Board Thread:Series 5 Discussion/@comment-71.195.18.110-20130130220009/@comment-5102537-20130311080740

The Gleeman stabbed him, but Merlin didn't want to heal him - unless he saw an advantage for himself. Therefore, he simply wanted to let Uther die. He changed his mind when Arthur wanted to use magic. If Arthur hadn't decided to ask for magical help, Merlin wouldn't have done anything to save Uther's life when he was mortally wounded, because his attempt to heal Uther had nothing to do with Uther whatsoever. The king's life was totally unimportant to Merlin and only a tool to accomplish his goal of bringing back magic to Camelot. In his mind, things were simple: if Uther dies of a stabbing wound, fine, then he's out of the way and Arthur finally becomes king. Then later, when Arthur wanted to use magic, also fine and even better, because this way Merlin could "prove" to Arthur that magic was "good" and soon it would be restored in Camelot, maybe by Arthur opposing his father or maybe even because Uther would be thankful or maybe because Uther would remain to be in a catatonical state or whatever.

And if Merlin had done it before Arthur wanted to use magic, secretly, Arthur wouldn't have told Agravaine and Agravaine wouldn't have told Morgana. So Morgana wouldn't have used magic to reverse Merlin's spell, Uther would still be alive. Merlin's selfishness cost Uther his life because, like a doctor is today, Merlin was the one who had the power to heal him. He didn't do it when there was time, didn't want to do it and so Uther died.

''"He had no magical duty nor moral duty to Uther." ''

Of course he had. Everyone has a moral duty to others. Unfortunately, the show now taught people otherwise.