Season 1, Episode 4 - "The Poisoned Chalice"
28 June, 2008
While Camelot prepares to celebrate peace with Mercia's visiting prince, Nimue forges a poisoned chalice and plants it at the royal table where Arthur is to have his cup filled by Merlin. Then she warns the page-magician, blaming Beillard, so king Uther makes Merlin test the drink from the goblet (as he is a 'disposable' servant). Gaius diagnoses a fatal poison; the only cure is a flower which grows only in certain caves but the perilous journey to it may takes too long. Arthur bravely rides, although Uther forbids him to 'risk a king' for a pawn. Nimueh plays the local damsel in distress and guide, to make sure Arthur is fully exposed to horrible monsters, but even on his deathbed Merlin conjures a magical aid. When Arthur brings the flower, Uther jails his disobedient heir and refuses to have it brought to Gaius, but now courtier ingenuity helps out endangered magic.
