Merlin (TV series)/Recap/S02/E07 The Witchfinder: Difference between revisions

Gaius is awoke from slumber by having cold water thrown over him. Aredian looks pleased at his discomfort, even as Gaius tries to explain that the amulet was only an old keepsake from the past. A montage begins in which Gaius is relentlessly grilled over his past and his opinions on magic. Finally he asks for a drink of water, though Aredian tells him he will only get one if he confesses to the crime of practicing magic. Gaius refuses.

 

 

Getting increasingly frustrated at Aredian's methods, Gaius reels off a litany of the services he has done for the king, and accidentally lets slip that he has treated Lady Morgana. Aredian latches onto this instantly, and realizing his mistake, Gaius tries to downplay her nightmares. But the damage has been done, and Aredian decides to question her next.

The following morning, Aredian pokes Gaius until he awakens, informing him that Merlin and Morgana will be joining him in the flames. Unless of course, he and Gaius can come to a deal...

 

 

{{quote|'''Gaius''': I...I am a sorcerer, Sire. I am responsible for conjuring the smoke. I'm guilty of practicing magic in Camelot, the goblin, the faces in the well, I...I am the sorcerer who conjured the toad from his mouth.

Gaius is dragged from the room by the guards. Arthur, Gwen and Morgana watch in dismay, but Merlin charges at Aredian, accusing him of lying. Instantly Arthur leaps from his chair and intercepts Merlin, half-pushing, half-dragging him from the room. As soon as they're outside, Merlin tries to punch him, but Arthur twists his arm behind his back. It turns out that Arthur isn't trying to throw him in prison, but give Merlin a few minutes to talk to Gaius.

 

 

Aredian returns to the dungeons once more to taunt Gaius with the fact that his investigations have just begun. Despite the fact that Gaius confessed to witchcraft in order to spare Merlin and Morgana, Aredian still intends to incriminate them.

 

 

As night falls, Gwen bursts into the physician's quarters to find Merlin. Morgana is being questioned, and Gwen can tell that she's being worn down. Merlin confirms that this is how Aredian operates: he breaks a person down until they can't help but confess. He tells her that Aredian planted the amulet in Gaius's study, presumably to collect the reward money that he gets every time he extracts a guilty confession. They realize they need proof.

 

 

Back down in the physician's quarters, Gwen and Merlin are flipping through the pages of Gaius's books, looking for a depiction of the flower petal. Finally Merlin discovers that it's belladonna, and that it can cause the onset of hallucinations. That sounds promising, but they realize that Aredian would be too clever to give it to the witnesses directly. Gwen recalls that all the witnesses were women, deducing that whatever gave them the visions was something that would only be used by women. In a flash, she realizes what it was.

{{quote|'''Aredian''': [[Ironic Echo|I have nothing to hide]].}}

 

 

As Uther and Arthur advance with their swords drawn, Merlin whispers an incantation and the knife in Aredian's hand heats up. Yelling with pain, he lets go of Morgana and holds his wrist. Stumbling backwards, he trips over a box and falls backwards out of a window, falling several storeys to his death.

'''Gaius''': I hope that is true, for all our sakes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. }}

 

 

Over dinner, Gaius chides Merlin on the rather extreme measures he took to condemn Aredian, and Merlin solemnly swears to never again save his life.

* [[Full Name Ultimatum]]: When Gwen calls Arthur: "Arthur Pendragon", he knows she means business.

* [[Magnificent Bastard]]: Aredian

* [[Tears of Fear]]: Morgana looks near tears a couple of times throughout this episode.

* [[Witch Hunt]]