Board Thread:Series 5 Discussion/@comment-82.156.4.128-20121224212052/@comment-107.179.159.222-20180622155203

Last night I finished watching Merlin on Netflix. I loved the series so much. I was eager to see how Merlin would reveal his magic to Arthur, and the confident king and the peaceful Camelot we were promised. I really wanted to see Merlin use his magic freely in Camelot! I so wanted to see Arthur and Merlin side by side as king and sorcerer. So, needless to say, I am quite disappointed with the finale - the last season/series, actually. I can understand what the writers were trying to convey but it just didn’t suit the show or fulfill what the show promised for 50+ hours. We didn’t get to see Merlin (the character) have his dream fulfilled or the fulfillment of the glory of Camelot - not even a hint really. Just a sad/worried Gwen and no Merlin in sight - except for 1500 years in the future (WTF?).

As I had a sleepless night last night (not due to Merlin) I found myself pondering an ending that would have been more suitable (to me). One that keeps the Mordred prophesy intact and keeps Arthur alive long enough to see Merlin as a full-on sorcerer in Camelot (or at least be acknowledged as one - and a well respected one at that).

I am not a screenwriter, or a writer of any kind, so I’ll just lay out my ending in point form. I hope it makes sense.

The finale is all the same up until the moment that Mordred and Arthur meet.

•    Mordred injures Arthur. •    Merlin defeats the Saxons and Mordred runs away in fear after seeing what Merlin is capable of. •    Merlin takes the injured Arthur to the same area of the woods and Gaius finds them. •    Merlin, thinking that Arthur is dying, tells Arthur that he is the sorcerer and that he’s always had magic. •    Arthur reacts. Feels betrayed at first. Pushes Merlin away in anger. But Arthur is badly injured and must stay put in order to receive treatment and heal enough to walk. Gaius and Merlin treat Arthur’s wound. •    After Gaius cleanses the wound with herbs, Merlin heals Arthur with magic. •    Merlin does magic openly in front of Arthur, although awkwardly at first. Arthur becomes more and more amazed at his friend and servant. •    The two (Gaius adds info too here and there to support Merlin and magic) talk it out over the two or three days of healing and Arthur comes to understand, wholeheartedly, that Merlin deserves so much credit and appreciation for all that he has done to protect Arthur, the knights and Camelot. •    Morgana finds them. Merlin and Morgana battle it out dramatically (full-on powerful sorcerer stuff!). Merlin defeats Morgana for good. She is truly dead. Arthur is there to see it all and sees the value of having good magic on Camelot’s side. •    Arthur is strong enough to take the journey back to Camelot. •    All rejoice when the king returns. •    Arthur calls everyone (knights, nobles) to the throne room where he declares that the ban on magic is lifted. He announces his deep gratitude to the sorcerer that helped them win the battle. He acknowledges that not all magic is bad. •    He reveals that Merlin is a sorcerer and the same one who saved them at the battle. Everyone is shocked. Gaius is thrilled and makes eye contact with Merlin and smiles. •    Arthur then declares that Merlin will be his personal advisor (it’s apparent that Arthur and Merlin had already discussed this in detail beforehand. Merlin is finally wearing a new outfit and looks more confident and important. Not a robe but something a young man would wear.) •    Merlin speaks, thanks Arthur, and apologizes for misleading everyone. He asks that all those with magic use it for good. He also mentions that if any sorcerers use it for evil they will be punished. •    Cut to Mordred burying Morgana. He vows to take revenge on Arthur and Merlin. (The prophesy still stands.) •    Back at the castle the proceedings end and the the knights congratulate Merlin while also making fun of him and making him do “tricks”. (Gawaine is not dead.) •    Cut to a quiet moment afterwards when Arthur and Merlin are together. They exchange some words. Arthur bullies Merlin a bit for old times sake. They laugh and hug. Arthur then orders his new servant to do some chore. Merlin smiles at the boy in a melancholic way. •    Cut to Merlin walking into Gaius’s flat and they have a short talk (about the changes, etc.) and then proceed to enjoy a meal together. •    Pan out with the sense that all is well and magic is free once again. •    But… an enemy still lives…

Ideally there should have been an opportunity to have Arthur and Merlin side by side, with Merlin doing his magic openly and powerfully to protect Camelot. But alas…

Does anyone else think that Merlin should have been “out” once Arthur became king? I felt really let down when Arthur decided to take the same stance as his father on magic. That’s when I just wasn’t sure what direction the show would take. I waited patiently for the reveal of what seemed like the obvious path. Wasn’t it supposed to be about magic becoming free once Arthur was king? Huh?

And the promise of the white dragon? Nothing. The poor creature.

And why state that Arthur will rise again. And then the truck scene. The two moments don’t match. Arthur obviously doesn’t come back. So depressing for our title character.

Blah.

Still love the show overall. Just knowing that Merlin doesn’t ever get to shine freely and openly (in front of our eyes) will dampen subsequent viewings. But the interaction of Arthur and Merlin, and, well, Colin Morgan’s depth and charm as an actor (Bradley James was lots of fun too), make it all so enjoyable. I will definitely watch again.

Anyway, that’s my take on it. This show was so beautifully lighthearted, complex at times but never took itself too seriously - until the last episode. Unfortunate.

And just to add this from another poster: “When I started watching I expected to see the early days: Merlin becoming The Merlin and Arthur becoming The Arthur. The theme was that Merlin's magic had to be kept a secret. What I expected was to have the end to be Merlin revealing his magic, Arthur coming to terms with it (ok that did happen) and NEITHER of them dead. The Golden Age of Camelot and Albion was supposed to have arrived and that would have been that for Young Merlin. End of series.”

I so agree. But, it's not my story to write. So, I'll take what was given and enjoy this gem of a show one episode at a time.