User blog comment:Percivalxx/Which series of Merlin did you find the best?/@comment-5102537-20130102180711

I agree, season one was the best in many ways. I don't care much for special effects and such stuff. In regard to character descriptions, logic, continuity and consistency, it was the most intelligent one. Every character was equally important, every character had a background or a promising future, their relationships were demonstrated sensibly. Merlin and Gaius had partly a story in common (Hunith), same with Uther and Gaius (their past/the Great Purge). Merlin becoming Arthur's servant, Morgana opposing Uther but still being strong and good. Gwen developing a friendship with Merlin, having quarrels with Uther which caused conflict due to the fact that the audience knew she was going to be Arthur's wife someday. I also found it very interesting that Merlin couldn't heal everyone when it was convenient due to the fact that healing magic came to a price. Gaius was a wise mentor who loved Merlin like a son and tried his best to help everyone whenever he could. The dragon causing Merlin trouble but also helping him. Kilgharrah's past was also very interesting and directly connected to Uther. Uther was shown as a conflicted character of whom we learnt that there was more to it than just meet the eye. His reasons for banning magic became clear and demonstrated that he wasn't just a tyrant and that there was a chance for redemption. This season demosntarted hope and promised a happy ending without too many chliches.

Season two was similar, in my opinion. The progress in character descriptions was in balance and very well done, with the exception of The Sins of the Father, an epsiode that completely overlooked previous plotlines and obviously caused Merlin and Gaius sudden amnesia.

Season three was technically advanced and beautifully shot. I still liked the character descriptions, except Morgana who suddenly turned into a killing-machine and a torture-loving monster, something which this once so great character didn't deserve. This season came up with some fantastic and very promising plots, the darker tone didn't destroy most characters and the logic of storylines, drama wasn't downplayed by misplaced humour. All in all there was still hope and every chance for some sort of a happy ending, of success in the end without killing characters off and without letting them suffer.

Then there was season four and everything changed. Cheesy, brutal, cruel, illogical, inconsistent, sadistical, shallow, full of misery and suffering, dead characters. Same with season five which was a total and complete failure in regard to almost everything. The so-called darker tone replaced logic and great stories. Serious plots and real drama was downplayed by silly humour and the characters acted strangely and were changed, all of them. Shallow nonsense that didn't need the previous three seasons.