Merlin (2008–2012): Season 2, Episode 7 - The Witchfinder - full transcript

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.

Did you see it?
The smoke? Did you see it?

No, I saw nothing.

Are you blind?
You were right here!

It was magic I tell you!
There's sorcery here!

We must tell the king!

No, wait!

It was sorcery you saw,
you're certain of it?

Yes, Sire.



And you swear this
before your king?

I swear it.

Perhaps your eyes
deceived you.

A trick of the light.

The smoke was alive, I tell you.

I feared for my life.

I thank you
for bringing this to my attention.

Your loyalty will
not go un-rewarded.

Thank you, Sire.

It cannot continue.

I will hunt down
those responsible, father.

I promise they
will not escape unpunished.

No.

Stronger methods
are called for.



Send for the witchfinder.

Sire, is it necessary
to resort to such measures?

The witchfinder
is a trusted ally, Gaius.

His help will be invaluable.

Of course.

How many times, Merlin?

How many times must I drive it
into that thick skull of yours

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

What were you thinking?

I wasn't thinking.

Well think, boy, think!

It was just a bit of fun.

It was magic and it was seen.

You're right, I'm sorry.

You must hide the book.

Anything that can connect you
to sorcery in any way.

-What, now?
-Yes, now, Merlin.

The man that
Uther has sent for, I know him.

The witchfinder?

Some know him by that name.

I know him as Aredian.

He is a force to
be reckoned with.

But I'm not a witch.

Look, no dress or anything.

I'll get the book.

I am expected.

Is that him?

Yes.

What's that cage for?

It hardly bears
thinking about.

So where's he
been all this time?

In foreign lands.

Wherever the pursuit
of sorcery takes him.

He does all this in your name?

The witchfinder serves no one.

He is a law unto himself.

Do you smell it?

Do you smell it, Uther?

Aredian.

It's all around us.
The foul stench of sorcery.

It's infected your great city
like a contagion.

I welcome you
to Camelot, Aredian.

Thank you, for making
such haste to be here.

Well let's hope I am
not too late, hmm?

For every hour counts
in the war against sorcery.

Unchecked,
it spreads like a disease.

Seeks out
the young and the old,

the weak and the able,

the fair and the foul
of heart alike.

You've grown lazy, Uther.

You've grown idle.

Your once noble Camelot
is rotten to the core.

You stand on the brink
of dark oblivion.

I am at your disposal, Aredian.

The knights will aid you
in any way they can.

You must be Arthur?

I must be.

You're a great warrior.

The finest this kingdom
has ever known.

-Thank you...
-So you won't be offended when I say

that I shall have
no need of you,

or your knights.

The subtle craft of sorcery
can only be fought

by yet subtler means.

Methods honed
over decades of study.

Methods known only to myself.

We are grateful for your help.

Gratitude alone
can't keep a man alive,

you must put
food in his belly.

I will pay your price,
Aredian, whatever it may be.

I will bid you good night.

Aredian?

When do you begin?

I have already begun.

Gaius, isn't it?

I never forget a face.

Nor I, Aredian.

A physician now, I hear?

You always did have
a thirst for knowledge.

-Scientific knowledge.
-Of course.

My assistant, Merlin.

Merlin.

May your investigation
prove fruitful, Aredian.

However, you'll have to excuse us,
we have work to do.

Naturally. Merlin.

I have a few questions
I would like you to answer.

Please be at my chambers
in an hour.

You are aware then,

that sorcery has been practiced
in the vicinity of Camelot?

Yes. I mean, apparently.

No, it cannot be denied.
There was a witness.

Yes, I know.

Do you also know that the
woman has named you as a witness?

But...

I've already spoken to her.
She was quite clear on the matter.

But I wasn't a witness.

Sorry, perhaps I misheard.

Do you deny that you were present
at the time of the incident?

No, I was there.

So you saw it?

The horse
conjured from the smoke?

I saw the smoke.

But it was only smoke.

I saw nothing else.

You saying that she lies?

I didn't say that.
I said I didn't see what she saw.

Hmm. How can that be I wonder?

How can one
person see something and the other not?

I can't explain it.

Oh. I am at a loss as
to explain it myself.

Unless it was you
who performed the magic.

It wasn't.

Can you prove that it wasn't?

No.

Hmm.

That'll be all

for now.

Speak. Do not be afraid.

I was drawing water
from the well, Sire,

when I saw them.

Faces, in the water, Sire.
Terrible faces.

Like people who were drowned,
screaming.

Screaming.

Hmm.

I haven't done anything.
I promise.

Tell them what you saw.

A goblin dancing on the coals.

It was dancing in the flames.

And it spoke, Sire.

My heart near
stopped for fear of it.

As you've heard, my lord,
the incident in the woods

was only the beginning.

There was a sorcerer, Sire,
in the square.

There were creatures
jumping right out of his mouth.

What manner of creature?

Toads, Sire.

Great, green, slimy things
as big as your fist!

The sorcerer
laughs in your face.

Even now magic flourishes
on the streets of Camelot.

I scarcely believe it.

Yet it is the truth, my Lord.

Fortunately, I have utilized
every facet of my craft

to bring this matter
to a swift resolution.

The sorcerer.

-You have a suspect?
-I do, my Lord.

And I regret to say
they stand among us in this very room.

My methods are infallible,

my findings incontestable.

The facts point to one person
and one person alone.

The boy, Merlin.

Merlin?

You can't be serious!

This is outrageous!
You have no evidence!

The tools of magic
cannot be hidden from me.

I'm certain that a thorough search
of the boy's chamber,

will deliver us all we need.

Merlin?

I have nothing
to hide from him.

Very well.
Guards, restrain the boy.

Let the search begin.

Careful, please!
That's my life's work!

Comb every inch.

The sorcerer is
a master of concealment.

There's nothing here, Aredian.

I'll be the judge of that.

Over there,
behind this tapestry.

And there, upend that stool.

Be sure to check
for hollow legs.

And there,
within those powder jars.

Here!

An amulet of enchantment.

Were you aware, physician,

that your assistant
kept instruments of sorcery?

No.

Well, our work is done.

I must inform the king.

Aredian!

I know for certain
that that amulet

does not belong to Merlin.

Oh,
well who does it belong to, then?

It belongs to me.

You're free to go.

Gaius!
What's going on?

Say nothing, Merlin.
Do nothing. Promise me!

Gaius served me
with unfailing dedication.

Without his knowledge,
his wisdom,

I would not be
sitting here today.

You show great
faith in him, Sire.

Great faith, indeed,

considering he was known
to practice sorcery.

-Gaius?
-Mmm-hmm.

You're mistaken.

No, Arthur.
He speaks the truth.

I am well aware of his past,

but I have every reason to believe
he's turned his back on sorcery.

-Until now.
We don't know that.

This amulet you found could
just be a stupid mistake.

Or maybe he has fallen back
into old habits.

We must give him the benefit
of the doubt, surely?

Why?

Anyway, there's a sure way
to establish his guilt.

I know your methods
are effective, Aredian,

but Gaius is an old man,

he could not withstand
such treatment.

It's the only way
to rid your mind of doubt.

What time is it?

Time for you to confess.

The amulet was
a relic from the past,

a keepsake.

Such artifacts are banned
on pain of death,

surely you must know this?

I was wrong to have kept it.

I am grievously sorry for it.

That's a good start.
It's an excellent start.

But not nearly enough
I'm afraid.

-Aredian...
-Guards?

Was your conscience clear

when you practiced magic
in the days of The Great Purge?

I haven't used magic in years.

-Merlin kept instruments of sorcery.
-It belongs to me.

So if someone else were to have
practiced magic?

If you're an enemy
of this kingdom

you're an enemy of your king.

My conscience is clear.

I'd like a drink
of water, please.

And you shall have one
when you've confessed.

Then I shall die
of thirst, Aredian.

What is wrong, young warlock?
You look so pale.

I did a stupid thing.
A stupid, stupid thing!

And now Gaius is
going to die for it.

Gaius means nothing to me.

But he means
a great deal to me!

Very well,
tell me what has happened.

A witchfinder has come.

He's arrested Gaius for sorcery,
but I am the sorcerer.

Yes, I suppose you are.

I'm going to confess.
It's the only way to save him.

Then your stupidity continues.

I won't sacrifice a friend
to save myself!

Bravely spoken,

but Gaius is already doomed.

If you confess,
the witchfinder will just burn you both.

But it's my fault!
Don't you understand?

All too well, young warlock,

but understand this,

if you were to die,

you would endanger the lives
of all those that rely upon you.

There must be something I can do.
There must be.

Please, help me.

Merlin,

I see you are
distressed by this,

but I cannot help you

because I do not know how to.

I can't just stand by

and watch Gaius die.

I can't.

I am sorry.

You're a traitor!
You're an imposter!

Sorcery is your only master!

I serve only my king.

In what way have
you served him?

You've lied to him,
you've broken his laws,

you betrayed his trust.

I saved his life,
I've treated his ward,

I've protected his only son!

You have treated his ward?

I have striven to help
all those in need.

It is a physician's duty
to do so.

-The Lady Morgana?
-Among others.

For what malady does
she receive this treatment?

She suffers from nightmares.

I see.

But as I said,

I feel it is my duty to attend
to the needs...

Yes, yes. You seem very keen
to change the subject, Gaius.

Perhaps I should
question her myself.

There's no need not be concerned,
my Lady, I won't detain you long.

There's just a small detail
I wish to clarify.

Now it is true, is it not,

that you have
received treatment for nightmares?

Hmm.

And it was Gaius,
the court physician

who administered
these treatments,

these potions?

Yes.

I'm sorry, could you speak up?

Yes.

Thank you. Now you may go.

You don't happen to know
what was in these potions, I suppose?

-Oh, no.
-No, of course not.

You're not a physician,
after all.

So for all you know,

these potions could
have been magical.

Your dreams, the product
of an enchanted elixir?

I had these dreams
before Gaius started treating me.

But these dreams,
have they got better or worse

since Gaius
began treating you?

Worse.

As I thought.

Thank you.
You've been most helpful.

Gaius.

Are you prepared to confess?

I'd rather die first.

Good, and die you shall.

But, not alone I'm pleased to say.
You shall have company.

What?

Merlin and the Lady Morgana
are to join you in the flames.

No, this is a trick.

Mmm-mmm.
You've corrupted them, Gaius,

and they must
answer to their king.

Unless...

Unless, what?

Confess!

Confess!

I am a sorcerer, Sire.

I am responsible
for conjuring the smoke.

I'm guilty of practicing magic
in Camelot.

The goblin,
the faces in the well,

I...

I am the sorcerer who conjured
the toad from his mouth.

You've betrayed me, Gaius.

Betrayed your friends.

But above all,
you have betrayed yourself.

By the laws of Camelot,
I must sentence you

to death.

The sorcerer will be purged
of his magic by means of fire!

He shall be
burned at the stake tomorrow at dawn!

Bear witness and
heed this lesson!

You're a liar!

Guards!

-You're a liar!
-I'll deal with this.

I know you're upset and angry,
it's all right.

I'm not throwing you in jail.

Then what are you doing?

I'm breaking the law.

I can only give
you a few minutes.

They wouldn't let me see you.
I couldn't do anything.

I understand.

I can't believe it.

I can't believe
Uther could do this to you.

He'd no choice.
Once Aredian had found the amulet...

I didn't even know
you had such a thing.

It isn't mine.

-Why did you say it was?
-I was trying to protect you.

I don't know what to say.

It's all right, Merlin.

You don't have
to say anything.

Yeah, I do.

The amulet isn't mine, either.

Then, how did it get there?

-Aredian.
-Aredian?

There's no other explanation.

-But why?
-It doesn't matter why.

All that matters is, if I can prove
he planted it, you're saved!

No, you must let this go.

You were falsely accused.
I have a chance to prove that.

I must take that chance.

No, Merlin. You must not.

I don't understand.

-Do you want to die?
-No,

but neither do I
want you to die.

And die you surely will
if you get too close to Aredian.

He will trap you, Merlin,
he will manipulate you.

And without ever meaning to
you will incriminate yourself.

You must let this go.

I must let you go?

To do otherwise
would be an act of suicide.

Gaius, I hope you have
found some relief

now that your ordeal is over.

Your concern is touching,
Aredian.

Now, will you please,
get out of my sight.

Of course.

I just thought you'd want
to hear the news, that's all.

What news?

My investigations have begun.

-Begun?
-Hmm.

But you already
extracted my confession.

Indeed. Which just leaves
Merlin and the Lady Morgana.

But we struck a bargain!

Oh.

I don't bargain
with sorcerers.

Merlin?

-He won't let go. He won't stop.
-What happened?

The witchfinder's questioning
Morgana again.

I'm worried, Merlin.
She's close to breaking point.

That's what he does.
He breaks you down

and in the end you confess
whether you're guilty or not.

-What do you mean?
-Gaius was setup.

-Aredian planted that amulet.
-Why would he do such a thing?

Aredian's paid to catch sorcerers.

Maybe he doesn't care
whether someone is guilty or not.

Maybe he gets confessions
by lying, planting evidence.

Just as long as he gets a confession,
he gets his money.

Even if this is true,
what can we do without proof?

Get some.

-This is hopeless.
-Keep looking.

We don't even know
if this flower means anything.

No, we don't,
but it's all we've got.

Here, Belladonna.

For the alleviation of ulcers,
allergies, muscular inflammation.

-This is hopeless Merlin.
-Wait, listen.

"Under certain conditions a tincture of
the flower can produce hallucinations."

So?

Aredian's witnesses.
It wasn't magic they were seeing,

it was visions.

It makes sense
if he's faking the evidence.

-But how can we prove it?
-Aredian's too clever

to have given them
the tincture directly.

The witnesses,

they must've got it
from someone else.

They could've been getting it
from anyone.

Is there anything at all
that these people had in common?

They were all women.

That doesn't
tell us anything.

Yes, it does!

What's the one thing
only women would buy?

Things to make
them look beautiful.

Gwen?

Do you sell
tincture of Belladonna?

What's this all about?

Please, it's important.

I think I've got
some somewhere,

but what you'd be wanting
with eye drops

in the middle of the night
I really don't want to know.

-Eye drops.
-Yes.

Women use them to make
their eyes more beautiful.

Where did you get this?

My usual suppliers.

Sure you didn't get it
from someone else?

Of course I'm sure.

Now, if it's all the same to you,
I'd like to get some sleep.

It was Aredian who gave you
the Belladonna, wasn't it?

I don't know
what you're talking about.

But you know that Gaius is gonna be
executed tomorrow, don't you?

That has
nothing to do with me.

That has everything to do with you!

Aredian's
witnesses saw visions.

Visions produced
by the Belladonna in these eye drops.

If we can prove this,

we have a chance
of saving Gaius.

He forced me to sell it.

He said he'd kill me
if I said anything to anyone.

It was him? It was Aredian?

Yes, it was him.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That's it, we've got everything we need.

Is it enough?

We've got a witness as well.
Surely that's enough.

It's still just our word
against Aredian's.

Gwen, we don't have a choice!

By dawn tomorrow
Gaius will be dead!

Merlin, we've only got one chance.

We've got to give Uther
something he cannot deny,

something not even Aredian
can talk his way out of.

I'll be as quick as I can!

Come on, Merlin, come on.

Good morning, Gaius.

Merlin, where have you been?

It's done.
Everything's in place.

But it's too late! Gaius has
already left the dungeons!

Then we have to
delay the execution!

How?

Arthur, I'll speak to Arthur.

No! Leave Arthur to me.

Easy, there!
Show him some respect!

Sorry.

Excuse me, excuse me.

Sorry.
I need to get through. Sorry.

Excuse me.

Arthur. Arthur, Arthur,
you've got to stop this.

I can't, Gwen. You know I can't.

Merlin has proof
that Gaius is innocent!

My father has already passed sentences.
Nothing I can do.

You can do the right thing,
Arthur Pendragon!

You can show some faith
in a loyal friend,

or stand by and watch
an innocent man die.

-Guinevere...
-You did it once before to my father.

Are you really willing
to let it happen again?

And you can stop looking at me
like that. I know I'm only a servant.

I thought you were a prince.
So start behaving like one.

Wait!

Sire, the witnesses saw
nothing, but hallucinations

induced by the Belladonna
in these eye-drops.

And you bought this Belladonna
from this man?

Where did you get it from?

Don't be afraid.
No harm will come to you here.

The witchfinder,

he gave them to me.

Did he tell you
what it was for?

No.

Only that if I did not sell it,

he'd have me
burned at the stake.

How do you answer
to these accusations?

They are absurd.

The boy has clearly concocted
these lies,

in the hope of saving his master.

Then you won't mind
if we search your chambers?

Silence!
You have no authority here.

Father.

Let's settle this
once and for all.

If what Merlin says is wrong,

he must bear the consequences.

But if there is some truth
in what he says...

I have nothing to hide.

You're wasting your time.

The cupboard over there.

These things
don't belong to me!

This is a trick!

That boy plots against me!

Sorcerer!

Aredian, think carefully
about what you are doing.

You'll never escape
from Camelot alive.

I will if you value the life
of your ward, hmm?

Gaius,

I'm glad I found you here.

As am I, my Lord.

I thought I'd never see
these chambers again.

If anything was damaged
in the search,

I'll be only too glad to replace it.

You're very kind, my Lord.

Aredian...

I can still scarcely believe
that he was a sorcerer.

Indeed.

Was there some reason
you wished to see me?

Yes. I...

I wanted to say I'm sorry
if you suffered at his hands.

But I did not suffer
at his hands, Uther.

I suffered at yours.

He worked for you, my Lord.

He was merely
following your orders.

-But I was deceived...
-No!

You were deceived
long before Aredian,

for you deceived yourself.

You see foes where
there are friends,

you see sorcerers
where there are but servants.

I am not the first
to be wrongly accused

in your war against magic.

And not all have
been as lucky as I.

I assure you, Gaius,

every measure
will be taken to ensure

that nothing like this
will happen again.

I hope that is true

for all our sakes.

Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have work to do.

What I don't understand
is how you knew

he'd concealed evidence
in his chamber?

-Just a hunch, really.
-I see.

And the toad?

That I can't explain.

Hmm, I can hardly
explain it to myself.

Unless, of course, you put it there.

Okay, Gaius, fair enough.

I promise I will never
save your life again.

-Promise?
-Absolutely.

Honestly, Merlin,
the toad was a step too far.

I know, I know,

but you should have
seen the look on his face.

Merlin.

My name is Morgause.

You think Morgause knows
the true circumstances

of Arthur's birth.

I fear that
more than anything.

I want to hear what she knows
about my mother.

Should we turn back?

The woods could be full
of Odin's men.

You're nothing
but a hypocrite and a liar!

They're going to
kill each other!