much to his horror, Merlin sees Morgana set to kill Uther. The young warlock knows he must do his best to try and stop the future from playing out. But changing the pages of destiny is a very dangerous game and his actions end up having fatal consequences. With the whole of Camelot in a state of grief, will Merlin be able to change the course of destiny and undo the damage he has caused, or will it be too late?

Directors: Alice Troughton
Writer: Julian Jones
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Nightmare Begins
star
7.56
1539 votes

#18 - The Nightmare Begins

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/2009

When Morgana's nightmares spill into waking hours, she becomes terrified that she has the power of magic. Gaius is determined to keep her in the dark for her own good but Merlin won't stand by and watch his friend suffer. He knows exactly what she's going through and he knows she needs the truth. Is Merlin about to reveal his secret at last?

Directors: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Ben Vanstone
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Queen of Hearts
star
7.57
1770 votes

#19 - Queen of Hearts

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/13/2010

When Uther banishes Gwen from the kingdom, Arthur resolves to leave Camelot with her.

Directors: Ashley Way
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Beauty and the Beast (1)
star
7.59
1684 votes

#20 - Beauty and the Beast (1)

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/24/2009

Lady Catrina and her strange servant Jonas arrive in Camelot, where they are welcome to stay by a most delighted king Uther, who becomes captivated by his latest guest. Arthur, on the contrary, far from sharing his father's enthusiasm and in the sight of the flirting going on, is pretty appalled with the situation. Merlin and Gaius have the feeling that she is not what she seems and their suspicions are proven true when Merlin discovers that Lady Catrina is a troll and that unfortunately, her intentions are far beyond the prize of a king's heart. Horrified, he reveals the truth to Arthur, who doesn't believe him. Merlin embarks in the task of proving the real nature of the woman while at the same time saving Uther from ruin and Camelot from fall. Will the young warlock be able to overcome the powerful magic of the troll before it's too late?

Directors: Dave Moore
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Wicked Day
star
7.60
1738 votes

#21 - The Wicked Day

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/15/2011

The mighty citadel 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?

Directors: Alice Troughton
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Lancelot
star
7.60
1594 votes

#22 - Lancelot

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/18/2008

Merlin is saved from a terrifying winged beast by a heroic stranger- a young man named Lancelot, who dreams of becoming a Knight of Camelot. In order to thank him, Merlin provides falsified records of Lancelot's noble birth and Lancelot is accepted. However, with the winged beast- discovered to be a Griffin- still on the loose, Merlin's decision could have far-reaching consequences not just for Lancelot but for Camelot...

Directors: Ed Fraiman
Writer: Jake Michie
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Poisoned Chalice
star
7.60
1632 votes

#23 - The Poisoned Chalice

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/11/2008

With her sights set firmly on Merlin, Nimueh tricks him into drinking from a poisoned chalice, and he falls dangerously ill. Arthur ventures forth deep into the forest of Balor to find the antidote, but little does he know that he's walking into a trap.

Directors: Ed Fraiman
Writer: Ben Vanstone
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Castle of Fyrien
star
7.60
2055 votes

#24 - The Castle of Fyrien

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/23/2010

Gwen faces an impossible dilemma when she is forced to choose between saving the life of Elyan, her estranged brother and only sibling or Arthur's, Camelot's prince and the love of her life. When one of them is certain to find death at the hands of Cenred, who will Gwen choose? Once again, loyalty, love and friendships are tested to the limit as Arthur, Merlin and Gwen are forced to put their minds together to try and find a way out of the cruel quandary. Morgana and Morgause, in turn, will do their best ruin their plans. Will good conquer evil or will Gwen end up losing someone she loves again?

Directors: Dave Moore
Writer: Jake Michie
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Moment of Truth
star
7.61
1414 votes

#25 - The Moment of Truth

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/22/2008

Merlin's home village of Ealdor is attacked by raiders led by the fearsome Kanen, but Uther will not do anything to help- to cross into Ealdor, which is outside of Camelot's boundaries, would constitute an act of war. Merlin leaves Camelot to help to defend his home- and is surprised to find help from Morgana, Gwen and Arthur. However, an old friend of Merlin forces the young sorcerer into making a difficult choice: will he use magic to save the village and thus reveal his secret to Arthur?

Directors: Dave Moore
Writer: Ben Vanstone
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV