Revealed In Time: The Adventures of Merlin: Season 4

I think a lot of people were surprised when boy changed into man!

So, if the slight alteration to the famous opening sequence didn't indicate the change of direction for the 4th season of Merlin...I don't know what else could. Upon rewatching this season, I was surprised at the rather dark turn the show took. My guess is that Game of Thrones was gaining momentum and the Merlin creators felt like they needed to mature the show just slightly. Whatever the reason was season 4 in my opinion is absolutely the strongest most well written season of the entire series.

Merlin started veering off from the 'freak of the week' episodes in season 3 and began building a more connected storyline - Morgana's secret revenge against Uther, eventually trying to usurp both Uther and Arthur and therefore pushing Merlin harder to fulfill his destiny. Once that was set in place, by the end of season 3, it became the absolute groundwork for season 4.

First off, I have to say, Arthur looked DAMN good in this season! I'm mean we all know that Arthur has always been attractive, but something about his appearance in season 4 was just top tier.

Starting the season off with the obligatory Halloween episode (I think every season has one) the Samhain (pronounced sah -win) celebration that becomes the base of the whole season was brilliant.

While I wasn't sad to see Morgause go, after 2 episodes of dealing with Uncle Agravaine, I wanted her back. Plus, Agravaine's constant campaign against Gaius was so terrible. I despised him more for that than anything else he did to Arthur and Camelot.

There's an obvious change in the palace now that Arthur is regent. The atmosphere is more relaxed and welcoming. So very different when it was under Uther who was all tradition and propriety.

I'm not a Lancelot girl (my favorite knight is Leon followed by Gwaine).

I just wanted an excuse to post this gif.

Uther's death was painful, but he died with love and in the arms of the person he loved the most. While I didn't like Uther, I didn't really hate him either. He was an enigmatic, very morally grey character. And for all his sins and secrets, he absolutely loved his son and literally died protecting him. It was a noble way to end Uther's character and to reinforce that main focus of his love for Arthur.

Arthur's last night with his father, saying goodbye before his funeral was just beautiful. Intimate and private. No words, no dialogue. Just kissing him goodbye and taking the mantle of responsibility.

I don't understand the point of Aithusa.

We spent 45 minutes trying to get an egg --> that hatches a foretold dragon --> that's supposed to represent a new age of magic --> only to completely trash his character in the end.

You clearly had potential, but your destiny was to be useless.

"A Servant of Two Masters" is the only comedic episode we have in this season because remember that there are kids watching. So, what do the writers do? Put a ridiculously prolonged scene of Gwen and Gaius witnessing a naked Arthur. Funny as it was (completely cringe for me) the awkwardness was too drawn out.

"His Father's Son" was one of my favorites! You get to see Arthur really mature as a young king by making terrible decisions and then owning up to them. Plus, all the knights coming together the night before the dual to support Arthur was heartwarming.

Another favorite was "The Secret Sharer". Alator's discovery of Emrys and his conversation that changes his heart was beautifully written. It was good seeing Gwaine get some screentime and teaming up with Merlin again (although I didn't appreciate Merlin's rudeness to him in the beginning).

Christian and I were so hoping that it would be Gwaine that would finally out Agravaine, but unfortunately the snake got away again. Plus, Gwaine's public prejudice toward nobles may have been used against him.

I keep forgetting that Gwaine doesn't know about Merlin's magic. Maybe because if he did know he wouldn't care at all. I guess the assumption that Gwaine knows or at least suspects is common throughout the fandom.

Arthur's proposal was so lovely! However, the walk from the palace to Gwen's house must have been quite long especially with Gwen being blindfolded. That being said, the proposal was totally Arthur and Gwen. Simple, subdued and intimate. And Merlin watching was just perfection.

I really wasn't looking forward to seeing the whole Lancelot and Guinevere betrayal and wondered how they were going to do it in a family friendly way. It was actually well done, but unfortunately because the enchantment was never found out, Arthur will always believe that Gwen was unfaithful to him. Maybe it was showing the gift of true forgiveness, but it's still painful to process.

"A Herald of the New Age" is an underrated gem. It was great that they gave Elyan more screentime and also seeing the casual comradery with the knights. I loved the storyline and Arthur having to confront the wrongdoings of his past.

While Gwen will always be Arthur's true love, Princess Mithian was a darling. She could definitely hold her own with Arthur and was so genuine and kind.

Merlin is a very male heavy show, and Gwen is usually the only decent women in the script. Most times women are the show are evil and so getting well written female characters such as Queen Annis and Princess Mithian is always a relief.

Queen Annis

Princess Mithian

While the comedy has been subdued for this season, watching the finale two-parter with Arthur as an addle-brained simpleton and Merlin totally having too much fun was worth the wait.

Putting both Excalibur myths into the show was unique. First from the Lady in the Lake and then the Sword in the Stone. Even though Merlin was totally fabricating everything regarding the stone.