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The Worst Episodes of Merlin

Every episode of Merlin ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Merlin!

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The unlikely friendship between Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, and Prince Arthur, heir to the crown of Camelot.

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Merlin Season 3 Episode 9 - Love in the Time of Dragons
    6.3/10(15 votes)

    #1 - Love in the Time of Dragons

    S3:E9

    An old flame of Gaius' arrives in Camelot under the influence of a Manticore.

    Director:Alice Troughton
    Writer:Jake Michie

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  2. Merlin Season 3 Episode 6 - The Changeling
    6.7/10(15 votes)

    #2 - The Changeling

    S3:E6

    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

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  3. Merlin Season 4 Episode 8 - Lamia
    6.8/10(15 votes)

    #3 - Lamia

    S4:E8

    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

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  4. Merlin Season 2 Episode 5 - Beauty and the Beast (1)
    6.9/10(14 votes)

    #4 - Beauty and the Beast (1)

    S2:E5

    Lady Catrina and her strange servant Jonas arrive in Camelot, where they are welcome to stay by a most delighted king Uther, who becomes captivated by his latest guest. Arthur, on the contrary, far from sharing his father's enthusiasm and in the sight of the flirting going on, is pretty appalled with the situation. Merlin and Gaius have the feeling that she is not what she seems and their suspicions are proven true when Merlin discovers that Lady Catrina is a troll and that unfortunately, her intentions are far beyond the prize of a king's heart. Horrified, he reveals the truth to Arthur, who doesn't believe him. Merlin embarks in the task of proving the real nature of the woman while at the same time saving Uther from ruin and Camelot from fall. Will the young warlock be able to overcome the powerful magic of the troll before it's too late?

    Director:David Moore
    Writer:Jake Michie

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  5. Merlin Season 2 Episode 6 - Beauty and the Beast (2)
    7.0/10(14 votes)

    #5 - Beauty and the Beast (2)

    S2:E6

    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.

    Director:Metin Hüseyin
    Writer:Ben Vanstone

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  6. Merlin Season 2 Episode 10 - Sweet Dreams
    7.0/10(14 votes)

    #6 - Sweet Dreams

    S2:E10

    Peace talks are held at Camelot when dignitaries from rival kingdoms arrive. King Alined is determined there will be no peace though and will use magic to make sure his wishes happen.

    Director:Alice Troughton
    Writer:Lucy Watkins

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  7. Merlin Season 3 Episode 11 - The Sorcerer's Shadow
    7.1/10(15 votes)

    #7 - The Sorcerer's Shadow

    S3:E11

    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

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  8. Merlin Season 1 Episode 1 - The Dragon's Call
    7.2/10(25 votes)

    #8 - The Dragon's Call

    S1:E1

    Merlin is told by the Great Dragon that it is his destiny to make sure that the young Prince Arthur is kept safe. Anybody caught performing magic is punished with death and Merlin is not a fan of Arthur. When Arthur's life is endangered Merlin finds himself tested.

    Director:James Hawes
    Writer:Julian Jones

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  9. Merlin Season 1 Episode 8 - The Beginning of the End
    7.2/10(17 votes)

    #9 - The Beginning of the End

    S1:E8

    Merlin finds himself becoming friends with Morgana when he helps a boy stay hidden. The two of them try to get the boy back whence he came, but things turn bad when Uther announces that anyone helping the boy will be executed.

    Director:Jeremy Webb
    Writer:Howard Overman

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  10. Merlin Season 2 Episode 4 - Lancelot and Guinevere
    7.2/10(14 votes)

    #10 - Lancelot and Guinevere

    S2:E4

    Gwen is mistaken for Morgana and kidnapped by the savage outlaw Hengist. Uther refuses to pay her ransom, so Arthur defies his father and heads out into dangerous enemy territory to fight for Gwen's freedom. Merlin suspects Arthur's devotion to Gwen is more than that of a prince to one of his subjects. How will Arthur react when he discovers Gwen is not alone in Hengist's castle? She and Lancelot have found each other again, and powerful feelings rekindle.

    Director:David Moore
    Writer:Howard Overman

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  11. Merlin Season 3 Episode 7 - The Castle of Fyrien
    7.2/10(15 votes)

    #11 - The Castle of Fyrien

    S3:E7

    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

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  12. Merlin Season 5 Episode 13 - The Diamond of the Day (2)
    7.2/10(13 votes)

    #12 - The Diamond of the Day (2)

    S5:E13

    And so it seems the Prophets did not lie. As the great battle rages on Camlann's mighty plain, Merlin faces his moment of destiny. Can he find the strength to save the man he made a King; the Camelot they fought to build; and the brotherhood they shared?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Merlin Season 1 Episode 6 - A Remedy to Cure All Ills
    7.3/10(16 votes)

    #13 - A Remedy to Cure All Ills

    S1:E6

    When the Lady Morgana is struck down with a mysterious illness, Gaius is at a loss for a cure. Thankfully a new physician, Edwin Muirden is on hand to bring the King's ward back from the brink.

    Director:Ed Fraiman
    Writer:Julian Jones

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  14. Merlin Season 5 Episode 7 - A Lesson in Vengeance
    7.3/10(10 votes)

    #14 - A Lesson in Vengeance

    S5:E7

    Darkness steals into the very heart of Camelot, as Morgana and her puppet Queen hatch a sinister plan to murder the King. But when stable hand Tyr Seward becomes caught in the crossfire, he threatens to ruin everything… As the plot thickens and reaches its deadly climax, can a suspicious Merlin unravel the truth before it’s too late?

    Director:Alice Troughton
    Writer:Jake Michie

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  15. Merlin Season 1 Episode 7 - The Gates of Avalon
    7.4/10(16 votes)

    #15 - The Gates of Avalon

    S1:E7

    Morgana has a nightmare and sees Arthur's death at the hands of a strange but beautiful girl. Meanwhile, hunting in the forest, Merlin and Arthur save the same girl, Sophia, and her father, Aulfric from attack by bandits and bring them to Camelot for refuge. Morgana realizes that Sophia is the girl from her nightmare and tries to warn Arthur, who is smitten with her. As the truth of Morgana's magical gift for seeing future events unfolds, so does a father and daughter's plan to bring down the kingdom of Camelot by sacrificing Arthur in return for eternal life.

    Director:Jeremy Webb
    Writer:Ben Vanstone

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  16. Merlin Season 2 Episode 2 - The Once and Future Queen
    7.4/10(14 votes)

    #16 - The Once and Future Queen

    S2:E2

    Arthur is determined to win an upcoming jousting competition at Camelot. Gwen challenges Arthur to give up his spoilt ways after he goes undercover with her and Merlin. Myror shows up at Camelot determined to kill Arthur. Arthur is determined to prove himself and win the contest unaware that he is in danger.

    Director:Jeremy Webb
    Writer:Howard Overman

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  17. Merlin Season 2 Episode 3 - The Nightmare Begins
    7.4/10(15 votes)

    #17 - The Nightmare Begins

    S2:E3

    When Morgana's nightmares spill into waking hours, she becomes terrified that she has the power of magic. Gaius is determined to keep her in the dark for her own good but Merlin won't stand by and watch his friend suffer. He knows exactly what she's going through and he knows she needs the truth. Is Merlin about to reveal his secret at last?

    Director:Jeremy Webb
    Writer:Ben Vanstone

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  18. Merlin Season 4 Episode 11 - The Hunter's Heart
    7.4/10(11 votes)

    #18 - The Hunter's Heart

    S4:E11

    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

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  19. Merlin Season 5 Episode 2 - Arthur's Bane (2)
    7.4/10(14 votes)

    #19 - Arthur's Bane (2)

    S5:E2

    As dawn breaks across the icy tundra, Merlin and Arthur are close to exhaustion. With each tortured step, the fortress of Ismere looms ever nearer and Merlin's fear intensifies. What game is Mordred playing? And what powerful secrets are Morgana and the druid Ruadan (Liam Cunningham) searching for amongst its twisted catacombs? It seems like this time, not even Merlin can stop Arthur from walking right into the lion's den… For in this bleak and transient wilderness, only one thing is certain: the great trial for Albion has finally begun.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Merlin Season 5 Episode 6 - The Dark Tower
    7.4/10(10 votes)

    #20 - The Dark Tower

    S5:E6

    When Gwen is snatched from Camelot without warning, Merlin knows there can be only one person responsible: Morgana. Arthur is determined to rescue his Queen – but it's not going to be easy, for she is locked in the Dark Tower, a place that haunts the dreams of men. Arthur and his Knights must embark on a quest like no other, battling through a landscape riddled with hidden dangers, perilous obstacles and magical beings. As they near their goal, Merlin's sense of dread reaches breaking point. What twisted game is Morgana playing? And more importantly, just what is the final test that awaits them in the tower?

    Director:Ashley Way
    Writer:Julian Jones

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  21. Merlin Season 1 Episode 10 - The Moment of Truth
    7.5/10(15 votes)

    #21 - The Moment of Truth

    S1:E10

    Merlin is stunned when his mother, Hunith, turns up in Camelot--bruised, battered and desperate for help from Uther. She explains to Uther that a bandit named Kanen and his men have been attacking her village demanding all of their harvest or he will kill them. When Uther refuses to help, Merlin leaves Camelot to protect his mother and friends. To Merlin's surprise, Arthur, Morgana and Gwen join forces with him to save his village--but at what cost?

    Director:David Moore
    Writer:Ben Vanstone

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  22. Merlin Season 1 Episode 12 - To Kill the King
    7.5/10(15 votes)

    #22 - To Kill the King

    S1:E12

    Gwen's father, Tom, helps a sorcerer named Tauren turn lead into gold using a magic stone. As Tauren escapes, Tom is caught and will await trial. Whilst looking for Gwen, Morgana finds the magic stone, and Merlin can sense it. When Tom is killed by Uther, Morgana is out for revenge on Uther.

    Director:Stuart Orme
    Writer:Jake Michie

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  23. Merlin Season 2 Episode 9 - The Lady of the Lake
    7.5/10(15 votes)

    #23 - The Lady of the Lake

    S2:E9

    Freya is found by Merlin trapped in a bounty hunter's cage and decides to try and help her escape. Merlin refuses to listen to Gaius' warnings not to get involved. After freeing her Merlin hides Freya in the tunnels beneath Camelot. Merlin is forced to make some hard decisions to keep Freya safe.

    Director:Metin Hüseyin
    Writer:Julian Jones

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  24. Merlin Season 2 Episode 11 - The Witch's Quickening
    7.5/10(15 votes)

    #24 - The Witch's Quickening

    S2:E11

    Alvarr is determined to allow magic to be used gain and destroy Camelot. Alvarr needs to reclaim the Crystal of Neahtid to make his plan work. Alvarr and Morgana try to get their hands on the crystal and use a druid boy to help them. Merlin is surprised when he finds out the real power of the crystal.

    Director:Alice Troughton
    Writer:Jake Michie

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  25. Merlin Season 4 Episode 5 - His Father's Son
    7.5/10(15 votes)

    #25 - His Father's Son

    S4:E5

    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

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Love in the Time of Dragons" is the worst rated episode of "Merlin". It scored 6.3/10 based on 15 votes. Directed by Alice Troughton and written by Jake Michie, it aired on 11/6/2010. This episode scored 0.4 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Changeling".