Ep 2. The Once and Future Queen

The Once and Future Queen is the second episode of the second season of the British TV series Merlin. The show is a retelling of the legend of King Arthur and his wizard advisor, Merlin, set in the fictional kingdom of Camelot in medieval times.

In this episode, the focus is on a new character named Gwen, who is a young serving girl at the castle. Gwen is a kind and brave woman, who dreams of a better life for herself and her people. She always tries to do what is right and good, even if it means risking her own safety.

Prince Arthur, the future king of Camelot, notices Gwen's potential and offers to make her his personal maidservant. Gwen is overjoyed at the opportunity to work in the castle, but she soon realizes that life in the royal court is not as glamorous as she thought it would be. She is constantly belittled and mistreated by the other servants, who see her as an outsider.

Meanwhile, King Uther, Arthur's father, has invited four kings from neighboring kingdoms to Camelot for a tournament. The winner of the tournament will receive a valuable prize from Uther and will be allowed to marry his daughter, Princess Morgana. The tournament is also meant to showcase Camelot's military might and political power, as Uther hopes to form alliances with the visiting kings.

Arthur is determined to win the tournament and impress his father, but he faces tough competition from the other knights. Merlin is also worried about the tournament, as he senses that something is not right. He suspects that one of the visiting kings is using dark magic to cheat in the tournament and gain an unfair advantage.

As the tournament unfolds, Gwen finds herself caught up in the events, as she becomes a witness to the cheating and the corruption that surrounds it. She also finds herself drawn to Arthur, as she sees him in a new light, as a brave and honorable man who fights for what is right.

The episode is filled with action, drama, and romance, as the characters navigate their way through the tournament and the complex web of political intrigue that surrounds it. There are also some surprising twists and turns, as the true nature of some of the characters is revealed, and alliances are forged and broken.

Overall, The Once and Future Queen is a captivating episode of Merlin that showcases the strengths of the series - its engaging characters, strong storytelling, and sense of adventure. It also introduces a new character in Gwen, who proves to be a worthy addition to the cast, and sets the stage for future episodes, as the characters face new challenges and conflicts.