Merlin was an unmissable Saturday night drama on BBC One which united the whole family in one room.
There was the action for kids, the romance for shippers and the emotional battle for everyone.
> Buy the complete Merlin Season 1-5 boxset on Amazon.
However, I feel that there were some missed opportunities that would have helped to develop the characters more, so here are five missed opportunities…
1. Arthur finding out Merlin had magic sooner
As I said in my last article, this was the main draw of the show to me, seeing how characters would react to this great secret that Merlin had been keeping. I feel a whole season was needed for this plot point where the entire season arc could have been Arthur coming to terms with who Merlin really is.
I know that this happened in the series finale, but I think it was too rushed. This plot point had been building up ever since the start and to have it be over that fast I feel wasted so much dramatic potential.
2. Merlin getting the recognition that he deserves
This sort of follows on from my last point. It would have been nice for all the work that Merlin had put into Camelot for so many years to be rewarded with something and for people to see how many times he has saved people’s lives.
By him getting recognition, the people of Camelot would hopefully change their opinion on magic and see it as being a gift not a burden.
3. Gaius dying
As much as I loved Richard Wilson’s performance, to really test Merlin, killing him off would really have changed the dynamic of the show.
Gaius was seen throughout the show as the father figure who guided Merlin to his eventual destiny. By him biting the dust Merlin would have had to become a stronger person and would show how far he had come from the first episode as he bumbled his way into Gaius’ home.
4. Lancelot surviving
After Merlin and Arthur, Lancelot is perhaps the most famous name from this period. He’s known as being the bravest night and taking Guinevere away from Arthur.
Lancelot was the only Knight who knew about Merlin’s ability and was perhaps the closest Knight to Merlin, which added more emotional weight to his eventual death. But I think he should have stayed round for longer and have all the Knights together for at least a whole season.
5. Merlin getting a girlfriend
I know he had Freya, but it only lasted one episode. Merlin deserved to have a romantic partner who he could rely on and turn to in his hour of need, after how much he had given to his friends.
Adding another character would change up the dynamic between Arthur and Merlin, and would give him the happy ever after that he much deserves. I don’t think any of the audience weren’t happy to see Merlin in love with Freya, even if him finding someone else disrespected the relationship he had with her I still think the audience would have accepted it to just see Colin Morgan smile!
> Buy the complete Merlin Season 1-5 boxset on Amazon.
What do you think were some missed opportunities in Merlin? Let us know below…