Merlin (series 2)

Merlin series 2
Complete DVD Set Box Art
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	13
Broadcast
Original channel	BBC
Original run	19 September 2009 (2009-09-19) – 19 December 2009 (2009-12-19)
Home video release
DVD release
Region 1	18 January 2011 (2011-01-18)
Region 2	8 February 2010 (2010-02-08)
Series chronology
← Previous Series 1 Next → Series 3
List of Merlin episodes

Series two of Merlin, is a British fantasy television series, began on September 19, 2009 and ended on December 19, 2009. Series two regular cast members include Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Anthony Head, Richard Wilson, and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon. Series two contains thirteen episodes and had 5.77 million viewers for the premiere with 6.64 million viewers for the series finale.

BBC renewed the show for the third series which premiered on September 11, 2010.

Plot

Merlin must continue in his destiny to protect Camelot and the young Prince Arthur using his special gift: magic. But King Uther has banned the practice of sorcery and Merlin must keep his talents secret on pain of death.

As many dangers threaten the mythic city, Arthur must show great courage and skill in order to defend the kingdom, with Merlin at his side.

Gaius, the court physician, continues to provide Merlin with help and guidance. Gwen is as ever a stalwart friend to Merlin, helping where she can in his adventures with Arthur.

Meanwhile, Morgana, the king's ward, is increasingly troubled by her dreams. And the Great Dragon remains beneath the castle, paying close attention to the adventures of our young wizard. Lancelot returns.

Starring

• Colin Morgan as Merlin
• Katie McGrath as Morgana
• Bradley James as Arthur
• Angel Coulby as Gwen
• Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon
• Richard Wilson as Gaius
• John Hurt as the Great Dragon (voice)

Recurring

• Rupert Young as Sir Leon (7 episodes)
• Michael Cronin as Geoffrey of Monmouth (3 episodes)
• Emilia Fox as Morgause (2 episodes)
• Asa Butterfield as Mordred (2 episodes)
• Santiago Cabrera as Lancelot (1 episode)
• Alice Patten as Ygraine (1 episode)
• Laura Donnelly as Freya (1 episode)

Guest stars Mackenzie Crook as Cedric/Cornelius Sigan Adrian Lester as Myror Alex Price as "Sir William of Deira" Colin Salmon as Aglain James Cosmo as Hengist Sarah Parish as Lady Catrina Adam Godley as Jonas Charles Dance as Aredian David Schofield as King Alined Georgia Moffett as Lady Vivian Mark Lewis Jones as King Olaf Kevin Eldon as Trickler Joseph Mawle as Alvarr Emily Beecham as Enmyria John Lynch as Balinor

Episodes

№	#	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	UK viewers (million)[1]
14	1	"The Curse of Cornelius Sigan"	David Moore	Julian Jones	19 September 2009 (2009-09-19)	5.77
A new servant named Cedric tries to get Merlin's job of Arthur's manservant, but Merlin discovers his real reason is to obtain a jewel from the newly-found tomb of Cornelius Sigan, the most powerful sorcerer of all time, who once vowed to return to destroy Camelot.
15	2	"The Once and Future Queen"	Jeremy Webb	Howard Overman	26 September 2009 (2009-09-26)	5.94
The Camelot Jousting Tournament has arrived. Arthur is determined to win in disguise, as he believes that previously the knights are letting him win because he is the prince. Meanwhile, the deadly assassin Myror arrives at Camelot with only one mission: to kill Arthur.
16	3	"The Nightmare Begins"	Jeremy Webb	Ben Vanstone	3 October 2009 (2009-10-03)	6.09
Morgana's dreams come to worry her, which makes her convinced she has magical powers. Gaius insists there is nothing to fear, keeping her in the dark, but Merlin cannot watch and see her suffer. Merlin tries to help Morgana by sending her to the Druids, but the King believes she has been kidnapped and sends Arthur to find her, and kill the Druids.
17	4	"Lancelot and Guinevere"	David Moore	Howard Overman	10 October 2009 (2009-10-10)	5.69
Morgana and Gwen are ambushed during a pilgrimage to Morgana's fathers burial site, they manage to escape but Gwen being injured falls behind, still being held hostage and forced to impersonate Morgana to Hengist, a savage outlaw. Uther refuses to pay any money, or sacrifice men for her return, so Arthur enters Hengist's territory with Merlin in tow to rescue her. But Arthur is not alone, as he finds that Lancelot is also out to save her.
18	5	"Beauty and the Beast (Part 1)"	David Moore	Jake Michie	24 October 2009 (2009-10-24)	5.53
Uther becomes delighted when Lady Catrina arrives in Camelot. Merlin and Gaius suspect she may be something more, and Merlin soon finds out she is actually a Troll in disguise.
19	6	"Beauty and the Beast (Part 2)"	Metin Huseyin	Ben Vanstone	31 October 2009 (2009-10-31)	6.14
Lady Catrina has now been crowned and is now known as Queen Catrina. She accuses Merlin of stealing and he is driven into hiding, and must now find a way to expose her true form.
20	7	"The Witchfinder"	Jeremy Webb	Jake Michie	7 November 2009 (2009-11-07)	5.62
Uther is determined to wipe out magic in Camelot once and for all, and this time no one is beyond suspicion. He summons the most dreaded witchfinder in the land, Aredian, a terrifying man who will stop at nothing to uncover sorcery. Gaius impresses upon Merlin how much danger he is in but Morgana needs no such warning. She is certain Aredian will see straight through her and she will be burnt at the stake. Can Merlin protect Morgana and Gaius without ending up in the flames himself?
21	8	"The Sins of the Father"	Metin Huseyin	Howard Overman	14 November 2009 (2009-11-14)	6.16
When a mysterious warrior woman challenges Arthur to a duel, no one could possibly predict the devastating chain of events that is set in motion - least of all the young Prince himself. Arthur and Merlin soon find themselves on a strange quest to find out the truth about Arthur's mother at the behest of the beautiful Morgause. Through her, Arthur discovers a dark secret which threatens to bring about the downfall of the kingdom.
22	9	"The Lady of the Lake"	Metin Huseyin	Julian Jones	21 November 2009 (2009-11-21)	6.30
When Merlin discovers the beautiful druid girl Freya trapped in a bounty hunter's cage, he knows he must help her escape. Merlin harbours Freya in the tunnels beneath Camelot. But with the bounty hunter searching for his missing prize and a ferocious magical beast on the loose, she can't stay hidden long.
23	10	"Sweet Dreams"	Alice Troughton	Lucy Watkins	28 November 2009 (2009-11-28)	6.02
Dignitaries from rival kingdoms descend on Camelot for peace talks, but what King Alined really wants is war. He'll do everything in his power to stir up hostilities, even if it means using magic. Alined's jester, Trickler, puts a spell on Arthur to make him fall madly in love with rival King Olaf's beloved daughter, Vivian. Chaos reigns in the palace and Camelot is once more poised on the brink of war.
24	11	"The Witch's Quickening"	Alice Troughton	Jake Michie	5 December 2009 (2009-12-05)	6.01
The ruthless warlock Alvarr is determined to destroy Camelot and allow magic to reign again, as the magical family drama continues. To fight Uther, however, Alvarr must reclaim the Crystal of Neahtid – a precious magical relic of the Old Religion. Few can harness its power, but Alvarr believes Mordred can use it to further their cause. The crystal is safely locked up in Uther's vaults and many have lost their lives trying to reclaim it. Alvarr, though, has a secret weapon – Morgana's powerful bond with the druid boy. Merlin is shocked by a choice Morgana makes and by the true power of the mysterious crystal.
25	12	"The Fires of Idirsholas"	Jeremy Webb	Julian Jones	12 December 2009 (2009-12-12)	6.01
When the fires of Idirsholas burn for the first time in 300 years, Gaius fears a sorcerer has reformed the deadly Knights of Medhir. Arthur and Merlin ride out to face the Knights and barely escape with their lives. Upon returning home, they find everyone in Camelot is under a strange enchantment – all except for Morgana. As the Knights attack a defenceless Camelot, Merlin's loyalties are tested to the limit.
26	13	"The Last Dragonlord"	Jeremy Webb	Julian Jones	19 December 2009 (2009-12-19)	6.64
The Great Dragon is finally free and sets out to destroy Camelot, full of rage. Arthur and his men cannot stand the battle for much longer, and Merlin's powers are useless. Only a dragonlord can kill a dragon, and Uther wiped them all out years ago. However, Gaius admits one such Dragonlord escaped. Balinor is the key to the future of Camelot, but it will be up to Arthur and Merlin to find him.

References

1. ^ "Weekly Viewing Summary (see relevant week)". BARB. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&requesttimeout=500.