Board Thread:Series 5 Discussion/@comment-82.156.4.128-20121224212052/@comment-10690066-20130910180152

I kind of felt it was my "St. Elsewhere" finale. I mean, the whole point of the series is to establish that Merlin is going to help Arthur create a world of peace between all the peoples, and that will create a legend of the world of Camelot that will never be forgotten. Instead, after five seasons of building this up, Arthur dies, and Merlin stays immortal, roaming the countryside? What?

If they were going to make it a tragedy, why not just follow the original legend? Have the fall of Arthur (ie Gwen and Lancelot having an affair, and his dalliance with Morgana leading to Mordred) become the fall of Camelot. Make it a true tragedy worthy of the myth.

 If they wanted to make a hopeful ending (which is what it seemed like they were doing the whole series), why not have a little bit where Merlin's fondly going to see the latest film version of the Arthur story, or sitting at a library listening to someone read "The Once and Future King" to their kid or something? Let Merlin know that his purpose in life wasn't completely in vane.

That's how the ending of the series was for me: that Merlin failed, and why would I spend five seasons caring about everyone, if I knew Merlin was just going to fail? It made me sad.