- Merlin makes it to Uther's court in London, and he does not like what he sees. Uther is actually pining away in his lust for Ygraine.
- Uther tells Merlin that he can't even speak to Gorlois or there will be war. Ygraine is kept under lock and key by her husband.
- Merlin tries to remind Uther that he's a player. Is it worth risking his kingdom over his sexual desires?
- Uther swears that this time, it's the real thing. (Like Merlin's never heard that one before.) And here's the thing: Uther wants Merlin to make Ygraine love him.
- Merlin's like, "No can do, uncle." Because deep down, Merlin is mostly an engineer—not a maker of love potions.
- Still, Merlin promises to help Uther in whatever way he can. Merlin also knows something else: this is part of his great fate. He knows that Uther's desire for Ygraine will lead to something big.
- Right now, Merlin's going to talk to Ygraine to see if she's even down with Uther at this point. Maybe she doesn't even want him.
- And then it happens—Merlin has a vision. He tells Uther that if he hooks up with Ygraine, he has to promise to "make a child" with her. Uther's like, "Yeah, can't promise that. Whatever happens, happens."
- But Merlin knows what will happen, of course. He just wants to make sure that Uther's receptive to the idea.
- Merlin leaves to make Uther a sleeping potion, and Ulfin follows him. (Ulfin has to taste everything the king eats or drinks to make sure it's not poisoned.)
- Later in the evening, who should show up at Merlin's door? Why, Gorlois, of course. He's very worried about the state of things with Uther and Ygraine.
- But Gorlois is really there because his wife is ill and has been calling for Merlin to help her. Also, he wants to drop a bug in Merlin's ear—can he convince Uther to let Gorlois and Ygraine leave?
- Merlin says that he'll try, and then he follows Gorlois to Ygraine's chambers.