'Merlin': 'A Herald of the New Age' recap

Out on patrol, Arthur and his knights stumble across an abandoned druid's shrine in the woods, marked with ribbons & flags. Fearing that the site may be cursed, the group moves on, but Elyan lingers to drink water from a well. Staring deep down inside, he has a vision of a young, pale boy in the water.

Back in Camelot, the visit to the shrine appears to have spooked Arthur. Gaius explains to Merlin that the ribbons and flags placed at the site are a warning - the delicate magic that keeps tormented souls at bay must not be disturbed.

Elyan tries his best to sleep, but is disturbed by the sound of whispers and dripping water. When the ghost child appears in a terrified Elyan's chamber, Gwaine hears his cries and comes running. But only Elyan can see the spirit, which places its finger to its lips...

The following day, Merlin helps the knights to train - effectively by serving as their punching bag! But Elyan takes things too far - he attacks Merlin, flying into a rage, and has to be called off by Arthur...



Still suffering from visions of the ghost child, Elyan panics and Gwaine is forced to knock him out. Afterwards, the once brave knight is reduced to a vegetative state. Gaius suspects that Elyan may have disturbed the shrine in the woods - he tells Merlin that their friend may have been possessed by a sinister spirit...

That night, Elyan receives another spooky visit - the ghost child tells him that he must right the wrong that was done to him. "You must kill the King…"

Elyan attacks Arthur in his chambers, but the King is able to fend him off long enough for his guards to arrive. Though Elyan escapes, the Knights soon track him down and back him into a corner. Knocked out again - this time by Percival - Elyan is thrown into the cells...

Agravaine wants the would-be assassin executed and scoffs at Merlin's theory that Elyan has been possessed. "He seeks revenge - you banished his sister from Camelot," Agravaine reminds Arthur. The King is torn - how should Elyan be dealt with?

Meanwhile, Merlin devises a dangerous plan - he will break Elyan out of the cells, then use powerful magic to expel the violent spirit. Using a spell to distract the prison guards, Merlin succeeds in rescuing his friend.



The pair take refuge in the woods, but Elyan's ghostly visions soon recur and he turns on Merlin, knocking him out with a single blow. He tells the ghost child, "I won't fail you again".

Once he recovers, Merlin leads Gaius back to the shrine where Elyan first encountered the spirit. Peering into the well that the knight drank from, the young warlock is deeply disturbed. He tells Gaius, "Something terrible happened here…"

It transpires that the druids who once occupied the shrine were slaughtered - presumably by the vengeful Uther. And back in Camelot, the spirit seeks vengeance - Elyan launches another attack on Arthur, a crossbow bolt missing him by inches.

Elyan is now clearly possessed - he speaks with the voice of the ghost child. He launches himself at Arthur, but the king is able to best him in combat. Nevertheless, he allows Elyan to escape...

The troublesome Agravaine is now more determined than ever to catch and kill Elyan, but Arthur is convinced that their quarry has been possessed. "Only the atonement of the perpetrator can bring the spirit peace," explain Gaius - but Uther is long gone. "I fear you have no choice but to kill [Elyan]," the old physician tells the King.



Sometime later, Merlin spots a cloaked figure stalking the corridors of Camelot. He follows the figure into the woods - it's Arthur! He's determined to face off against Elyan...

Merlin and Arthur return to the shrine, where the King reveals: "It wasn't my father who led the raid on the druid camp - I did."

The possessed Elyan appears before them and Arthur falls to his knees. He confesses that he led the slaughter on the druid camp when he was young and inexperienced. Though Arthur ordered his men to spare the women and children, some defied his orders...

"I froze," admits a tearful Arthur. "I can still hear the screams…"

He begs for forgiveness and Elyan drops his sword. Embracing Arthur, he tells him: "I forgive you."

The spirit leaves Elyan's body and he is restored to normal. Merlin is impressed that Arthur got in touch with his emotions to resolve the crisis, but the King quickly suppresses his sensitive side - he's soon back to chastising his manservant and chasing him round the castle!

In a Land of Myth and a Time of Magic...
• Some Merlin fans may be disappointed that this week's instalment doesn't immediately follow up on last week's dramatic events, but 'A Herald of the New Age' is a fine standalone adventure.
• It's nice to see Elyan (Adetomiwa Edun) take a central role this week, and Bradley James also steps up to the plate with a moving performance, as an emotional Arthur faces the ghosts of his past - literally!
• Arthur's tearful breakdown in front of the possessed Elyan also seems like a key moment in the show's history - particularly when he swears to treat druids with respect from now on. The new King appears to be softening to the idea of magic...
• The creepy child spirit also makes for a memorable villain - dripping wet and spooky of voice! We imagine that there'll be a few young Merlin viewers having bad dreams tonight...
• Ultimately though, 'A Herald of the New Age' serves as a diverting prelude to this year's three-part Merlin finale. Next week, Morgana's back - and it's all kicking off in Camelot!