Fantasy drama Merlin returns to BBC One for a second series on 19th September 2009 for another 13 episodes.
> Buy the Series 2 boxset on Amazon.
Episode 1: The Curse Of Cornelius Sigan
Saturday 19th September 2009
In the dark tunnels deep beneath Camelot, an ancient tomb is discovered, filled with treasure. Gaius begs the King to seal it shut again, fearing that the tomb belongs to Cornelius Sigan, an evil sorcerer who cursed Camelot and swore he would, one day, return to destroy the city. But Uther is too taken with the treasure to listen, insisting Sigan is just a fairy tale.
Meanwhile, new servant Cedric muscles in on Merlin’s position as Arthur’s right-hand man and turns the prince against his loyal friend. Merlin is convinced the slippery newcomer is up to something and he’s right – Cedric is a con man and a thief who is after the magnificent jewel found at the heart of the tomb. Little does Cedric know his precious prize is more dangerous than he could possibly imagine.
Camelot has never been more vulnerable but how can Merlin make things right when, thanks to Cedric, he might have lost Arthur’s friendship for good? Merlin faces the prospect of turning to the creature he swore he’d never trust again – The Great Dragon.
Episode 2: The Once And Future Queen
Saturday 26th September 2009
Camelot’s jousting tournament is fast approaching and Arthur is determined to win it on his own merit, despite suspecting that the knights are letting him win because he is the prince. With the help of Merlin and Gwen he goes undercover, taking lodgings at Gwen’s house while the tournament is on. But Arthur is in for a shock when Gwen challenges him to give up his spoilt, lofty ways. Will he be able to shake the habits of a lifetime as easily as he did his princely robes, and why does he care so much what Gwen thinks anyway?
Meanwhile, Myror, the sinister bounty-hunter, is sent to Camelot with a mission – to kill Prince Arthur. Arthur, however, is too wrapped up in the tournament to notice the impending danger. Determined to win, he has to prove to himself that he can compete – no matter what.
Episode 3: The Nightmare Begins
Saturday 3rd October 2009
When Morgana’s nightmares spill into her waking hours she becomes terrified that she has magic powers. Gaius is determined to keep her in the dark for her own good, but Merlin won’t stand by and watch his friend suffer. He knows exactly what she is going through and knows she needs to hear the truth. Is he about to reveal his secret at last?
Wilfully disobeying Gaius, meanwhile, Merlin risks everything to help Morgana – without guessing what the far-reaching consequences might be. Lives are in danger, loyalties are tested and Morgana is reunited with the strange young druid boy Mordred (Asa Butterfield), whom the Dragon has predicted will one day kill Arthur.
Episode 4: Lancelot And Guinevere
Saturday 10th October 2009
When Gwen is kidnapped, Arthur goes to her rescue, but Lancelot gets there first. Gwen is mistaken for Morgana and kidnapped by savage outlaw Hengist. When Uther Pendragon refuses to pay a ransom for her, however, Arthur defies his father and ventures into dangerous enemy territory to fight for Gwen’s freedom.
Merlin suspects that Arthur’s devotion to Gwen is more than just that of a prince to one of his subjects. But how will Arthur react when he finds that Gwen is not alone in Hengist’s castle? She and Lancelot have found each other again, and powerful feelings have been rekindled…
Episode 5: Beauty And The Beast (Part One)
Saturday 24th October 2009
Uther is delighted when Lady Catrina arrives in Camelot, in the first episode of an exciting two-parter. Merlin and Gaius, however, suspect that she is not what she seems. Uther is captivated by his latest guest but Arthur is appalled by his father’s flirting. Merlin is horrified for a different reason – he discovers that Lady Catrina is really a troll but can’t get Arthur to believe him.
Catrina and her strange servant, Jonas, are welcomed into the heart of Camelot and it is up to Merlin to prove that she is a monster and to save Uther from ruin. Unfortunately, Catrina has her sights set on a much greater prize than the King’s heart. Can Merlin overcome her powerful troll magic before it’s too late?
Episode 6: Beauty And The Beast (Part Two)
Saturday 31st October 2009
Newly crowned Queen Catrina (played by Sarah Parish) settles in as Camelot’s first lady, in the second episode of a two-parter. As Queen Catrina’s true troll nature surfaces, her influence over Uther increases, and the repercussions are felt throughout the kingdom.
When Catrina accuses Merlin of stealing, he is driven into hiding. Forced to sneak around the castle, Merlin must find a way to expose Catrina’s true form without getting caught. However, even if he succeeds, will this be enough to break her powerful magic? Or will Camelot be stuck with a troll as a Queen forever?
Episode 7: The Witchfinder
Saturday 7th November 2009
Uther is determined to wipe out magic in Camelot once and for all. This time, no one is beyond suspicion. He summons the most dreaded witch finder, Aredian, to Camelot – a terrifying man who will stop at nothing to uncover sorcery.
Gaius impresses upon Merlin how much danger he is in but Morgana needs no such warning. She’s certain that Aredian will see straight through her and that she’ll be burnt at the stake. Can Merlin protect Morgana and Gaius without ending up in the flames himself?
Episode 8: The Sins Of The Father
Saturday 14th November 2009
When a mysterious warrior challenges Arthur to a duel, nobody could possibly predict the devastating chain of events that is set in motion – least of all the young Prince himself.
Arthur and Merlin soon find themselves on a strange quest at the behest of the beautiful Morgause. Through her, Arthur discovers a dark secret which could bring about the downfall of the kingdom…
Episode 9: The Lady Of The Lake
Saturday 21st November 2009
When Merlin discovers the beautiful druid girl Freya trapped in a bounty hunter’s cage, he knows he must help her escape. Gaius warns against getting involved but Merlin refuses to listen.
Merlin harbours Freya in the tunnels beneath Camelot. But with the bounty hunter searching for his missing prize and a ferocious magical beast on the loose, she can’t stay hidden long. Merlin’s intense new friendship is tested to the limit and he is forced to make some heartbreaking decisions as he battles to keep Freya safe.
Episode 10: Sweet Dreams
Saturday 28th November 2009
Dignitaries from rival kingdoms descend on Camelot for peace talks, but what King Alined really wants is war. He’ll do everything in his power to stir up hostilities, even if it means using magic.
Alined’s jester, Trickler, puts a spell on Arthur to make him fall madly in love with rival King Olaf’s beloved daughter, Vivian. Chaos reigns in the palace and Camelot is once more poised on the brink of war. Can Merlin free Arthur’s heart before the prince loses his head in battle?
Episode 11: The Witch’s Quickening
Saturday 5th December 2009
The ruthless warlock Alvarr is determined to destroy Camelot and allow magic to reign again. To fight Uther, however, Alvarr must reclaim the Crystal of Neahtid – a precious magical relic of the Old Religion. Few can harness its power, but Alvarr believes Mordred can use it to further their cause.
The crystal is safely locked up in Uther’s vaults and many have lost their lives trying to reclaim it. Alvarr, though, has a secret weapon – Morgana’s powerful bond with the druid boy. Morgana has always protected Mordred but will she go as far as turning into a thief and traitor to help him and the charismatic Alvarr? Merlin is shocked by her choice and by the true power of the mysterious crystal.
Episode 12: The Fires Of Idirsholas
Saturday 12th December 2009
When the fires of Idirsholas burn for the first time in 300 years, Gaius fears a sorcerer has revived the deadly Knights of Medhir. Morgause has returned, hell-bent on ending Uther’s reign.
Arthur and Merlin ride out to face the Knights and barely escape with their lives. Upon returning home, they find everyone in Camelot is under a strange enchantment – all except for Morgana. Could she be behind the magic which threatens the Kingdom? As Morgause and her Knights attack a helpless Camelot, Merlin’s loyalties are stretched to the limit.
Episode 13: The Last Dragonlord
Saturday 19th December 2009
The Great Dragon is finally free and, full of rage, attacks Camelot with pitiless intensity. The castle is crumbling and Arthur’s men cannot hold out much longer. Only a Dragonlord can kill a dragon and Uther wiped them all out years ago – or did he? Gaius admits one such man could still be alive and in hiding.
The last Dragonlord is the key to Merlin’s own past as well as the future of Camelot, but will Arthur and Merlin find Balinor in time to save the kingdom and can they persuade him to return to Camelot to save his enemy, Uther?