Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24762954-20151031115000

Many people consider Merlin the flawless hero and Kilgharrah... actually they just hate him and blame him for everything. But let's look at the series:

1. While it's much lesser point then others, Kilgharrah guides and assists Merlin as Merlin does the same for Arthur. Neither is very willing to heed advices. Yes Kilgharrah is hardly moral(which doesn't really stop Emrys from considering his words), but on the other hand Merlin often wants Arthur to go against his family and laws of Camelot. And in the end everything depends on your point of view.

 2. Kilgharrah and Hunith. Merlin and Arthur's father. In S1E9 Emrys didn't really care that Tristan would kill Uther without Excalibur. In S1E12 Merlin is strongly considering letting Morgana kill the king. And while Uther is not innocent Hunith, this argument is strongly undermined by the fact that Merlin doesn't hate the king and doesn't even consider him that bad, otherwise he won't be seeking justification. Was Emrys just impatient? Also, he's rather bad friend anyway.

3. Kilgharrah helps Merlin only to get free. And Merlin is completely selfless? There are few cool lines in "Dragon's Call":

"If I can't use magic, what have I got?! I'm just a nobody, and I always will be. If I can't use magic, I might as well die." And then: "I'm not a monster, am I?" which could imply that Merlin would rather be monster than nobody.

And the coolest one:

KILGHARRAH Your gift, Merlin, was given to you for a reason.

MERLIN So there is a reason.

Nothing in common with Tom Riddle.

Then "But I'm serious! If anyone wants to go and kill him, they can go ahead. In fact, I'll give them a hand." - both disturbing and something young Voldemort would do(remember his acts of vengeance in orphanage?).

Face it, Emrys is(was) much more complicated character, ambitous and, even at the beginning, somewhat callous. His goodness is result of an internal struggle, not innate quality.

4.Merlin remained good no matter what. Kilgharrah is the last survivor of genocide and prisoner for twenty years, so his reaction is rather mild - it's wonder that he have waited for Merlin, not just called every sorcerer in Camelot, gave them knowledge of magic and sent to cause mayham or bring somebody powerfull enough to free him.

We can say that the Great Dragon, while not perfect is much better than others wood be. And that he's very similar to Merlin, who, by the way, deserves much less hypocrisy points that you'd think: he have reconsiled with Kilgharrah after Arthur have discarded him(like Emrys himself did to the Dragon). In "The Curse of Cornelius Sigan"  Merlin says "You're not evil." and accepts Kilgharrah's accusations of betrayal  " At least Sigan knows where his loyalties lie. You have shown that you do not."''. Emrys is also much more willing to follow Dragon's advices in this season. '' 