Talk:Kara/@comment-1208713-20131208020352/@comment-5102537-20131209151328

The show could have solved this problem easily by pointing out that

a) Merlin still tried to show Arthur and the rest of Camelot that magic and any other way of life/religion/belief can coexist peacefully

b) the druids, other sorcerers and magic-users knew that Merlin is working in the background, helping his kin and trying to convince Arthur in order to bring about a change.

Instead the show suddenly presented a Merlin who was eager to please Arthur, to be accepted by him as his friend and whose only goal was to keep Arthur around so that Merlin can enjoy his company.

Another solution would have been to point out that neither the Old Religion nor anti-magic users/Camelot were right and that Merlin had a hard time finding a balance between the two sides, realising that magic wasn't the universal answer to everything and that at least the Old Ways "should be left to die" as Gaius had stated. By that, they could have shown Merlin sitting on the fence and trying to be a mediator, also by letting other sorcerers speak their mind about either Emrys, the prophecy, Arthur, Camelot and having some ideas for finding a solution.

By the way, I don't see Camelot as the only opressor. The Old Religion was quite an opressor too, just not the side that currently ruled the land. With its dogmas and demands it was even more ruthless and dangerous. That's the point, two extremes collided - The Old Religion demanding total obedience, fellowship and submittance, Camelot forbidden any kind of magic and fighting the dogmas by persecuting the Old Religion's followers.

It was Merlin's job to find a compromise, yet he focused on his Prince only and ignored what happened to his own and also to those who opposed magic/the Old Religion.