SYNOPSIS -- Night One "Hark, now hear the sailors cry Smell the sea and feel the sky Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic ..." Before Excalibur, before the Knights of the Round Table, before Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot and Galahad, there was a sorcerer shrouded in the mists ... and this is his tale. As the voice of an elderly wizard tells of a time long ago, we open on Merlin (SAM NEILL), astride his faithful steed, Sir Rupert, making his annual pilgrimage to Avalon Abbey. The Father Abbott (TIMOTHY BATSON) takes Merlin to visit his lost love, Nimue (ISABELLA ROSSELLINI), whose veiled face reveals nothing, but through whose eyes is revealed a pure and eternal love. Merlin tells her of Arthur (PAUL CURRAN), a man he believes to be of pure heart, "golden, fine, handsome -- everything I dreamed he'd be." Arthur had brought Merlin important news: King Uther is dead. Merlin of course, already knew, and told the startled young man that now he, Arthur, will become king. Why? Because he was born to it ... because Uther was his father. And so, the old wizard recounts the old times ... the bloody times ... the terrible times ... King Constant (JOHN GIELGUD), Arthur's grandfather, was the first Christian King of England. Constant was a good man, who, in his later years, became fearful and tyrannical. During his final battle he screams at the leader of the victorious opposing forces, Vortigern (RUTGER HAUER), "My son, Uther, will avenge me. You'll never sleep easy, knowing he'll come for you!" As Constant is beheaded, the crown of England rolls across the floor to Vortigern, who crowns himself king. Thus began a calamitous civil war which tore the country apart. Christian churches are destroyed and defiled, as are the sacred places of the old pagan religion. The country and its people drown in blood. A dying woman begs Queen Mab (MIRANDA RICHARDSON) -- a powerful, charismatic and darkly beautiful woman -- to help end the bloodshed. At first, Mab demurs. "I can't. Too many people have forsaken the Old Ways ... I no longer have the power." The woman pushes her to help. "Save us, and the people will come back to you, and the peace they lost when they forsook you." Mab, seeing her destiny, makes a commitment: "I will save them, and the Old Ways. I swear it!" Mab informs her sister, the beautiful, fair-haired Lady of the Lake (MIRANDA RICHARDSON in a dual role), of her momentous decision. "I'm going to create a leader for the people," she declares. "A powerful wizard who'll save Britain and bring back the people to us and the Old Ways." The Lady of the Lake cautions her sister to be wary, that her task may drain what powers she still has. Mab, however, vows to fight on, telling her sister that if people stop believing in the old ways, Mab and her kind will cease to exist Mab conjures Merlin out of a dazzling array of colored crystals. Frik (MARTIN SHORT) -- her gnome-like manservant -- watches awestruck. Thus is Merlin born, to Elissa (EMMA LEWIS) -- who, after serving her purpose, is abandoned by Mab to die. However, recognizing that it takes more than tricks to raise a child, Mab drafts a former follower, Ambrosia (BILLIE WHITELAW), to raise Merlin into adulthood. She reminds Ambrosia that Merlin is only half human, and she (Mab) will send for him "when it's time." Years pass and a teenage Merlin is love-struck by the beautiful Nimue, daughter of Lord Ardent (JOHN McENERY). When, on a journey, she sinks into a treacherous mudhole, Merlin first becomes aware of the special power with which he has been blessed/cursed. He holds out a branch for her to grasp, to save herself. It is not long enough. Merlin wills it in his mind to grow. It does! Nimue is saved and Merlin returns to Ambrosia's cottage to announce, "I've seen her! The most beautiful girl in the world. We'll love each other always!" For Ambrosia, the news is bittersweet. Merlin's knowledge of his power means the moment she's been dreading since he was born and she became his surrogate has arrived. Merlin must be returned to Mab. A golden horse materializes to take Merlin away. Ambrosia's parting words will haunt him forever: "Magic has no power over the human heart. Never stop fighting for what's right." Frik guides Merlin to Queen Mab, who announces to the assembled throng of fairies and elves, "This is Merlin, who comes to save us. He will bring the people back to the Old Ways!" She tells Merlin that she will teach him to become the most powerful wizard the world has ever known. The schooling doesn't go smoothly. As "schoolmaster" Frik informs Mab, "In his heart he (Merlin) doesn't like magic. The truth is, he wants to go home." And he does. Much to Mab's disgust, Merlin becomes a runaway, desperate to return to Ambrosia, the only mother he has ever known. When he reaches Ambrosia's cottage, she is near death. She is able, however, to issue a final injunction to young Merlin: "Remember, only listen to your heart "As Ambrosia dies, Merlin vents his rage on Mab: "You killed her like you killed my real mother!" Mab tells him she is sorry about his mother and Ambrosia, but they were casualties of war, and she's fighting to save her people from extinction. Over the grave of the beloved Ambrosia, a crestfallen Merlin declares, "I'll only ever use my powers to defeat Queen Mab, never to help her ... this I swear." Nimue, meanwhile, grows into a stunningly beautiful woman. We next encounter her when she's with her father, Lord Ardent, a fawning courtier at Vortigern's campsite. Vortigern is nervous about Ardent's loyalty -- he suspects the Lord's real attachment is to his archenemy, Prince Uther (MARK JAX). Vortigern announces he's taking Nimue hostage, telling Ardent to remain loyal and she'll be returned. A betrayal to Uther will mean certain death! Vortigern is confounded trying to build a tower for his new castle. Merlin is drafted to lend his special talent to the exercise. While doing so, he has a vision: two dragons -- one red, one white. The white one represents Vortigern, the red one, Uther. In Merlin's imagination, the red dragon (Uther) triumphs. Vortigern is in awe of Merlin's power. Forewarned about Uther's strategy, he can act decisively. He acknowledges Merlin's extraordinary gifts, but ever fearful of betrayal, tosses Merlin into prison. In jail, Merlin is reunited with his lovely Nimue, who asks him his greatest wish. Merlin reveals his vision of an England at peace, an England of kindness and chivalry, an England where men and women live secure, without hatred or envy, where misery is unknown and happiness is for all. Nimue indicates they share the same vision. She also tells Merlin about the island of Avalon, home of the Holy Grail, a cup that has the power to feed the hungry and heal the sick. Since biblical times, scores of men have searched for it, but no one has seen it. Nimue reveals that one day a man with a pure heart will find the Grail and peace and happiness will return. Meanwhile, Mab is up to her old tricks. She tells Vortigern she'll help him defeat Uther if he (Vortigern) will deliver Merlin to her. She reveals that the key to defeating Uther is to sacrifice Nimue to the Great Dragon. Vortigern gives pause, but after learning that Nimue's father, Lord Ardent, has defected and joined Uther's cause, he enthusiastically agrees to Mab's vicious scheme. Despite Merlin's superhuman efforts to save her from the omnipowerful dragon, Nimue is badly burned by the rampaging, fire-breathing giant. Merlin takes the gravely injured Nimue to Avalon, where the nuns of the great abbey, using their knowledge of ancient herbs and potions, struggle to save Merlin's beloved. Merlin is angry beyond words. He screams at Mab "You destroyed everyone I love, my mother, Ambrosia ... and now Nimue!" Mab coolly responds that the end justifies the means. She tells Merlin she did it for him, so that he can use the power within him. She implores the young wizard to rise up and be great. Merlin is unmoved. After vowing to destroy Mab, Merlin consults with her "good" sister, the Lady of the Lake. He tells her he needs a great sword to kill Vortigern, whom he describes as a bad king and Mab's ally. The Lady of the Lake gives him more than a sword, she gives him the magnificent Excalibur! At Winchester Castle, Merlin meets with Prince Uther, his knights and lords -- including the big, blustering Sir Boris (ROGER ASHTON- GRIFFITHS) and the cool, detached Duke of Cornwall (THOMAS LOCKYER). Merlin reveals Vortigern's plans of immediate attack. Why, Uther wonders out loud, is Merlin helping him? Because Vortigern is the friend of his enemy (Mab), Merlin explains, "So the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Merlin also reveals his vision of the Red Dragon defeating the White. He tells Uther that he might make a fair to decent king. A thunderous battle ensues, with brutal, hand-to-hand fighting, in appalling conditions. As foretold, Lord Ardent, Nimue's father, allies himself with Uther. Vortigern and Merlin have a titanic encounter and Merlin uses Excalibur to dispatch the evil Vortigern. Merlin thinks good has triumphed. He believes Uther will be a good king and help defeat Mab, but his judgment of man is weak. He always expected too much of them .... At Pendragon Castle, the Duke of Cornwall presents his wife, the magnificent Igraine (RACHEL CLOVER), and his daughter, Morgan Le Fey (HELENA BONHAM CARTER), to newly installed King Uther. Uther is overwhelmed by Igraine's beauty; his carnal desires apparent. He tells Merlin he wants her more than anything in the world. "How great is your power?," he asks the wizard. "Can you make a woman love me?" Merlin says no, magic can't create love. Uther reminds Merlin that he (Uther) possesses Excalibur. A dispirited Merlin offers to attempt a spell and Uther returns Excalibur. Merlin -- in one swift movement -- drives the sword into a rock, thereby waking the Mountain King (JAMES EARL JONES). Merlin asks him to be the caretaker of Excalibur, "Until a good man takes it from you." Uther tries to extricate Excalibur from the rock. Naturally, his attempt fails. Uther lays a month-long siege to the Duke of Cornwall at Tintagel Castle. Sir Boris reminds Uther that the kingdom is falling apart while they tear themselves to pieces. And, he adds incredulously, "All this for a woman!" Much to Uther's surprise, Merlin offers to help him bed Lady Igraine, as long as Igraine's husband, the Duke of Cornwall, isn't harmed. Why, Uther wonders, would the virtuous Merlin back such an adulterous plot? Because Uther and Igraine will have a child, a boy -- and that child will be Merlin's! Uther asks what Merlin plans to do with the boy. "Teach him honor and goodness," Merlin responds. When Cornwall leaves Tintagel one evening, Merlin transforms Uther into Cornwall. The castle guards, not knowing of the duplicity, permit Uther- as-Cornwall to reenter the grounds. When Uther-as-Cornwall has his way with Igraine, the not-so-little (and plenty nasty) Morgan Le Fey knows exactly what's up. Meanwhile, Cornwall -- the real Cornwall -- is killed by Uther's men --even though letting him live was a condition of Merlin's help. As predicted, Igraine gives birth to a child -- Arthur. Merlin exults that at last, he will have a good man, a good king. However, the perpetually scheming Mab deflates his expectations. She tells Merlin he is easily fooled -- that Uther's child is damned -- done when Uther killed Cornwall. Arthur will be as his father. Because of him, the chaos of blood will go on, and the people will return to Mab and the Old Ways. SYNOPSIS -- Night Two Merlin tutors the young Arthur -- not magic, but ethics, morals and the responsibilities of a good king. The pair ride to Excalibur -- a whole village has sprung up 'round the sword in the rock! Arthur confides to Merlin that he is ready, and wants to be king. He pledges to do as he was taught, and will build a golden city -- Camelot -- devoted to peace and charity. As Arthur grasps the sword, the face of the Mountain King appears in the rock. The young man identifies himself as the only son of Uther (who, shamed over the death of Cornwall, committed suicide), "and the rightful king of Britain." Mab appears and urges the Mountain King not to give Excalibur to Arthur. "He'll betray the people, just as his father did," she says. The Mountain King decrees that the boy has a good heart, and permits Arthur to extract Excalibur from the rock. Blood drips from his hands as Arthur pulls the fiery sword from the stone. Mab declares ominously, "His reign begins in blood and will end the same way." Arthur is crowned king, although powerful Lord Lot (JOHN TURNER) refuses to recognize him as such. Lot's son, Gawain (SEBASTIAN ROCHE), however, does swear allegiance to the new ruler. Peace is eventually obtained when Arthur is magnanimous on the battlefield, and Lord Lot acknowledges him as the true king. Meanwhile, Frik -- acting, as always, at the behest of Mab -- goes to work on Morgan Le Fey, transforming her from a wretch into a vision of beauty. The grand plan? Perhaps if Morgan (as Arthur, an offspring of Igraine) had a son, he could become king! Frik introduces the nefarious Morgan (who takes on the bogus title of Lady Marie, Queen of the Border Celts) to King Arthur, who, not knowing she is his half-sister, is smitten with her. Merlin, unaware of Mab's machinations and believing his work is done, retires to Avalon to be with his beloved Nimue. But as he sits beside the sleeping Nimue he sees the obscene image of Arthur and Morgan Le Fey making love. Merlin races to Pendragon Castle and confronts Arthur, who, horrified, admits everything. Merlin utters a dreadful prediction: "There will be a child. Mab will see to that. He'll be the future, and he'll destroy us." The unrelenting Mab returns to work on another front. She allows Nimue to see a tantalizing image of herself without the hideous burn scars, her beauty restored. Mab makes her an offer: If she'll take Merlin away to a place she's created for them, Mab will restore Nimue's beauty permanently, and she can live in bliss with Merlin until the end of her days. Although obviously torn, Nimue says she can't accept the offer -- it would mean Merlin would have to abandon his cause. On a glorious site of rolling hills and magnificent countryside, the vision of Camelot is close to completion. Arthur announces to Merlin that he's going to marry Guinevere (LENA HEADY), Lord Leo's (NICHOLAS CLAY) daughter. As a wedding gift, Merlin presents the couple with a tiny wooden table, with roots like a tree. "It's a perfect circle," he tells Arthur. "If you plant it in Camelot it will grow. It will come to symbolize everything we stand for." For his part, Arthur vows to atone for his sins with Morgan. "One day," he declares, "I'll find the Holy Grail." The years pass. At Camelot, it seems that Guinevere has brought the priceless gift of happiness. But all good things must end, or so it seems. Merlin begs Morgan Le Fey not to teach her young son, (fathered by Arthur) Mordred, the Old Ways. Morgan haughtily refuses his request. Mab, meanwhile, tells the young hellion that he will be "the death of Arthur and the end of all Merlin's dreams." Merlin seeks out The Lady of the Lake (Mab's benevolent sister) to help him find a man to guard the throne when Arthur quests for the Holy Grail. "You need a man pure in heart," says the Lady, and offers to take Merlin by ship to Joyous Gard. That's where Merlin finds Lancelot (JEREMY SHEFFIELD), his wife, the Lady Elaine (JANINE ESER), and their son, Galahad (JUSTIN GIRDLER). Lancelot is "a charismatic figure, perhaps a little too handsome and certainly a little too complacent." Merlin explains that he's come to find a man to stand for King Arthur in his kingdom. Lancelot agrees to embark upon what his wife describes as "one last great adventure." Returning to Camelot, Lancelot defeats Gawain in a jousting tournament and wins the right to serve as protector of Guinevere's virtue while Arthur is searching for the Grail. And then it all falls apart... Mab, of course, is the force masterminding the chaos. Lancelot falls in love with Guinevere. Mab makes sure Lancelot's wife, Elaine, witnesses the act of unfaithfulness and Elaine dies of a broken heart. Nimue seeing the hopelessness of the situation, finally makes a pact with Mab -- Nimue agrees to go to a faraway place, from which she can never return, if Merlin will come to her there. A joyous Mab promises her he will. Mab wrests Mordred from his mother, Morgan Le Fey, who subsequently dies after "slipping" on some stairs. Frik, ever enamored of Morgan, has lost his beloved and secretly tums against Mab at that moment. Arthur returns to Camelot sans the Grail. Mordred ("I'm your long-lost son, Father") confronts Arthur with the fact of Guinevere's adultery. He and many knights, including Sir Boris, demand the death penalty for her treason -- she is to be burned at the stake. But just as the flames around her take hold, Merlin causes a sudden cloudburst and the flames around the stake are doused. Lancelot cuts Guinevere free, pulls her onto his horse and they gallop away. Merlin and Arthur have conspired to permit the rescue. Merlin describes Arthur's gesture as an act of love. Finally, Merlin and Nimue are reunited in the "enchanted cavern" -- which, happily, is in the forest around Ambrosia's cottage where he spent his childhood. "This is what I've always dreamed of...," Merlin declares, as Nimue points to her unscarred face, and they embrace. The couple's rapture is interrupted as Merlin intuits what is happening a world away in Salisbury Plain, where Arthur and his allies, including Gawain, Sir Boris -- and Frik! -- are locked in fierce battle with Mordred. Mordred slays Gawain's father, Lord Lot, and almost manages to kill Gawain. The fight is long and bloody. Arthur, armed with Excalibur, is ready to dispatch Mordred when the weasel utters, "Father, another sin? You'd kill your own son?" During the split second Arthur's mental attention is diverted, Mordred stabs him. Arthur staggers and, in a fury, turns on Mordred and runs him through, finishing his evil son. But Arthur falls too, mortally wounded. Merlin tells Nimue he must be by the dying Arthur's side. Nimue makes the supreme sacrifice -- she knows if Merlin leaves, he can never return to her. Unselfishly, and with a pure love, she urges him to go quickly. Arthur dies. A grief-stricken Merlin rushes to the water's edge and hurls Excalibur high into the air. "You lied to me," he tells the Lady of the Lake. "No," she says, "I told you the answer was at Joyous Gard." Merlin suddenly (and far too late) realizes the protector, the man with the pure heart, was never Lancelot ... it was the boy, Galahad! Mourning the death of her "sweet" Mordred, Mab swears to make the whole world pay for her loss and the last great battle -- Mab vs. Merlin -- is joined. Mab throws swirling bursts of fire at him but each is expertly parried by Merlin. He refuses to retaliate. He just lets Mab expend her waning powers. When Mab unleashes a mighty torrent of water at him, Merlin freezes it en route. Merlin's ultimate strategy? To have all simply "forget" Mab. And with that, Merlin, Frik, Gawain -- and the whole army - - simply turn their backs on the now-powerless sorceress. "You can't fight us or frighten us," Merlin tells her. "You're just not important enough anymore. We forget you, Queen Mab. Go join your sister in the lake and be forgotten." In the distance, Galahad appears, riding through the winter landscape, carrying the Holy Grail -- a silver cup shining with a magnificent light. As Old Merlin recounts the story decades later: "And he brought with him the Holy Grail ... and Spring, and the land became fertile again and the cycle of darkness and death ended." And what of Merlin and his beloved? Well, Merlin learns from Frik that after Mab's spells began to lose their power, Nimue found herself free. Ever since, she'd been searching for Merlin. Dozens of years later, the now-elderly lovers find each other. The ancient Merlin has one trick left, and only one. He makes them young again! As they walk away, Merlin tells her, "There's no more ... that's the end of magic!"