User Reviews

It's a well written and acted by all specially Bradely. I'm okay with non effects heavy, non budget heavy episodes where characters get to shine.

Arthur's character development here showcases he's seeking forgiveness for past mistakes and hence he's willing to accept it. He's also willing to change and improve things. With his kinder emotional side is shown, it's an obvious setup for Guinevere to be forgiven.

All the funny banter among Merlin, knights & Arthur made it a balanced episode as well.

Finally Elyon got some time in the series. Eventhough episdoe didnt do any chatacter development for him, I liked how his state of mind after sister being banished was indirectly made aware to us. Wished he had more of speaking role than what he got throughout the series though, specially maybe more dialog with Guinevere.

Given the structural and emotional issues with the prior episode (see my review) I was looking to this for some indication the writers had rediscovered their inner "wizard." And really did not find it.

The cynical side of this reviewer wonders aloud if, at this stage in the production, they perhaps had budget issues? Please don't laugh until you review the logistics of this episode.

Having by this stage in the story killed, banished, exorcised, expunged, drowned, or otherwise removed almost all the major characters from the arc, the producers astonishingly managed to do this entire episode (check it yourself) with a cast of 7 actors (3 of whom had minimal screen time), virtually no extras (a few guards for a few moments), and no special effects except for some mist.

Against the backdrop of this entire series, which had had flying dragons, battles, courtyards overflowing with extras, pomp and circumstance, etc, you have to conclude that the top line savings would have been enormous. This episode was produced for a fraction of the cost of the earlier ones. That is a fact.

Now none of this would matter if the quality was there. But frankly it was not. From the opener when one of the knights "ignores" the warning he was given, to the fairly predictable end, this episode had little in common with the production values I have come to expect in this series.

The only respite was Bradley James acting his heart out at the conclusion, which kinda made the whole episode OK.

Barely.

Another filler episode because there isn't enough story left to make it to the season finale. Some heartfelt moments and decent acting from James, but still filler.

Is my third time watching the full show, I am in love with the characters, with Merlin first of all. I really started to deeply dislike the way the king threats the young warlock, specially in this chapter. HELLO? if this was really happening in the actual world, Arthur would actually be sued for the injuries he caused Merlin and the mistreat to his most loyal servant, who always forgive and give his life to an imaginary Kingdom that will never happen.