User blog comment:Morganaforever/Episode Review: The Drawing of the Dark/@comment-67.239.100.57-20121216065422/@comment-5653093-20121216134745

Well said Aithusa'lord.

Most people will always look at the most obvious points - not the underlying message.

Merlin did play a part in Mordred turning evil as he did with Morgana. But he was forewarned about Mordred killing Arthur - that did not help one bit. His main priority is Arthur's well-being. Merlin expected it to happen one day - not in the way it did though. He will realise next episode that betraying Mordred was not a good idea because he will have both Mordred and Morgana after his blood - loses his magic I think. Then he will be too late to save Arthur in the Battle of Camlann.

Arthur did play a small part  in Mordred's turning as well - but unlike Merlin, did not see the repercussions of his actions. But during his reign, have we apart from Kara's execution seen him kill any magic users for just being magical. He saved the women from being burnt on the stake, and he did not kill the Dolma after she/he healed Gwen. However, Arthur is stubborn, and that plays a huge part in being his own bane.

I think Kara did play a major part in Mordred's turning- they say love can really make you blind to their faults. Kara persuaded him to use his magic against his friends. What would you have done, sided with your love or saved your friends?

So what I am trying to say - it is not just Merlin or Arthurs's fault in Mordred's circumstances - Mordred was just conflicted - and easily swayed by the one person that he truly loved.