The Mark of Nimueh (who's more than a little angry)

Now, to begin, this episode begins with the pretty and slightly creepy Nimueh (she's next to Merlin, in the blue hood, see her?). She's in a cave chanting some creepy words, much similar to magic spells that Merlin has used once and standing over some sort of water bowl/birdbath. She seems to be molding clay but I think it is probably more valuable to the story since Nimueh's eyes have yet to blink as they stare at the sculpture. Once the decidedly sinister Nimueh has crafted what appears to be a tiny goon, she places it inside some sort of egg. This egg is then dropped into the bowl/birdbath, seemingly harmless. Unfortunately, her smile is a little too evil for that egg to be harmless, and further questions are raised as the egg pops up in another cave.

My eyebrows are still raised even during the Merlin theme and next thing I know, Merlin's filling my screen and Gaius is examining a dead guy. The man appears to be quite grotesque and my questions continue as even Gaius doesn't understand what is happening, which is what he reports to King Uther, who looks equally concerned. As Merlin and Gaius discuss possibilities, magic is once again the answer to all of our questions.

Next, Merlin says that if magic is doing this, it is more than likely that he could use his magic to undo it. This idea is quickly squashed by Gaius' fear for Merlin's safety and the grave risk of Merlin being executed. Before Merlin can pout those cute Irish lips of his, Gaius asks Merlin where this problem could be originating from, claiming that preventing the illness is better than solving just one infected person. Merlin and Gaius compare their victims, all who have been diverse in gender, lifestyle, appearance, etc. However the one thing that everyone in Camelot shares is water.

Aww!

Before the two can further debate how to solve this problem and properly investigate, Merlin is being called by Arthur. However he does bump into Gwen and is seen by Arthur accepting a flower from her. When Merlin inquires as to who she picked all of the flowers for, Gwen responds with "someone special." I find this cute because she's next seen giving them to Morgana to cheer the lady up after another nightmare, which we know to be prophetic.However when Merlin attends to his "master", Arthur teases him about being in love with Gwen, which I believe to be untrue but adorable all the same.

Soon, things take a turn for the worst when Gwen's father becomes ill as well. Gwen is bid leave by the lovely Morgana and she is left to attend to an incurable father. This creates a bigger decision for Merlin since this time, he actually knows the dying man. And since we know our magic man is impulsive, it isn't too surprising that he opens the spell book and whips up a poultice to save Gwen's father. In order to heal the man, Merlin must deposit the poultice under the ill man's pillow. This requires a rather comical scene of Merlin "stealthily" breaking and entering. Yet by some fluke, Merlin is successful and the scene once again changes.

Word quickly spreads of Gwen's father's miraculous recovery and Uther is, of course, suspicious (the old coot!). The king forces Arthur and the other knights to investigate Gwen's house for any signs of sorcery and, unfortunately, they find the poultice. Gwen is then dragged through the corridors into the throne room, where the guards rather roughly throw her at the king's feet. The king seems ready to blame her for the illness itself, which Morgana fiercely protests. Even Arthur questions the logic of the king. If Gwen did heal her father with magic, healing and causing an illness are two different acts caused by two different people, duh! However Uther is blinded by hatred and sentences Gwen to death.

Once this reaches Merlin's ears, he rushes to the throne room claiming Gwen's innocence and his own magic. Yet Arthur quickly intercepts the idiot, claiming that Merlin is disturbed by a mental disease. He's in love. With Gwen. And after some laughs at Merlin's  expense, he is led out by Arthur and is told that if the two of them destroy all traces of the illness whilst Gwen is in prison, obviously she will be let free.

Hence why I find myself in a cave with Merlin, Arthur and Morgana, who obviously didn't want to miss the action and disregarded Arthur's objections. As soon as they make their way to the center of the watering system, we finally see what hatched out of that egg, because it jumps out at them. Previously Merlin was told that the monster is made of earth and water and the other two elements will be needed to destroy the monster. Luckily, Arthur has a torch but we still need wind. As Arthur takes charge with the fire, Merlin creates a wind, encasing Arthur's torch, together they stab the creature and it disappears in a cloud of dust. As I question if Morgana and Arthur saw Merlin's magic, I see Merlin pick up the egg from Nimueh and take it with him.

Now, Gwen is scene being personally freed by my new favourite trio and Morgana asks to speak with Merlin alone. She seems to hint that she saw what Merlin did, however my hope that Merlin and her share his secret is dashed as she hints at his love for Gwen. She promises to keep his secret and Merlin once again gets out of a close call, scratch-free.

When Merlin returns home, he gives the egg to Gaius who recognizes a marking. However Merlin quickly goes to bed before he can question Gaius further. GaiusNimueh, which implies that they knew each other.

  The episode ends with Nimueh watching these events in her bowl/birdbath and swearing revenge on Merlin. And with the way she's smiling, I fear for my Merlin!

All images from: http://www.merlintvshow.com/photos/album/87744/103+The+Mark+of+Nimueh