The Last Defender of Camelot (The Twilight Zone)

"The Last Defender of Camelot" is the second segment of the twenty-fourth episode of the first season (1985–86) of the American television series The Twilight Zone. It was based on the short story of the same name written by Roger Zelazny, and was adapted by George R. R. Martin.

Plot

In London, 1986, an elderly gentleman packs his car to go on a trip. He is accosted by three young thugs. He turns the tables on them, and forces one to reveal that a woman paid them to do it. The elderly man forces the thug, whose name is Tom, to take him to the woman. They enter a fortune teller's shop, where a woman is sitting in the dark. She reveals that she is Morgan le Fay of legend, and that she knows the elderly man is Lancelot. She knows that Merlin is hiding in a cave in Cornwall, and that Lancelot is planning to meet with him. She warns that Merlin is dangerous and not to be trusted. She casts a spell that sends Lancelot and Tom to the cave entrance. Lancelot enters alone.

Merlin questions Lancelot about the state of the world, and then insists that they work together to make Merlin king. Lancelot explains that the world has changed, that kings are mere figureheads and the people elect their own leaders. He also tries to explain about the modern dangers of war. Merlin is not convinced. Merlin demonstrates his power by animating an empty suit of armor to make a champion, the "hollow knight". They depart to join Tom outside. Lancelot finds they are now at the True Stonehenge. Merlin insists upon sacrificing Tom to completely restore his magic, but Lancelot intercedes. Morgan le Fay arrives.

Magically summoning his armor, Lancelot attacks the hollow knight. Morgan le Fay stops Merlin from interfering with the duel, but she is mortally wounded. Lancelot prevails against the hollow knight, and it vanishes. Merlin points his staff at Lancelot and attempts a magical attack, but Lancelot's shield protects him and he destroys Merlin's staff. Merlin requests Lancelot kill him, but Lancelot refuses. Merlin ages rapidly and vanishes.

As she dies in Lancelot's arms, Morgan le Fay tells him how to return to London via a magic portal. As he and Tom approach the portal, Lancelot sees a beautiful castle in the distance. Lancelot turns from the portal and follows the road to the castle instead, and Tom follows him.

Closing narration

External links

• "The Last Defender of Camelot" at the Internet Movie Database
• "The Last Defender of Camelot" at TV.com
• Postcards from the Zone episode The Last Defender of Camelot