He stumbled into the frame in a muddy tavern brawl, hair like a haystack and a smirk that suggested he’d just stolen someone’s lunch. Honestly, when Eoin Macken first appeared as Gwaine in the third season of the BBC’s Merlin, most of us just saw a convenient plot device. He was the "sexy rogue" archetype, a Han Solo for the Camelot set. But as the show went on, he became something way more complex.
If you’ve spent any time in the fandom, you know that the Merlin TV show Gwaine isn’t just about the ale and the pick-up lines. He’s the only character who truly bridged the gap between the rigid, often suffocating world of Arthur’s kingship and the lonely, magical burden Merlin carried.
The Noble Who Hated Nobility
Gwaine's backstory is actually pretty dark once you peel back the "happy-go-lucky" layers. He was born the son of a knight in the kingdom of Caerleon. When his father died in battle, the King basically left his mother penniless. That’s why he spent his life as a vagabond. He didn't just "like" being poor; he was revolted by the idea that a title made someone a better person.
When he first meets Arthur and Merlin in that tavern, he has no idea he’s saving a prince. In fact, when he finds out Arthur is royalty, he’s visibly annoyed. He tells Merlin straight up: "I guess I just kind of liked the look of those odds." He wasn't fighting for a crown; he was fighting for the underdog.
This is what makes his eventual knighthood so significant. He didn't join the Round Table because he wanted to be a "Sir." He did it because he believed in Arthur as a person, not a monarch. It’s a subtle distinction, but it’s why he was always the first one to call out the Prince’s BS.
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Why the Merlin and Gwaine Dynamic Hit Different
Let’s be real for a second. While the show focused on the "destiny" of Arthur and Merlin, Gwaine was the only one who felt like Merlin’s actual friend on equal ground.
Arthur was a master; Lancelot was a secret-keeper burdened by duty. But Gwaine? He just liked Merlin. They bonded over being "nobody" in a world of "somebody." Remember when they were scrubbing boots together? Gwaine treats Merlin like a brother, not a servant. There’s a persistent fan theory—and honestly, looking at the subtext, it’s hard to ignore—that Gwaine knew about Merlin’s magic all along.
He never asked questions when things went boom or when a branch conveniently fell on a bandit. He just rolled with it. He provided a "safe space" for Merlin in a castle where one wrong word could lead to the pyre.
That Heartbreaking End (And Why It Still Stings)
We have to talk about The Diamond of the Day. It’s been years, and it still feels like a gut punch. Gwaine’s death is often overshadowed by Arthur’s, but in some ways, it's more tragic.
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He was captured by Morgana after being betrayed by Eira, a woman he actually opened up to. Seeing the "unbreakable" Gwaine broken by the Nathair (that nasty magical snake) was brutal. He dies in Percival’s arms, whispering, "I failed."
The irony? He didn’t fail. He died protecting his friends, which is the one thing he always said was worth doing. He started the show saying he hadn't found a man worth dying for, and he ended it by proving he found two.
What Most People Get Wrong About Him
There's this idea that Gwaine was just the "comic relief" in the later seasons. Sure, he had the bit with the smelly socks and the constant talk of food, but if you watch Eoin Macken’s performance closely, there’s always a flicker of sadness there.
He was a man who lost his family, lost his home, and spent years wandering Albion alone. His humor was a shield. He used the "drunk rogue" persona to keep people at a distance. It’s only when he gets to Camelot that he starts to let that shield down, which makes his eventual betrayal and death even harder to swallow.
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Essential Gwaine Facts for the Rewatch:
- The Hair: Yes, Eoin Macken’s hair became a character of its own. It’s practically a legend in the BBC Merlin community.
- The Necklace: If you look closely, Eoin wears his own personal jewelry in the show—a ring that belonged to his late father. It adds a layer of real-world emotion to the character’s "lost father" backstory.
- The Strength: In the original Arthurian legends, Sir Gawain’s strength waxed and waned with the sun. While the show didn't lean into the magic, they did cast the physically imposing Macken to honor that "strength" aspect of the Round Table.
The Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you're revisiting the series, don't just watch Gwaine for the jokes. Watch him in the background of the scenes where Merlin is struggling. Watch how he positions himself to protect the "servant" when the other knights aren't looking.
Next time you’re doing a rewatch:
- Pay attention to Episode 3x04 (his intro). Notice how he treats Merlin vs. how he treats Arthur.
- Look for the small nods he gives Merlin when something "magical" happens.
- Contrast his behavior in the tavern with his behavior in the final battle. It’s one of the best "hidden" character arcs in the whole show.
Gwaine might have died thinking he failed, but for the fans, he remains the heart of the show—the guy who chose to be a hero because it was the right thing to do, not because a law told him to.