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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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?
#5 - 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.
#6 - 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?
#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.
#8 - 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.
#9 - 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...
#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.
#11 - 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.
#12 - 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.
#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.
#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.
#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.
#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?
#17 - 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?
#18 - 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?
#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.
#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?
#21 - 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...
#22 - 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.
#23 - 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?
#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?
#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?
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