CultBox article: "Should 'Merlin' be more about Merlin?"

[merlin_net]

CultBox's Ian McArdell explores the reasons for and against S5 being more about Merlin.

Warning! Contains previously announced casting spoilers

Comments

[angelqueen04]

*sighs* Um, yeah, the show needs to be more about Merlin. The third and fourth series have been mainly about Merlin protecting the others from the viper in the nest (Morgana in the third series, and Agravaine in the fourth). There needs to be something deeply personal for him to sink his teeth into again, like he had with his mother and Will in the first series, and Freya and Balinor in the second. I think the closest we got to something like that lately was when Merlin laid Lancelot to rest at the Lake of Avalon in a manner very reminiscant of Freya's burial. The most recent series kind of put Merlin's personal growth on the back burner as he focused on stemming Agravaine and Morgana's plots (with only middling success), keeping Arthur alive and helping him get used to being king.

I'm all for subplots involving the other characters -- the knights especially. However, I really feel like there needs to be a return to having Merlin at the center stage.

[ella_rose88]

I don't know how the show hasn't been about Merlin because he's been in every single episode, yet the girls haven't. I mean the things that happened in series 4 did have an impact on Merlin because after all he is a part of Alboin and Arthur's destiny. So how is Merlin protecting others not about him. It shows that Merlin is deeply loyal in protecting his friends (that are like his family) and is willing to do what he can to save them

[ella_rose88]

Personally I do think that the show does focus on Merlin quite a lot. I mean has there ever been an episode that Merlin wasn't in. Yet the girls have not appeared in few episodes each series. So really I think that there is nothing wrong with there being some focus on the other characters because I love them all so much. If there was anymore focus on Merlin it would lose the heart and soul that the other characters bring to the table

[ext_1204977]

Honestly I enjoyed the first season the most, second season was okay until they decided to start messing with the personalities of the characters. So I'm all for the show being more about Merlin if with that they stop making of the other characters a ridiculous joke. Specially with Morgana, the girl went from being a kind and disinterested soul to this heartless villian with no-personality. Not to mention the level of dumbness she and Arthur have been dragged to. Gwen? Seriously, that poor perfect and flawless girl has been humilliated countless of times and with Mithian's return I'm afraid is not over yet

[ext_1204977]

I know what you mean, Morgana giving those orders along with the execution of those innocent people in season 3 came of nowhere. I was really sad to see her character losing her direction, is like she just hate with no reason. Arthur used to be a better man than his father, now he's not so different. All these spontaneous changes really bother me. Merlin is more constant in his actions and like you said, so far his character is well developed. So I really hope there's a reveal (just not at the end please) so we can keep moving on with his and Arthur's story.

Anyways, being honest with myself, I know nothing of this is going to happen. Is a kids/family show so I don't think they care about any of this. Still, I love the cast so much that I know I'm going to watch this and any other season/movie to come (if there is one).