Merlin (2008–2012): Season 1, Episode 1 - The Dragon's Call - full transcript

Young Merlin, sent by his mother from their village to start a better life, arrives in Camelot where he is to be apprenticed to Gaius, physician to the repressive King Uther. Uther, ...

MAN: No young man, no matter
how great, can know his destiny.

He cannot glimpse his part in the
great story that is about to unfold.

Like everyone,
he must live and learn.

And so it will be
for the young warlock

arriving at the gates of Camelot.

A boy that will, in time,
father a legend.

His name...

...Merlin.

(WHISPERING)

Let this serve as a lesson to all.

This man, Thomas James Collins,



is adjudged guilty of conspiring
to use enchantments and magic.

And pursuant to the laws of Camelot,

I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed
that such practices are banned

on penalty of death.

I pride myself
as a fair and just king.

But for the crime of sorcery,

there is but one sentence I can pass.

(CROWD GASPING)

When I came to this land,

this kingdom was
mired in chaos.

With the people's help,
magic was driven from the realm.

So I declare a festival

to celebrate 20 years
since the great dragon was captured

and Camelot freed
from the evil of sorcery.



Let the celebrations begin.

(WOMAN WAILING)

There is only one evil in this land
and it is not magic.

It is YOU...

...with your hatred
and your ignorance.

You took my son!

And I promise you,
before these celebrations are over,

you will share my tears.

An eye for an eye,
a tooth for a tooth.

A son for a son.

Seize her.

(CHANTING FEVERISHLY)

Where would I find Gaius,
the court physician?

(GRUNTING)

(KNOCKING)

Hello?

(LIQUID BUBBLING)

Hello?

Gaius?
(CLEARING THROAT)

Whoa!

Arggh!
(EXHALING)

What the...
What did you just do?

- Um...
- Tell me.

Well, uh... I have no idea
what happened.

- If anyone had seen that...
- No, that was nothing to do with me.

I know what it was. I want to know
where you learnt it.

Nowhere.

So how is it that
you know magic?

I don't.

Where did you study?

Answer me!

I've never studied
magic or been taught.

Are you lying, boy?

What do you want me to say?

The truth.

I was born like this.

That's impossible.

Who are you?

Oh, uh... I have this letter.

I... I don't have my glasses.

I'm Merlin. Hunith's son?

Yes.

You're not meant to be here
till Wednesday.

It is Wednesday.

Ah. Right, then.

You better put your bag in there.

Look, you won't say anything
about...

No.

Though, Merlin...

I should say thank you.

WOMAN: My dear, Gaius, I turn to you
for I feel lost and alone

and don't know who to trust.

It is every mother's fate
to think her child is special.

Yet I would give my life
that Merlin were not so.

Ours is a small village and he is so
clearly at odds with people here

that if he were to remain,
I fear what will become of him.

He needs a hand to hold,
a voice to guide.

Someone that might help him
find a purpose for his gifts.

I beg you,

if you understand
a mother's love for her son,

keep him safe.

And may God save you both.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

- Morgana.
- Yes?

What is this?
Why are you not joining us?

I just don't think
chopping someone's head off

is cause for a celebration.

That poor mother.

Simple justice for what he'd done.
To whom?

He practiced magic.
He didn't hurt anyone.

You were not around 20 years ago.
You have no idea what it was like.

How long will you punish people
for what happened then?

Until they realize that
there is no room for magic

in my kingdom.

You will be with me
when I greet Lady Helen.

I told you.
I want no part of this.

I am your guardian.

I expect you to do as I ask.

If you show me no respect,
at least respect our finest singer.

You know, the more
brutal you are,

the more enemies
you'll create.

(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)

(HUMMING)

(RUSTLING)

(HOWLING)

Hello?

Gregory?

Lady Helen.

Is all well?

Yes. With luck,
we'll reach Camelot tomorrow.

That's good.
I'm outside if you need me.

(BIRD SCREECHING)

(EXHALING LOUDLY)

Who's there?

Who's there?

(HORSE WHINNYING)

(TWIG SNAPPING)

(CHANTING)

(CHANTING)

(OMINOUS VOICE)
Merlin.

Merlin.

I got you water.

- You didn't wash last night.
- Sorry.

Help yourself to breakfast.

Oh! Oh!

Did you incant a spell in your mind?

I don't know any spells.

- So what did you do?
- It just happened.

Well, we better keep you
out of trouble.

You can help me until I find
some paid work for you. Here.

Hollyhock and feverfew
for Lady Percival

and this is for Sir Olwen.

He's blind as a weevil, so warn him
not to take it all at once.

And here.

Off you go.

And Merlin,

I need hardly tell you

that the practice of any form of
enchantments will get you killed.

Um... I brought you your medicine.

Oh, Gaius said
don't drink it all...

I'm sure it's fine.

MAN: Where's the target?

There, sir?
That's into the sun.

It's not that bright.
Bit like you, then.

Put the target down the other end,
shall I, sir?

(LAUGHTER)
Teach him a lesson.

This'll teach him.

Teach him a lesson.

(LAUGHTER)
Hey, hang on.

Don't stop.

Here?

I told you to keep moving.

Come on! Run.

We want some moving target practice.

Hey. Come on, that's enough.

What?
You've had your fun, my friend.

Do I know you?

I'm Merlin.
So I don't know you.

No.
Yet you called me friend.

That was my mistake.

I think so. Yeah.

I'd never have a friend
who could be such an ass.

Or I one who could be so stupid.

Merlin, do you know
how to walk on your knees?

No. Shall I help you?

- I wouldn't if I were you.
- What are you gonna do?

You have no idea.
Be my guest. Come on. Come on!

Come on.

I'll throw you in jail for that.

- Do you think you're the king?
- No, I'm his son... Arthur.

(KEYS JANGLING)

Lady Helen.

Thank you so much for coming
to sing at our celebrations.

- Pleasure's all mine.
- How was your journey?

The time it took.
It's worth the wait.

It will be.

(OMINOUS VOICE)
Merlin.

Merlin.

Merlin.

GAIUS: Merlin.

G... Uh.

You never cease to amaze me.

The one thing that someone like you
should do is keep your head down.

What do you do?

I'm sorry.

You're lucky. I pulled
a few strings to get you released.

Oh, thank you, thank you!

I won't forget this.

Well, there is a small price to pay.

Oh, God!
(LAUGHTER)

(LAUGHING)

Thanks.

(SPITS)

I'm Guinevere,
but most people call me Gwen.

I'm the Lady Morgana's maid.

Right. I'm Merlin.

Although most people
just call me "idiot".

No, no. I saw what you did.

You were so brave.

Or stupid.

I'm glad you walked away.
You weren't going to beat him.

- I could beat him.
- You think?

Because you don't look like
one of these big muscly fellows.

Thanks.

I'm sure you're
stronger than you look.

It's just Arthur's one of these
real rough, tough,

save-the-world kind of men.

And... well... What?

You don't look like that.

I'm in disguise.

(BOTH LAUGH)

It's great you stood up to him.
You think so?

Arthur's a bully and everyone
thought you were a real hero.

Really? Mm-hm.

Oh, excuse me, Guinevere.

My fans are waiting.

Want some vegetables with that?

(LAUGHING) I know you're
still angry with me.

Your mother asked me
to look after you.

Yes.

What did your mother say to you
about your gifts?

That I was special.

You are special,

the likes of which
I have never seen before.

What do you mean?

Well, magic requires incantations,
spells - it takes years to study.

What I saw you do was...
elemental, instinctive.

What's the point if it can't
be used?

That I do not know.

You are a question that
has never been posed before, Merlin.

Did you ever study magic?

Uther banned all such work
20 years ago.

Why?

People used magic for the wrong end.

It threw the natural order
into chaos.

Uther's mission is to destroy
everything from back then.

Even the dragons.
All of them?

There was one dragon
he chose not to kill.

Kept it as an example.

He imprisoned it in a cave
deep beneath the castle

where no-one can free it.

Now eat up.

When you finish, you'll take
a preparation to Lady Helen.

She needs it for her voice.

(EERIE WHISPERING)

What are you doing in here?

Um... I was... I was asked
to deliver this.

How's your
knee-walking coming along?

Oh, don't run away!

- From you?
- Ah, thank God.

Thought you were deaf
as well as dumb.

Look, I've told you you're an ass.

I just didn't realize
you're a royal one.

Oh. What are you
going to do?

You got your daddy's
men to protect you?

(LAUGHING) I could take you apart
with one blow.

I could take you apart
with less than that.

You sure?
Come on.

(LAUGHING)

Here you go, big man.

(PEOPLE JEERING AND HECKLING)

Come on, then.

I warn you. I've been
trained to kill since birth.

Wow. And how long have you
been training to be a prat?

You can't address me like that.

Sorry. How long have you been
training to be a prat... My Lord?

Come on, then, Merlin!

Come on!

Whoa!

(GRUNTS)

- Arggh!
- Ha-ha.

- You're in trouble now.
- Oh, God.

Owww!

Arggh!

(LAUGHING)

- Want to give up?
- Do you?

Do you? Do you want to give up?

(LAUGHING, CHEERING)

Arggh!

Wait. Let him go.

He may be an idiot,
but he's a brave one.

There's something about you, Merlin.
I can't quite put my finger on it.

- How could you be so foolish?!
- He needed a lesson.

Magic must be studied, mastered
and used for good. Not for pranks!

What is there to master?

I could move objects
like that before I could talk!

Then by now you should
know how to control yourself.

I don't want to! If I can't
use magic, what have I got?

I'm just a nobody.
And who always will be.

If I can't use magic,

I might as well die.

Merlin?

Sit up. Take your shirt off.

(GRUNTS)

You don't know why
I was born like this, do you?

No.

I'm not a monster, am I?

Don't ever think that.

Then why am I like this?
Please. I need to know why.

Maybe there's someone
with more knowledge than me.

If you can't tell me, no-one can.

Take this.

It will help with the pain.

- Will you sing for me tonight?
- You'll have to wait, sire.

You will not deny me.

I'm saving myself for
my performance tomorrow.

(LAUGHING)
Will everyone be there?

Who would dare to miss it?

How about your son?

It seems a shame not to have
met him.

That's Arthur.

Poor child.

- Hmm?
- Poor child.

It can't have been easy
to grow up without a mother.

- No.
- Hmm.

That bond between mother and son...

it's so hard to replace.

- Hasn't been easy.
- I'm sure.

Perhaps if you found someone.

If you remarried.
(LAUGHING)

I'm sure you'd have the pick
of any maiden in the kingdom.

Well, perhaps I'll find love again.

But I'm afraid it's too late
to replace Arthur's mother.

Yes.

It's certainly too
late for Arthur.

(OMINOUS VOICE)
Merlin.

Merlin.

(SNORING)

(CLATTERING)

(MURMURING)

(SNORING)

(OMINOUS VOICE)
Merlin.

(OMINOUS VOICE)
Merlin.

(OMINOUS VOICE)
Merlin.

(OMINOUS VOICE)
Merlin.

(LAUGHING)

(HEAVY BREATHING)

Where are you?

I'm here.

How small you are
for such a great destiny.

Why? What do you mean?

What destiny?

Your gift, Merlin,
was given to you for a reason.

So there is a reason.

Arthur is the once and future king

who will unite the land of Albion.

Right...

But he faces many threats
from friend and foe alike.

I don't see what this
has to do with me?

Everything!

Without you,
Arthur will never succeed.

Without you, there will be no Albion.

No. No, you've got this wrong.

There is no right or wrong.

Only what is and what isn't.

I'm serious.
If anyone wants to kill him,

They can go ahead.
In fact, I'll give them a hand.

(LAUGHING)

None of us can choose our destiny,
Merlin.

And none of us can escape it.

No. No way, no. No.

There must be another Arthur
because this one's an idiot.

Perhaps it's your destiny
to change that.

Wa... Wait. Wait. Stop.

I need to know more!

(ROOSTER CROWING)

Hoy!

Have you seen the state of this room?

I... (SIGHING)

- It just happens.
- By magic?

- Yeah.
- Yes.

Well, you can clear it up
without magic.

Then I want you to get me some herbs.

Henbane, wormwood and sorrel.

And deliver this to Morgana.

Poor girl's suffering from nightmares.

(STRAINING)

I know the feeling.

You know,
I've been thinking about Arthur.

I wouldn't touch him
with a lance pole.

Pass me that dress, will you, Gwen?

I mean, the man's a total jouster.

Just because I'm the King's ward,

that doesn't mean I have to accompany
him to the feast, does it?

Well, does it?
Mm-mm.

If he wants me to go,
then he should invite me.

He hasn't. Know what that means?
Mm-mm.

- Where are you?
- Here.

It means I'm going by myself.

I need some help with this fastening.

- Gwen?
- I'm here.

(MOUTHING SILENTLY)

So, it's whether I wear
this little tease...

..or give them a night
they'll really remember.

(BIRDS SCREECHING)

(KNOCKING)

Lady Helen,
the compliments of the king.

Come in.

So sweet.

How will I ever repay him?

When he hears you sing, that will be
more than enough, won't it?

I'm really looking forward
to the performance.

So am I.

I love singing. I sing all the time.

My betrothed says I have
the voice of a fallen angel.

(EERIE RUMBLING)

(MOANING)

(LAUGHING)

God have mercy.

Merlin! Remember you're here to work.

She looks great, doesn't she?

Some people are born to be queen.
No.

I hope so, one day.

Not that I'd want to be her.
Who'd want to marry Arthur?

I thought you liked
tough, save-the-world men.

No, I like ordinary men like you.

Gwen, believe me, I'm not ordinary.

No, I didn't mean you!

Obviously. Not YOU.

But just... you know, I like
much more ordinary men.

LIKE you.

Thanks.

(HUMMING)

(OPENING DOOR)

We have enjoyed 20 years
of peace and prosperity.

It has brought the kingdom
and myself many pleasures.

But few can compare with
the honor of introducing

Lady Helen of Mora.

(ALL APPLAUDING)

(SHE SINGS MELLIFLUOUSLY
IN A MYSTICAL LANGUAGE)

(SINGING INTENSIFIES)

(METALLIC CLANGING AND RATTLING)

(CRASH)

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(SOFT MURMURING)

(GROANING)

(SIGHING)

You saved my boy's life.

- A debt must be repaid.
- Oh...

Don't be modest.
You'll be rewarded.

You don't have to.

No, absolutely. This merits
something quite special.

Well...

You should be rewarded with
a position with the royal household.

You shall be Prince Arthur's
manservant.

Father?!
(APPLAUSE)

(CHEERING)

Seems you're a hero.

- Hard to believe, isn't it?
- No.

I knew from the moment I met you.

You saved my life, remember?

But... that was magic.

Now it seems we've finally
found a use for it.

- What do you mean?
- You saved Arthur life.

Perhaps that's its purpose.
(SIGHING)

My destiny.

Indeed.

This book was given to me
when I was your age.

But I have a feeling it will be
of more use to you

than it was to me.

But this is a book of magic.

Which is why you must keep it hidden.

I will study every word.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Merlin, Prince Arthur
wants you right away.

Your destiny's calling.

You'd better find
out what he wants.