History Recap / MerlinS03E05TheCrystalCave

** There's a mini-version that counts as {{Foreshadowing}} when he sees the plain dagger that Arthur has gotten for Morgana, comments on its simplicity, which results in him getting a more ornate one.

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: If Merlin had just ignored the visions, he wouldn't have fallen into the SelfFulfillingProphecy.

* SelfFulfillingProphecy: Everything Merlin does in this episode to prevent Morgana's attack on Uther results in her going through with it; specifically wounding her, putting her in a position to overhear Uther's confession, and thus making her so angry that she heads to his bedchamber to assassinate him. There's a mini-version that counts as {{Foreshadowing}} when he sees the plain dagger that Arthur has gotten for Morgana, comments on its simplicity, which results in him getting a more ornate one.

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: If Merlin had just ignored the visions, he wouldn't have fallen into the SelfFulfillingProphesy.

This episode starts InMediasRes with Merlin and Arthur running through the forest in SlowMotion with a HeartbeatSoundtrack, with a gang of bandits chasing them. Why? How? Doesn't matter. They find a hiding place down in a mossy bank and Arthur states that he knew they would escape, annoyed with Merlin's lack of trust. Naturally, this is the bandits' cue to charge at them...from the opposite direction. They continue in the same vein as they run for cover, with Merlin becoming increasingly annoyed with Arthur insisting for him to "trust me" only for more danger to find them. He stops short at a place that Arthur identifies as the Valley of the Fallen Kings, a rocky glen that opens out behind two large statues of crowned warriors. Merlin pauses in fear, sensing powerful magic, until Arthur has to grab his arm and drag into the valley, annoyed and insisting (arbitrarily) that no bandit will find them here. That's the bandits' second cue to shoot him in the back with an arrow. Merlin tries to haul him to his feet, but Arthur falls unconscious.

Merlin looks up to see a wizened old man with a white beard in long robe watching him. Merlin explains that Arthur is dying, but the old man assures him calmly that the time for him to die has not yet come. He introduces himself as Taliesin, says he knows who Merlin is and calls him "Emrys" and goes over and heals Arthur with magic. While Arthur is still asleep, however, Talieson says he wants to show something to Merlin: [[TitleDrop The Crystal Cave.]]

* SelfFulfilingProphesy: Everything Merlin does in this episode to prevent Morgana's attack on Uther results in her going through with it; specifically wounding her, putting her in a position to overhear Uther's confession, and thus making her so angry that she heads to his bedchamber to assassinate him. There's a mini-version that counts as {{Foreshadowing}} when he sees the plain dagger that Arthur has gotten for Morgana, comments on its simplicity, which results in him getting a more ornate one.

* SelfFulfillingProphesy: Everything Merlin does in this episode to prevent Morgana's attack on Uther results in her going through with it; specifically wounding her, putting her in a position to overhear Uther's confession, and thus making her so angry that she heads to his bedchamber to assassinate him. There's a mini-version that counts as {{Foreshadowing}} when he sees the plain dagger that Arthur has gotten for Morgana, comments on its simplicity, which results in him getting a more ornate one.

Up in Morgana's room, Gwen makes the bed and comments that it's going to be a bad night as lightning flashes outside. Morgana learns that the intruder has not been caught, but seems to be mostly lost in her own thoughts. Merlin rushes down the corridor and bursts into Morgana's room just in time to see her sheathe the dagger into her belt. He claims Arthur sent him there to look after her while the intruder was on the loose, and cuts her off as she makes for the door. On trying to barge past him, Merlin grabs Morgana's wrists, and just when the FoeYay quotient is about to fly through the roof, Morgana uses her magic to throw Merlin across the room.

He releases her hands and pushes her back against the pillows, telling her that he must let her rest. Morgana watches him go, a stunned expression on her face.

Merlin gallops back to Camelot and rushes for the physician's quarters, finding a drowsy Guinevere watching over Morgana. Merlin urges her to go and get some sleep, and as soon as he's alone with Morgana, he comes to his decision and performs the spell that the dragon infused him with. His voice is deeper than usual, echoing in the back of his throat, and he's forced to hold one hand in place over Morgana's forehead. She wakes up with a gasp.

He breaks down into tears. Merlin numbly leaves, and watches in the rain as Arthur takes out his frustration on a practice dummy with his sword.

* MorallyAmbiguousMentor: Taliesin tells Merlin that the visions he sees in the Crystal Cave can be used for good, but everything that happens afterwards only leads to Merlin inadvertantly helping Morgana discover that Uther is her father - giving her a good reason to start targeting Arthur.

Gaius goes to speak with Merlin in his darkened bedroom, and Merlin says that he only wanted to prevent Uther's death, not stop Morgana. However, he seems resigned to Morgana's fate, telling Gaius that he's prevented something much worse from happening.

In the banquet hall that evening, a toast is raised for Lady Morgana, who sits decked out in gems and jewelry next to Uther and Arthur at the head table. Uther has given her a necklace to wear, and Arthur wriggles in anticipation as his gift is presented. Merlin's smile fades as Morgana opens the box and withdraws a GemEncrusted dagger, unsheathing it before her eyes just as he's seen in the crystal.

Over dinner with Gaius, Merlin tells him that he can't get the visions out of his head. Gaius tells him that he's very lucky to have seen the Crystal Cave and that Taliesin was a seer that died almost three hundred years ago. Merlin is certain that the visions he saw are imminent and that it's up to him to stop Morgana from killing Uther, but Gaius comes down with a case of ArbitrarySkepticism and tells him that since crystals are tricky things, it's best to do nothing.

* AmbiguousMentor: Taliesin tells Merlin that the visions he sees in the Crystal Cave can be used for good, but everything that happens afterwards only leads to Merlin inadvertantly helping Morgana discover that Uther is her father - giving her a good reason to start targeting Arthur.

-->Arthur: You look like a started stoat!
-->Merlin: Yeah? Well, at least I don't look like a bone-idle . . . toad.
-->Arthur: You're saying I look like a toad?
-->Merlin: Yeah! And maybe one day, you'll magically transform into a handsome prince. . . . Since magic's outlawed, that'll probably never happen. C'mon, let's go.
-->Arthur: Merlin! I'm the one who gives the orders, remember?
-->Merlin: Yeah. You ready? Let's go!

Arthur tries to figure out what happened while he was unconscious, but Merlin doesn't want to talk and makes up a lie that the arrow never pierced the armor, just knocked him down, and then he knocked himself out. Arthur is slightly confused but commends Merlin for getting them out alive, and even offers him a reward. He is even more confused when Merlin is too distracted and annoyed to want one.

Arthur reports what he's learned about he bandits to Uther, publicly commending Merlin. Gwen gives him a friendly nudge, but he's too angsty to appreciate it. As they leave, Uther is glad that Arthur survived so he could come to the feast the next day for Morgana's birthday.

The Crystal Cave is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin, and Taliesin describes it as the place where magic began. Glimpsing at a crystal at eye-level, Merlin sees a vision of [[{{Recap/MerlinS03E13TheComingOfArthurPartII}} Morgana sitting on a throne as Queen]], as well as [[{{Recap/MerlinS03E10QueenOfHearts}} an image of himself as an old man]]. He quickly deduces that the crystals on the walls of the cave are the same as the [[{{Recap/MerlinS02E11TheWitchsQuickening} Crystal of Neahtid]], that which revealed to him the visions of himself releasing the dragon and all the havoc that ensued from that. Taliesin confirms that it the Crystal of Neahtid was hewn from this very cave. Perhaps understandably, he has no desire to see any more crystal prophecies. However, Taliesin insists the he looks, saying he can use the prophecies for good, and Merlin reluctantly steps forward and gazes into the nearest crystal.

Several images flash across it: Morgana struggling with a long-haired horse, Morgana drawing a decorative dagger, himself roaring in the dragon tongue, a finger dripping with red liquid, and Morgana stabbing Uther in his sleep with the dagger. Merlin collapses in what seems to be terror and pain, demanding "What was that?" But Taliesin has vanished.

* MerlinSickness: It's implied that Taliesin has this; on healing Arthur he tells Merlin that he'll fully recover: "If my memory serves me."

Merlin looks up to see a wizened old man with a white beard in long robe watching him. Merlin explains that Arthur is dying, but the old man assures him calmly that he will not, introduces himself as Taliesin, says he knows who Merlin is and calls him "Emrys" and goes over and heals Arthur with magic. While Arthur is still asleep, however, Talieson says he wants to show something to Merlin: [[TitleDrop The Crystal Cave.]]

The Crystal Cave is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin. Merlin quickly deduces that the crystals on the walls of the cave are like the one that showed him the prophecy of himself releasing the dragon and all the havoc that ensued from that. Perhaps understandably, he has no desire to see any more crystal prophecies. However, Taliesin insists the he looks, saying he can use the prophecies for good, and Merlin reluctantly steps forward and gazes into the nearest crystal.

Arthur reports what he's learned about he bandits to Uther, publicly commending Merlin. Gwen gives him a friendly nudge, but he's too angsty to appreciate it. As they leave, Uther is glad that Arthur survived so he could come to the feast the next day for Morgana's birthday.

Somehow Merlin manages to conceal the two of them, and watches from a gorge as the bandits rush past.

Merlin is trying to heal the unconscious Arthur. He tries magic, pleads with him, tries magic again, but it seems [[GenreBlind (to Merlin)]] that Arthur is really a goner this time. Merlin goes over to a nearby spring to wash Arthur's blood off and cry in despair. His weeping is interrupted by the voice of a stranger.

--> Taliesin: Tell me: why are you so sad?

Merlin looks up to see a wizened old man with a white beard in long robe. Merlin explains that Arthur is dying, but the old man assures him calmly that he will not, introduces himself as Taliesin, says he knows who Merlin is and calls him "Emrys" and goes over and heals Arthur with magic. While Arthur is still asleep, however, Talieson says he wants to show something to Merlin: [[TitleDrop The Crystal Cave.]]

This episode opens with Merlin and Arthur being chased through the woods by bandits. They find a hiding place and Arthur insists he knew they could escape, annoyed with Merlin's doubting him. Seconds later, more bandits show up and they have to run off again. They continue in the same vein, Merlin become increasingly annoyed with Arthur insisting "trust me" only for more danger to find them, until they enter a rocky glen place called "The Valley of the Fallen Kings." Merlin pauses in fear, sensing powerful magic, and Arthur grabs his arm and drags into the valley, annoyed and insisting (arbitrarily) that no bandit will find them here. Next second, Arthur gets an arrow in the back from a bandit and falls on his face.

After the opening credits, Merlin is trying to heal the unconscious Arthur. He tries magic, pleads with him, tries magic again, but it seems [[GenreBlind (to Merlin)]] that Arthur is really a goner this time. Merlin goes over to a nearby spring to wash Arthur's blood off and cry in despair. His weeping is interrupted by the voice of a stranger.

This episode opens with Merlin and Arthur being chased through the woods by bandits. They find a hiding place and Arthur insists he knew they could escape, annoyed with Merlin's doubting him. Seconds later, more bandits show up and they have to run off again. They continue in the same vain, Merlin become increasingly annoyed with Arthur insisting "trust me" only for more danger to find them, until they enter a rocky glen place called "The Valley of the Fallen Kings." Merlin pauses in fear, sensing powerful magic, and Arthur grabs his arm and drags into the valley, annoyed and insisting (arbitrarily) that no bandit will find them here. Next second, Arthur gets an arrow in the back from a bandit and falls on his face.

After the opening credits, Merlin is trying to heal the unconscious Arthur. He tries magic, pleads with him, tries magic again, but it seems {GenreBlind (to Merlin)} that Arthur is really a goner this time. Merlin goes over to a nearby spring to wash Arthur's blood off and cry in despair. His weeping is interrupted by the voice of a stranger.

--> Talieson: Tell me: why are you so sad?

Merlin looks up to see a wizened old man with a white beard in long robe. Merlin explains that Arthur is dying, but the old man assures him calmly that he will not, introduces himself as Talieson, says he knows who Merlin is and calls him "Emrys" and goes over and heals Arthur with magic. While Arthur is still asleep, however, Talieson says he wants to show something to Merlin: {TitleDrop The Crystal Cave.}

The Crystal Cave is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin. Merlin quickly deduces that the crystals on the walls of the cave are like the one that showed him the prophecy of himself releasing the dragon and all the havok that ensued from that. Perhaps understandably, he has no desire to see any more crystal prophecies. However, Talieson insists the he looks, saying he can use the prophecies for good, and Merlin reluctantly steps forward and gazes into the nearest crystal.

Several images flash across it: Morgana struggling with a long-haired horse, Morgana drawing a decorative dagger, himself roaring in the dragon tongue, a finger dripping with red liquid, and Morgana stabbing Uther in his sleep with the dagger. Merlin collapses in what seems to be terror and pain, demanding "What was that?" But Talieson has vanished.

After the opening credits, Merlin is trying to heal the unconscious Arthur. He tries magic, pleads with him, tries magic again, but it seems [GenreBlind (to Merlin)] that Arthur is really a goner this time. Merlin goes over to a nearby spring to wash Arthur's blood off and cry in despair. His weeping is interrupted by the voice of a stranger.

Merlin looks up to see a wizened old man with a white beard in long robe. Merlin explains that Arthur is dying, but the old man assures him calmly that he will not, introduces himself as Talieson, says he knows who Merlin is and calls him "Emrys" and goes over and heals Arthur with magic. While Arthur is still asleep, however, Talieson says he wants to show something to Merlin: [TitleDrop The Crystal Cave.]