So Merlin has now finished! I was a little nervous in the approach of the final episode - Merlin's quality is extremely variable, particularly when it tries to be serious - but it ended up being more than I'd hoped for.



I wasn't sure how Merlin would manage to work through all the necessary emotional fallout between Arthur and Merlin, given that it had only left itself one episode for the magic reveal. As it turns out, Merlin managed to work through it by resolving all the war stuff within five minutes so the final episode could consist almost entirely of Arthur dying slowly in Merlin's arms. It was, I feel, the correct decision (although I'm admittedly biased, as the Arthur-and-Merlin relationship is my very favourite thing about Merlin). The magic reveal could easily have felt disastrously rushed, but in the end, because there was so much focus on those two in this episode, it worked. The relationship between Arthur and Merlin has always been at the heart of Merlin, and I'm glad it was done justice in the end. Even if it was done justice in a way that was utterly, utterly soul-twisting.

When Arthur says 'Just hold me' to Merlin, oh. Arthur knows he's not going to make it. He doesn't want to spend his last moments dragging himself along; he wants to spend them in the arms of someone he trusts. My heart.

(I was really sad that Merlin didn't kiss Arthur on the forehead before sending him off in the boat. It felt necessary to me.)

Gwen was great in that episode, too. She stabbed the man who burst in on the wounded! She worked out Merlin's secret! I'd love to see her next encounter with Merlin, even though it would probably shatter my heart. You know, what little of it is left after that episode. (Arthur and Merlin! Percival and Gwaine!)

The final episode of Merlin wasn't perfect - Morgana in particular deserved better; it's as if the writers suddenly realised she was still around, panicked and hastily wrote in her death scene to get her out of the way - but overall I think it was one of Merlin's best. I'm so glad it went out well. Even if it means I keep finding little shards of my soul all over the carpet.

(I first fell in love with Merlin because it made me smile! I could never have guessed that it would end up being so devastating!)



So that's the end of Merlin! It's had its good moments and its bad ones (what was that dire Gwen storyline from 'The Dark Tower' to 'With All My Heart'? I was horrified by what the writers were doing to her), but overall I've loved it, for all its many flaws. The characters are so delightful! Maybe I should have a proper crack at Merlin fanfiction at some point.