Ep 10. The Moment Of Truth

Merlin season 1 episode 10, titled "The Moment of Truth", is set in the Camelot castle where King Uther is holding a grand tournament. The knights of Camelot are battling it out to win the coveted prize, a place by the side of Prince Arthur. Meanwhile, a mysterious knight, Valiant, enters the tournament, and immediately catches everyone's attention. He is charming, skillful, and brave, and it seems as though he might be the one to win.

However, Merlin isn't convinced. He can see through Valiant's cool exterior, and feels that something about him is not quite right. He is convinced that Valiant is using magic to cheat his way through the tournament, but no one will listen to him, not even Gaius. Merlin decides to investigate, and sneaks into Valiant's chambers, where he discovers a box full of magical potions.

At the same time, Gwen, the castle maid, is smitten by Valiant's charm, and falls under his spell. Merlin tries to warn her, but she doesn't listen. She is convinced that Valiant is a true knight, and in love with him. Merlin reluctantly lets her be, as he realizes that he has to reveal the truth about Valiant to the King, before the final battle.

The final rounds of the tournament begin, and Valiant faces Arthur in the last battle. It's a tense and thrilling fight, but in the end, Arthur wins. However, just as he is about to announce Arthur as the winner, Valiant accuses him of cheating, and produces a magical potion that he claims Arthur had used to gain an unfair advantage. The whole castle is shocked, and it seems like Valiant might win after all.

But Merlin cannot let this lie. He stands up and reveals the truth about Valiant's magic. The castle erupts into an uproar, as they realize that Valiant had been cheating all along. Valiant tries to make a run for it, but is caught by the guards and brought before the King.

In the end, justice is served, and Arthur is named the rightful winner of the tournament. Merlin is hailed as a hero, and even Gwen comes to see the truth about Valiant. However, Merlin realizes that his actions have consequences, and that he has to be careful about using magic in the future. The episode ends with Arthur thanking Merlin for his help, and telling him that he has earned his trust.

Overall, Merlin season 1 episode 10 is a gripping, exciting, and heartwarming episode, that showcases the best of Merlin's character. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and a true showcase of what makes this show such a classic. Fans of adventure, magic, and epic storytelling will not be disappointed by this episode.