I love the pilot, because the dialogue really established how the relationship between Arthur and Merlin was going to be. I mean, let's face it, we all know the legend, know that both of them would be BFFs, so to start them on rocky ground and trying to find an equilibrium is fun to watch. As well as Gwen as a servant and Morgana actually living under Uther's care, those little anomalies are the ones that got me hooked to the show.
So, we come to the end of S1, where Merlin has come to understand Arthur, and Arthur has gained a little more understanding of Merlin – though Arthur is at a disadvantage, as Merlin must always keep a large part of himself hidden from Arthur.
Yes, there's really a clear plot arc for season 1. It's still the beginnings of a great friendship and naturally there are still some kinks to work out.
As for seasons 2 and 3, the story arcs are not that clear (for me at least), but your explanations make a lot of sense. In season 2, I still like the fact that the girls play a larger part in the show, and that Arthur's sorta courtship of Gwen is adorable to watch, as with Merlin's sorta courtship of Freya, although that one is more angsty. I legitimately shed a few tears over that.
And the finale of season 2, along with Merlin's introduction as a Dragonlord because of his father's death, I think that balances out the field a little? I mean, before this, all Merlin had was a prophecy that he was supposed to be the greatest sorcerer of them all, who was to aid Arthur, the Once and Future King. I think with Balinor saying it out loud that he was a Dragonlord, that he had magic because he was his son, I think Merlin grew up to his role, to his destiny, because he knew where his magic came from and that he had ties to one of the strongest and most magical creatures ever.
I love how you summed up season 3 here, and after thinking it over, that's so spot on. I had such difficulty following the arc for that season! I wrote some of my observations for it in my post, although, to summarize that, I feel that they've not used the characters as well as they should have. I still don't understand why Arthur was blind to all the villainy goings-on until the end, and that Merlin was practically invisible until he saved the day every other time, and why they wrote Morgana as a sly and conniving villain, but yet it wasn't portrayed that way (that one might have been more the acting, rather than the script though). But, I do think the Kingfisher episode as well as the two part finales do make up for the whole season.
I also loved Merlin's relationship with Lancelot and Gwaine, that there are friends of Merlin and not really Arthur, because I think that helped to show that Merlin do have a life outside of trying to save the Prince and the kingdom. I agree that they both present hope to Merlin, that they both love - in a totally friendship way - Merlin enough that they would help him, no questions asked, when he needed them to. The scene when Lancelot said that Merlin was the bravest knight of them all, and he didn't even know it, really shows his trust in Merlin as a wizard and as a person in whole.
I too liked the seasons where the girls played a bigger part (and not just as the villain). I especially would like to see more from Gwen really, I think she's a really interesting character - or at least, has the potential to be.
I agree about the Dragonlord business. I think it gave Merlin a bases and a grounding for his magic, as you say.
I also agree about Lancelot and Gwaine. They give Merlin a life outside of Arthur, which is always good...furthermore, they are two people who see different sides to Merlin then Arthur seems to see. Lancelot, because he knows about the magic and just how brave Merlin is...and Gwaine, because he loves Merlin so fiercely, he sees how selfless Merlin is with Arthur, and I think Arthur possibly abusing that will always be a bit of a wedge between Gwaine and Arthur.
I think you're right about the beginning. Arthur is the one who's intrigued by Merlin, for having the courage/guts/brashness to stand up to him. Merlin's seen nothing yet to make Arthur be of interest to him. It's only as he begins to understand how restrained Arthur is by his own role that he starts to wonder what might be beneath.
Having not yet seen seasons three and four, I can't offer too much about the rest of it. Other than to say your commentary makes me look forward to it even more. I can't wait to meet Gwaine and see Merlin and Arthur's relationship deepen further. I'm looking forward to seeing Arthur grow into his power to change things.
Thanks! Yeah, I think Merlin NEEDED the dragon to tell him about his destiny in the first episode, otherwise he wouldn't have been interested in Arthur AT ALL. Whereas Arthur is intrigued enough by Merlin that he doesn't need any extra incentive to keep him around. Naturally, as you say, this changes when Merlin actually gets to know Arthur a little and starts understanding him.
lmao! You might be right. But open weeping with little followthrough is so much less traumatic than subtext-laden remorse and grief that's seldom, if ever, expressed or acknowledged. It's my light fun show too.
SO MUCH YES TO THIS. That right there---Gwaine's quiet love for Merlin---is why I love Gwaine's character so freaking much. I just...it's a really beautiful thing, and it's just the kind of thing that Merlin really needs. So, uh, yeah, nothing really intelligent to add to that...I'm just glad that you also picked up on that, because I really feel that it's one of, if not the, best things about Gwaine.
It is my absolute favourite part of Gwaine and the very reason that I love him so much. I always feel that when it comes down to it, Gwaine is loyal to Merlin, not Arthur or Camelot.