8.2/10946 votes#1 - The Tears of Uther Pendragon (1)
Season 3 Episode 1 - Aired 9/11/2010
A year after her disappearance and when almost all hope is lost, Morgana returns to Camelot. While Merlin is afraid she might remember the circumstances of her disappearance and give him away in front of the king, a delighted Uther announces a banquet to celebrate. However, soon afterwards evil magic starts to take hold of the king's mind, putting the safety of Camelot at risk as he is consumed with hallucinations and enemies reach his door. Merlin suspects Morgana is behind the enchantment but his search for the truth puts his life in peril while Arthur is forced to take control and face new foes on his own. Will they succeed to rescue the king and Camelot from destruction?
Director: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Julian Jones
8.2/10871 votes#2 - The Tears of Uther Pendragon (2)
Season 3 Episode 2 - Aired 9/18/2010
With the help of the Great Dragon, Merlin manages to return to Camelot only to find out that is it on the verge of invasion: Morgause and Cenred have teamed up and plot against a weakened Uther. Cenred's initial reluctance is won over by the fact that they count on an ally within Camelot walls who will ensure the castle is taken. Uther is unable to rule which forces Arthur to step up front and defend the citadel agains Cenred's powerful army. With the help of Morgause and to make things worse, Morgana plays a deadly card and summons a skeleton army to wreak havoc within the castle walls. Camelot's fate rests once again on Arthur's shoulders and Merlin's magic as they fight in their own way to hold off both an army of the living and an army of the dead. Will they manage to succeed?
Director: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Julian Jones
7.9/10957 votes#3 - Goblin's Gold
Season 3 Episode 3 - Aired 9/25/2010
When Merlin comes across a secret chamber, he accidentally releases a goblin. The mischievous little creature possesses Gaius, making the wise and renowned court physician turn into a shadow of his former self, quickly developing a taste for gold, ale and magical jokes. To make things worse, the king suddenly becomes bald and a nasty scourge of flatulence hits the royal household. Will Merlin be able to figure out the source of all troubles, return the gobblin back to where he came from and put an end to the havoc before any real damage is done?
Director: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Howard Overman
8.1/10870 votes#4 - Gwaine
Season 3 Episode 4 - Aired 10/2/2010
Merlin and Arthur find themselves outnumbered in a bar fight but an enigmatic young man helps them win. The man’s name is Gwaine and he risks his own life to protect Arthur but during his act of bravery he is seriously wounded. The Prince decides to take him back to Camelot where he could make a recovery with Gaius' help. Gwaine immediately gets to work: drinking, flirting with the ladies and causing lots of trouble for Merlin who has been instructed to look after him. However, when two unscrupulous knights seem to plot to murder the Prince, will Merlin and Gwaine be able to stop them and save Arthur?
Director: David Moore
Writer: Julian Jones
8.0/10830 votes#5 - The Crystal Cave
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/9/2010
After an unexpected meeting with the enigmatic old sorcerer Taliesin, the wizard takes Merlin to the crystal cave allowing him to witness a glimpse of the future. However, this gesture turns out to be more of a curse than a gift when, much to his horror, Merlin sees Morgana set to kill Uther. The young warlock knows he must do his best to try and stop the future from playing out. But changing the pages of destiny is a very dangerous game and his actions end up having fatal consequences. With the whole of Camelot in a state of grief, will Merlin be able to change the course of destiny and undo the damage he has caused, or will it be too late?
Director: Alice Troughton
Writer: Julian Jones
7.4/10786 votes#6 - The Changeling
Season 3 Episode 6 - Aired 10/16/2010
Uther pressures Arthur into an arranged marriage with a visiting princess, Elena, though Merlin soon has reservations after discovering that Elena may not exactly be who she claims to be. As he tries to uncover the princess' dark secret, he learns that Elena's nanny is a Pixie. But what are their motivations? Who do they work for? And most important of all, what benefit do they get from her marriage to Arthur, the heir to the throne of Camelot? Will Merlin be able to get to the bottom of it all and prevent Arthur from making the biggest mistake of his life?
Director: David Moore
Writer: Lucy Watkins
7.6/10802 votes#7 - The Castle of Fyrien
Season 3 Episode 7 - Aired 10/23/2010
Gwen faces an impossible dilemma when she is forced to choose between saving the life of Elyan, her estranged brother and only sibling or Arthur's, Camelot's prince and the love of her life. When one of them is certain to find death at the hands of Cenred, who will Gwen choose? Once again, loyalty, love and friendships are tested to the limit as Arthur, Merlin and Gwen are forced to put their minds together to try and find a way out of the cruel quandary. Morgana and Morgause, in turn, will do their best ruin their plans. Will good conquer evil or will Gwen end up losing someone she loves again?
Director: David Moore
Writer: Jake Michie
8.5/10904 votes#8 - The Eye of the Phoenix
Season 3 Episode 8 - Aired 10/30/2010
Arthur embarks alone on a quest to prove himself worthy of the Camelot throne by retrieving the Golden Trident from the Fisher King. With the Prince beyond the protection of the citadel, Morgana takes the opportunity to use her dark magic. She gives him a precious bracelet that contains a Phoenix Eye, insisting that he wears it at all times for protection. However, the magical jewel takes away Arthur's life force and he is left defenceless in the Fisher King's perilous realm. With the help of Gwaine, will Merlin be able to reach Arthur in time and fulfil his own quest to protect the future king of Camelot?
Director: Alice Troughton
Writer: Julian Jones
7.3/10764 votes#9 - Love in the Time of Dragons
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 11/6/2010
An old flame of Gaius' arrives in Camelot under the influence of a Manticore.
Director: Alice Troughton
Writer: Jake Michie
8.3/10824 votes#10 - Queen of Hearts
Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 11/13/2010
When Uther banishes Gwen from the kingdom, Arthur resolves to leave Camelot with her.
Director: Ashley Way
Writer: Howard Overman
7.6/10778 votes#11 - The Sorcerer's Shadow
Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 11/20/2010
Camelot's legendary tournament only has one rule: there are no rules whatsoever. Terrifying warriors start to fill the mythical city, Gilli between them. Despite his small stature, Gilli is ready to join the action and committed to achieve victory with a secret weapon to help him: magic. When Gilli begins to realise the full extent of his powers, Merlin becomes torn since his new friend is putting his own life in danger as well as threatening the very heart of Camelot with his actions. Will Merlin be able to make Gilli see sense before it's too late?
Director: Ashley Way
Writer: Julian Jones
8.6/10901 votes#12 - The Coming of Arthur (1)
Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 11/27/2010
Arthur and Merlin embark on a dangerous mission to capture the Cup of Life, a powerful magical artifact that carries the gift of immortality. However, before they are able to retrieve the Cup they fall prey to Jarl, an unscrupulous slave trader. They manage to escape when a trusted friend comes to their rescue but with Jarl's help, the Cup of Life ends up in Morgause's hands. Now that the dreadful sisters count on an immortal army at their disposal, will Morgause and Morgana overthrow Uther once and for all?
Director: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Jake Michie
9.1/101,172 votes#13 - The Coming of Arthur (2)
Season 3 Episode 13 - Aired 12/4/2010
Will Arthur be able to save Camelot from the evil Morgana? Morgana, newly crowned as Queen of Camelot, begins a reign of terrible evil over the innocent citizens of the kingdom. Counting on Morgause and her immortal army at her command all hope seems lost for Uther, who is forced to witness how his kingdom crumble under the unimaginable cruelty of his own daughter. Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Camelot, Arthur recovers his strength and plans a counter attack with the help of a few loyals at his side: Gwaine, Lancelot, Elyan and Percival. However, Merlin is aware that not even a skilful warrior like Arthur can defeat an immortal foe without magic. Will he be able to reclaim the great sword Excalibur from the Lake of Avalon in time to save the lives of those he cares the most about?
Director: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Julian Jones
The Best Episodes of Merlin Season 3
Every episode of Merlin Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Merlin Season 3!
The unlikely friendship between Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, and Prince Arthur, heir to the crown of Camelot.
Genres:Action & AdventureDramaSci-Fi & Fantasy
Network:BBC One
Season 3 Ratings Summary
"The Tears of Uther Pendragon (1)" is the best rated episode of "Merlin" season 3. It scored 8.2/10 based on 946 votes. Directed by Jeremy Webb and written by Julian Jones, it aired on 9/11/2010. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "The Tears of Uther Pendragon (2)".