Board Thread:Series 5 Discussion/@comment-209.196.232.2-20121230195253/@comment-5102537-20130312204022

What you wrote:

"After all this is the VERY FIRST thing spoken at the open of the series by Kilgarrah . He speaks of a man, his destiny and not knowing it until he experiences it. Once again Merlin thought his destiny was one thing but experienced that it was another. Kilgarrah does not mention happy endings, Albion, nor  love and friendship at the beginning.  Right there we should have realized something deeper was in store."

I'm not sure what you mean. In the very first epsiode of season one already, Kilgharrah informs Merlin about Albion, which goes like this:

''KILGHARRAH: Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the land of Albion. MERLIN: Right.

KILGHARRAH: But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike.

MERLIN: I don't see what this has to do with me.

KILGHARRAH: Everything. '''Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion.'

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In later epsiodes he tells Merlin:

''KILGHARRAH Your destiny is to protect the young Pendragon''' until he claims his crown. '''And when he does, magic can be returned to the realm. Only then will I be free.''

Which, by the way, shows clearly that Uther's death originally wasn't intended until Arthur becomes king/until the end of the show.

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Then:

''KILGHARRAH Only if Uther dies can magic return to the land. Only if Uther dies will you be free, Merlin. Uther's reign is at an end.''' Let Arthur's reign begin. Fulfil your destiny!'

This shows that when Arthur is king, according to Kilgharrah, the golden age (meaning that sorcery will be allowed again) can begin when Arthur is king. Which didn't happen.

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Furthermore:

''KILGHARRAH The ancient prophecies speak of an alliance of Mordred and Morgana united in evil, but this union must be stopped, whatever the cost.''

and:

''KILGHARRAH The spell is woven with magic of such power that even you are not immune. You must act now before it's too late. If you do not, then Camelot will fall and Arthur will die, and the future you were destined to share will die with you.''

Since Merlin didn't stop their alliance but lost Arthur and more people because of this, Kilgharrah's words in the finale were actuall total nonsense because Merlin didn't achieve just anything that he was supposed to achieve. Arthur died, Morgana and Mordred united in evil and the future of Camelot was being left unknown.

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And what the Fisher said in "The eye of the Phoenix" just confirmed what Kilgharrah had said all along:

''FISHER KING Water from the Lake of Avalon. I've kept it safe these years, waiting for the right person to claim it. '''And that is you. You are the one chosen.'''

MERLIN What are you talking about?

FISHER KING '''Albion's time of need is near. And in that dark hour you must be strong, for you alone can save her. Your powers are great, but you will need help'''. And that is what I'm giving you.''

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It's pretty obvious that the show has always been about Merlin protecting Arthur until he's king in order to have him uniting the lands of Albion and restoring magic in the land. The finale failed in everything.