The Lady Morgana's Story

At once when the name Morgan Le Fay is mentioned, people will react. Some may react with a grin, while others will shake their heads. There are always those who will give you an empty look, not understanding what on earth you’re talking about, but that's how it is. Yes, this is the character from the Arthurian legend you cannot escape. The versions tell her story form different point of views, and each adaption is different from the last one. No, we won’t know exactly who Morgan Le Fay was, but we know the basic outlines of the story; her story.

The different versions of the legend have interested me, and I am amazed to see how the same story can be so changed; how one story can be divided into many stories. I believe this is a legend which is so complex, and to tell about one character, you must mention other characters. Still, I wanted this post to be about Morgan Le Fay. I wanted it to be about her, and how she became the lady from the legend. I had to think about which version of the well known Morgan I was going to write about, but if you know me, it won’t be a big surprise. Of course I had to choose Morgana Pendragon from the BBC Merlin.

"Please Merlin you must beware! This is only the beginning." - Morgana

Yes, this is Morgana from the BCC version of the Arthurian Legend. She’s played by the beautiful irish actress Katie McGrath, and what’s so special about Morgana in this version, is that she’s more or less a clean character. I won’t go much into detail about this, though. From the beginning, we she as her as the first lady of Camelot, Uther’s ward and a good girl. How is this ever supposed to remind us about Morgan Le Fay we believe we know so well? How will this spoiled girl be one of the most known sorceresses that ever lived? There’s so many questions to answer, but before even thinking about the questions, I believe it may be wise to look at Morgana’s life and her story. This is, in few words, what actually happens to her. It’s based on this we can figure out why she is as she is. Yup, it is now it all gets really interesting.

She’s seen at a party in the beginning of the series. We already know that she despites the fact that Uther is against magic; not necessarily because magic is either bad or good, but because he ruins families and kills people who never did anything wrong. At the same time, she also has nightmares which she cannot explain herself. Gaius, one of the few people she can trust, has vague ideas what the case may be, but he never says it out loud to Morgana. Then, Mordred arrives. Every man who’s familiar with the legend will know which relationship we can expect. Uther wants the boy killed, but Morgana, without caring about being Uther’s ward, does everything she can to save the little boy who hasn’t said a single word to her. Further on, she says that magic may be something you are born with and cannot decide, but the words don’t mean anything to Uther. She’s getting bitterer, but it all seems to be invisible to the king. At the end, she agrees with Tauren and Uther will be killed. However, she regrets this action, and he’s saved in the last moment. Already now, we can see the darkness in Morgana growing.

"You. How proud you must be, son of the mighty Uther. How you must look up to him. Does the king's little helper bring a message or have you just come to gloat?" - Morgana

In the second series, she’s still unsure of who she is. It’s getting clear to her which abilities she’s in the possession of, but she cannot understand it yet. Later, Merlin advices her to go to the Druid camp because he knows she can get help there. But was it that smart with the thought that Morgana and Mordred was reunited? Merlin later arrived, saying Uther believed she had been kidnapped and was going to execute everyone in Camelot who was under suspicion unless she was returned. Now, she began to understand that her powers were not to fear, but her surroundings worried her. When Mordred arrived later with Alvarr, we get to see a new side of Morgana as she steals a crystal from the castle. Morgana is suspected when Alvarr escapes, and now, she tells Uther what she thinks about him. She cannot stand him! The hatred is just growing. Now, we’ve met Morgause, and Morgana agrees to Morgause’s suggestion; brining woe over Camelot. Morgana says yes to something which she doesn’t really understand herself, all in the belief that Uther will suffer. She now hates the man who raised her. It all ends by Merlin poisoning her.

"Let this be understood. whoever has done this, they have betrayed me. They have betrayed the Kingdom. If I ever discover who it was who did this, they will rue the day they were born." - Uther

Before going any further, I want to discuss this scene a little. It is one of my favorite moments, and you should believe me on this one. At first, she’s just coughing before she understands it; she cannot breath properly. We get to see her becoming more and more frightened, and Merlin starts to cry. When Merlin offers Morgana some water, you can see it in her smile that she’s trusting Merlin. She does not believe that he ever will go on, giving her poison. However, when she cannot breathe, the truth appears right in front of her eyes. Morgana couldn’t know why Merlin would do anything like that, but how would it have helped her if she knew? Merlin tries his best to comfort her, but Morgana is frightened. I believe it shows that Morgana never understood what her actions could lead to, but she’s realizing it now. Merlin on the other hand, stands over a difficult choice. Shall he save Camelot, or should he kill his friend? Another reason why it’s so beautiful and yet so painful, is because of the acting. Colin Morgana and Katie McGrath are brilliant. Hands down for them. We get to see what Merlin’s been for Morgana and what’s Morgana’s been for Merlin.

In series 3, it’s been a year since Morgana was taken away by Morgause. She’s found in the woods; dirty, tired and scared. Uther’s been searching for Morgana since the day she was poisoned, and now, he succeeded. They return to Camelot and after a talk with Arthur, she tells Merlin that she knows everything. She knows that he poisoned her and why, but it’s all right. What Merlin does not know, is that Morgana has turned against the ones she loved back in the time. She betrays Merlin, Uther and the rest of Camelot, but it fails. One shouldn’t forget though, that it was Morgana who got the honor of saving the whole city. For her birthday, she gets a golden dagger. Merlin already knows that she will kill Uther with it, and because of that, he uses his magic to close the doors in front of Morgana when she’s about to walk out. She falls in the stairs and hit her head. It all looks very serious, and it’ll only get worse when Uther admits to Gaius that he is her father. Unknown to him, Merlin is eavesdropping and Morgana almost wakes up when he says this. The silly man believes his secret is safe. She continues and tries to kill Arthur now when she knows that he may be the one who stands in her way when it comes to the throne, and she does all in her power. Still, it’s not enough. Merlin is there to put an end to it.

"You have learned an important lesson, Merlin. Your determination to see goodness in people will be your undoing, but I fear that your future's are now joined forever. She is the darkness to your light, the hatred to you love."
- The Great Dragon

When she dreams about Gwen being Queen of Camelot, she starts to understand that she must get her away as well. Eventually, Morgana and Morgause get the Cup of Life, and Morgana’s crowned Queen of Camelot. This is just the beginning of the story, and now, we’re starting to see who she is.

"Those that defy them, those that choose to fight they will surely die. Those who do not resist, those that choose to welcome change, they will have a future here. Everyone has a choice." - Morgana

Yes, I adore the BBC Merlin and how they’ve told Morgana’s story so far. However, this is only things that have happen. What about her personality? What about being evil? What does it mean? Is she now evil, and if yes; why? Can the circumstances have shaped her? It’s it all just her fault? These are questions I want to bring up, but not now. I encourage you to think about this because our Morgana is a deep one. It’s not everyday we get to watch a story like this unfold.

Yes, I admit it; this Morgana is a good one. This is only the beginning.