Series 2 Spoilers Mega Post Pt.1 - Main Characters / Plots
This post contains spoilers. Don't proceed if you don't want to be spoiled. Sources are all quite reliable, including BBC/FremantleMedia Enterprises press releases, London MCM Expo Merlin panel (thanks to tenshunts' transcript), SFX interview, French crew's blog, photos of fans' site visit, guest star interviews, main cast interviews etc. I tried to credit everyone or provide info on the original source, if I miss something or someone, please let me know.
Characters' Relationship
Arthur/Merlin - Merlin must continue in his destiny to protect Camelot and the young Prince Arthur using his special gift: magic. As many dangers threaten the mythic city, Arthur must show great courage and skill in order to defend the kingdom, with Merlin at his side. (from Shine web site)
From onset photos, we learn
- An angry Merlin confronting Cedric and telling him that he wasn't going to let Cedric hurt Arthur. At the time Arthur (in chainmail) is lying unconscious behind Merlin, and around them both are a number of unconscious/dead knights. In a separate scene filmed on the same day, rocks were seen dropping on Arthur's head. Arthur was lying in the same position and with the same injury makeup. (from valderys' set visiting report)
- Cedric is approaching Arhur and Merlin, after(?) they were attacked by something unknown.
- Arthur and Merlin on horses riding into a lake.
Morgana/Gwen and Merlin/Morgana - the friendship between Morgana and Gwen becomes a lot closer in series two and there are certain things that happens to Morgana’s character where she needs her friend and someone to talk to, and both Merlin and Gwen become her confidantes in a way so it is important for us that we keep that friendship going but like all friendships in series two, it has moments where that friendship is absolutely tested... (from Johnny Capps)
Arthur/Gwen - ... loyal maid Gwen, who begins her difficult journey towards becoming the Queen Guinevere of legend. (from BBC press release)
A night scene was shot with Arthur, Gwen and a silver sphere (some monester?)
From Arthur's point of view the one main difference, having going through the first series not knowing this person Guinevere existed, the second series has the first signs that he's aware of who she is. So that's going to develop and I suppose you'll see when it comes to season two where that goes! (from Bradley James)
There're hints of romance between the Prince and Gwen. (from Johnny Capps)
There's a bit to go through yet before we really get moving on the Arthur/Guinevere storyline. There's a bit to go before Arthur is even aware of her existence. (from Bradley James)
There's a bit of a love triangle. Lancelot turns up when I get kidnapped, he helps to rescue me. But unbeknown to us Arthur is on his way to rescue me too. And they sort of come face-to-face and they're like 'Oh, I'm rescuing Gwen...' 'Oh, I'm rescing Gwen.' So, there's a bit of a clash between those two but it's hidden because Arthur and I haven't necessarily expressed our true feelings for each other. (from Angel Coulby vis SFX)
Merlin/Love Interest - there's a little bit of love interest comes up for Merlin (from Colin Morgan, Merlin: The Secrets Behind the Magic, around 6:40)
Merlin and Arthur watched as a boat containing a woman (Merlin's lover) drifted out across the water and then burst into flames. (Source)
Arthur/Uther - Uther marries to an evil troll in disguise of a beautiful woman. The already tense father-son relationship will definitely have a new twist. (from BBC press release)
We've gone through the mill a bit with our second series. There's quite a bit going on between Arthur and Uther. It's been a pleasure to have Anthony to work with in the scenes I've had to do. (from Bradley James)
Uther/Morgana - A farewell scene between Uther and Morgana was filmed with Arthur (on a horse) by their sides. Uther and Morgana were having a hug. (from Sébastien's live space)
Merlin/The Great Dragon - He and Merlin have an interesting relationship which is full of conflict. He doesn't necessarily give Merlin the right advice or tell him the right thing to do, and might occasionally be giving him misinformation. (from Johnny Capps via SFX)
Other Plots
Arthur's Birth
I think there's a large bit of mystery cast in the first series about Arthur's birth. An in the second series, events cause a big sort of uprising in the knowledge and what happened in that situation. So there's that to sort of really dig into. (from Bradley James)
Barbarians
Barbarian-look-alike people will appear in one episode. A fighting cage was spotted in these people's place. Lancelot is in this episode as well. (from osolone's set visit report)
Joust Tournament
According to Anthony Head's interview with IESB.net, "we had to do a joust recently, and the guys rode the horses up and down. Mechanically, since we all had to look at what was going on, it was good to actually have something physical happening. It’s so much easier, watching two guys pelting at each other on horses, to get the excitement up and the adrenalin going. It’s so much easier than having to pretend to see it.
The joust will happen in S2E02. Someone was killed in the jousting scene.
Arthur's Escape
It seems Arthur escaped from his own castle from a window using a rope and landed on some manure.
Morgana & Gwen Attacked by Bandits
We saw that Morgana and Gwen leaving Camelot, then they were attacked by some bandits on the road.
Arthur Searching for...
There're photos showing that Arthur is searching Camelot. A man was seized by the guards. One of the guards was holding a wood box. (from yavannauk's set visit photos)
Arthur and Knights Fighting a Monster with Claws
Arthur Stopped A Running Horse in the Market
Some People Will Get Burnt (check Pt. 2 under Aredian - the witchfinder)
Cage Wagons
Different cage wagons were spotted on set.
Monsters
The majority of the new creatures will be less fanciful such as a giant scorpion and boor. (from Rebecca Johnson, visual effects producer, The Mill)
Characters' Relationship
Arthur/Merlin - Merlin must continue in his destiny to protect Camelot and the young Prince Arthur using his special gift: magic. As many dangers threaten the mythic city, Arthur must show great courage and skill in order to defend the kingdom, with Merlin at his side. (from Shine web site)
From onset photos, we learn
- An angry Merlin confronting Cedric and telling him that he wasn't going to let Cedric hurt Arthur. At the time Arthur (in chainmail) is lying unconscious behind Merlin, and around them both are a number of unconscious/dead knights. In a separate scene filmed on the same day, rocks were seen dropping on Arthur's head. Arthur was lying in the same position and with the same injury makeup. (from valderys' set visiting report)
- Cedric is approaching Arhur and Merlin, after(?) they were attacked by something unknown.
- Arthur and Merlin on horses riding into a lake.
Morgana/Gwen and Merlin/Morgana - the friendship between Morgana and Gwen becomes a lot closer in series two and there are certain things that happens to Morgana’s character where she needs her friend and someone to talk to, and both Merlin and Gwen become her confidantes in a way so it is important for us that we keep that friendship going but like all friendships in series two, it has moments where that friendship is absolutely tested... (from Johnny Capps)
Arthur/Gwen - ... loyal maid Gwen, who begins her difficult journey towards becoming the Queen Guinevere of legend. (from BBC press release)
A night scene was shot with Arthur, Gwen and a silver sphere (some monester?)
From Arthur's point of view the one main difference, having going through the first series not knowing this person Guinevere existed, the second series has the first signs that he's aware of who she is. So that's going to develop and I suppose you'll see when it comes to season two where that goes! (from Bradley James)
There're hints of romance between the Prince and Gwen. (from Johnny Capps)
There's a bit to go through yet before we really get moving on the Arthur/Guinevere storyline. There's a bit to go before Arthur is even aware of her existence. (from Bradley James)
There's a bit of a love triangle. Lancelot turns up when I get kidnapped, he helps to rescue me. But unbeknown to us Arthur is on his way to rescue me too. And they sort of come face-to-face and they're like 'Oh, I'm rescuing Gwen...' 'Oh, I'm rescing Gwen.' So, there's a bit of a clash between those two but it's hidden because Arthur and I haven't necessarily expressed our true feelings for each other. (from Angel Coulby vis SFX)
Merlin/Love Interest - there's a little bit of love interest comes up for Merlin (from Colin Morgan, Merlin: The Secrets Behind the Magic, around 6:40)
Merlin and Arthur watched as a boat containing a woman (Merlin's lover) drifted out across the water and then burst into flames. (Source)
Arthur/Uther - Uther marries to an evil troll in disguise of a beautiful woman. The already tense father-son relationship will definitely have a new twist. (from BBC press release)
We've gone through the mill a bit with our second series. There's quite a bit going on between Arthur and Uther. It's been a pleasure to have Anthony to work with in the scenes I've had to do. (from Bradley James)
Uther/Morgana - A farewell scene between Uther and Morgana was filmed with Arthur (on a horse) by their sides. Uther and Morgana were having a hug. (from Sébastien's live space)
Merlin/The Great Dragon - He and Merlin have an interesting relationship which is full of conflict. He doesn't necessarily give Merlin the right advice or tell him the right thing to do, and might occasionally be giving him misinformation. (from Johnny Capps via SFX)
Other Plots
Arthur's Birth
I think there's a large bit of mystery cast in the first series about Arthur's birth. An in the second series, events cause a big sort of uprising in the knowledge and what happened in that situation. So there's that to sort of really dig into. (from Bradley James)
Barbarians
Barbarian-look-alike people will appear in one episode. A fighting cage was spotted in these people's place. Lancelot is in this episode as well. (from osolone's set visit report)
Joust Tournament
According to Anthony Head's interview with IESB.net, "we had to do a joust recently, and the guys rode the horses up and down. Mechanically, since we all had to look at what was going on, it was good to actually have something physical happening. It’s so much easier, watching two guys pelting at each other on horses, to get the excitement up and the adrenalin going. It’s so much easier than having to pretend to see it.
The joust will happen in S2E02. Someone was killed in the jousting scene.
Arthur's Escape
It seems Arthur escaped from his own castle from a window using a rope and landed on some manure.
Morgana & Gwen Attacked by Bandits
We saw that Morgana and Gwen leaving Camelot, then they were attacked by some bandits on the road.
Arthur Searching for...
There're photos showing that Arthur is searching Camelot. A man was seized by the guards. One of the guards was holding a wood box. (from yavannauk's set visit photos)
Arthur and Knights Fighting a Monster with Claws
Arthur Stopped A Running Horse in the Market
Some People Will Get Burnt (check Pt. 2 under Aredian - the witchfinder)
Cage Wagons
Different cage wagons were spotted on set.
Monsters
The majority of the new creatures will be less fanciful such as a giant scorpion and boor. (from Rebecca Johnson, visual effects producer, The Mill)