Favorite Merlin Episodes

I have to do this at some point for all my TV shows and since I've been rewatching Merling, I felt it appropriate to do this now. So, here is my top ten favorite Merlin episodes (in order of air date).

Labyrinth of Gedref
Arthur unintentionally brings misfortune and destruction to Camelot by killing a unicorn. He must pass a series of tests to lift the curse.

These moments when we see how true-hearted Arthur really is, is what makes the series great. The comparison with Uther's ruthlessness and Arthur's wisdom and kindness is awesome. Even though at this point in the series, Arthur is still immature and arrogant, it's nice to see the glimpses into the future of what he will be one day become.
Also, the random subplot with Merlin hunting the rat is so pointlessly hilarious.

The Once and Future Queen
Tired of special treatment, Arthur goes undercover as a commoner in a tournament held in Camelot. Merlin arranges for him to stay with Gwen. Meanwhile, an assassin arrives in Camelot to kill Arthur.

Oh, Arthur. He is a good person with good ideals, but early in the series, he's such a spoiled, arrogant little brat. This episode marks the beginning of his change for the better. Also, the beginning of his romance with Gwen. I do think it was a little rushed and sort of jumped into, but still enjoyable. I like that Gwen is not afraid to tell him off when he's being annoying. Her little rant about how rude and insensitive he can be is awesome. Merlin is the only other person brave enough to do that.

Lancelot and Guinevere
Morgana and Gwen are kidnapped and their captors intend to hold Morgana for ransom. Morgana manages to escape so the kidnappers decide to have Gwen pose as Morgana and present her to their employer instead. Uther refuses to send a rescue party after Gwen, so Arthur undertakes the journey alone (with Merlin, of course). Meanwhile, Gwen meets up with a familiar face.

We finally get to see how much Arthur really cares about Gwen. Although I think it's a little sudden since their first kiss; because it's the first time it's even acknowledged since "The Once and Future Queen" and suddenly he's talking about how he cares about her more than anyone? ...Well, it's still very sweet. He risks so much to go rescue her. It was so flippin' heartbreaking when he saw her and Lancelot together.
Also, I think Lancelot and Gwen's romance was a little out of the blue too (because they only met once before and didn't have a ton of interaction), but it was still quite tender. It was great to see Lancelot again though. I love him so much!
What I loved most though was Arthur and Merlin's journey. I always love their banter and interactions. When they go through the Wildren-infested tunnels while covered in Gaia berries became so iconic that they even brought it back in later seasons.

Beauty and the Beast (part 1 and 2)
A troll transforms herself into a beautiful lady of the court and attempts to woo Uther.

One of my all-time favorites. The actress who plays the troll is so good. She is so disgusting! Ha!
I love the scene when Uther is flirting with her at the dinner table. Arthur is so disgusted and Morgana is just like, Oh Uther, you sly dog.
Even after she is exposed as a troll, but Uther is under her spell and completely in love with her... it's too funny! The scene when the court gathers to make sure he is aware that he knows he is married to a troll is so hilarious ("...Not that it's necessarily a bad thing. We just thought we ought to point it out in case it happened to pass you by.")
Then Merlin, Gaius, and Arthur's hair-brained plan to break the troll's enchantment over Uther... Ha! ("After I have administered the poison-- the POTION!") It's pretty touching though that Uther still cries over Arthur even under an enchantment.

Sweet Dreams
The four kingdoms come together to sign a peace treaty. However, one king does not want peace and has his jester use sorcery to cause trouble: By causing Arthur and a visiting princess with an over-protective father to fall in love, the peace treaty could easily be called off.

Lovey-dovey Arthur is so hilarious! (GAIUS: "One of your ribs is broken, sire." ARTHUR: "Nothing can hurt me today. I am invincible! *grabs Gaius's face* Love really can conquer all, Gaius.") Poor Merlin trying to keep it all straight. Then poor Gwen getting her heart broken like that, just when she was getting her hopes up, bam! Nope, sorry.
Of course it's true love's kiss that breaks the enchantment! XD (Although, I have to say that it was a very good kiss.) I always wonder what happened to Vivian after she left because she was still under the spell.

The Eye of the Phoenix
To prove his worth to the kingdom, Arthur must undertake a grand quest alone through the Perilous Lands to retrieve the Fisher King's trident. Little does he know that Morgana is hindering him and he cannot complete his journey without help.

Poor clueless Arthur. (That just about sums up the entire show, to be honest.)
I liked that Morgana's bracelet served a purpose beyond just hindering Arthur's quest. It actually helped complete it in the end. Like, everything came into a full circle.
There were a bunch of small things I liked about this episode. For example, the Wyvern. As soon as you hear "distant cousins of the dragon", you're like Oh, Merlin's got this. Or the riddle that Arthur needs "courage, strength, and magic" to complete his quest. And of course, it's always great to see Gwaine again. He's awesome!

Queen of Hearts
Morgana has a vision of Gwen becoming queen and decides to expose her's and Arthur's relationship to Uther.

I find this a very stressful, but also a very sweet episode. You can see how Morgana knows exactly how to manipulate Uther and it annoys me so much!
Finally, Arthur straight-up says he loves Gwen instead of beating around the bush. And to his father no less. Then when Uther begins to think about it, wondering why Arthur feels so passionately (he might've even changed his mind), Morgana just had to suggest sorcery. I mean, naturally. It's the only logical explanation.
The scene when Gwen is sentenced to death is extremely heart-wrenching. Arthur and Guinevere for life! (Also, finally someone notices Morgana's evil smirk!)
And then this episode is the very first time we see old Merlin (known as Dragoon the Great here). So freakin' hilarious! I love his sassiness!

A Servant of Two Masters
Morgana captures Merlin and enslaves his mind, telling him to kill Arthur.

I think this one might be my favorite Merlin episode. All throughout the series, we see everyone else get enchanted and become someone they're not. So, for the first time, it happens to Merlin... and it's hilarious. Usually, he's such a loyal, polite, caring person, and then suddenly he's such a rude and grumpy little traitor who is so not subtle about what he is doing. I love that Merlin is just so trusted in the castle that even when he flat-out tells Leon that he's going to kill Arthur with a crossbow, Leon only laughs, Oh, good old Merlin, off to kill his Majesty. (He's the worst assassin ever too. I mean, when he's running at Arthur with a sword, he knocks himself out.)
Then, the first time Morgana encounters Emrys (old Merlin)! So good! You get to see how terrified she is of him. (I was a little let down by their magic face-off because all they do is throw each other in the air, but you get the idea of what's supposed to be happening.) Old Merlin is always a joy. He's just so darn sassy!

The Secret Sharer
Morgana becomes obsessed with finding out who Emrys is. She realizes that Gaius knows who he is and decides to have him kidnapped and tortured.

Oh, Gaius. He's a great character, really. (Even though I think for the sake of good story-telling, he should've been killed off at some point in order to allow Merlin to grow and progress... but I digress.)
I really loved hearing Merlin's destiny in full. I mean, you always hear bits and pieces about what he's going to do and who he will become, etc, but in this episode, when Gaius finally breaks, he says everything together and it just gave me chills. "He's the most powerful sorcerer who has ever lived." And the intensity as you wait for him to reveal Emrys's true name! Like, you want to hear it, because who is this great sorcerer But then you don't want him to give it away.
And freakin' Agravaine! I think he is the most frustrating character ever put in the show. And this episode made me so mad because he was so close to getting caught by Gwaine, but he still managed to talk his way out. He had a knife to Gaius's throat and he still talked his way out!

With All My Heart
Arthur finally finds out that Gwen is working with Morgana. He consorts with Gaius and Merlin and they find that sorcery is the only way to break Morgana's hold on the queen.

I have talked about how much I love old Merlin plenty of times, but here with old lady Merlin... I cannot even handle how hilariously perfect it was! Colin Morgan, how? His mannerisms, his voice. Hahaha!
And finally Gwen is fixed. I cannot believe they dragged on her brainwashing with Morgana for so many episodes. I mean, I didn't exactly grow bored of it, but usually they only carry this stuff for a maximum of two episodes if it's not the major plot arch.