Merlin- A Herald of the New Age Review

Elyan possessed.

This season, we finally see Arthur take a step towards the kingdom he is meant to build. This episode shows this beautifully, and you can believe Arthur's word about the druids. The episode itself was Elyan and Arthur centeric. Well, Elyan gets more screen time this episode since he gets possessed by a spirit. We also see some character development for Arthur, as he atones for his actions. In a way, admitting that not everything his father believed in wasn't the right thing to do.

 So the story wove itself nicely in the beginning, giving Elyan a good reason to drink (his fellow knights won't give him any water) from the area Merlin said was cursed. In a way it's nice to see Merlin not being picked on again, but we'll that later in the episode. They soon head back to Camelot, but both Arthur and Elyan acting strange. Elyan for more obvious reasons, Arthur for reasons that will be known later.

 I have to say I loved the mention of salt warding off spirits (they used that in Supernatural as well), but they managed to used improperly. Come, a little small circle of salt under the bed is supposed to protect Elyan. Ha! It doesn't either, because Elyan is soon comes possessed. The knights, Arthur and Merlin begin to notice Elyan's strange behavior. This includes curling into a ball on his bedroom floor, almost beating Merlin to a pulp, and seeing strange ghost boys. The last one gets Elyan knocked out by Gwaine. When Elyan becomes fully conscious, he becomes possessed by the boy and sets out to kill Arthur.

When his attempt fails, Elyan escapes. Everyone quickly assumes its because of his sister's banishment, but Merlin tells Arthur that Elyan has been possessed. Arthur believes this and tells this to Agravaine, who quickly turns the idea down and wants to put Elyan to death. This scene with Arthur, Merlin and Agravaine is essential in its own way. It shows Arthur trusting his own decisions and Agravaine losing control over Arthur which he previously had earlier in the season.

Although fearing Elyan may be put to death, Merlin and Gaius make a plan to sneak Elyan out of Camelot and exorcise the spirit from him. Being the master of escape he is, Merlin easily distracts the guards and gets Elyan out. Remember all the times Merlin got away by getting people to drink potions without knowing? Well he tries this with Elyan, but fails and is knocked out. Elyan tries a second time to kill Arthur, but this time complete possessed as a child's voice comes from his mouth instead of his own. This makes Arthur realize that Merlin was right (about time too). This causes Arthur to sneak out of the castle and Merlin to follow him like a failed ninja (Merlin-ism #1) since Arthur discovers Merlin following him.

Back at the Druid site, Arthur reveals that he had been the one who lead the raid on this place in hopes of pleasing his father. He promises the spirit that he will treat the Druids with the respect they deserve. The spirit likes this answers and leaves. This is more step towards the Camelot that Arthur will one day build. The next thing we can expect to see is Arthur beginning to tolerate magic. Or at least I hope.

 Now the next episode is going to be awesome by the looks of it. We are going to see the return of Gwen as she overhears Morgana's evil plan for Camelot. We also see Arthur dealing with a potential marriage to a princess, but has to deal with his feelings for Gwen. Either way, I have a feeling that this is building up for the season finale.