Ep 9. Excalibur

Merlin season 1 episode 9, titled Excalibur, follows the story of Merlin and Arthur as they embark on a dangerous mission to retrieve a powerful and ancient sword, Excalibur. The episode begins with a prophecy that old King Urien's daughter, Lady Catrina, is destined to marry Arthur, which prompts King Uther to host a grand feast in honor of Catrina's arrival.

Merlin grows suspicious of Lady Catrina's true intentions when he discovers that she is hiding a serpent-like creature under her skin that only he can see. He tries to warn Arthur, but his warnings fall on deaf ears as Arthur is smitten with Lady Catrina's charm and beauty. Merlin's suspicions are later confirmed when he discovers that Lady Catrina is, in fact, a troll who has taken on a beautiful human form to deceive Arthur and marry him.

Meanwhile, Morgana becomes intrigued by an old sword that she discovers in the castle's armory, which she believes to be Excalibur. The sword is said to have magical powers and can only be wielded by the rightful king. Morgana enlists Merlin's help to retrieve the sword, and the two set out on a mission to find it.

Their journey takes them deep into the forest, where they encounter a powerful sorcerer who guards the sword. The sorcerer challenges Merlin and Morgana to a battle in exchange for the sword, and the two are forced to use their magic to defeat him.

As Merlin brings Excalibur back to Camelot, Lady Catrina's true form is revealed, and she unleashes her army of trolls on the castle, causing chaos and destruction. Arthur, who is under Lady Catrina's spell, is completely blind to her true intentions and refuses to believe Merlin's warning.

Merlin, armed with Excalibur, battles the trolls and engages in an epic sword fight with Lady Catrina. He is eventually able to defeat her and banish her army from Camelot. Arthur finally realizes the truth about Lady Catrina and is left heartbroken. Morgana offers him comfort, and the two share a tender moment.

The episode ends with Merlin revealing to Arthur that he was the one who pulled Excalibur from the stone, and that he is the rightful king of Camelot. The revelation leaves Arthur stunned, and the two share a moment of understanding before the screen fades to black.

Overall, Merlin season 1 episode 9 is a thrilling and action-packed episode that is full of surprises and plot twists. From Lady Catrina's true identity to the discovery of Excalibur, the episode keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The episode also dives deeper into the relationship between Merlin and Arthur, establishing the trust and understanding that will come to define their friendship throughout the series.