Board Thread:Rewatching "Merlin" - Season Four/@comment-5102537-20131116154357/@comment-24367109-20140129202823

Fimber wrote:

Yes, you're right, Merlin cared deeply for Arthur, even too much especially in season five when he lost sight of important things but only wanted to please his King. Here, in "The Wicked Day", Merlin only cared about his goal and not about Arthur, let alone Uther. Even when he waited in front of the throne hall until Arthur came out, he seemed to be one who didn't want to be alone. Arthur didn't know that Merlin was waiting outside, so his presence couldn't help Arthur at all whereas Merlin knew that Arthur was inside, therefore he didn't feel so alone with his failure. He demonstrated a great deal of selfishness in this and some following epiodes - but then, he wasn't the only one. I understand what you say here. It is shocking to see Merlin act so strangely towards who he says he lives for. I think that this is somewhat of an anomaly in the set - since he is literally doing something and thinking of only himself, whereas every serious decision Arthur has to make, he thinks of everyone but himself. Although Merlin does do this too, more than I can say! - I think that putting this 'mood', if you like, on him for this episode was a silly idea, because it's such an important one.