Merlin: The Complete Fifth Season

"Even as Camelot Flowers, So the Seeds of Her Destruction are Being Sown..."
For casual fans of "Merlin", the fifth and final season may feel like a rousing send-off, with fine performances from its four leads, a host of returning characters, and a "full circle" quality to its finale that certainly doesn't pull any punches. For long-time fans that have gotten invested in the characters and storylines, it's an immensely frustrating experience, simply because said characters and storylines have been sacrificed for a tired old formula. With only two exceptions (Mordred and Queen Guinevere) there is nothing in this season - NOTHING - that the audience has not seen a million times before.

"Merlin" began as a prequel, intending to explore the lives of Arthur, Merlin, Morgana and Guinevere before they became their famous legendary selves. Essentially, it was to Arthurian legend what Smallville was to the Superman mythos. Yet by this point, the show is not a prequel anymore, but a...

Disappointing
I recently caught up on Merlin through Netflix and became pretty obsessed with the show. Luckily for me I was going to London over winter so I would be able to watch the fifth season as it played in the UK instead of having to wait in the states.

What I ended up seeing broke my heart. Merlin is a great show, especially the early seasons. This season though was not worth my time. As happy as I am that Gwen and Arthur tied the knot and are happy, I was very sad by the hurried way the producers decided to wrap up the THOUSANDS of loose ends that have come to pass as the show went on. First of all, Merlin should have revealed his magic to Arthur AGES ago. The fact that producers waited until the last possible minute for that to happen was horrible. There should have been more of a result. Arthur, although pigheaded and annoying at times, loves Merlin and he should have come out with it ages ago. The choices made by the writers and producers boggle my mind. I don't understand...

The Dawn of a New Golden Age .... And The End of an Era (SPOILERS)
Camelot basks in the halcyon days of a New Golden Age. Arthur has been king for 3 peaceful years, but now an expedition to the frozen lands of Ismere has lead to the disappearance of Gwaine, Percival & others, they have been captured by Morgana & Ruadan a fellow sorcerer but why? Arthur & Merlin must undertake a dangerous mission into the unknown to find out. Arthur & Merlin arrive in a village that has been attacked & a dying druid tells Merlin of 'Arthur's Bane' a battle where the young king will be slain. Morgana is trying to locate a mystical key sending her captives deep into the mines below the fortress she aims to find it at all costs. Arthur intends to travel through Queen Annis' lands in order not to be detected but is betrayed by Sefa - Guinevere's maid to her father Ruadan. Arthur & Merlin are trapped by Mordred, whom Merlin recognizes from the prophecy as being Arthur's killer. Merlin & Arthur are close to exhaustion, but are shown some kindness by Mordred but what is his...

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