Cursed is now available to binge on Netflix and trust me when I tell you, it is a don’t miss series. There are a lot of twists & turns — let’s break them down! Spoilers ahead.
Season one of Cursed is now available to binge watch on Netflix and trust me when I tell you, it is worth a binge. It is filled with action, fantasy, and gives me serious Game Of Thrones vibes. Viewers will get a different take on Arthurian Legends, complete with several twists and turns. Some of which left me completely shocked.
In this article I am going to break down the biggest reveals of Cursed season one — at least those that surprised me the most. If you know Arthurian Legend, these were sure to excite you as well. Keep in mind there are MAJOR spoilers for the season below, including the very end of season one in minor detail. So if you wish to avoid spoilers and have not watched all 10 episodes of the first season already, bookmark this for after you do!
Read my spoiler free Cursed season one review.
Warning: Major spoilers for Cursed season one.
Something super fun is that co-writer, Frank Miller, has a cameo as Brother Horde — a Red Paladin monk. Just a fun little fact that was exciting to see as a fan of his work!
One of the first, and biggest reveals is that Igraine is actually Morgana. Oh yeah, and she is Arthur’s sister. When we saw Arthur’s sister get taken away from him after his father died, I knew we would see her later. But I totally didn’t see it coming that she was Sister Igraine. Because of her conversations about Fey healing ointments with NImue, I thought she was another Fey, hiding at the convent.
I was wrong. Then when it was revealed that her real name is Morgana, I got excited. If you know Arthurian Legend, Morgana is sure to be a name you also know. After looking her up in more detail, I learned that in legend, her and Arthur’s mother’s name is Igraine, so I should have seen it coming.
When The Red Spear first entered the show, I had a feeling she was going to be a big part of it. Something about her beauty, her attitude, and her pure brutality struck me as important. When it is revealed that she is actually Guinevere, my heart stopped. Why? That is Arthur’s wife in legend, and it made me sad for Nimue.
I guess from the very first moment of the show, we know that Nimue is going to die. We see it. Plus, she is the Lady of the Lake so of course she won’t be marrying Arthur any time soon, despite their love for each other. So in future seasons will we see Arthur and Guinevere get together. Maybe.
Another totally mind blowing moment for me was when Merlin is revealed to be Nimue’s father. I had no clue, at all, because we had seen her “father” several times in flashbacks. Merlin has a fling with her mother, that poor Nimue has to watch thanks to some magic. Yeah, I really felt bad for her in that moment.
Once Merlin knows she is his daughter, he does everything he can to protect Nimue. Including putting himself in harms way. Multiple times. What a great dad, huh?
Arthur and Nimue eventually fall in love, and even consummate that love, despite Gaiwan having eyes for her as well. It seems they knew each other from childhood and he has always had a thing for her. Now more than ever with her being so grown and beautiful. Unfortunately Gaiwan does die in battle, and Nimue morns him. But she loved Arthur more. It was clear from the start.
In the final scenes we see Nimue shot with arrows by Iris and she falls into the water. Likely becoming the Lady of the Lake at that moment. Then we get one of the best moments of the entire season. Merlin picks up the Sword of Power, distraught over his daughter’s death. He gains his magic back and absolutely obliterates the Red Paladins. As in — electrifies them. And it is the amazing.
Of course Iris survives, with a pretty awesome scar, and is now part of the Red Paladins. She is a true villain — one that I hope to see a lot more of in the future. She clearly has no remorse, and believes that she did the right thing.
The final scene of season one of Netflix’s Cursed gives us two other major reveals — especially for those that know Authorian Legend. The Weeping Monk is actually Lancelot. And Squirrell? The adorable little boy with a strong will and some serious sass? He is Perciva. My jaw dropped and it had me over the moon with excitement for, hopefully, a season two.
About Cursed
Based on the New York Times bestselling book, Cursed is a re-imagination of the Arthurian legend, told through the eyes of Nimue, a young woman with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful (and tragic) Lady of the Lake. After her mother’s death, she finds an unexpected partner in Arthur, a humble mercenary, in a quest to find Merlin and deliver an ancient sword.
Over the course of her journey, Nimue will become a symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins, and their complicit King Uther. Cursed is a coming-of-age story whose themes are familiar to our own time: the obliteration of the natural world, religious terror, senseless war, and finding the courage to lead in the face of the impossible.
Cast:
- Katherine Langford as “Nimue”
- Devon Terrell as “Arthur”
- Gustaf Skarsgård as “Merlin”
- Daniel Sharman as “Weeping Monk”
- Sebastian Armesto as “King Uther”
- Lily Newmark as “Pym”
- Shalom Brune-Franklin as “Igraine”
- Peter Mullan as “Father Carden”
