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Episode 208: The Sins of the Father Recap
by Black_Unicorn

208 The Sins of the FatherThe episode opens at a ruined castle at night time. A sorceress, Morgause, is leaning over a crystal saying an enchantment. She then whispers, "Arthur Pendragon. The fight for your soul is about to begin."

In Camelot, Uther is knighting knights. He reminds them how it is a great honor and responsibility to serve as a knight. He also reminds them how they have pledged to follow the knight's code.

208 The Sins of the FatherMeanwhile, a mysterious knight is fighting the guards of the castle. She slays five of them and then bursts in on the ceremony. She then throws her gauntlet at Arthur's feet, meaning a challenge. Arthur accepts the challenge but asks to see her face. The mysterious knight takes off her helmet and shakes her blond hair. "My name is Morgause." Arthur is shocked.

Uther does not want Arthur to fight Morgause. But the records say nothing about a woman not being allowed to challenge a man. Uther is still reluctant since Morgause killed five men. But Arthur does not want to break his word; if he demands his knights follow the code then he can not be seen breaking it.

208 The Sins of the FatherMorgana watches Morgause practice in the courtyard. She tells Gwen she feels as if she knows her. Gwen asks how. Morgana replies she doesn't know.

In Arthur's chambers Merlin is polishing the armor. Merlin wonders out loud why Morgause challenged Arthur. Arthur says it is to prove her self, he is the king's son after all. Merlin says he thinks that Arthur is nervous about facing a woman. "Since when do you know anything about combat?" says Arthur. He looks away and tells Merlin he must go to Morgause and ask her to withdraw. If Arthur withdraws it would look like cowardice.

Merlin opens Morgause's door and finds a sword pointed at his chest. "I have a message from Arthur!" He says nervously. "He wishes for you to withdraw." Merlin then says Arthur doesn't want to have to hurt her. Morgause replies "Who to say the Arthur's life won't rest in my hands?"

208 The Sins of the FatherAs Merlin is helping Arthur put on his armor on the day the of the fight Merlin says "Whatever happens you are not to blame. You gave her a fair chance."

On the battle ground Arthur approaches Morgause and tells her so that only she can hear that he will give her a final chance to withdraw. The look in Morgause's eyes says it all. She will fight. So the fight begins. Arthur gets an early advantage by cutting Morgause's arm and disarming her but he lets her pick up her sword. Soon though Morgause has her sword point to Arthur's heart.

Just as Arthur is sure he is about to die, Morgause takes off her helmet and issues another challenge. "Come to me in three days hence and accept the challenge I set to you." Arthur has no choice but to accept.

208 The Sins of the FatherGaius is tending Morgause's wounded arm. He notices her bracelet and mentions how she looks familiar to him. She says she has only been to Camelot once when she was a baby.

Back in Arthur's chambers, Arthur tells Merlin how he never felt so humiliated in his life. He was beaten by a girl in front of the whole of Camelot. "It's really quite funny when you think about it," says Merlin trying to contain his laughter. At the look on Arthur's face he quickly says, "Or not." Then Arthur says it was like Merlin said, he held back because it was a woman.

208 The Sins of the FatherMorgana enters Morgause's chambers. She says she feels sure they have met somewhere before. Morgause says they haven't but she's glad they met now. Morgana comments on the bracelet Morgause has. Morgause wants her take it because she says it will help Morgana sleep. Morgana refuses. As she leaves Morgause calls out, "I hope you will remember me fondly."

Morgana is asleep in her bed. Morgause quietly whispers a spell while holding the bracelet. She then sets it down on the bed.

Morgause is readying her horse to leave when Arthur comes out with his horse. "Congratulations. You're a skillful swordsman. Woman. Swords woman." he stutters.

208 The Sins of the FatherMorgause walks over to Arthur and comments on his beautiful horse. Her eyes light up with magic as she enchants the horse. Arthur asks how he is to find her. She replies when the time comes he will know the way. As Morgause is leaving she tells Arthur he has proven himself to be a man of honor. He got that from his mother. Arthur is startled."You knew my mother?" "Yes, very well," comes the reply. Then Morgause canters her horse away.

Gwen goes to wake Morgan up. She tells her it is almost midday. Morgana says she hasn't slept this well in a long time, it was the first night she doesn't remember any nightmares. Gwen smiles and goes off to get Morgana's clothes. Morgana then notices Morgause's bracelet.

208 The Sins of the FatherIn the main hall Uther is saying how Arthur should have never accepted Morgause's second challenge. Arthur replies that he gave her his word and she had her sword to his chest and she said that she knew his mother. Uther gets angry and says under no circumstances will Arthur go. He then tells the guards to escort Arthur to his chambers and he is not to leave.

Merlin comes into Arthur chambers asking why there are guards at the door. Arthur explains but says he gave Morgause his word. "I take it we're going anyway" says Merlin. "You're smarter than you look Merlin. Oh, and find a way to get me out of here," Arthur says.

Merlin walks into Giaus's work area, a happy look on his face. He is enjoying the fact that Arthur was beaten by a girl. He then spots rope, a perfect way to get Arthur free. Casually he begins to work but he says a spell and soon the rope is snaking up Merlin's leg.

Back in Arthur's room he says, "Merlin is it my imagination or are you getting fat?" Merlin lifts his shirt to reveal the rope.

208 The Sins of the FatherMerlin holds on to the rope while Arthur slides down. Arthur hollers at him to give him some more rope. "There is no more," said Merlin desperately trying to hold onto the rope. "Don't you dare drop me!" Arthur yells. Merlin drops him, right into a pile of horse dung.

It is now morning and Arthur and Merlin are traveling in the forest. They come to a fork in the road. Merlin asks which way and Arthur kicks his horse to the left. But the horse refuses and takes Arthur to the right. The horse is the one that knows the way.

"Come on Merlin!" calls Giuas. He opens Merlin's door to find him gone. He then goes to get the king. The Uther storms into Arthur's chambers only to find that it is empty. Furious he tells the guards to organize a search party and bring Arthur back to Camelot at once.

208 The Sins of the FatherBack in the forest Merlin is questioning Arthur about why he even accepted what Morgause said. "What if she asks you to do something even more dishonorable then breaking your word?" he asks. "Will you stop rabbiting on Merlin!" Arthur says, exasperated. He then says to be careful, since they are in Odin's territory. As soon as Arthur gets the words out an arrow nearly kills Merlin, causing his horse to rear and Merlin to fall to the ground. Arthur jumps off his horse and pulls out his sword. Arthur fights off one knight and then stabs another knight in the back who is about to kill Merlin. Then Merlin spots another knight in a tree with a spear poised to kill Arthur. Merlin whispers a spell that cause him his spear to burn and he falls from the tree crying. After Arthur defeats two more knights he looks at Merlin and says sarcastically, "Don't worry Merlin, I'll deal with this. You just lei there and make yourself comfortable."

208 The Sins of the FatherMerlin sighs and gets up. Once again he tries to persuade Arthur to turn back. Arthur simply says "She knew my mother."

Giaus enters Morgana's chambers with her sleeping medicine. An energetic Morgana tells Giaus she had no nightmares because of the bracelet Morgause gave her. Giaus tells her he is surprised it is so effective.

Merlin and Arthur are sitting around the campfire. Arthur tells Merlin how he never knew his mother, but he still has a sense of her. Merlin says that he is the same way he feels about the father he never knew. Arthur says he would don anything for even the vaguest memory of his mother. He then tells Merlin to get some rest.

Giaus approaches Uther as he is eating his dinner. Giaus tells him that Morgause's bracelet had the mark of one of the great houses, Gauloris. This means that Morgause is Morgana's half sister. Uther thought the child had died. But Giaus tells him that he helped smuggle Morgause out of Camelot. Morgana must never know the truth so her loyalties will not be divided.

208 The Sins of the FatherMerlin and Arthur walk to the shore of a lake with a tall waterfall at the other side. Arthur's horse walks straight into the water, heading of the waterfall. After a brief hesitation, Merlin follows. He goes through the waterfall to find a cave on the other end. He and Arthur then see a ruined castle. Merlin says there is no doubt that Morgause is a sorceress now. Arthur says Morgause must have been using magic when she beat him. Merlin says it didn't look like it. "And what would you know about magic, Merlin?" says Arthur. "Nothing," replies Merlin.

Arthur's horse stops in front of a small door way. Merlina and Arthur enter it to find a small courtyard with nothing but a chopping block and an axe. "Now what?" asks Arthur. "Maybe we should ask the horse," says Merlin. Arthur looks at him.

208 The Sins of the FatherJust then Morgause enters in an elegant red dress. She tells Arthur to put his head on the chopping block. "I won't let you do this!" cries Merlin. "Stay out of this, Merlin!" Arthur says. Morgause raises the axe, prepared to drive it through Arthur's neck. Then she places the axe next to his head. "You have proven yourself a man of your word, Arthur Pendragon. And for that I will grant you one wish," says Morgause. Arthur replies he wants to know all about his mother. Morgause says she can show Arthur his mother. "I want that more than anything," says Arthur.

Meanwhile in Camelot, the knights tell Uther they cannot find Arthur. Angry, Uther tells them to look harder. the knights leave and Uther tells Giaus that Morgause said she knew Ygraine, Arthur's mother. He fears that Arthur will find out the true circumstances of his birth.

208 The Sins of the FatherMerlin and Arthur are gathered around an alter watching Morgause prepare. Merlin says Uther will never forgive Arthur for this. Arthur replies that even though Morgause is a sorceress she has done them no harm, perhaps not all magic is bad.

Morgause then calls Arthur over and tells him to close his eyes. She then utters an enchantment and a wind starts blowing. Arthur opens his eyes to see his mother calling out to him. The two embrace. Arthur says he cannot bear that his birth caused his mother's death. Ygraine says not to think like that, if anyone is to blame it is Uther. Arthur asks why. Ygriane is reluctant but finally she tells Arthur that she could have conceive children. Uther, desperate for an heir, called on Nimueh to have Ygraine become pregnant by magic. Ygraine says that Uther knew that for Arthur to be born she would have to die. Ygraine says that now that she Arthur she would have willingly died for him and she is so proud of him. "Do not let this knowledge change you," she says. Arthur just shakes his head, upset. The wind blows again and Ygraine is gone. "Bring her back!" "I cannot," says Morgause. "Once the doorway is closed it is closed forever. I am truly sorry you learned of your mother's fate this way. Your father's betrayal is unforgivable." With that Morgause leaves. "Are you alright?" asks Merlin. "Go and get the horses," says Arthur.

208 The Sins of the FatherThe two return to Camelot. Arthur immediately gets his sword and heads off. Giuas approaches Merlin, but Merlin walks away from him. Giaus follows. Then Merlin tells him that he knows that Arthur was born of magic. Merlin says Uther is just as guilty as all the people he has executed. Giaus says he did not tell Merlin because he feared what Arthur would do. "He's found out now," says Merlin. He then runs off to find Arthur.


208 The Sins of the FatherArthur bursts in on Uther in the main hall. Arthur says quietly, "I know what you did to my mother." "Leave us," Uther tells his knight. "No one is to enter." Arthur says that is mother is dead because of Uther's selfishness and arrogance. Uther denies everything. Arthur says this is what fuels his hatred of magic. "You're nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!" Arthur screams at him. "I am your king and your father you will show me some respect!" yells Uther. Arthur walks up too him and throws his gauntlet at Uther's feet. Uther refuses to accept the challenge. Arthur walks up to him and raises his sword. At the last possible second Uther blocks the blow with his sword. Arhtur attacks him again so Uther has no choice but to fight.

208 The Sins of the FatherMerlin is running as fast as he can to stop Arthur. The guard won't let Merlin in but finally he Merlin cries, "They're going to kill each other!" He bursts in to see Arthur pointing his sword at Uther's chest. Practically with tears in his eyes, Merlin says that Morgause was lying, that his mother was just speaking Morgause's words. Morgause was trying to turn Arthur against Uther all along. Arthur tells Uther to swear that it is true; he didn't kill his mother. Uther swears it. Arthur then breaks down. Uther comforts him.

In Arthur's chambers Arthur tells Merlin it is now clear to him that those who practice magic are evil and dangerous. He thinks that now thanks to Merlin. Merlin painfully says "Glad I could help."

208 The Sins of the FatherMerlin enters Giaus's chambers to find the Uther is there. Uther thanks him for what he did with Arthur and says that he has proven himself a great ally in the fight against magic. As Uther is about to leave he says "If you ever speak about what happened between me and Arthur to another living soul I will have you hanged." Giaus then enters, shocked to see Uther leaving. Merlin explains what Uther said. "How you have manged to keep your head on your shoulders is a mystery beyond our greatest minds," said Giuas. He then says how Merlin must have been tempted to let Uther die. Merlin admits he was, but it would have destroyed Arthur. Giuas says he is proud of Merlin. Then Merlin says, "Arthur's thanking me, Uther is grateful, you're proud, never been this popular." "I'm sure it won't last," replies Giaus. "Just let me enjoy the moment," says Merlin putting his feet off on the table. They both laugh.

Back at Morgause's castle she looks into her crystal, only to see Arthur and Uther sitting happily together. Morgause looks up shock and anger in her eyes. It isn't over yet.






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twilightluva1895 the sins of the father 12 Aug 6 2010, 9:41 AM EDT by CorneliusSigan
Thread started: Mar 16 2010, 4:49 PM EDT  Watch
this was one of the best 26 episodesa of merlin so far. well to date there have only been 26 episodes and they all hit #1 in my heart i<3 merlin sooooo much (adn arthur 2)
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