Oh Merlin.

After 5 years, Merlin concluded it's run on the 24th December 2012. I started watching Merlin because I have always been interested in the Arthurian legends. Another factor is that it involves magic. I'm a sucker for any narrative that includes magic, especially when the world it inhabits is rich with characters and conflicts that I am invested in. Which is why it pains me to know that there will never be any new Merlin episodes with the cast and characters that I have grown to love.

Throughout its run, I have occasionally been let down and was upset with the show. I ultimately forgave it and trusted that the writers knew what they were doing. However, this changed. Drastically. After watching the finale episode I'm left with a very bitter feeling. I have never been so upset with a final episode than I have "The Diamond of the Day". The episode came in two parts, and it's the second part that makes me very close to regret ever watching Merlin.

Hence, the remainder of this post will be full of rants that I need to let out.

= WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD!! =

The battle that was constantly spoken of throughout the season finally occurred and man did I love the resolution of it. Merlin appeared (as an old man) and defeated the Saxons with lighting. That's right, lighting. He killed everyone in the vicinity of Arthur, and ordered the dragon away. It was epic, and nearly everything I imagined and wanted. If only he got Mordred... but then the prophecy wouldn't have been fulfilled.

Speaking of Mordred, he was a character who's role in Arthur's death was so hyped that when the reason behind his motivation was revealed, it felt quite weak. It was too sudden and all because of a girl? Sigh. If only Mordred witnessed Arthur's leniency and his offer to allow Kara to save herself. Arthur shouldn't be blamed for her death, she chose it after all. As for Arthur and Mordred's battle... it was such a disappointment. The only thing I can say is at least Mordred died. So much wasted potential when it came to Mordred and his character development was so so weak.

[I was also expecting Kilgharrah (Great Dragon) and Aithusa to battle it out, like the legends. But that never happened.]

Merlin: Why do  you want to do this?
Gwaine: Same reason as you. To help a friend.
Merlin: Arthur's lucky to have us.
Gwaine: Not Arthur.

A character that I quite liked died in this episode, for no apparent really except to add onto the pain. Gwaine was a great character and I loved him the minute he was introduced. He and Merlin hit it off immediately and remained quite close throughout the series.  I always felt that he was supposed to have a more important and prominent role in Merlin's life, but he was regulated to being just a Camelot knight. He was like a replacement for Lancelot, who sacrificed himself for Merlin (I cry inside because of Lancelot's death. HE DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE YOU STUPID WRITERS!!). I thought that Merlin was supposed to share with Gwaine his secret, but it never happened. Not only because they were close, but because of Gwaine's knowledge of magic. He would've been a fine confidant who would've accepted Merlin's magic quite easily. What a waste of potential...not to mention the waste of potential bromance.

Back to the  point, why on earth did Gwaine have to die? His death was due to his desire to kill Morgana, but was killed instead. As the scene unfolded before my eyes, I just couldn't stop thinking how stupid it all was. Gwaine isn't stupid. He knows that Morgana is a powerful sorceress. So what chance of survival did he have against her? I reckon that this was just the writer's way to let Morgana know where Arthur is. It's just too contrived to believe that Gwaine would be stupid enough to track down Morgana. Also, for Gwaine to die believing that he failed Merlin and Arthur? That's just horrible.

Now Morgana. How anti-climatic was her death? Killed by the sword forged from a dragon's breath. For 3 seasons, Morgana has managed to evade death. Her magic has gotten so powerful that she is acknowledged as a High Priestess and yet she was killed so simply and easily. If she was going to die by a sword, why didn't it happen earlier? Because we were expecting a full blown magical battle between her and Merlin! To finally settle who is the strongest and will be the last to survive (like Harry Potter and Voldemort!) I was also expecting a heated conversation between the two, but no. I got nothing. Like I said, very very anti-climatic.

Arthur: Why are you doing this? Why are you still behaving like a servant?
Merlin: It's my destiny. As it has been since the day we met. I do this, because of who  you are. Without you, Camelot's nothing.
Arthur: There was a time when that was true. Not now.
Merlin: There will never be another like you Arthur. I also do this, because you're my friend and I don't want to lose you.

Throughout the series, we are repeatedly reminded that Merlin's destiny is to serve and aid Arthur to unite the Five Kingdoms to become Albion. It is implied that magic will be able to roam free and be accepted once more. BUT THE SHOW F**KING KILLS ARTHUR OFF. HE DIES. SO YEAH. ALL THAT IS GONE. I feel so cheated because Arthur's death marks the end to any of the "prophecies" that's been foretold ever happening. Especially because throughout the years, I've been waiting for the day Arthur and Merlin unite the lands and for him to accept Merlin's magic. For Merlin to finally be recognised for what he is and live without fear of being persecuted. For Merlin to officially be Arthur's advisor and fulfil the other stories part of the Arthurian legends.

Consequently, I'm supposed to believe that the unification and acceptance of magic occurs off screen (through Gwen and probably Gaius). WELL SCREW YOU SHOW.  Which just reminds me, I only found out that Merlin was ending at season 5 half way through the show. After the news, I was seriously upset at the show because it had wasted episodes on stupid, meaningless stories. Who cares about Gwen turning evil for four freaking episodes when there's limited time to explore Merlin and Arthur's friendship when tested with the truth? Bromance over romance any day, especially when I dislike the romance to begin with. (It was seriously out of no where, and I thought they were like brother and sister more than lovers.)

But really, did Arthur really have to die (how the hell did a fragment of Mordred's sword manage to snap off and embed itself in Arthur's chest)? Was travelling to Avalon the only way to save him?  There have been objects introduced such as "The Cup of Life" that triumphs death. Or the healing powers of a dragon's breath, which was demonstrated in the final episode of season 4. Oh hell, couldn't Merlin use his magic? He IS the "most powerful sorcerer to ever live". How can a sword, even if forged from a dragon's breath, be a trial for Merlin? He's saved others from worse and dire fates than that! Also, if Avalon really was the only way to save Arthur's wound, couldn't Merlin have called for Kilgharrah (Great Dragon) to fly them  there and save time? He is a Dragonlord after all. Another mystery is why Kilgharrah placed Merlin and Arthur at the edge of Avalon, COULDN'T HE BLOODY PLACED THEM AT AVALON?! AND NOT TALK JUST SO MERLIN CAN DO HIS MAGIC?! ARGGGHHH. THEY NEVER WANTED ARTHUR TO LIVE!!

Anyway. the only scenes that redeems the show are those between Merlin and Arthur. They were poignant and beautiful, and I couldn't ask for more. Arthur's reaction to learning of Merlin's magic was realistic, and watching him accept and be thankful for it was wonderful. To watch him see what Merlin does for him on a daily basis was heart wrenching, especially when he realised just how important it really was. See, this is what I wanted more of. More time spent on Arthur's acceptance of Merlin's magic and one day bringing magic back to Camelot. But no, the stupid show only gave me 30 minutes worth of it.

Finally, the last few minutes of the episode really pained me to watch. To see Merlin as an old man, probably more than a thousand years old, roaming around waiting for Arthur's return was just heartbreaking. By then, he would've lost his best friend, his mentor and anyone he cared for. Since he is magic itself, it's not hard to believe that he is immortal. But with immortality comes the pain of living and losing all your dear ones. I just don't want to believe that Merlin's had to endure that by himself, waiting for someone who will probably never come. I hate you writers. (I also thought the scene was stupid and unnecessary the more I thought about it...)

Also, did Merlin ever return to Camelot? His friend is gone and there really isn't anything holding him there anymore. He might have travelled back to say farewell to Gaius and Gwen, but Camelot holds no meaning to him without Arthur. *cries* My poor heart. I can't take this anymore.

Another thing I keep wondering is just how powerful is Merlin? Touted as the most powerful sorcerer to ever live, I was never quite sure of his magical capabilities. It frustrated me to no end when he could do some healing spells in one episode but disregard them in another. It just made me believe that the writers purpose of doing that is so that any human that finds out about Merlin's magic can conveniently die. Also, can't Merlin like...apparate? Sorry, Harry Potter term. Um, can't Merlin disappear and appear in any location he desires? Seriously, what kind of powers does Merlin have?!

I chalk up all my frustration to the writers for their inconsistencies (seriously, what I've listed are but a few ways that Arthur's life could be save) and decision to ignore simple logic. Such bad, crappy writing. Another quibble I have with the writers is that they've deviated from the Arthurian legends for so long, why chose to follow it for the finale? WHY BITCHES WHY!?! Why not make another season to tie up all the loose ends and give me more Merlin and Arthur? BBC even offered you a sixth season but you declined, saying that you know how the end will unfold. BUT YOU DIDN'T, DID YOU?! Hardly any storyline was tied up and everything was rushed! I'm making sure to steer clear from this writing team from now on. I can't live through another messed up nearly perfect show like Merlin ever again. I just can't.