season 3: spoilers, theories & speculation
season 3 spoilers
BEFORE READING, PLEASE NOTE:
- The spoilers in this post only pertain to Merlin, Arthur and the M/A relationship. If you want spoilers involving other characters, this is a useful source.
- These spoilers do not beat around the bush. Read at your own risk! Most of them are pretty detailed - there's even an entire episode synopsis.
- This is NOT an official spoiler post. It is simply the first of many at shapingdestiny; as new spoilers are released, the comm will always host a new entry to talk about them, which means that this post will NOT be updated with new stuff. You are, however, perfectly allowed to keep up comment threads in this entry for as long as you'd like, and if you ever want to revisit past spoiler entries, you may do so by navigating the ! spoilers tag.
GENERAL
- S3 begins one year after the events of season two. Uther is going mad due to the absence of Morgana; the premiere episode is said to open with Arthur and Merlin leading a search party for her. They eventually succeed. Based on various reports of the scene where they return to the castle, Merlin is very distraught to the point of being unresponsive to Arthur's questions and attempts to get his attention.
- Camelot is in the middle of a war. Cenred's army is especially brutal - he and Morgause have apparently joined forces.
- The first and second episodes form a two-parter including an attack on Camelot by an army of skeletons. Based on Bradley's script sides, Merlin and Arthur are attacked by three skeletons directly after a scene where Merlin joins Arthur in the courtyard; Arthur is very suspicious of Merlin's prior whereabouts, believing Merlin can come up with 'better excuses.' ( READ FULL SYNOPSIS - BEWARE OF MAJOR SPOILERS!)
- Arthur and Merlin go to the pub and take part in a bar brawl. (video: includes brief clips of the fight scene and an interview with Colin)
- According to various comments by Colin, season three will show Merlin developing a new kind of magic. It is possible that this magic is related to his power as a Dragonlord. Merlin's release of the dragon has had a very big impact on him.
- Colin says that the reveal hasn't been shot in the first two blocks of the season (episodes 1-6) but he is unsure of what the rest of the scripts will hold.
- May Expo Question - How will the Merlin/Arthur relationship develop?
Colin: The third series is set a year in the future, so a lot has happened, a lot has changed and a lot will change. Both characters have matured quite a lot and you're seeing Merlin at a stage where he's going through a huge amount emotionally and physically. He has a different outlook on life and has taken on that famous wise advisor role many of you know from legend. So yeah, you're definitely seeing their friendship and their duties in life taking a bigger step. (video)
- Colin: You're going to see huge changes in the relationship between Arthur and Merlin. Arthur's going down the path of being more king-like, but he's going to be a more understanding king than Uther would be. And Merlin wouldn't want to reveal that he has magic if he thought [Arthur] was going to have the same attitude as his father. I think it'd be the wrong time, but as the series progresses, you see times when Merlin is kind of assessing the situation. He's becoming more like the "advisor" of the legends that we know. (article)
- There are glimpses of what Arthur will be like as a future king and what his attitude on magic will be. When Merlin becomes more advisor-like, Arthur actually listens to him. (interview)
- Merlin and Arthur go on two road trips near the beginning of the season. Possibly related to the bar brawl. (video)
- There is a scene where Arthur trains his fellow knights whilst blinfolded. Merlin watches. During a break, the two share a scene where Arthur apparently teases Merlin for his lack of forcefulness. ( source)
- Merlin, Arthur, Morgana and Gwen ride out of Camelot together, presumably to battle as the girls and Arthur are wearing armour. It is speculated that they might be going to Ealdor. (pictures)
- Expect more shirtless!Arthur. yavannauk says: "We believe Bradley also filmed a topless pyjama clad scene at some point. He was seen in the courtyard wearing light coloured sleep pants, flip-flops and a dressing gown on two occasions." ( source: picture)
- Lancelot, the Lady of the Lake and Excalibur will be returning. More Knights of the Round Table will be introduced, and there will be a plot involving the Crystal Cave, which will in all likelihood center around Merlin. (interview)
- An old friend of Arthur's visits Camelot, presumably for a tournament. (video) Arthur and Merlin greet him and Arthur introduces Merlin as his servant. It is speculated that the friend has a plot up his sleeve, and it is possible that the scene shown in this video is Merlin and Arthur watching him leave. Arthur also appears to give Merlin a noogie and playfully pushes Merlin while they're walking back inside.
- It is rumoured/unconfirmed that Morgana will manipulate Uther to favour her over Arthur.
- Merlin's relationship with Morgana will continue to deteriorate. Katie says that there is "no going back" from what Merlin did to her at the end of season two. (interview)
- Merlin and Gaius have a fight resulting in Merlin being sad and distracted. ( source)
- Georgia May King is playing a female character of royalty and, according to her Twitter, apparently has many scenes with Bradley. The nature of these scenes is unknown, although it is likely that they are comical. It is also possible that these scenes take place at a different castle (Castell Coch has been reported as a location) and a nursery appears to be involved. It is unknown whether or not Merlin is present during this trip/visit, although there are pictures showing that Georgia's character eventually turns up in Camelot for an event - judging by the attire, it is a very important ceremony.
- Arthur uses Merlin for target practise, apparently with the intention of getting Merlin to talk (unconfirmed speculation of a fan). After the training session, he is seen punching Merlin in the arm, telling Merlin to cheer up. Later, as Merlin watches from the shadows, Arthur beats up a practise dummy in the pouring rain. (video)
- There is a scene where a lone Arthur leaves Camelot on horseback. Uther, Morgana and Merlin are present, the former looking very sombre. Merlin and Arthur appear to share a private goodbye. (video)
- Various Guest Stars (new and recurring): Emilia Fox, Santiago Cabrera, Mark Williams, Georgia May King, Miriam Margoyles, Warwick Davis
(source: I've definitely forgot some names, so please let me know who I've missed out on!)
EPISODE SYNOPSIS: SERIES PREMIERE
A year has passed since Morgana disappeared, and Uther's desperate attempts to find his ward have almost destroyed his army. Following an ambush in an eerie forest, a bruised and bloody Morgana emerges, claiming to have been held prisoner by bandits all this time. When Uther begins to have terrifying visions, Gaius and Merlin realise that Morgana is a traitor and has the king gripped by a dark enchantment. Merlin releases Uther but there is worse to come: Cenred has joined forces with Morgause and a huge army is swarming towards Camelot. As Uther struggles to recover, Arthur must take charge. In the midst of the battle, Morgana quietly slips down to the vaults and unleashes a gruesome army of skeletons; she wants vengeance for the deaths Uther has caused in his quest to destroy all magical beings. Merlin confronts her, and as they fight he almost reveals his own gift. While her back is turned he uses magic to collapse the ceiling, knocking Morgana unconscious. As her spell breaks, the skeleton army crumbles and Camelot fights on to victory. To Merlin's horror, Uther mistakenly hails Morgana as Camelot's saviour - and the king is more determined than ever to keep the forces of magic from his gates. ( source)
DISCUSSION TIME!
So, what do you think? We have quite a lot to go on, certainly a lot more than we did during the summer hiatus for season two. How do you feel about certain scenes? Any speculation and/or theories? DISCUSS! ♥ :D