Watching Merlin has been something of a bitter pill for the past few weeks - I wish I could say I was blissfully ignorant of the last few episodes but the truth is knowing that a review was lurking like some unseen stranger in the shadows ensured my continued participation.

So I tuned in each week since in order to keep up on events, just in case I missed something. Unfortunately, since the pilot, all I've been missing is my time. As I prepared to watch this episode five words kept popping into my head: Please make the stupid stop.

And a funny thing happened... the stupid stopped this week. This episode was well written, well acted, and thoroughly enjoyable. It was full of compelling story without the wholly unnecessary contrivances of the past week. It did an incredible job fleshing out the Merlin universe both in character and history.

It showcased what this series can do when it realizes it strengths and runs with them. The set up is of course very much as with past weeks, a new villain of the week shows up wielding magic against the crown. But unlike previous weeks this episode gives us a fully realized view behind the villains motivation.

It turns out that King Uther Pendragon is a true tyrant, the likes of Stalin, Hitler, or Mussolini. A dictator so unwavering in his conviction and resolve that he possesses a great many skeletons in his closet. While this idea has been quietly festering in the background throughout the past few weeks, this episode places it front and center. In doing so it opens up a far more interesting story about how ones actions towards the greater good can affect the innocent.

You see, many years ago before the events of the series, magical use ran rampant through the kingdom. Contrary to what's been hinted it was not merely limited to handful of social elite's abusing their power. Everyday citizens began to dabble, sometimes falling prey to dark forces. In an effort combat this Uther Pendragon made laws to forbid magic. More than that though, he literally organized great witch hunts. Lighting fires and burning those suspected of magic in great purges that killed many. When the purges ended he sealed all records of it under pain of death.

The problem is that one of the children of this great purge survived and grew to adulthood. Burdened with the past he chose to seek revenge on those responsible. Of course the King being a target is expected, but where this episode twists unexpectedly is towards Gaius. Turns out the court physician who is Merlin's guardian and a secret font of knowledge and wisdom was around during the purges, at Uther's side helping stamp out lives with extreme prejudice. He played an active role in turning over the parents of this weeks villain, Edwin Muirden.

It turns out that Edwin isn't as two dimensional as previous offerings in the villain-of-the-week approach, because, unlike them, he has a plan. Edwin decides to dishonor Gaius and kill King Uther in one fail swoop by going through Morgana. Of course while doing this he discovers Merlin's gifts, using them against Gaius when he is found out, leading to Gaius making a hard choice between his king and his pupil/son.

It's a pretty clever variation on Merlin's standard way doing things. It allows for more characters development as the series touches on Uther and Gaius' long history and the limits of their friendship. And that is what really what made this episode work, including subtle ambiguities in character motivations (like Gaius showing a willingness to sacrifice Merlin).

Overall I would have to say that if this type of story is what Merlin can deliver weekly from here out then I'll been happy to write a few more reviews.

What Worked

Anthony Stewart Head give Uther a deeper level of believability. When being forced to choose between a friend and the greater good he believably chooses his path. Yet even as he takes that path he seems
conflicted.

Richard Wilson as Gaius also proves his chops by portraining a man torn between saving his pupil or old friend. His showdown with Edwin and scenes with the dragon makes him far more conflicted that he
traditionally has been.

The newly expanded history of Camelot. It's an interesting proposition that I wish was better explored. That the King didn't just outlaw magic, he actively destroyed many innocents with his actions.

What Didn't Work

The final showdown between Edwin and Gaius felt a little cheesy in some parts. While the idea was solid some of shots felt like cop out's.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"A Remedy To Cure All Ills" was written by Julian Jones and directed by Ed Fraiman. Merlin" stars Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Santiago Cabrera, Richard Wilson and Anthony Head.

"Merlin" airs Sundays on NBC.