Ep 4. The Poisoned Chalice

Merlin season 1, episode 4, "The Poisoned Chalice" takes place in Camelot where the episode starts with servants requesting a day off to celebrate Samhain, a festival that honors the dead. Meanwhile, King Uther's most trusted knight, Sir Leon, is poisoned while drinking wine from a chalice intended for Prince Arthur. Merlin is tasked by Gaius, the Physician, to use his magic to save Sir Leon. Prince Arthur is devastated by the news of his trusted knight's illness and is convinced that the culprit is from outside Camelot.

Meanwhile, King Uther summons the Court Sorcerer, Gaius, to identify the poison that has affected Sir Leon. Gaius informs the king and the prince that the poison is a deadly one, which could be caused by various plants, but in this case, the identity of the poison remains uncertain. To make matters worse, the antidote to the poison is rare and could only be found in the lands beyond Camelot.

Arthur, determined to save his knight, decides to leave Camelot in search of the cure and orders Merlin to cover for him while he is gone. However, the prince's trip comes to an abrupt end when he is ambushed by bandits. While in the bandits' custody, Prince Arthur reveals his identity to the bandits' leader, and they demand a ransom. The ransom demanded is far more than the prince could afford, forcing Merlin to step in and rescue the prince.

Upon their return, Gaius reveals that the poison was found in a flower that grows only in the lands beyond Camelot. The king orders Prince Arthur, accompanied by Merlin, to leave immediately to obtain the antidote. While on their journey, Merlin reveals his magic powers to help the prince overcome various obstacles, which include but are not limited to giant snakes and the River of Lethe.

Once Prince Arthur and Merlin arrive in the territory where the flower grows, they find themselves in the middle of a battle between two rival kingdoms. Prince Arthur strikes a deal that will allow him and Merlin to harvest the flower in exchange for their assistance in the battle. Once the flower is harvested, they make their return to Camelot.

Upon their return, the king inspects the flower and confirms that it is the antidote that could save Sir Leon's life. They give Sir Leon the antidote, and he recovers.

In closing, "The Poisoned Chalice" is a thrilling episode that involves Arthur's fear of losing his Knight, Leon. It shows how he is willing to do anything to save his knight, even putting himself in danger. Moreover, the episode portrays the gesture of a loyal servant ready to risk it all to save his master. The episode also reveals more about Merlin's magical powers and how he uses them to help Arthur in dire circumstances. All in all, the episode is a masterpiece that combines suspense, action, loyalty, and fantasy to deliver an epic story in the world of Camelot.