Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-173.168.115.243-20171129163314/@comment-61.247.24.121-20190403084353

I am also very disappointed in the character Merlin. I have been puzzled in interpreting key themes particularly relating to fate and destiny. I mean, everything just transpired with Merlin in accordance with the prophesies... despite occasional attempts to change it. That is a bit of a hollow message if that is all there is

At the same time, I am not entirely sure that Merlin is meant to represent all that is good.

In contrast, the writers worked hard to represent Arthur as a very good character who is not swayed by fate and destiny but rather by constantly making just and fair decisions and living with outcomes. Everything about Arthur was demonstrating that one’s decisions make a difference. However, not so with Merlin.

Merlin may very well simply represent fate or destiny itself. Fate is always trying to steer outcomes, invisible to those that are being influenced. And in the end we can ask ourselves Did Arthur’s actions and behavior change his fate and destiny? And I think the answer is that he was by no means influenced by a knowledge of fate or destiny, he directed his kingdom to peace and prosperity through his above reproach decision-making and kindness. Merlin was not so noble.

And so in the end Arthur thanks Merlin, but No one could accept that Merlin created the outcome of Camelot, he merely provided suppport enabling it. It was Arthur who created it, and the irony of the discussions of Merlin getting no credit are quite clever. After all, that is the question: how much credit should fate and destiny get? How much do they really affect outcomes? I am left very ill at ease about this question at the end of the show, but maybe that is the point.