Merlin – Episode 8 – Lamia
An outlying village in the Camelot realm is being plagued by a mysterious illness. An old friend of Gwen’s, Mary has come from this village asking for help. Of course Arthur hears her out, and agrees that they will send help from Camelot. Gaius is consulted on this matter, but he is to busy tending to an outbreak of the sweating sickness to assist the village. He suggests that Merlin goes in his place, that he can handle the responsibility of it. Arthur agrees, the next day Merlin is off along with Gwen and the Knights. Before nightfall they reach the village, at the bottom of a near by mountain. The sick villagers are barely holding onto life, and they have no idea how they got this way. Merlin attempts to use his healing magic to cure them, however it does not work. That night a dark shadow and eerie sound pass by the window where Merlin is sitting. He goes out to investigate only to run into Gwaine. It appears to be nothing. That morning there is barely a pulse from the villagers, and Merlin’s treatments are not working. Merlin suggests that there may be sorcery at work. One of the villagers says that he has felt an evil presence about. Merlin, Gwen and the knights are off back to Camelot to confer with Gaius when they come across smoke near the path. The knights check into it, and spot bandits. Upon seeing a damsel in distress Gwaine charges in, forcing the others to follow him. Percival is the first to get to the Damsel, he holds her in his arms. She appears injured but when Merlin goes over to check her out, she screams, causing him to jump back. Gwen talks to her, she calms a bit and tells her name is Lamia, that she was on her way home when the bandits got her. They leave the area before the bandits return, and make camp further down the trail. Merlin keeps offering to help Lamia, but she shuns him, causing Percival to come to her aid.
Back at Camelot, Arthur is upset cause it has been two days and no word or return of Merlin, Gwen and the Knights. Gaius’s work is done now, so Arthur declares they will leave at first light to go in search for them. Meanwhile, the Knights have declared that they are not going back to Camelot, they are going to take Lamia home. Merlin and Gwen protest that they need to get back to Camelot and inform Gaius about the villagers. However, all the knights are acting very odd. They are yelling at Merlin and Gwen, treating them very unwell. The are also fighting among themselves (literally) for the attention of Lamia (she is enjoying this). They continue on to take Lamia home, forcing Merlin and Gwen to just go along. Merlin tells Gwen he thinks their behavior is due to Lamia, though she can’t see how she is just a girl. Merlin is not sure either, but you know he plans to figure it out.
Arthur’s party comes by the area where the knights had rescued Lamia and chased away the bandits. However, the bandits are still there, and very much dead, but not by any weapon. Their deaths are mysterious even to Gaius. One is still alive barely, they take him with them. Within the bandit camp they see that there was a cage that had a human in it that was being transported and trying desperately to get out. Nearing dark they continue on to the village, where they discover that Merlin and company had left two days before headed back to Camelot. Gaius confirms that Merlin was right about the villagers illness, there is sorcery at work. Arthur decides they will leave at first light to go in search of them. That night Gaius informs Arthur that the bandit, whom is still alive, was indeed a slave trader. They were transporting a girl, when they fell under a spell and accused the girl of bewitching them. Turns out to be correct, she escaped and killed them all except him. Gaius believes that she is a Lamian a creature of magic. The high priestess’s of the old religion had created them long ago, the creatures they created had incredible powers, they could control the minds of men and suck the life out of them in a single embrace. Also transforming at will becoming hideous monsters, they had become more deadly then the priestess’s could even imagine, and they kept on killing, and wouldn’t stop.
Next morning, Merlin, Gwen and the others wake, realizing that Elyan had not waken then, something happen to him while he was on watch. Lamia though is not worried, she knows what happen, cause she caused it. Soon they find him ill just like the villagers, Gwen insists that it was Lamia to Merlin. He wants to go back to Camelot, But Lamia suggests there is a castle nearby to go to. Of course the knights go with what she has to say for they are under her enchantment. Merlin and Gwen have to continue on with them, deciding that Arthur will be looking for them. They just need to help him find them, they start to leave clues along the path. Soon they arrive at the castle Lamia has guided them to. Once inside, their torches go suddenly out, once re-lite Sir Leon notices that Lamia has disappeared. In a panic the knights go in search of her. Only to find that the castle is virtually a large tomb of many corpses scattered about. Sir Leon keeps insisting they need to find Lamia, she could be in danger. They argue with Merlin over this fact. Gwen pipes in about her brother being ill, so they cease, and get him to a safe area. While the others go in search of Lamia.
Out in the forest Arthur is searching and searching for where they have gone. He is finding nothing, his uncle did find tracks but he never mentioned them. Arthur refuses to stop the search, though his uncle is persistent they turn back. After sometime, Arthur comes across a piece of Gwen’s tunic, he now knows he is on the right path. Soon after they spy down in the valley below the castle where the others are. But will they reach them in time or will it be to late.
In the castle the knights are scattering themselves throughout the place looking for Lamia. Merlin leaves Gwen and Elyans side for a moment when Gwaine doesn’t return back. Soon he discovers why, he has taken ill from Lamia as well. Merlin continues on searching, while each knight is taken in by Lamia one by one. Merlin finally comes across Lamia, whom says she doesn’t fear his magic. Lamia blasts Merlin back against the wall, but he was able to use his magic against her also. Deciding she needs a new advantage Lamia transforms into a vicious monster. Merlin fights with her but neither is winning, he retreats back, and the monster follows. Suddenly his leg is grabbed by the monster, he is skidding back towards it. Gwen grabs a nearby sword and goes to see how she can help. Seeing Merlin’s situation she runs up, thrusting the sword deep into the creature, then is knocked backwards by it. Before Merlin can use his magic again, suddenly the creature falls down. Then we see from behind Arthur has come to the rescue. Merlin and Gwen are overjoyed to see Arthur. With the creature now dead the knights and villagers are recovering thanks to Gaius’s formula. Arthur teases Merlin then about being saved by a girl of course. Gwen on the other hand is complimented by Arthur for her bravery, that she is equal to a knight of Camelot.
This was a great episode, its nice to see things going on at places other then just at the castle. That has been one of my favorite things about this season so far. Had fun seeing more of the knights, was really shocked at the beginning of the show when they were being so rude. They got me briefly there, was thinking did I miss something what is up. Am sure a lot of you missed seeing the Lady Morgana in this one, but not to worry she is back in the next episode!
Sci-Fi and Fantasy geek living in Florida. Have been a fan/geek of the genre since I was a young girl. Some of my favorites are Stargate SG-1, Farscape, Firefly, Lost Girl, Merlin, Sanctuary, Terra Nova, Once Upon A Time, Stargate Atlantis, Falling Skies, Grimm, Warehouse 13, Haven, Eureka, and the list goes on!! Am a chatter box when it comes to Sci-Fi & Fantasy!
