8.6/101,083 votes#1 - The Darkest Hour (1)
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 10/1/2011
Evil sorceress Morgana summons mighty gatekeeper the Cailleach, who opens a door to another world from which hellish creatures pour forth. As Arthur and his loyal knights take up arms, Merlin discovers the only thing that will stop them is an unimaginable sacrifice.
Director: Alice Troughton
Writer: Julian Jones
8.8/10937 votes#2 - The Darkest Hour (2)
Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 10/8/2011
The kingdom is on the brink of collapse and Morgana poised to strike, in the final part of this opening episode of the fantasy drama. As Lancelot races back to Camelot with the dying Merlin, Arthur must continue on his mission to vanquish the Dorocha without them. Though the Knights know their journey to the Isle of the Blessed is fraught with danger, none could anticipate the sacrifice Arthur intends to make there. Friendship and loyalty are tested to the limit, but in the end, it's the power of love that changes all their lives for ever.
Director: Alice Troughton
Writer: Julian Jones
8.4/10852 votes#3 - The Wicked Day
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 10/15/2011
The mighty citadel is buzzing in anticipation of the Prince's birthday celebrations, as the fantasy drama continues. But Arthur's old adversary, Odin, promises to ensure this is one party Camelot will never forget - for among the assembling guests lurks a deadly assassin set to strike. As the dust settles, Camelot is left devastated. Just how far is Merlin prepared to go to put things right; would he really risk everything and reveal his secret?
Director: Alice Troughton
Writer: Howard Overman
8.1/10804 votes#4 - Aithusa
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 10/22/2011
A mysterious visitor arrives in Camelot seeking a very special prize: a dragon's egg.
Director: Alex Pillai
Writer: Julian Jones
8.1/10797 votes#5 - His Father's Son
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 10/29/2011
Arthur faces his first true test as King when he incurs the wrath of the formidable Queen Annis. With the lives of thousands hanging in the balance, Arthur must find the strength to be his own man and become the leader Camelot so desperately needs.
Director: Alex Pillai
Writer: Jake Michie
8.5/10920 votes#6 - A Servant of Two Masters
Season 4 Episode 6 - Aired 11/5/2011
Merlin becomes a deadly weapon in Morgana's fight for supremacy when he falls into her hands. By recurring to ancient magic, she manages to turn friend against friend and creates the perfect assassin out of the young sorcerer which puts an oblivious King Arthur in great danger. Will anyone notice Merlin's unusual behaviour before he is able to do any serious harm to the King?
Director: Alex Pillai
Writer: Lucy Watkins
8.2/10771 votes#7 - The Secret Sharer
Season 4 Episode 7 - Aired 11/12/2011
Morgana joins forces with enigmatic wizard Alator to uncover a secret that could change the course of destiny, as the magical drama continues. With allies on both sides of the castle walls, can anyone stop her before Merlin's greatest secret is revealed?
Director: Justin Molotnikov
Writer: Julian Jones
7.2/10766 votes#8 - Lamia
Season 4 Episode 8 - Aired 11/19/2011
A mysterious illness draws Merlin to a distant village. But it soon becomes clear that there is more at stake than just his patients' well-being as something sinister turns the air sour. Far from home and with no-one to trust, Merlin becomes embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse. No longer sure who is the hunter and who is the hunted, can the young warlock survive long enough to uncover the truth?
Director: Justin Molotnikov
Writer: Jake Michie
7.9/10812 votes#9 - Lancelot du Lac
Season 4 Episode 9 - Aired 11/26/2011
When Sir Lancelot returns from the dead, old feelings reignite, as the drama continues. Gwen must fight temptation before she commits an unspeakable act of betrayal; one that would destroy the legacy of Camelot forever. With heads and hearts thrown into turmoil, Merlin becomes suspicious. Can a man really defy death, or is there something more sinister at play?
Director: Justin Molotnikov
Writer: Lucy Watkins
7.7/10758 votes#10 - A Herald of the New Age
Season 4 Episode 10 - Aired 12/3/2011
The Camelot Knights stumble across an eerie shrine deep in the forest, its chilling atmosphere betraying a dark history best left undisturbed, as the magical drama continues. But when Elyan ignores Merlin's warning, his actions spark a chain of events more frightening than anyone could possibly have imagined... Can a grievous wrong be put right? Or will past demons change the future forever?
Director: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Howard Overman
8.0/10771 votes#11 - The Hunter's Heart
Season 4 Episode 11 - Aired 12/10/2011
Morgana ends up discovering a powerful ally in the Southron warlord Helios and they come up with the perfect plan to bring Camelot to its knees. With Arthur preoccupied by the beautiful Princess Mithian, it ends up falling to an absent friend to raise the alarm.
Director: Jeremy Webb
Writer: Richard McBrien
8.5/10804 votes#12 - The Sword in the Stone (1)
Season 4 Episode 12 - Aired 12/17/2011
Morgana is now the head of a vast Southron army and a deadly net is closing around Camelot. After the sorceress strikes everyone is forced to run for their lives including Arthur. It is down to Merlin to try and save Arthur from Morgana's clutches.
Director: Alice Troughton
Writer: Jake Michie
8.8/10838 votes#13 - The Sword in the Stone (2)
Season 4 Episode 13 - Aired 12/24/2011
Morgana and Helios have successfully captured Camelot, and Merlin and Arthur are outlaws on the run, in the last episode in this season of Merlin. Trapped in Ealdor with a ruthless army closing in, their situation becomes desperate. Arthur must take control before Camelot is lost forever… But faced with Agravaine’s betrayal and the strength of Morgana’s force, the young King has lost his conviction. Only Merlin can restore his faith, and only an extraordinary act can prove to the King that he was born to rule. Will the young warlock convince Arthur before his dreams of Albion fall to pieces?
Director: Alice Troughton
Writer: Julian Jones
The Best Episodes of Merlin Season 4
Every episode of Merlin Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Merlin Season 4!
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 4 Ratings Summary
"The Darkest Hour (1)" is the best rated episode of "Merlin" season 4. It scored 8.6/10 based on 1083 votes. Directed by Alice Troughton and written by Julian Jones, it aired on 10/1/2011. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The Darkest Hour (2)".