Merlin "The Death Song of Uther Pendragon": Daddy Issues

Now this is what I'm talking about! The Death Song of Uther Pendragon really brings Merlin to high in it's third episode of the season. Pre-season 4, the third episode was usually made to be pure filler, and had no real impact on the season overall. Then season 4 changed that with The Wicked Day, and season 5 has followed that trend with the equally intense The Death Song of Uther Pendragon. The whole episode just had me on the edge of my seat with the exception of the beginning of the episode. When Uther made his comeback, as a spirit, Arthur was forced to accept the true nature of what his father really was. In The Death Song of Uther Pendragon, Arthur stepped out of his father's shadow once and for all.

So getting to the point, The Death Song of Uther Pendragon begins with the usual Merlin/Arthur banter as Merlin once again ruined a hunt. They soon hear screams (as much as Merlin wishes it were a bird), and find a woman about to be burned at the stake. Arthur chooses to save her despite the village claiming she brought a plague upon them. Thankful to Arthur, she gives him a magical horn that allows the living to see spirits of the dead. This brings about Arthur thinking about seeing his father one last time, and decides to bring Merlin along to the site. Calling on Uther's spirit, Arthur is able to see his father again, but it isn't as heartfelt as Arthur hoped it would be as Uther tells Arthur that he is destroying what Uther built. You know, that's what all sons want to hear their fathers say. The meeting between father and son is finished, but Arthur knowingly let's Uther's spirit out, and Uther begins to cause trouble in Camelot. Or rather, he begins to correct Arthur's "mistakes".

For me, The Death Song of Uther Pendragon was the strongest episode of season 5 of Merlin so far. It did wonders for the Merlin and Arthur relationship, as well as showing how deep it runs. The Death Song of Uther Pendragon had the usual Merlin/Arthur banter that we all love and enjoy watching. My favorite moment of  The Death Song of Uther Pendragon was the showdown between Merlin and Uther. Words cannot describe the moment to justice other than a gigantic grin on my face. Just think about it, how would a showdown between Uther, the man hates magic, and Merlin, who was born with it, go down exactly? Uther also had this great dynamic with Arthur as he was continually trying to make his son see the error of his ways. Arthur though, now having been king for a while, has realized his father wasn't as what Arthur painted him to be. Nobody destroys the roundtable, throws an axe at Percival (NO!), and attacks Gwen, and gets away with it. The Death Song of Uther Pendragon was an intense episode as no telling who was next.

Couple things though that made The Death Song of Uther Pendragon not such a prefect episode. Much it was needed to step the episode up for it's much bigger story, the beginning felt rushed, and a bit out of place. Since it's Merlin, I'll forgive them. I guess saving the woman accused of magic was a step towards Arthur being more lenient towards magic. You would think though that Arthur, would be a bit suspicious of her no? Not only that, but take a magical horn from her. Not to mention later consider using it to see Uther's spirit. Where does Arthur's line draw? I'm pretty it will be explain later. Right?

So I'm hoping that The Death Song of Uther Pendragon will set the standard for the set of the season of Merlin. I am also happy for something better too. Still loving the showdown between Merlin and Uther. I mean who wouldn't? Not happy though that Uther put an axe in Percival, who just happens to be one of my favorite knights. I really hope that was not his moment to "shine", as each knight gets in the series. I wonder though, was calling on his father's spirit a part of Arthur's bane? Season 5 will explain it all to us soon.

Did you like the showdown between Uther and Merlin? Who is your favorite knight?