A bit disappointed that Asa Butterfield will not be reprising his role, yet if there is a big jump between series 4 and 5 he would not be old enough to play him.  I’m hoping that the writers will be a bit more creative in penning Mordred’s character than with Morgana so he seems to be a real threat to Camelot. I would like Morgana to be a more dynamic villain this series. 

     With all of the hints, does anyone think that one of the “twists and turns” in this version of the Arthurian legend will be that Mordred kills Merlin instead of Arthur?  In Season 1, Kilgharrah warned Merlin by aiding the Druid boy, Merlin will not fulfill his destiny which we learn later is to create Albion— a land of tolerance.  What better way to do this than to have Mordred or Morgana kill Merlin?

From a story telling perspective up until the end of Season 4, Merlin had been a “Romantic Hero.”  A bold adventurer with a strong personality, who was not of royal birth, unbound by a set code of conduct established by society but beholden to act upon his own ideas of right and wrong, and at home in the relative wilderness and primitive surroundings of Ealdor compared to Camelot but rejected by his home and those who would be most like him, Merlin remained an outsider among those who wielded magic like the Druids and others who practiced the Old Religion.  For this reason, Merlin fit the “American” version of the Romantic Hero in contrast to the Byronic or British Romantic Hero exemplified by Gwaine or Arthur (by the end of Season 4, Arthur had completed the transformation from the Chilvaric Hero to the Romantic Hero.)

Season 4 saw Merlin take on more villainous characteristics in becoming an Anti-Hero but he’s not there yet.  However, this is about to change. As the Season 5 spoilers show, the writers want to make Merlin even “Dark”er.  That is, Merlin will take on more villainous traits and could end up becoming a Modern Hero but if he takes too many of these, Merlin could become an Anti-Hero.  The defining characteristic of the Anti-Hero is that this protagonist will NOT be “reintegrated back into society” like the Classic, Chivalric, or Romantic Hero.  The Anti-Hero will remain an outcast.  In short, Merlin won’t live to see or appreciate his version of Albion (if he lives it will be a life in banishment). 

Some season 5 scenarios for this based on the Teasers would be for Mordred/Morgana “united in evil”: 1) to gravely injure Merlin, Arthur responds by becoming more relentless in persecuting the “pure evil” that he perceives magic to be, and Arthur; 2) to reveal the secret of Merlin before Merlin reveals it to Arthur who responds by hardening his heart to magic, forcing Merlin to turn against Arthur, who will have Merlin killed, hunted, or banished; 3) to reveal the secret of Gwen’s bracelet which she kept secret from Arthur because she still had feelings of love for Lancelot (or so Arthur thinks) making this an “unhealable” wound which Mordred/Morgana exploit so that Arthur hardens his heart to magic; and 4) to create alliances with Merlin or Gwen or Arthur and turn them against each other so that Merlin will spiritually, emotionally, or physically die.   And, the most economical way to do any or all of the above would be for Mordred to kill Merlin.

Wouldn’t that be an unexpected “twist and turn”?
 

You know Daniel, it would be interesting to have Arthur, Merlin, and Mordred mortally wounded but survive.  During Season 5, the writers could introduce Excalibur’s scabbard/belt which protects/heals the wearer from mortal wounds and lands in Merlin’s possession. But,  Mordred wants the belt/scabbard because of its powerful magic.

Sometime later in the Season, Mordred mortally wounds Merlin. Arthur sees them both use magic but realizes as they battle that not all who use magic are evil.  On seeing Merlin go down, Arthur thinking Merlin’s dead flies into a rage and lands a killing blow on to Mordred.  As Arthur gives words of comfort to the dying Merlin, he reveals that his secret’s out and that if he could live, he would see a new world; where those who use magic are treated with respect.  In memory of Merlin, Arthur gives his solemn word that that world will exist.  

Just as Arthur gives his word, Mordred sneaks in a death blow.  In anger, Merlin lashes out against Mordred— leaving him seriously wounded— but able to stumble away to safety aided by Morgana. While Arthur lies dying, he says his goodbyes. Merlin who’s been healed by the scabbard/belt calls him a dollop head saying he can’t die until Albion returns and places the belt/scabbard on his friend who survives.  Arthur’s near death experience causes him to change and he realizes that magic can be a force for good, that not all who use magic are evil, and an era of fear and hatred must end.  Then, he throws Merlin in the Dungeons for lying to him for all these years.  

Morgana seeing the power of the scabbard/belt, steals it and saves the life of Mordred.  He is badly injured, a mindless husk, but she takes him to the Isle of the Blessed to be healed.  Meanwhile, Merlin and Arthur and the KORT go on other Quests to secure the united kingdom of Albion from the Saxon threat. 

And, we have a story that’s close to the actual legend without being it.

YAY, Mordred’s back, it is going to be very, VERY interesting to see what he is going to do and i cannot wait to see the new season this autumn, my saturdays are nothing without Merlin, come on september :) :) MERLIN RULES xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

wow! I cannot wait for Merlin!!!! It justs get better and better every time!!!!