Merlin (2008–2012): Season 2, Episode 1 - The Curse of Cornelius Sigan - full transcript

NARRATOR:
In a land of myth and a time of magic,

the destiny of a great kingdom
rests on the shoulders of a young boy.

His name, Merlin.

(HAMMERING)

(COUGHING)

(EXHALING)

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Merlin.

Merlin!

Yes, sire?

Are you deaf?



I wish.

I want you to go down there
and tell them to stop.

But they're working under
the King's orders.

Yeah. And you're working under mine.

(SIGHING)

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

(WHIP LASHING)

(LOUD THUD)

(MEN SCREAMING)

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

Hello.

How do you think he died?

Gaius?

Hmm.



(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

Do you know whose tomb it is?

I'm not sure.

Do you think it might be cursed?

(RUMBLING)

(WHOOSHING)

(GASPS)

You've just saved my life.

-UTHER: Get out of my way.
-Thank you.

UTHER: Make sure the entrance
is guarded at all times.

Idiot.

Were you born clumsy
or do you work at it?

It's just one of my many gifts.

Well, this is quite a find.
You see, Gaius. I was right.

There is treasure to be found
under Camelot.

Which of my predecessors
do I have to thank for all this?

-Gaius?
-I would have to look into it, sire.

UTHER: How did he die?

He seems to have unwittingly
triggered a trap. Here.

To deter grave robbers.

There's plenty in here
people would want to steal.

Have them secure the tomb. Guarding it
is your responsibility, Arthur.

Yes, father.

So this jewel...
What size would you say it was?

About that size.

My word. Really?
About that size, you say.

Here you are, drink up.

And this tomb...

I bet they've got that locked up,
nice and safe, haven't they?

-Tighter than the King's coffers.
-Yeah.

There must be a way in though?

Only with the keys.

Right, right, right.
And who's got the keys?

You must think I'm stupid.
I'm not telling you that.

Course not.

A bright lad like you knows what that
sort of information is worth.

We don't want everyone to see.

Believe me, this place is full
of thieves and fingersmiths.

Put it inside your tunic.

And careful of that fellow over there.

Which one?

Far end of the bar, do you see him?
He keeps on watching you.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, with the beard.

No, that one.

I got my eye on him.

Thank you.

So who's got the keys?

Only the prince.

But don't get your hopes up.

He keeps them
in his private chambers.

And there's only one person
allowed in there, his servant.

-ARTHUR: Hurry up, Merlin.
-Sorry.

(GRUNTING)

Merlin!

-I don't understand.
-Well there's a surprise.

-I did that girth up myself.
-That might have been the problem.

It wasn't my fault!

Would you like me to fit the girth
properly for you, sire?

Thank you.

It is an honor to be of service
to the Prince.

An honor. Do you hear that, Merlin?

Allow me the honor
of brushing your clothes down?

(MOUTHING)
"The honor."

Anything else I can do for you, sire?

You can give Merlin here
a kick up the backside.

(CHUCKLING)

I wouldn't wish to deprive you
of the pleasure, sir.

What's your name?

Cedric.

I've come to Camelot in search of work.

Good, you can be a beater on the hunt,

we're short of a man or two.

You are too kind, sire.

Here, you'll need a beater.

Oh, sorry.

(DOOR OPENING)

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

(BOAR GRUNTING)

(ROARING)

(GASPING)

(CHANTING)

(SQUEALING)

(PANTING)

(EXHALES)

Who threw that?

(PANTING)

(CLEARING THROAT)

Was it you?

You just saved my life!

Honestly, sire, it was nothing.

I shall be forever indebted to you.
You must be rewarded.

No. I couldn't possibly...

Come on! What do you wish for?

-I desire only one thing, sire.
-Anything.

-A position in the Royal Household.
-Good.

Consider it done.

You can have that back now.

Oh, sorry.

What's wrong?

I saved Arthur's life,
someone else got the credit.

Just the usual. What're you doing?

I found this inscription on the scepter.

-What language is that?
-I don't know.

Sigan would have known
many languages.

-Sigan?
-It's his tomb.

Who was he?

Merlin, he was the most powerful
sorcerer to have lived.

-Really?
-You didn't grow up in Camelot.

But for those of us that did,

Cornelius Sigan
was a figure of nightmare.

Why?

Sigan's powers.

He could change day into night,
turn the tides.

And, legend has it,
his spells helped build Camelot itself.

What happened?

In the end he grew too powerful

and the King at that time
ordered his execution.

If he's dead, why are you so worried?

Sigan couldn't bear the thought

that his wealth and power
would die with him

so he became obsessed

with finding a way
to defeat death itself.

And do you think
he might have succeeded?

Let's hope not, for all our sakes.

Gaius. What is it you want?

To seal up the burial chamber
and all its contents.

Don't be ridiculous.

The insignia on this ring
belongs to Cornelius Sigan.

I believe it to be his tomb.

In the old religion the name Sigan
means "Raven."

No wonder the riches are so great.

Then you are aware of the legend?

Yes.

I've always enjoyed the tale of
the arrogant sorcerer

who came to an untimely end.

According to the story,
Sigan cursed Camelot.

He said he would one day return
and raze the city to the ground.

Gaius, you've always my ally
in the war against sorcery.

You, more than anyone,
should not give in

to these irrational fears.

Thank you, sire.

And Gaius, do not spread panic
amongst my people.

This is foolish superstition,
nothing more.

(GASPING)

(CAWING)

(SCREAMS)

Gwen. Gwen!

My lady. My lady. What's the matter?

GWEN: It's alright.
It's alright. I'm here.

There's nothing to be frightened of.

(SHUSHING)

-ARTHUR: Is that lunch?
-No, it's breakfast...

This is lovely, Cedric.

Is there anything else
that you need doing, sire?

No, I think Cedric's got it all covered.

Oh! I regret, sire, there is
one thing I've failed to do.

Muck out your horses.

Off you go.

I'll get the door for you.

-What was this dream about?
-A bird.

-What kind of bird?
-A raven.

A raven?

It was terrifying, Gaius.

What do you think it means?

Probably nothing.

It's happening again, isn't it?

Morgana, one raven doesn't mean
that your nightmares are returning.

Are you taking the sleeping
draughts I prepared for you?

I'll get Gwen to give you
something stronger.

Like a blow to the head?

I'm sure she wants to.

(HORSES NEIGHING)

Go on. Go and have some fun. Go on.

Sire!

(SNORING)

-Sire!
-What are you doing?

Nothing.

I can see that.

I wasn't sleeping.

I was...

I was just bending down.

Looking for something?

Yes.

Perhaps we're looking
for the same thing.

-What?
-I don't know...the horses?

The horses? Oh!

One mistake I can understand,
everyone has a bad day now and then,

but this is one thing after another!

I don't know what happened.

Sire...

Please, sire. Don't be too hard on him.

He's a good servant, he's just tired.

I am not!

Maybe if he had the evening off.

-I don't want the evening off.
-A good night's rest...

I did not fall asleep!

I am more than willing to
take over his duties tonight.

-Perhaps you're right. Shut up, Merlin.
-No!

Can't you see what he's trying to do?
He's trying to get rid of me!

If you weren't such
a clotpole you'd see that.

A what?

Clotpole. He said clotpole.

Cedric's right.
He can look after me tonight.

You can go home

and think about whether you
want to be my servant or not.

-But...
-Go!

(SIGHING)

-What's that on your face?
-Nothing.

-What's wrong?
-Nothing.

Here.

I am not an idiot.

What happened?

I just want Arthur to trust me

and to see me for
who I really am.

One day he will.

When?

Everything I do is for him and
he just thinks I'm an idiot.

Not everyone thinks you're an idiot.

Although looking at you now...

Now is not the time to be
questioning these things, Merlin...

I believe that you and Arthur
are destined for greatness.

And that your calling is
to serve and protect him.

-It's hard.
-I know it's hard,

but Camelot is in grave peril.

I've translated the inscription.

"He who breaks my heart,
completes my work."

What does it mean?

You remember the stone in the tomb.
How it glowed?

Yeah. I've never seen a jewel like it.

That's because it's not a jewel.

It's the soul of Cornelius Sigan.

-You think he's alive?
-His soul is.

But in order to truly live,
a soul needs a body.

So if the stone
is removed from its setting,

then the heart is broken
and the soul released.

That's what I fear.

I'll be right outside in the ante room
should you need me.

That will be all, Cedric.

Sleep well, sire.

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

Oh, yes.

Oh, yes.

Oh, yes.

Oh, yes.

(GASPING)

Hello, ladies.

(GASPING)

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

(GASPING)

(GRUNTING)

(CHUCKLING)

(RAVEN CAWING)

Sound the warning bell.

Merlin?

Whoever did this got more than
they bargained for.

I don't understand how they got in.

The gate's not even damaged.

Must have used a key.

Arthur's got the only key.

Where does he keep it?

On his belt with the others.

GAUIS:
Does he ever take it off?

Only when he's asleep.
He keeps it next to his bed.

Who had access
to his chambers last night?

Just me and...

Cedric!

Cedric is possessed by an evil spirit.

What?

He tried to steal the jewel.
But it wasn't a jewel.

It was the soul
of an ancient sorcerer, Sigan.

Merlin, have you been on the cider?

Please. Listen to me,

Camelot is in mortal danger.

Sigan is using Cedric's body
to take his revenge.

This nonsense isn't helping
you keep your job.

You are not listening to me!

If you're going to shout anyway.

Cedric!

Will you escort Merlin from the palace?

(GRUNTING)

(BOTH YELLING)

Merlin!

You've gone too far this time, Merlin.

You can spend a few days
cooling off in the cells. Guards!

He's going to destroy Camelot!

(RAVEN CAWING)

I am returned...

(SPEAKING ANCIENT DIALECT)

(CREATURE ROARING)

(ROARING)

(GASPING)

I want to know what this creature is,
where it's come from.

There is more than one, father.
We've had several.

There's panic,
people are fleeing the city.

Then you must hunt these
creatures down and kill them.

Yes, sire.

(ALL SCREAMING)

(CREATURE GROWLING)

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

(GASPING)

-Have you seen what is happening?
-It's as I warned you, sire.

-This cannot be Sigan.
-It is his revenge.

-He came back from the dead.
-He will die again.

You cannot kill a man
who has conquered mortality.

Don't tell me what cannot be done.

Camelot will not fall to
a sorcerer while I am king.

Hello!

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Regroup! Form a phalanx!

We need more bandages, Gwen.

You shouldn't be doing this.

It's exactly what I should be doing.

You need rest, Morgana.

And I'm likely to get it
with all this going on?

(ROARING)

(GRUNTING)

(CREATURE SQUEALING)

(CHANTING)

-Guinevere!
-Sire.

That thing could've killed you.

And it still might.

-Sorry, sire.
-No, my pleasure.

(ROARING)

I'll get you something
to stop the bleeding.

Guinevere!

I wanted to say...

Just...

You always surprise me.

-Is that it, sire?
-That's it.

Oh, and...

Thank you.

(PEOPLE SCREAMING)

UTHER: Arthur?

It's nothing.

Have we driven the creatures out?

They have control of the lower town.

The market has been all but destroyed.

-How many dead?
-Too many to number.

-I'm sealing the citadel.
-You can't.

-I have no choice.
-(CREATURE GROWLING)

I have to protect those
who have a chance.

-If I don't, we will all fall.
-(LOUD THUDDING)

Where are you going?

There are people trapped
in the drawbridge.

-I forbid you.
-I'm not leaving them to die.

-It's suicide.
-It's my duty to Camelot

and to myself.

Gaius!

What are you doing here?

I have to help Arthur.

-Sigan's power is far beyond yours.
-I don't have a choice.

Sigan is immortal and you are not.
If you face him, he will destroy you.

There must be a way.

There is only one alive who can
give us the answers we need.

What do you mean?

(SIGHING)

The Great Dragon.

You knew, then...
That I used to visit him?

Yes, Merlin. Of course I knew.

You're a creature of magic
just as he is.

I hoped that he could help you.

He helps no-one but himself.

For Arthur's sake,
you must go to him now.

-I can't.
-We have no choice.

Check for survivors.

(CREATURE GROWLING)

On me!

(GROWLING)

Charge!

Hello?

Hello?

Please, I need your help.

(CHAINS CLINKING)

You told me I would not see you again.

I'm not here for myself.
I'm here for Arthur.

Arthur's path lies with yours.

You have made it clear that
you do not walk in step with me.

You can't want Sigan to win.
You are not evil.

At least Sigan knows
where his loyalties lie.

You have shown that you do not.

So you will let Camelot fall?

I did not say that.

Then you will help me?

To defeat Sigan, you will need a spell

more powerful than anything you know.

Please, I have to try.

Very well,

but you must give me
something in return.

-What?
-A promise.

-A promise?
-That one day you will free me.

If I release you what will you do?

That is not your concern.

I don't trust you.

Nevertheless, you must promise,
or Camelot will fall.

(RUMBLING)

I promise.

Now please, give me the spell.

Close your eyes and open your mind.

Few men have ever been gifted
such knowledge.

Use it wisely.

I will.

You made a promise, young warlock.

And one day I shall keep you to it.

Help! Help!

Arthur!

Arthur!

Retreat!

Regroup in the square.

Arthur!

Arthur!

Arthur!

Save yourselves! That's an order.

Retreat! Retreat!

Seal the doors.

(CREATURE GROWLING)

Where's Arthur?

Where is he?
You can't leave him out there.

-He'll be torn apart.
-You can't go out there, sire!

If you open that door, you will die.
We will all die.

No!

(RUMBLING)

(CHANTING)

(GROANING)

Who would have believed it?

You, a sorcerer.

And a powerful one.

I won't let you hurt him.

And you're going to stop me?

I'll stop you.

He does not deserve your loyalty.
He treats you like a slave.

That's not true.

He cast you aside without
a moment's thought.

-That doesn't matter.
-But it must hurt so much.

To be so put upon, so overlooked,

when all the while you have such power.

That's the way it has to be.

Does it?

You're young, Merlin.

Look inside yourself,
you've yet to discover your true power.

I can help you.

Think, Merlin, to have the world
appreciate your greatness.

To have Arthur know you
for what you are.

-That can never be.
-It can.

If you join me.

Together we can rule over this land.

Arthur will tremble at your voice.
He will kneel at your feet.

I don't want that.

You'd rather be a servant?

Better to serve a good man
than to rule with an evil one.

(INHALES)

So be it.

If you will not join me,

I will become you

and your power will be
harnessed to my will.

(GASPING)

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

(CHANTING)

(RAVEN CAWING)

Merlin?

Well done, my boy.

(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)

We must learn our lesson
from these terrible events, Gaius.

-Indeed, sire.
-They prove that I was right.

Magic is evil,
it is our greatest threat.

I have grown complacent, Gaius.

I wouldn't say that, sire.

We must renew our efforts.

We must ensure that all sorcerers
and their followers

are eradicated from this Kingdom.

Of course, sire.

You know you won't
get any thanks, Merlin.

I'm not a complete idiot.

There you go, it's not much,
but you deserve something.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

I've come to see Merlin.

I've not forgotten about your lazy,
insolent ways.

Or the fact that
you called me a clotpole.

But I do have to admit
that there was some truth

in your accusations against Cedric.

Does this mean you're admitting

that on this occasion
I was actually right?

Not exactly, no.

It means that I have a knighthood
to bestow first thing tomorrow

and no one to clean my armor.

(METAL CLANGING)

All that?

Yep.

Clotpole!

ARTHUR:
What would you know about magic, Merlin?

Nothing.

Today you will fight for glory
and for honor.

That has got to hurt.

ARTHUR:
Nothing could ever happen between us.

When you're king you can change that.

You do realize your wife is a troll.

What?

-(FLATULENCE)
-How could he resist such beauty?

UTHER:
Send for the witch finder.

Your magic is a secret
to be guarded with your life.

I won't sacrifice a friend
to save myself.

Gaius is already doomed.

My name is Lancelot.

Merlin?

Do not believe that you can lie to me.

They're going to kill each other.

The boy, Merlin.