User blog comment:Knightofthecart/Writers and producers, what did you want ?/@comment-5102537-20121229205305/@comment-5102537-20121230104824

Yes, I agree that they seemed to have a certain goal in the first three seasons. Things were much deeper, the characters well developed (except for Morgana who suddenly returned as an evil monster which she wasn't before) and the stories mostly consistent (except for such stories like "The Sins of the Father" that completely overlooked what had happened before). They totally dropped the plotlines around Morgause, Morgana, Vivienne, Igraine, Uther, Arthur's birth after they had started it in season two and three. I think they saw that this would distract from the usual bromance-stuff. The stories concerning Uther/Igraine and Morgause/Morgana/Vivienne were too deep for this shallow bromance-stuff. They always said that the relationship of Arthur and Merlin is the most important part also to the viewers. Well, to me it was the most boring part because they had no chemistry and their stories weren't interesting to me. Anyway, they wanted the bromance in the centre of it all, so they skipped other plots that would have been too big for them and would have been more fascinating and intelligent than the silly banter and the weird relationship that Merlin and Arthur had.

Soon the fans wrote on the internet that Merlin and Arthur together was the main reason for them to watch - which actually isn't a compliment on the show because in the first seasons, most people loved different characters and stories and loved the show at all with all plots and parts. It shifted later to the bromance only, probably because the other stories were dropped and there wasn't much left anymore. The focus was on Arthur and the bromance only, every sign of depth was killed in season four after Uther died. The target audience changed, it was all only about the two main protagonists and their constant banter and re-assurance of their friendhsip, wheter it fit the story or not.

In the first three seasons everything pointed into the direction of redemption of characters and later success in regard to the prophecy. There were multiple hints that for example Uther will be redeemed and it started in season one already (Excalibur, To Kill the King, Le Morte d'Arthur etc..). Chances were also good for Morgana to redeem because everyone thought that Morgause had turned her evil and that she will come to senses again. There was so much potential in those seasons. For example, Gaius' past. They broached it and then suddenly dropped it completely. What great conflicts and stories could have arisen from that alone. But no, they focused on the bromance and on the cheesy and somewhat unbelievable romance between Gwen and Arthur.

In my opinion, before plans for season four were made, the ending of the show was supposed to be a different one. A happier note and not so much misery, suffering and death, changed characters and absurd plotlines. But that's my opinion and the impression I got. I guess we will never know.