Looking back: My Favourite Merlin Episodes
Now that the show is over: favourite episodes from each season, and a few reasons why for each. Note: this is of course a subjective list.
Season 1
Lancelot: A good introduction of the title character (one of the very few in the overall show to find out Merlin's secret and not get killed within the same episode), who forms relationships with Merlin, Gwen and Arthur, all of whom get neat character scenes as well. And I will forever love the Merlin and Gwen Cliff, Shag, Marry exchange (aka Merlin asking Gwen "if you could choose between Arthur and Lancelot, which one...").
The Beginning of the End: Debut of Mordred, and the first time the show tackles moral ambiguity. Not in Mordred, in Merlin, who gets told the kid will kill Arthur one day and comes damn close to letting the boy die, listening to compassion only in the proverbial last second. Also for me the episode with Morgana at her most sympathetic. (I'll get to why I don't think she is in her big ep of the season in a moment.) For the first time, the Great Dragon, not yet identified as Kilgarrah, gets more to do than be a plot device delivering exposition but gets characterisation, and characterisation as a wily ambiguous trickster at that. Merlin, when faced with the central moral dilemma, not consulting Gaius but the Dragon is in itself important to Merln's overall characterisation and the relationships he has with his two main mentor figures of the show. As the identification of the child as Mordred is withheld until the very last scene, when he tells Arthur his name, this is one episode where it really pays off to be unspoiled the first time around, but it's also great to rewatch.
Excalibur: arguably the most sympathetic episode for Uther in the show (not just because he puts Arthur's life first here but because he's willing to face the consequences of his own deeds himself for once (by being the one to fight undead!Trystan, brother of Ygraine). Gwen providing Merlin with the sword, courtesy of her father, and Kilgarrah hardening it connects various elements of the show I love in a beautiful way.
The Moment of Truth: aka the one where the gang helps out Merlin to save his home village and his mother. If there is one moment in the show when they really were an OT4, it's in this episode (not before, not after; the various balances of power and emotion were never that equal). There isn't a moment here I don't love, and everyone shines. Hunith wins for best parent in the show, Arthur and Merlin have one of their best fireside chats ever (complete with foot teasing), Arthur's and Gwen's relationship (not the romantic one, the one where she becomes part of making him a good king and he part of what makes her a good queen) starts the moment she goes after him in the woods, confronts him with his behaviour towards the villagers and he listens to her, Merlin's pal Will is a good and rounded backstory character for him, and we even get Sidding el Fadil, aka Alexander Siddig, as the villain of the week. WIN!
The Labyrinth of Gedref: aka the one which ruins Merlin's reputation as an animal lover. *g* (Yeah, yeah, he's in tears of the unicorn, but he didn't hesitate a moment to assassinate that rat!) More seriously, it's a pretty important one on Arthur's journey from juvenile jackass to responsible king, and highlights one of the differences between him and his father in their approach to the starving populace, and just what they hold themselves responsible for. The scene with Arthur and Merlin by the sea provides us with one of the show's most gorgeous visuals.
To Kill a King: aka the one where I started to dislike Morgana. Not because she comes close to killing Uther. (I mean, well, Uther.) Because she manages to make Gwen's loss of her father all about herself and her relationship with Uther. Yes, Morgana's road to the dark side had incredibly clumsy writing at times. But you can draw a straight line from this episode to Morgana telling Gwen in the s3 finale, apropos the very events of To Kill a King, "oh, I forgot that you, too, have suffered". In terms of future characterisation, it's also important that Morgana stabs her first magical ally in the back (literally) and ultimately decides for Uther's life based on, as she will tell Morgause a season later, her belief in Uther's affection for her. (Not something like, say, anyone else's good.) Meanwhile, the episode contains two of the best Gwen scenes around, both the scene with Arthur where he talks to her after his men executed her father, and there is so much unsaid, and a few important things said, too (note: Arthur may be still a jackass and will always be arrogant, but he doesn't make this scene about himself or his own feelings; instead, he tells Gwen something that's actually useful to Gwen), and even more the scene with Merlin when he's pondering whether or not to let Uther die and decides this by asking Gwen what she would do if she had Uther's life in her hands.
Season 2
The One and Future Queen: how I love this one, let me count the ways. Firstly, it's a clever twist on the "royalty in disguise" trope (and a refutation of how this usually plays out); Gwen pointing ot to Arthur that even "playing" at being common, he still behaves like an entitled prince, and practically everything else she says is something I only wish someone had told the future Henry V. aka Prince Hal in the relevant Shakespeare plays. Secondly, it pulls off selling me on Gwen/Arthur as a potential romance (romantic comedy, this show can't always do it, but here it can). Thirdly, William the farmer is a hilarious guest character, which is why I wrote fanfiction about him. And while supposedly lethal assassin Adrian Lester alas does not get to be very competent, this episode introduces what turns out to be a long running thread of Odin's feud against Arthur, and there will be significant pay off for that later in the show.
Lancelot and Guinevere: return of Lancelot. (Sadly he joins the ranks of noble jerks who leave a woman for her own good without asking for her opinion on the subject, but he does look quite dashing as a sell sword.) Angel Colby gets to stretch her acting legs especially in the scene where Gwen pretends to be Morgana (it's both believable to her captor and to the audience, who actually knows Morgana - the tone, the voice, the attitude - but the audience can also see her worry beneath it). Speaking of Morgana, in retrospect this is also the last hooray of the Gwen/Morgana friendship (which will continue afterwards, but this is the last episode where we get specific friendship scenes for them and both of them mean it), and one of the last times we see her do that sword twirl which some show offy instructor must have taught her and Arthur both. Oh, and it's also one of the last positive Morgana and Arthur sibling scenes, as she goes from berating him (when she thinks he won't help her) to being overjoyed when realising he's been planning for the Gwen rescue all along. In terms of Merlin and Arthur, they have their chat about Arthur's developing feelings for Gwen; in light of what's to come, Arthur's terse remark about Uther and how he'd react if even suspecting his son feeling love for a servant is pretty dead-on. Also: Wildren!
The Witchfinder: The show got Charles Dance for paying Aredian, and he's suitably dastardly and one of the scariest villains of the show. The Merlin and Gwen Detective Duo is at work in this one, which I always love, it's a great Gaius character episode (and his final scene with Uther, where Gaius refuses to accept Uther's implicit apology, is superb), and I love the scene where Gwen gets Arthur to stop Gaius' execution by pointing out that he also stood by and let her father die to bits. Bonus points for Merlin showing his darker (and very inventive) side by the way he exposes Aredian.
The Sins of the Father: hello, Morgause! And a great debut she makes, too. Also notable for Arthur coming close to killing his father, my second favourite of Arthur's and Merlin's fireside-in-the-wood chats (this time about dead parents), the ghost of Ygraine (or Morgause's simulation of same, I like that the show leaves it ambiguous one way or the other), and Merlin having the first of his moments where he could convert Arthur the magic side but tells him the exact opposite because REASONS. As opposed to later opportunities, here I am full of sympathies for Merlin, because it really was a no win situation (if Arthur had gone through with killing Uther at this point, it would have destroyed him). Oh, and I love the way ASH plays Uther showing up ostensibly to thank Merlin but really to threaten him at the end. Really chilling.
The Fires of Idrisholas: the first time the show attempts tragedy. (All the more so in retrospect.) Contrary to much of fandom, I don't think Merlin not telling Morgana about his own magic was crucial in her going darkside (
zahrawithaz wrote an entire post as to why, with which I agree: the short version is that Merlin did get Morgana in contact with sympathetic magic users much earlier in the season, which was the help he owed her as a friend, and on that occasion he saw her basically shrug and say "not my problem" when hearing actual and suspect magic people were getting executed for her supposed abduction; given that he'd seen her turn her back on other magic users twice and that her position with Uther was infinitely better than his own, so that, should they be exposed, Morgana might get away with it but Merlin most certainly would not, he had no reason to come out to her). But what he does here IS crucial. Not the only reason, and later on Morgana will have plenty of choices and according responsibilities. In this episode, however, her responsibility begins and ends with not 'fessing up about her meeting with Morgause at the start, no more. Whereas Merlin is fully responsible for the sacrifice of her life. It's a great showcase for Colin Morgan, as we see Merlin struggle with the decision from the moment the dragon gives him the crucial information (the spell on Camelot will be lifted if Morgana dies) and tries to figure out alternatives, until the point where he finally makes said decision and goes through with it. It's also one of Katie MacGrath's finest moments, going from Morgana's utter trust in Merlin, accepting the flask, drinking, to the moment of realisation when the full impact of what he's done hits her. This is why, in the show finale, Merlin will say that he bears some responsibility for what became of her, and rightly so. Lastly: for what ultimately turns into one of the darkest eps until this point, this episode also has some good humor moments (not always their strongest suit): my favourite is Kilgarrah pretending to be asleep as well when Merlin first shows up in his cave. As I said: the former plot device is a character now. Who really likes to mess with minds. Oh, and Merlin finally fulfilling his promise to free the dragon despite the awareness that this will most likely result in No Good brings us another moment of fine acting - Merlin's expression when Kilgarrah takes flight. He's thrilled despite himself, despite all foreboding.
The Last Dragonlord: in which we meet Merlin's long lost father, who turns out to be Sirius Black Balinor. I wasn't that thrilled by the Dragonlord concept initially but later on began to like it, which may or may not have to do with having written dragon fanfic. :) Anyway, both the Merlin and Balinor and the Merlin and Arthur scenes are fine, and the scene where Merlin gets Kilgarrah (now named) under his power and decides not to kill him (which is a first on this show) but to let him go (with the do-no-more-harm caveat) is sublime. (Except for the Arthur-gets-conveniently-knocked-out-again part, but that's an ongoing five season long annoyance, not particular to one episode.)
Season 3
Gwaine: and another once and future knight of the Round Table makes his series debut. Gwaine is great fun from the start and also the first example of someone who isn't magical and is a positive character refusing to serve Uther out of general principle. Like Lancelot, Gwaine's strongest friendship is with Merlin; unlike Lancelot, he could actually stay at Camelot, but doesn't, because Uther.
The Crystal Cave: aka the first time Merlin by attempting to thwart a prophecy makes it come true. (You'd think he'd learn, but...) The standout scenes were Uther's confession to Gaius next to the bed of an (he thinks) comatose Morgana about being her father and his demand that Morgana be healed by magic, Arthur and Gwen grieving together when they think Morgana is dying, Merlin forcing Kilgarrah to heal Morgana and Morgana's reaction when waking up cured and not getting Uther to acknowledge her as his daughter in public.
The Changeling: Lucy Watkins is a good comedy writer. Unlike the last princess Arthur was entangled with (courtesy of a spell), Vivian, this one, except for the the involuntary Sidhe part which courtesy of Merlin she loses through the episode, would actually be a plausible mate. Something I liked about Merlin the series is that these possible-matches-for-politics aren't vilified but presented as likeable, and also, that Arthur, once he makes his decision, doesn't leave the girls to deal with the fallout (oh, Xander Harris!) but a) explains, b) accepts the blame, and c) tries to give the princess in question some compensation. More next season.
The Castle of Fyrien: Hello, Elyan! Another future knight shows up in the form of Gwen's brother. I wish he and Gwen had had nore scenes together, because the few they had rang very true to an older sister/younger brother dynamic to me. Another thing that makes this episode memorable is that it's the dark flip side of The Moment of Truth; again Arthur, Morgana, Merlin and Gwen are on the road together to help one among them, but this time another tries their level best to get the rest of them killed. Speaking of siblign dynamics, Arthur going back for Morgana after everyone else got out is one of those small moments that affect me beyond their intended meaning.
Love in the Time of Dragons: I'll never understand why so many people dislike this one. Oh, wait, I do: the main characters are old people, and romantic emotions are only allowed to the young and pretty. Bah. Seriously, I love Alice, who is a female, mature and sympathetic magic user who makes it out of the episode alive, and her rekindled romance with Gaius does a lot to make up for the "old people having sex, ew!" not-gag in The Changeling.
Queen of Hearts: aka the one where we get a replay of the 1.03. scene where Gwen is thrown at Uther's feet, accused of magic, and the difference in her response highlights all the growth she's done. (Whenever people say they only love s1 Gwen because she's "stronger", I think of this scene and think "seriously?" I mean, I love s1 Gwen, too, and don't blame her for being terrified and in tears in what was a horrible situation, but come on. I can't help but hearing "s1 Gwen was stronger" translated as "s1 Gwen wasn't canonically involved with one half of my slash pairing". Which is so ridiculous because this episode also highlights how both Arthur and Gwen see Merlin's presence as part of their togetherness (even in Arthur's wistful "if I was a farmer" vision). Anyway: Gwen pwning Uther with one quiet statement is win forever and ever.
The Coming of Arthur II: has Gwen and Leon teaming up escaping, the round table getting together for the first time (now with added Percival) in one of my favourite visuals, and the big Morgana and Uther scene of truth. Their relationship finds it end here as far as both participants as living people are concerned, but Morgana's similarities with Uther and her way to handle them, or not, will be an ongoing theme in the show.
Season 4
My favourite season. It would be easier and far shorter to list the episodes I didn't like, but I shall plung on nonetheless.
The Darkest Hour Part I and II: hello, Agrivaine. Actually, that's the most minor of laudable qualtiies of this opening two parter, which shows us the new Camelot half started as Uther is practically out of action and the knights have developed a very endearing dynamic. (This is the first version of the Arthurian myth where I really could emotionally understand why people would want to be a part of the Round Table.) Morgause's death, though her own choice, drives Morgana that much further in emotional isolation, and the sacrifice of Lancelot at the end is a good example of a Chekovian gun, fairly played.
The Wicked Day : and we have a genuine game changer, as Uther gets killed off. In a really well done way; this should be watched unspoiled if possible; even the trailer was carefully cut as to not give the plot away, instead letting the audience believe it would be a standard "someone wants to kill Arthur, gets foiled by Merlin" episode. "Someone" being Odin (this is one of the two good pay offs the Odin red thread has which I mentioned earlier). It's the show's next attempt to tackle tragedy, not because Uther dies (Uther actually gets what can be called his dream exit, fighting one last time and able to save his son's life) but how he dies. Of the various people responsible - Odin for sending an assassin, Arthur for not accepting his father's impending demise and committing Uther's old sin, asking for magic despite believing magic to be evil, Merlin for thinking a magical saving of Uther's life would bring good (even in a best case scenario, this would be questionable, not least leaving aside Arthur's mixed feelings, a saved and fully cured Uther would not change a bit), and Morgana for reversing Merlin's magic into its opposite, only Odin does actually benefit (yet doesn't care; it was Arthur he was after). The scene where Morgana lies curled and Agrivaine comes in to bring her the news of Uther's death, and Morgana, without a smirk or gloat, says she already knows, is an example of why s4 Morgana is probaly the most well drawn version of Darkside!Morgana the show offers. She thought it Uther's death would free or or at least give her satisfaction, but it doesn't. There's also a good parallel in both of Uther's children, both of whom were formed by him but now have their own responsibility for the choices they make, spending the night of his death in a silent wake for him. Arthur finishing his wake, opening the door and finding Merlin outside is one of the outstanding visuals of the show, and Merlin's awareness that his helping-Arthur-to-be-King destiny might have fulfilled itself in the worst way possible coupled with desperate hope it won't be is palpable.
Aithusa: Hello, Gaius Baltar! Err, James Callis Who is Gaius' Old Shady Apprentice. Who is dragon egg hunting, which gives Merlin the opportunity to do the same. Still raw from the disaster Uther's death turned into, it's no wonder he's putting his magical side first, which in doubt always means dragons. (It's another opportunity where Gaius and Kilgarrah give contrasting advice, and Merlin goes for the Kilgarrah option.) The birth of Aithusa is probably Merlin's one moment of complete and unabashed joy in the entire season. Irony to come. (BTW, I'm glad that Aithusa made it out of the show alive.)
His Father's Son: hello, Queen Annis! Who is awesome. (And played by Lindsay Duncan.) It's one of those "Arthur makes monumental mistake, horribleness ensues, Arthur takes responsibility for mistake and manages to come uip with atonement to thwart horribleness" episodes which usually, though not always, are the show's strengh. This one is. It also highlights the legacy of Uther in both Arthur and Morgana, with the later's interactions with Annis being another example of the fact that Morgana's scenes with other women are usually (not always) more interesting and layered than her scenes with other men. (Though we'll see a follow up of the "Morgana loses ally not through Merlin but by her own actions and attitudes" principle later with Morgana and Mordred.) Annis also continues the welcome trend started by Alice of older female characters who are awesome and stay alive. (Broken by Finna in s5, one of the many reasons why I loathe that particular s5 episode.)
A Servant of Two Masters: in which Gwen wields a mean ewer as she and Gaius stop under-a-spell Merlin from assassinating Arthur. I love this ep for various reasons: Merlin and Morgana have a great scene together before she Imperiuses him with that snake (her retort that she understands loyalty, she simply has no one left to be loyal too is such a good character moment), and another at the end when he's in Emrys mode; Gaius and Gwen are both attentive and intelligent friends and figure out something is wrong with Merlin quickly, and act immediately on that knowledge (UNLIKE CERTAIN PEOPLE IN SEASON FIVE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION GRRR ARGH), oh, and we get two scenes showcasing Arthur's concern for Merlin (before they get separated, and later when they reunite) as a bonus.
Lancelot du Lac: I am that weird type of a shipper, if I ship at all: really into scenes where my pairing of choice is breaking up if they're well written and played. By which I mean: still unreconciled as I am with the whole Gwen-gets-bespelled-with-Lancelot-love premise (I really must write that between s4 and s5 story where she finds out what Morgana did to her), it's all worth it for the throne room scene between Arthur and Gwen afterwards. Which is painful and superb and I feel so much for both of them, and I love, love, love that Gwen says "I still want to be your Queen" not "wife" , because as I wrote in my review at the time, there is no such thing as "just Arthur" or "just Gwen" with these two and that's one of the reasons why I love their relationship - that Arthur with all his flaws is a good king and that Gwen can and will be a superb queen is part of the reasons why they love each other. (See also Arthur's explanation at the start of the episode to Agrivaine.)
Herald of a New Age: this one should have been far more important to s5 than it was (one of the reasons why s5 overall was weak, despite individual good episodes), but it's still superb. The ghost of the druid boy here is genuinely scary and pitable at the same time, the twist that it's not one of Uther's victims but Arthur's well set up and earned at the same time (if you rewatch, you can see Arthur's reaction when he recognizes just where they are and remembers what happened here, which Merlin and a first time audience misattributes to his feelings re: Gwen), in terms of overall continuity, it makes sense to place this episode immediately after the previous one it makes sense that both Arthur and the knights attribute Elyan's strange behaviour at first to Gwen's banishment (oh, and note: the whole "if your sister was sent into exile, how would you feel?" conversation makes it clear that not only does Elyan not get blamed but nobody among the knights thinks Gwen actually deserves banishment), and the climactic scene with Elyan/The Ghost and Arthur is fantastic.
(Now if only s5 hadn't pretended that episode never happened. SIGH.)
The Hunter's Heart: hello, Mithian. This is the last of alternate matches for Arthur and the only one he picks neither because he's under a spell or because he's under pressure from Uther. Again, she's likeable, would have made a good queen (just not THE Queen Gwen will be), clever, insightful (she spots the tie between Merlin and Arthur at once), and the scenes where Merlin begins by trying to sabotage her developing relationship with Arthur and she squarely adresses that and talks to him about it, whereupon he's won over by her as a person (though still thinking he knows best whom Arthur should or shouldn't marry) is excellent. (Mithian's and Merlin's conversations will also have a good follow up in s5.) Morgana changing Gwen into a deer is very Ovidian of her, and Merlin recognizing Gwen in that shape, and afterwards returning into the forest to find her and rescue her is one of my favourite Merlin and Gwen friendship scenes. (Also a refutation for the bewildering folk who somehow missed Merlin pleading Gwen's cause to Arthur near the end of Lancelot du Lac and called his silent farewell to her "slut shaming her". For God's sake.)
The Sword in the Stone Part I + II: the last time Morgana conquers Camelot, but not the last time she pursues her laudable mission to rid Arthur's knights of their shirts. On a less flippant note, the finale two parter isn't perfect, but its many good scenes mean I love it anyway: most likeable versions of Tristan and Isolde this side of Parke Godwin, Merlin evening the playing field by using the very method Morgana used against Uther to temporarily rob her of her magic, the fantastic conversation between Arthur and Morgana, their first with both having complete knowledge of the truth about each other, HUNITH HUNITH HUNITH (and Merlin having send Gwen to her because YES), the Gwen and Arthur scene in part I and their later scene in part II (while I dislike Gwen not knowing the truth re: Lancelot spell, I have no problem with Arthur not knowing; on the contrary, I think it's better than his reconciliation with Gwen doesn't depend on him finding out she was Under The Influence when cheating on him but comes because he's decided that the Lancelot interlude doesn't matter compared with everything else), Merlin being advisory and stage managing the Excalibur drawing, the Gwaine and Morgana confrontations, and lastly, the fact that we leave Camelot not with a wedding scene but with the coronation of Gwen as Queen (with Morgana's vision which caused her to put Gwen through hell coming true; Morgana of course shares Merlin's flaw of never having met a prophecy she didn't try to foil and therefore managed to make real). Did I mention Gwen's queendom and her growing into it is one of my favourite things about Merlin the series? And that I'm absolutely delighted the show bears me out on that one by the way it ends? Oh yeah.
Oh, and Aithusa healing Morgana as the very last scene was also well done. Not only because it provided a neat call back to what the White Dragon in one version of the myths where Merlin sees it entwined with the Red Dragon actually means, but because it starts another of the few elements I wouldn't miss of season 5, the Morgana and Aithusa relationship.
Season 5
I was going back and thro whether to list the opening two parter, because in addition to having a superb Queen Gwen who is treated as co-ruler by the show from the get go (yay!), it reintroduces Mordred as an adult and I liked all his scenes, too. Also Morgana's opening vision in s2, her dream of her and Aithusa imprisoned, is superb. But I'm too annoyed by a lot of everything else, including but not limited to the unfunny slapstick between Arthur and Merlin, to claim these episodes as favourites. So no.
Another's Sorrow: this one, I genuinely loved. Mithian was again a very sympathetic character, and while blackmailed and entraped by Morgana (their scenes together are excellent), she got to display her intelligence and courage via various attempts to escape and/or to alert Merlin to the truth. Moreover, the episode provided a good wrap up to the ongoing Odin-wants-Arthur-dead thread and a good compare/contrast to the initial situation Arthur was in at the start of His Father's Son a season and three years previously with Annis' husband. This time, he listens to his better self and spares Odin. (As hard as I am on s5: by bringing back Annis as an ally in the season opener, Mithian and her father here - who also exit as allies - and letting Odin be won over and ready for a genuine truce at last, it does show, not tell, that this uniting-of-Albion business is actually starting to happen, and not via wars of conquest, either.)
In a "had complaints about each but also liked individual scenes and execution of same" category are: The Disir (this time I did not have any sympathy for Merlin in his big sacrificial moment, but the Mordred scenes throughout were good, as were the Arthur-gets-judged-by-the-Disir scenes), The Dark Tower (the Gwen torture via distorted visions of the people she loves best interspersed with Morgana trying the 1984-love-thy-torturer method were harrowing and chillingly efficient, the Merlin-Arthur-and-Knights-roaming-through-the-woods a waste of time), With All My Heart (Mordred scenes, be they with Merlin, Morgana or Arthur: superb. Arthur finding a way to make even brainwashed and hating him Gwen go voluntarily into the cauldron of renewal by going there with her: loved it; Merlin getting off his butt to save Gwen two and a half episodes after he should have done and everything else in this one: grrr, argh).
The Drawing of the Dark: another unqualified entry in the "loved it, in totem!" category. Again, the show went for tragedy, and managed to do it in a way that every single character and their actions were understandable, everyone was at fault and yet following their conscience to the best of their abilities, and everyone was acting their socks off. Really, really good. Also, like The Wicked Day, a game changer.
The Diamond of the Day Part I and II: and thus it ended, thankfully on a high note. No matter which combination of characters we saw together, I loved their scenes. Merlin's much delayed coming out to Arthur got the dramatic weight it deserved, their scenes together in general were superb and never once descended into the routine slapstick that had become so increasingly annoying to me (which btw doesn't mean they didn't have humor: the opening teaser with Merlin beating Arthur at gambling in a tavern (pay off for all those "Merlin is in the tavern!" alibis!) was very amusing without being irritating), Gwen got to display both her quietly supportive and her if necessary ruthless and decisive side, and Arthur entrusting the kingdom to her was the best ending I could have wished for them while the "I just want you to be you" and "stop it; just hold me" at the shore of Avalon was the best farewell I could have wished for Merlin and Arthur. The knights' acclamation of Gwen, the literal and traditional "the King is dead. Long live the Queen!" was such a great and complete reverse of all those versions where Guinevere and her love life are part of, or the main reason for the fall of Camelot; by contrast, this Guinevere is the one who will complete the golden age which only just started, the guarantee of the future, and her love for Arthur and his love for her made that possible. And the very last scene reminded me of how the show could be the best crack and was just glorious in the way it at once validated every single Immortal!Merlin fic ever. Did I love that? Yes. Oh yes.
This entry was originally posted at http://selenak.dreamwidth.org/856771.html. Comment there or here, as you wish.
Season 1
Lancelot: A good introduction of the title character (one of the very few in the overall show to find out Merlin's secret and not get killed within the same episode), who forms relationships with Merlin, Gwen and Arthur, all of whom get neat character scenes as well. And I will forever love the Merlin and Gwen Cliff, Shag, Marry exchange (aka Merlin asking Gwen "if you could choose between Arthur and Lancelot, which one...").
The Beginning of the End: Debut of Mordred, and the first time the show tackles moral ambiguity. Not in Mordred, in Merlin, who gets told the kid will kill Arthur one day and comes damn close to letting the boy die, listening to compassion only in the proverbial last second. Also for me the episode with Morgana at her most sympathetic. (I'll get to why I don't think she is in her big ep of the season in a moment.) For the first time, the Great Dragon, not yet identified as Kilgarrah, gets more to do than be a plot device delivering exposition but gets characterisation, and characterisation as a wily ambiguous trickster at that. Merlin, when faced with the central moral dilemma, not consulting Gaius but the Dragon is in itself important to Merln's overall characterisation and the relationships he has with his two main mentor figures of the show. As the identification of the child as Mordred is withheld until the very last scene, when he tells Arthur his name, this is one episode where it really pays off to be unspoiled the first time around, but it's also great to rewatch.
Excalibur: arguably the most sympathetic episode for Uther in the show (not just because he puts Arthur's life first here but because he's willing to face the consequences of his own deeds himself for once (by being the one to fight undead!Trystan, brother of Ygraine). Gwen providing Merlin with the sword, courtesy of her father, and Kilgarrah hardening it connects various elements of the show I love in a beautiful way.
The Moment of Truth: aka the one where the gang helps out Merlin to save his home village and his mother. If there is one moment in the show when they really were an OT4, it's in this episode (not before, not after; the various balances of power and emotion were never that equal). There isn't a moment here I don't love, and everyone shines. Hunith wins for best parent in the show, Arthur and Merlin have one of their best fireside chats ever (complete with foot teasing), Arthur's and Gwen's relationship (not the romantic one, the one where she becomes part of making him a good king and he part of what makes her a good queen) starts the moment she goes after him in the woods, confronts him with his behaviour towards the villagers and he listens to her, Merlin's pal Will is a good and rounded backstory character for him, and we even get Sidding el Fadil, aka Alexander Siddig, as the villain of the week. WIN!
The Labyrinth of Gedref: aka the one which ruins Merlin's reputation as an animal lover. *g* (Yeah, yeah, he's in tears of the unicorn, but he didn't hesitate a moment to assassinate that rat!) More seriously, it's a pretty important one on Arthur's journey from juvenile jackass to responsible king, and highlights one of the differences between him and his father in their approach to the starving populace, and just what they hold themselves responsible for. The scene with Arthur and Merlin by the sea provides us with one of the show's most gorgeous visuals.
To Kill a King: aka the one where I started to dislike Morgana. Not because she comes close to killing Uther. (I mean, well, Uther.) Because she manages to make Gwen's loss of her father all about herself and her relationship with Uther. Yes, Morgana's road to the dark side had incredibly clumsy writing at times. But you can draw a straight line from this episode to Morgana telling Gwen in the s3 finale, apropos the very events of To Kill a King, "oh, I forgot that you, too, have suffered". In terms of future characterisation, it's also important that Morgana stabs her first magical ally in the back (literally) and ultimately decides for Uther's life based on, as she will tell Morgause a season later, her belief in Uther's affection for her. (Not something like, say, anyone else's good.) Meanwhile, the episode contains two of the best Gwen scenes around, both the scene with Arthur where he talks to her after his men executed her father, and there is so much unsaid, and a few important things said, too (note: Arthur may be still a jackass and will always be arrogant, but he doesn't make this scene about himself or his own feelings; instead, he tells Gwen something that's actually useful to Gwen), and even more the scene with Merlin when he's pondering whether or not to let Uther die and decides this by asking Gwen what she would do if she had Uther's life in her hands.
Season 2
The One and Future Queen: how I love this one, let me count the ways. Firstly, it's a clever twist on the "royalty in disguise" trope (and a refutation of how this usually plays out); Gwen pointing ot to Arthur that even "playing" at being common, he still behaves like an entitled prince, and practically everything else she says is something I only wish someone had told the future Henry V. aka Prince Hal in the relevant Shakespeare plays. Secondly, it pulls off selling me on Gwen/Arthur as a potential romance (romantic comedy, this show can't always do it, but here it can). Thirdly, William the farmer is a hilarious guest character, which is why I wrote fanfiction about him. And while supposedly lethal assassin Adrian Lester alas does not get to be very competent, this episode introduces what turns out to be a long running thread of Odin's feud against Arthur, and there will be significant pay off for that later in the show.
Lancelot and Guinevere: return of Lancelot. (Sadly he joins the ranks of noble jerks who leave a woman for her own good without asking for her opinion on the subject, but he does look quite dashing as a sell sword.) Angel Colby gets to stretch her acting legs especially in the scene where Gwen pretends to be Morgana (it's both believable to her captor and to the audience, who actually knows Morgana - the tone, the voice, the attitude - but the audience can also see her worry beneath it). Speaking of Morgana, in retrospect this is also the last hooray of the Gwen/Morgana friendship (which will continue afterwards, but this is the last episode where we get specific friendship scenes for them and both of them mean it), and one of the last times we see her do that sword twirl which some show offy instructor must have taught her and Arthur both. Oh, and it's also one of the last positive Morgana and Arthur sibling scenes, as she goes from berating him (when she thinks he won't help her) to being overjoyed when realising he's been planning for the Gwen rescue all along. In terms of Merlin and Arthur, they have their chat about Arthur's developing feelings for Gwen; in light of what's to come, Arthur's terse remark about Uther and how he'd react if even suspecting his son feeling love for a servant is pretty dead-on. Also: Wildren!
The Witchfinder: The show got Charles Dance for paying Aredian, and he's suitably dastardly and one of the scariest villains of the show. The Merlin and Gwen Detective Duo is at work in this one, which I always love, it's a great Gaius character episode (and his final scene with Uther, where Gaius refuses to accept Uther's implicit apology, is superb), and I love the scene where Gwen gets Arthur to stop Gaius' execution by pointing out that he also stood by and let her father die to bits. Bonus points for Merlin showing his darker (and very inventive) side by the way he exposes Aredian.
The Sins of the Father: hello, Morgause! And a great debut she makes, too. Also notable for Arthur coming close to killing his father, my second favourite of Arthur's and Merlin's fireside-in-the-wood chats (this time about dead parents), the ghost of Ygraine (or Morgause's simulation of same, I like that the show leaves it ambiguous one way or the other), and Merlin having the first of his moments where he could convert Arthur the magic side but tells him the exact opposite because REASONS. As opposed to later opportunities, here I am full of sympathies for Merlin, because it really was a no win situation (if Arthur had gone through with killing Uther at this point, it would have destroyed him). Oh, and I love the way ASH plays Uther showing up ostensibly to thank Merlin but really to threaten him at the end. Really chilling.
The Fires of Idrisholas: the first time the show attempts tragedy. (All the more so in retrospect.) Contrary to much of fandom, I don't think Merlin not telling Morgana about his own magic was crucial in her going darkside (
zahrawithaz wrote an entire post as to why, with which I agree: the short version is that Merlin did get Morgana in contact with sympathetic magic users much earlier in the season, which was the help he owed her as a friend, and on that occasion he saw her basically shrug and say "not my problem" when hearing actual and suspect magic people were getting executed for her supposed abduction; given that he'd seen her turn her back on other magic users twice and that her position with Uther was infinitely better than his own, so that, should they be exposed, Morgana might get away with it but Merlin most certainly would not, he had no reason to come out to her). But what he does here IS crucial. Not the only reason, and later on Morgana will have plenty of choices and according responsibilities. In this episode, however, her responsibility begins and ends with not 'fessing up about her meeting with Morgause at the start, no more. Whereas Merlin is fully responsible for the sacrifice of her life. It's a great showcase for Colin Morgan, as we see Merlin struggle with the decision from the moment the dragon gives him the crucial information (the spell on Camelot will be lifted if Morgana dies) and tries to figure out alternatives, until the point where he finally makes said decision and goes through with it. It's also one of Katie MacGrath's finest moments, going from Morgana's utter trust in Merlin, accepting the flask, drinking, to the moment of realisation when the full impact of what he's done hits her. This is why, in the show finale, Merlin will say that he bears some responsibility for what became of her, and rightly so. Lastly: for what ultimately turns into one of the darkest eps until this point, this episode also has some good humor moments (not always their strongest suit): my favourite is Kilgarrah pretending to be asleep as well when Merlin first shows up in his cave. As I said: the former plot device is a character now. Who really likes to mess with minds. Oh, and Merlin finally fulfilling his promise to free the dragon despite the awareness that this will most likely result in No Good brings us another moment of fine acting - Merlin's expression when Kilgarrah takes flight. He's thrilled despite himself, despite all foreboding.
The Last Dragonlord: in which we meet Merlin's long lost father, who turns out to be Sirius Black Balinor. I wasn't that thrilled by the Dragonlord concept initially but later on began to like it, which may or may not have to do with having written dragon fanfic. :) Anyway, both the Merlin and Balinor and the Merlin and Arthur scenes are fine, and the scene where Merlin gets Kilgarrah (now named) under his power and decides not to kill him (which is a first on this show) but to let him go (with the do-no-more-harm caveat) is sublime. (Except for the Arthur-gets-conveniently-knocked-out-again part, but that's an ongoing five season long annoyance, not particular to one episode.)
Season 3
Gwaine: and another once and future knight of the Round Table makes his series debut. Gwaine is great fun from the start and also the first example of someone who isn't magical and is a positive character refusing to serve Uther out of general principle. Like Lancelot, Gwaine's strongest friendship is with Merlin; unlike Lancelot, he could actually stay at Camelot, but doesn't, because Uther.
The Crystal Cave: aka the first time Merlin by attempting to thwart a prophecy makes it come true. (You'd think he'd learn, but...) The standout scenes were Uther's confession to Gaius next to the bed of an (he thinks) comatose Morgana about being her father and his demand that Morgana be healed by magic, Arthur and Gwen grieving together when they think Morgana is dying, Merlin forcing Kilgarrah to heal Morgana and Morgana's reaction when waking up cured and not getting Uther to acknowledge her as his daughter in public.
The Changeling: Lucy Watkins is a good comedy writer. Unlike the last princess Arthur was entangled with (courtesy of a spell), Vivian, this one, except for the the involuntary Sidhe part which courtesy of Merlin she loses through the episode, would actually be a plausible mate. Something I liked about Merlin the series is that these possible-matches-for-politics aren't vilified but presented as likeable, and also, that Arthur, once he makes his decision, doesn't leave the girls to deal with the fallout (oh, Xander Harris!) but a) explains, b) accepts the blame, and c) tries to give the princess in question some compensation. More next season.
The Castle of Fyrien: Hello, Elyan! Another future knight shows up in the form of Gwen's brother. I wish he and Gwen had had nore scenes together, because the few they had rang very true to an older sister/younger brother dynamic to me. Another thing that makes this episode memorable is that it's the dark flip side of The Moment of Truth; again Arthur, Morgana, Merlin and Gwen are on the road together to help one among them, but this time another tries their level best to get the rest of them killed. Speaking of siblign dynamics, Arthur going back for Morgana after everyone else got out is one of those small moments that affect me beyond their intended meaning.
Love in the Time of Dragons: I'll never understand why so many people dislike this one. Oh, wait, I do: the main characters are old people, and romantic emotions are only allowed to the young and pretty. Bah. Seriously, I love Alice, who is a female, mature and sympathetic magic user who makes it out of the episode alive, and her rekindled romance with Gaius does a lot to make up for the "old people having sex, ew!" not-gag in The Changeling.
Queen of Hearts: aka the one where we get a replay of the 1.03. scene where Gwen is thrown at Uther's feet, accused of magic, and the difference in her response highlights all the growth she's done. (Whenever people say they only love s1 Gwen because she's "stronger", I think of this scene and think "seriously?" I mean, I love s1 Gwen, too, and don't blame her for being terrified and in tears in what was a horrible situation, but come on. I can't help but hearing "s1 Gwen was stronger" translated as "s1 Gwen wasn't canonically involved with one half of my slash pairing". Which is so ridiculous because this episode also highlights how both Arthur and Gwen see Merlin's presence as part of their togetherness (even in Arthur's wistful "if I was a farmer" vision). Anyway: Gwen pwning Uther with one quiet statement is win forever and ever.
The Coming of Arthur II: has Gwen and Leon teaming up escaping, the round table getting together for the first time (now with added Percival) in one of my favourite visuals, and the big Morgana and Uther scene of truth. Their relationship finds it end here as far as both participants as living people are concerned, but Morgana's similarities with Uther and her way to handle them, or not, will be an ongoing theme in the show.
Season 4
My favourite season. It would be easier and far shorter to list the episodes I didn't like, but I shall plung on nonetheless.
The Darkest Hour Part I and II: hello, Agrivaine. Actually, that's the most minor of laudable qualtiies of this opening two parter, which shows us the new Camelot half started as Uther is practically out of action and the knights have developed a very endearing dynamic. (This is the first version of the Arthurian myth where I really could emotionally understand why people would want to be a part of the Round Table.) Morgause's death, though her own choice, drives Morgana that much further in emotional isolation, and the sacrifice of Lancelot at the end is a good example of a Chekovian gun, fairly played.
The Wicked Day : and we have a genuine game changer, as Uther gets killed off. In a really well done way; this should be watched unspoiled if possible; even the trailer was carefully cut as to not give the plot away, instead letting the audience believe it would be a standard "someone wants to kill Arthur, gets foiled by Merlin" episode. "Someone" being Odin (this is one of the two good pay offs the Odin red thread has which I mentioned earlier). It's the show's next attempt to tackle tragedy, not because Uther dies (Uther actually gets what can be called his dream exit, fighting one last time and able to save his son's life) but how he dies. Of the various people responsible - Odin for sending an assassin, Arthur for not accepting his father's impending demise and committing Uther's old sin, asking for magic despite believing magic to be evil, Merlin for thinking a magical saving of Uther's life would bring good (even in a best case scenario, this would be questionable, not least leaving aside Arthur's mixed feelings, a saved and fully cured Uther would not change a bit), and Morgana for reversing Merlin's magic into its opposite, only Odin does actually benefit (yet doesn't care; it was Arthur he was after). The scene where Morgana lies curled and Agrivaine comes in to bring her the news of Uther's death, and Morgana, without a smirk or gloat, says she already knows, is an example of why s4 Morgana is probaly the most well drawn version of Darkside!Morgana the show offers. She thought it Uther's death would free or or at least give her satisfaction, but it doesn't. There's also a good parallel in both of Uther's children, both of whom were formed by him but now have their own responsibility for the choices they make, spending the night of his death in a silent wake for him. Arthur finishing his wake, opening the door and finding Merlin outside is one of the outstanding visuals of the show, and Merlin's awareness that his helping-Arthur-to-be-King destiny might have fulfilled itself in the worst way possible coupled with desperate hope it won't be is palpable.
Aithusa: Hello, Gaius Baltar! Err, James Callis Who is Gaius' Old Shady Apprentice. Who is dragon egg hunting, which gives Merlin the opportunity to do the same. Still raw from the disaster Uther's death turned into, it's no wonder he's putting his magical side first, which in doubt always means dragons. (It's another opportunity where Gaius and Kilgarrah give contrasting advice, and Merlin goes for the Kilgarrah option.) The birth of Aithusa is probably Merlin's one moment of complete and unabashed joy in the entire season. Irony to come. (BTW, I'm glad that Aithusa made it out of the show alive.)
His Father's Son: hello, Queen Annis! Who is awesome. (And played by Lindsay Duncan.) It's one of those "Arthur makes monumental mistake, horribleness ensues, Arthur takes responsibility for mistake and manages to come uip with atonement to thwart horribleness" episodes which usually, though not always, are the show's strengh. This one is. It also highlights the legacy of Uther in both Arthur and Morgana, with the later's interactions with Annis being another example of the fact that Morgana's scenes with other women are usually (not always) more interesting and layered than her scenes with other men. (Though we'll see a follow up of the "Morgana loses ally not through Merlin but by her own actions and attitudes" principle later with Morgana and Mordred.) Annis also continues the welcome trend started by Alice of older female characters who are awesome and stay alive. (Broken by Finna in s5, one of the many reasons why I loathe that particular s5 episode.)
A Servant of Two Masters: in which Gwen wields a mean ewer as she and Gaius stop under-a-spell Merlin from assassinating Arthur. I love this ep for various reasons: Merlin and Morgana have a great scene together before she Imperiuses him with that snake (her retort that she understands loyalty, she simply has no one left to be loyal too is such a good character moment), and another at the end when he's in Emrys mode; Gaius and Gwen are both attentive and intelligent friends and figure out something is wrong with Merlin quickly, and act immediately on that knowledge (UNLIKE CERTAIN PEOPLE IN SEASON FIVE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION GRRR ARGH), oh, and we get two scenes showcasing Arthur's concern for Merlin (before they get separated, and later when they reunite) as a bonus.
Lancelot du Lac: I am that weird type of a shipper, if I ship at all: really into scenes where my pairing of choice is breaking up if they're well written and played. By which I mean: still unreconciled as I am with the whole Gwen-gets-bespelled-with-Lancelot-love premise (I really must write that between s4 and s5 story where she finds out what Morgana did to her), it's all worth it for the throne room scene between Arthur and Gwen afterwards. Which is painful and superb and I feel so much for both of them, and I love, love, love that Gwen says "I still want to be your Queen" not "wife" , because as I wrote in my review at the time, there is no such thing as "just Arthur" or "just Gwen" with these two and that's one of the reasons why I love their relationship - that Arthur with all his flaws is a good king and that Gwen can and will be a superb queen is part of the reasons why they love each other. (See also Arthur's explanation at the start of the episode to Agrivaine.)
Herald of a New Age: this one should have been far more important to s5 than it was (one of the reasons why s5 overall was weak, despite individual good episodes), but it's still superb. The ghost of the druid boy here is genuinely scary and pitable at the same time, the twist that it's not one of Uther's victims but Arthur's well set up and earned at the same time (if you rewatch, you can see Arthur's reaction when he recognizes just where they are and remembers what happened here, which Merlin and a first time audience misattributes to his feelings re: Gwen), in terms of overall continuity, it makes sense to place this episode immediately after the previous one it makes sense that both Arthur and the knights attribute Elyan's strange behaviour at first to Gwen's banishment (oh, and note: the whole "if your sister was sent into exile, how would you feel?" conversation makes it clear that not only does Elyan not get blamed but nobody among the knights thinks Gwen actually deserves banishment), and the climactic scene with Elyan/The Ghost and Arthur is fantastic.
(Now if only s5 hadn't pretended that episode never happened. SIGH.)
The Hunter's Heart: hello, Mithian. This is the last of alternate matches for Arthur and the only one he picks neither because he's under a spell or because he's under pressure from Uther. Again, she's likeable, would have made a good queen (just not THE Queen Gwen will be), clever, insightful (she spots the tie between Merlin and Arthur at once), and the scenes where Merlin begins by trying to sabotage her developing relationship with Arthur and she squarely adresses that and talks to him about it, whereupon he's won over by her as a person (though still thinking he knows best whom Arthur should or shouldn't marry) is excellent. (Mithian's and Merlin's conversations will also have a good follow up in s5.) Morgana changing Gwen into a deer is very Ovidian of her, and Merlin recognizing Gwen in that shape, and afterwards returning into the forest to find her and rescue her is one of my favourite Merlin and Gwen friendship scenes. (Also a refutation for the bewildering folk who somehow missed Merlin pleading Gwen's cause to Arthur near the end of Lancelot du Lac and called his silent farewell to her "slut shaming her". For God's sake.)
The Sword in the Stone Part I + II: the last time Morgana conquers Camelot, but not the last time she pursues her laudable mission to rid Arthur's knights of their shirts. On a less flippant note, the finale two parter isn't perfect, but its many good scenes mean I love it anyway: most likeable versions of Tristan and Isolde this side of Parke Godwin, Merlin evening the playing field by using the very method Morgana used against Uther to temporarily rob her of her magic, the fantastic conversation between Arthur and Morgana, their first with both having complete knowledge of the truth about each other, HUNITH HUNITH HUNITH (and Merlin having send Gwen to her because YES), the Gwen and Arthur scene in part I and their later scene in part II (while I dislike Gwen not knowing the truth re: Lancelot spell, I have no problem with Arthur not knowing; on the contrary, I think it's better than his reconciliation with Gwen doesn't depend on him finding out she was Under The Influence when cheating on him but comes because he's decided that the Lancelot interlude doesn't matter compared with everything else), Merlin being advisory and stage managing the Excalibur drawing, the Gwaine and Morgana confrontations, and lastly, the fact that we leave Camelot not with a wedding scene but with the coronation of Gwen as Queen (with Morgana's vision which caused her to put Gwen through hell coming true; Morgana of course shares Merlin's flaw of never having met a prophecy she didn't try to foil and therefore managed to make real). Did I mention Gwen's queendom and her growing into it is one of my favourite things about Merlin the series? And that I'm absolutely delighted the show bears me out on that one by the way it ends? Oh yeah.
Oh, and Aithusa healing Morgana as the very last scene was also well done. Not only because it provided a neat call back to what the White Dragon in one version of the myths where Merlin sees it entwined with the Red Dragon actually means, but because it starts another of the few elements I wouldn't miss of season 5, the Morgana and Aithusa relationship.
Season 5
I was going back and thro whether to list the opening two parter, because in addition to having a superb Queen Gwen who is treated as co-ruler by the show from the get go (yay!), it reintroduces Mordred as an adult and I liked all his scenes, too. Also Morgana's opening vision in s2, her dream of her and Aithusa imprisoned, is superb. But I'm too annoyed by a lot of everything else, including but not limited to the unfunny slapstick between Arthur and Merlin, to claim these episodes as favourites. So no.
Another's Sorrow: this one, I genuinely loved. Mithian was again a very sympathetic character, and while blackmailed and entraped by Morgana (their scenes together are excellent), she got to display her intelligence and courage via various attempts to escape and/or to alert Merlin to the truth. Moreover, the episode provided a good wrap up to the ongoing Odin-wants-Arthur-dead thread and a good compare/contrast to the initial situation Arthur was in at the start of His Father's Son a season and three years previously with Annis' husband. This time, he listens to his better self and spares Odin. (As hard as I am on s5: by bringing back Annis as an ally in the season opener, Mithian and her father here - who also exit as allies - and letting Odin be won over and ready for a genuine truce at last, it does show, not tell, that this uniting-of-Albion business is actually starting to happen, and not via wars of conquest, either.)
In a "had complaints about each but also liked individual scenes and execution of same" category are: The Disir (this time I did not have any sympathy for Merlin in his big sacrificial moment, but the Mordred scenes throughout were good, as were the Arthur-gets-judged-by-the-Disir scenes), The Dark Tower (the Gwen torture via distorted visions of the people she loves best interspersed with Morgana trying the 1984-love-thy-torturer method were harrowing and chillingly efficient, the Merlin-Arthur-and-Knights-roaming-through-the-woods a waste of time), With All My Heart (Mordred scenes, be they with Merlin, Morgana or Arthur: superb. Arthur finding a way to make even brainwashed and hating him Gwen go voluntarily into the cauldron of renewal by going there with her: loved it; Merlin getting off his butt to save Gwen two and a half episodes after he should have done and everything else in this one: grrr, argh).
The Drawing of the Dark: another unqualified entry in the "loved it, in totem!" category. Again, the show went for tragedy, and managed to do it in a way that every single character and their actions were understandable, everyone was at fault and yet following their conscience to the best of their abilities, and everyone was acting their socks off. Really, really good. Also, like The Wicked Day, a game changer.
The Diamond of the Day Part I and II: and thus it ended, thankfully on a high note. No matter which combination of characters we saw together, I loved their scenes. Merlin's much delayed coming out to Arthur got the dramatic weight it deserved, their scenes together in general were superb and never once descended into the routine slapstick that had become so increasingly annoying to me (which btw doesn't mean they didn't have humor: the opening teaser with Merlin beating Arthur at gambling in a tavern (pay off for all those "Merlin is in the tavern!" alibis!) was very amusing without being irritating), Gwen got to display both her quietly supportive and her if necessary ruthless and decisive side, and Arthur entrusting the kingdom to her was the best ending I could have wished for them while the "I just want you to be you" and "stop it; just hold me" at the shore of Avalon was the best farewell I could have wished for Merlin and Arthur. The knights' acclamation of Gwen, the literal and traditional "the King is dead. Long live the Queen!" was such a great and complete reverse of all those versions where Guinevere and her love life are part of, or the main reason for the fall of Camelot; by contrast, this Guinevere is the one who will complete the golden age which only just started, the guarantee of the future, and her love for Arthur and his love for her made that possible. And the very last scene reminded me of how the show could be the best crack and was just glorious in the way it at once validated every single Immortal!Merlin fic ever. Did I love that? Yes. Oh yes.
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