TV Series > Merlin - Season: 4 >The Sword in the Stone - Part 1

TV Episode Details:

The kingdom has been attacked by Morgana's forces and has been lost, but Merlin escapes with Arthur in time. His knights aren't so lucky and some end up in a cell with Gaius, and must endure Morgana's full fury.

I was really surprised how quickly the battle for Camelot was. It seemed like it started and finished before anything interesting happened. I don't even know what happened to everyone. We know that Gwaine and Elyan ended up in a cell with Gaius, but everyone else was MIA for the rest of the episode.

The roll reversal, while Arthur was under Merlin's spell, was great! For once, Merlin was the one that was constantly talking down to Arthur, who couldn't seem to do anything right. I can't believe he kept those clothes, even after the spell wore off. I wonder what he was looking for when he was tapping that tree, wood worm?

After a bit of running, Merlin and Simpleton Arthur met up with some smugglers, that ended up as traveling companions for the remainder of the episode. For people who seem really confident that they hate the king and the knights, they had no idea that they were travelling with the king. Does no one know the face of the ruler of the kingdom they are in? I find it really odd that Arthur was able to travel around and no one had any clue who he was. Eventually, after Agravaine catches up to them, they do find out the truth, and weren't very happy about it, but by the end, it seemed that they were warming up to him. I was hoping that this couple would help beat some sense into his very thick skull .

Once they finally got to Merlin's hometown, things started settling down and everyone got chummy again. Gwen even arrives to tend to Arthur's wounds. How long has Merlin been planning this? It seems odd that she has been staying at this village since we last saw her as a deer.

The episode ended with Morgana's henchmen catching up to them again and everyone on the run. I think it would of been better to end it with Arthur and Gwen's hug, then continue the running next episode. It just seemed like it was cut off at an odd time.

This episode seemed awfully close to how the last season ended. I guess like father like son. Hopefully more good will come out of this eviction that the last one.

This episode's title was also a bit misleading. It should have been called something else since there wasn't even a mention of a sword in a stone at all. I know it is a two-part episode, but each part could of had a different title.

Overall, there were lots of funny parts, as well as tons of action, so it was entertaining enough, but few odd decisions and the ending still left a lot to be desired. Hopefully the next part makes up for them.