Having finished the season finale, I am just.....WOW!
Since I'm speechless right now, I'm going to try outlining the good and the ugly about this season.
Good:
- The cohesive structure of the series: Unlike the previous series with filler episodes, everything in this season culminates. Even 'Lamia' and 'The Secret Sharer' have their roles in character development.
- The performances: Every single member of the cast gave it their best--and the effect of that was incredible. Even the cheesiest lines sounded so realistic. Colin Morgan didn't even need to speak to show Merlin's inner agony and unhappiness (especially when he murdered Agravaine). Bradley James and Angel Coulby stole the show multiple times, especially in Lancelot Du Lac. Katie McGrath, despite the screenwriters' insistence on portraying her as a single-minded villain with less than a minute of screen time, shows her greatly improved acting, particularly in the season finale. The guest stars this season were also more memorable: Gemma Jones, Janet Montgomery, Miranda Raison, Ben Daniels, and everyone else (too many more to list!) are so talented; it's a shame guest stars don't reappear that often.
- The darkness: Katie McGrath wasn't kidding when she said this season was darker. As the plot evolved, this factor was inevitable, and I thought it was pulled off rather well.
- Arwen: Remember those days I hid behind a pillow during Season 2? The chemistry between Bradley and Angel was at its top this season...I think I'm an Arwen shipper now!
- The Music: So dark, haunting, and tragic. I'm buying the score when it's released!
- The plot: Just my favorite scenes of the season.
- Morgana confronting the Cailleach
- Lancelot meeting the Great Dragon!
- Uther's duel...and death.
- Aithusa hatching
- Amis telling Morgana she's more like Uther than she thinks.
- Morgana telling Merlin about loyalty.
- Emrys/Morgana duel
- Gwen/Arthur scenes, particularly in 4x01, 4x05, and 4x13
- Gwen/Morgana confrontations in 4x11 and 4x13.
- Lancelot/Arthur duel and the subsequent fight. Angel's acting was AMAZING in this scene!
- Hunith and Merlin reunion...so sweet. Not to mention the Arthur/Gwen one.
- Gwaine singing for his supper...and Elyan's "I've been locked up with Gwaine for a week"
- Tristan telling Arthur he still has Isolde.
- Isolde's death scene...so tragic this is.
- Gwen's coronation.
- Every Morgana scene in 4x13...Katie impressed me.
- The Arthur/Morgana confrontation. This is hands down my favorite scene in the whole series.
Meh..
- Agravaine: Nathaniel Parker is brilliant...but why is Arthur so gullible all the time? I felt the directors could have explored his loyalties a bit more...explain why he was so loyal to Morgana and why he hated Uther and Arthur so much.
- Cliffhanger: They better explain it well.
- Morgana: Katie was amazing, but the writers could have portrayed her as a multi-dimensional villan...though in this series she does have a goal in mind. The confrontation in the finale was leaning towards that though, so hopefully that wil happen.
- Tristan and Isolde: Such an important part in the legend....and they last for only two episodes. Not to mention, their only purpose is to get Gwen and Arthur back together again.
- No Mordred or Vivienne: Morgana's mother is so unknown...and there seems to be more to her than just "She's the wife of Goloris." Not to mention, NO MORDRED?!!!!
Nevertheless, this was hands down the best season of Merlin yet. Season 5...COME QUICKER!!!
