User blog comment:Merlaa/Merlin Finale Trailer/@comment-4892425-20121216053956

@Lurker in the Woods - I agree with you on Balinor. Now that Morgana knows about Merlin being Emrys; she uses a powerful spell to take out Merlin's magic and trap him in a cave. She's going to make him watch Arthur and Camelot fall before she kills him; she's just sadistic that way. Too bad Mordred and Morgana never learn that Merlin is a dragonlord. In comes Balinor to restore Merlin's powers, amps them up;  and Merlin comes as Emyrs to take out Aithusia and Morgana. Remember, Emyrs is Morgana's destiny and her doom.

Arthur is going to be severely wounded by Mordred but Mordred will go down in the end. He has Gwen evacuated from Camelot, knowing full well that Morgana will show no mercy to his queen should the citadel fall. (The scene with them saying goodbye is the hint.)  Once the all clear is given Gwen comes back to be by her husband's side. Merlin reveals his magic to Arthur by saving him, but in the process sacrifices himself.

Here's something no one considered:  Morgana says Arthur is nothing without Emrys and Emrys is nothing without his magic. 1) Has it occured to Morgana when the ancient kings battled the high priestesses they found a way to defeat them to the point she is the last one? That Uther managed to take a group of people to near extinction with no magical assistance?  Gaius was around during that time so he can advise Arthur and the knights how to counterattack. (I'm surprised she didn't think to get rid of Gaius for that reason)  2)  Did Morgana forget Arthur formed alliances with Carleon, Nemeth and Essetir (Odin's kingdom)? He may call in the markers and Annis, Rodor and Odin deploy their troops as reinforcements to Arthur's, thus outnumbering Morgana's forces 4 to 1. These rulers  know it's not in their realms' best interest for Morgana to take Camelot's throne, so they would back Arthur. This would be a nice wrinkle to the series' finale:  Morgana's hubris will be her undoing, relying so heavily on magic to take on her opponent. Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it. Arthur relies on his training in battle and how to use strategy to win the advantage. These last two episodes with finally show Arthur as the true king that he is, and that he is worthy of being High King of Albion.