Camelot Season 1 Episode 10 – “Reckoning” – Review

Well, it’s better late then never right? Camelot finally brought its “A” game to the table after some pretty mediocre episodes. This was a fantastic conclusion to the season with some big deaths, defining moments, and one hell of a plot twist. No stupid character decisions, no illogical choices (except possibly one), the episode concentrated on the action and providing a proper resolution for the season, and with that focus it was all the better because of it.

Poor Leontes, life just isn’t fair. He heroically comes back to save the King’s life, after everything that happened between them, and it cost him his life. Leontes was just too honorable for the world he lived in, but at least he had the consolation of finally meeting his God, and it takes a truly great man to forgive on his deathbed. Sometimes I’m glad for my lack of foresight, because looking back it was obvious Leontes would die, but when it did happen it came as a shock. His death was a great scene, and I’ll be sorry to see him go.

Leontes wasn’t the only big death, as Igraine also met her end at the hands of Morgan’s knife. It was definitely the most shocking moment of the episode; it all happened so abruptly. It was a horrible way to go, bleeding out like that, but the whole scene really showed how far Morgan had fallen. Igraine’s death in Merlin’s arms was a sad moment, and I really felt for him there.  It’s obvious he cared about her. Arthur’s scene with her body was surprisingly emotional, and I have to commend Jamie Campbell Bower for his performance in the scene, he really sold Arthur’s grief at Igraine’s demise.

This episode, if nothing else, showed that the show is not afraid to kill off some big characters. Our third big death of the evening was the one I actually felt the most. I’ve waxed lyrical about Sybil throughout the series; she has been my favorite character throughout, and I think she’s a great loss to the show. As soon as she claimed it was her and not Morgan who initiated the plan to murder Arthur, it was clear what was going to happen. In fairness to the writers, the manner of her death was appropriately epic. I didn’t expect her to die so brutally, but Merlin’s line, “There is no God,” just before the sword fell was amazing and gave a great character the death she deserved.

This was the episode where Arthur finally grew up, from the boy king to a true King. I was surprised at how resourceful he was at the beginning; it’s a side we’ve never seen of him, and it adds another aspect to his character. Arthur had some great fight scenes, and who knew he was so good with a bow and arrow! You could see the King of Legend shining through in those moments. My favorite Arthur scene of the episode and possibly the entire series, was him walking into Camelot, slowly clapping just as Morgan was about to receive the throne. How badass was that? His speech, too, was great, and Jamie Campbell Bower really went all out with his performance, and it showed.

Morgan finally lost the plot as her plans for the throne unraveled. She became increasingly unhinged as the episode progressed. At first she was cool, calm and collected, the Morgan we know. From when she stabbed Igraine, though, she seemed to lose her edge, and her cutting her wrists against the wall was the first sign of madness setting in. As soon as Arthur arrived back in Camelot she was doomed, and she increasingly became more like the girl we saw in the first episode. What about that ending, though? I didn’t see that coming at all. Shocked and amazed can’t even describe how I felt when I saw her transform back to herself, I never expected her to go that far, but it just goes to show there’s still life in the old dog yet! It definitely sets up an interesting story for her character next season, that’s for sure!

It wasn’t just the characters who shone here, because everything about the episode was top notch. There were so many great moments, some I’ve already mentioned but others, like the Knights of The Round Table moment and Morgan dragging Excalibur through the crowd, also stood out. The music and the way the episode was shot were also fantastic. Guinevere even acted rational, like a normal human being would, and I’m so glad that it wasn’t her at the end with Arthur, as it would have just been wrong so close to Leontes’ death. The only thing I didn’t like about the episode was Merlin leaving at the end. I know he was mourning Igraine, but Arthur still needs him, and what about his duty, his purpose to make sure Arthur becomes the great King he hopes he will be? Arthur’s on the right path, but he’s still far away from the King of Legend, and he needs Merlin to keep him on the straight and narrow. That whole scene just didn’t sit right with me.

Nevertheless, everything about the episode was great, the action, the characters, the drama.  The writers did a wonderful job at tying up the story arcs for the season while setting up what promises to be an even better season 2. After a number of mediocre episodes, Camelot has recaptured my interest with a fantastic finale, and I’m excited to see what’s in store for next season. You can’t ask for much more from a show than that!