BBC One’s Merlin began in 2008 as a family show, becoming increasingly darker as the seasons progressed.

The fantasy drama was made up of humorous one-liners, bromance and chainmail-clad adventures, but along with that, the show brought battles of light and dark, betrayal and heartbreak.

> Buy the complete Merlin Season 1-5 boxset on Amazon.

Whilst there were many tear-jerking moments, guest writers Jade Ali and Priyanka Kotecha have taken on the task of choosing five Merlin scenes that truly broke our hearts…

 

After disturbing a Druid shrine, Arthur’s past comes back to haunt him in ‘A Herald of the New Age’. When Arthur is faced with his wrong doings and mistreatment of the druids, it leads to a teary recollection.

Watching the king on his knees, paired with Bradley James’ brilliant acting, makes tears prick in your own eyes. The glimmer of hope present in the overseeing Merlin tugs on our heartstrings, when Arthur promises that the Druid people will now ‘be treated with the respect they deserve.’

 

Emotions are already high in the show’s penultimate episode, ‘The Diamond of the Day: Part 1’. The one moment that really hits you in the feels is when Merlin, after being stripped of his powers, gets trapped in the cave (thanks again, Morgana).

With the weight of Arthur’s fate on his shoulders and trying to escape without the aid of his magic, Merlin is left feeling helpless. This, in turn, causes us to feel distressed, at seeing the sorcerer breaking down.

 

Next we go back a season to the tense episode, ‘The Darkest Hour: Part 2.’ You’ve probably already guessed what scene we’re talking about. Yeah that’s right; Lancelot’s funeral. Sobs.

It’s safe to assume that everyone loved Lancelot. He was the bravest knight of all, selfless, caring and on top of that, quite dreamy. Being one of Merlin’s only confidant’s, this makes his loss a sadder one. He died to save Camelot and his friends. He died so Merlin didn’t have to.

At his funeral, when the camera pans over everyone’s hurt faces coupled with the classic Merlin music, it’s a real heartbreaker.

 

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