Valiant (Merlin episode)

"Valiant" is the second episode in the BBC television series Merlin. In this episode, Merlin has become Arthur's manservant at the request of the King, and has to assist him in getting ready for a sword fighting tournament.

Plot

The annual sword fighting tournament is taking place at Camelot, and warriors from all around are arriving to compete. Notable among them is Knight Valiant (played by Will Melor), who has acquired an enchanted shield which can shoot forth serpents to disable and kill an enemy.

Merlin is tasked with preparing Arthur for battle, but during his preparations, he discovers the secret of Valiant's shield. He reports this to Gaius, who tells him to keep quiet about the matter, as the King will not accept his claims. As the tournament progresses, Valiant and Arthur continue to succeed. Eventually, they are both set to fight each other in the final.

Gaius and Merlin discuss trying to find a cure for a knight who was attacked by the snakes. Merlin goes off in search of the snakes, but is almost attacked. He cuts off the head of one snake and flees with it to extract the poison for an antidote. Merlin tries to explain this to Arthur, but he refuses to believe the story.

In the meantime, Gaius revives the knight, who corroborates Merlin's story. Unfortunately, one of the snakes kills the knight just as Arthur and Merlin are making their allegations in front of the king. Because they have no evidence to support the claims, Arthur is humiliated and forced to apologise to Valiant. Later, Arthur relieves Merlin of his duties over the incident.

Merlin visits the Dragon under the castle who baffles him with more riddles and the claim that "this is just the beginning".

Talking to Guinevere, Merlin hits upon the idea of using a statue of a dog to lure the snakes out. He tries to enchant the statue without success.He visits Arthur to plead with him to withdraw from the tournament.

The next morning, Morgana visits Arthur after having had a nightmare about the impending fight. She warns him to be careful. As the battle commences, Merlin finally animates the statue of the dog, and heads off in persuit of Arthur. The match is going in Valiant's favour, and Arthur's helmet is knocked off. As the two knights tussle, Merlin forces the snakes to come out of the shield, exposing Valiant's lie.

Morgana throws a sword to Arthur, who beheads the snakes and finally kills Valiant. Having won the tournament, Arthur takes Morgana to the feast afterward, where they argue and Morgana walks off. Arthur then apologises to Merlin and rehires him as his manservant. The experience is bittersweet for Merlin as Arthur immediately rhymes off a list of chores for him to take care of.

Guest Starring

Will Mellor as Valiant