User blog comment:Freyamerlin/I want a Season 6/@comment-5995315-20130116161315

I don't agree that the writers spoiled the finale. The dialog between Merlin and Arthur was precise and tightly written. It gave us two Reveals, one about magic and one about Merlin. It gave Merlin what he had wanted since episode one, and Arthur died having achieved what he set out to do. The death scene itself shows us an Arthur filled with love and gratitude for his life.

I've heard it said all over the Internet since December that the writers, runners or even the actors themselves set out deliberately to ruin the ending. There was even a boycott campaign against the finale. But once I saw the finale I understood that it was particular things about the finale people didn't like.

One of the reviewers remarked that she thought  both parts of the ending needed to be watched together to really appreciate it and that people who didn't like the ending at first (because of what happened to their favorite character) would come to like it as they watched it again and again. I think her advice is good, and people would do well to take it to heart.