Overall, season three did a great job of making me want more of the series and of developing the plot towards Arthur's reign more realistically. Some great new characters are introduced and some old characters make brief reappearances, but there are many great characters that could be used more.
There are several points during this season when I could see some awesome potential for the plot or for a character, but it wouldn't be realized. I suspect that I'm seeing more of these potentially awesome directions because the writing has improved overall. If series four could just improve on this a tiny bit and realize more of its potential it would make this series so much more awesome.
Alas, I cannot say any more without SPOILERS, so go watch season 3 and come back to read my detailed review.
Details: (There be massive SPOILERS below.)
My biggest regret is the continued survival of Uther. I understand that he's the King and that plots against him make sense, and I admit that it's much better than the constant plots against Arthur's life, but I really just don't care about Uther and I want him to die already. It also really bugs me that Merlin keeps saving his life like this is some noble thing... the dude is an evil twisted maniac, he should not be in charge of a whole Kingdom! It's also slightly unrealistic that all of Morgana's plots seem to be failing.
I will say this for the writers, though, they had some great moments for Uther in this one, including the whole arc in the first two episodes and in the fifth episode when Morgana is dying. He pulls it off really well. I also understand that killing Uther will change alot of things about the series so it's not a step to be taken lightly... it's well past time, though, and by the looks of it we will finally see this happen in season 4.
My other main regret is Morgana. She was such an awesome character earlier and Katie McGrath really does an excellent job portraying her, but the whole disappearance thing was too convenient a method to have her turn evil off screen and I find myself unconvinced. They did such a good job of building up her character in the first two seasons and showing the conflict she was going through - showing her confusion slowly grow into anger... and then with her disappearance and the time jump they rushed her development along and destroyed the hard work they'd done characterizing her.
I have a very hard time buying the idea of the caring, passionate Morgana from the first two seasons, the Morgana who constantly defended the helpless suddenly wanting Gwen burned at the stake, trying to kill Arthur, and worst of all, randomly executing a bunch of peasants just to annoy the Knights... it just doesn't fit. Yes, she hates Uther, and I don't blame her, I hate him too, but it doesn't logically follow that she suddenly wants anyone and everyone killed. They also failed to come through on her longing for a world where magic is accepted... she got the throne, but instead of helping the Druids come out of hiding and giving back to the magical community she's too busy killing peasants. She doesn't even seem to have a vision for what she wants her reign to be like, except for two dimensional evil. This is a waste of the character we've grown to love. Also, where is Mordred? That kid is seriously underused...
The other female lead, Gwen, has also taken a downturn this season. Supposedly she's growing into her role as future queen or whatever... all I see is that she's there solely for purpose of being Arthur's love interest and to get threatened/kidnapped a couple of times. I had hope for her after Season 1 because she seemed like a friend to Merlin and she seemed to help out with stuff, but during this season she doesn't do anything. There was a particular moment when she discovers Morgana making those fires to drain Arthur's lifeforce or whatever and instead of doing something about it all she does is go cry to Gaius...
There was so much potential there for her to tamper with Morgana's spells and end up saving Arthur before Merlin could get to him. Also, in the final episode she makes an attempt to free Sir Leon and there's some cool action on her part, but this is spoiled by the fact that Morgana and Morgause know what she's up to and easily turn her escape into a way of getting to Arthur. The whole episode where her never before seen or heard of brother felt very out of place. It honestly felt like someone was inserting the stereotypical tale of a young and bitter Black Male who leads the life of a trouble-maker, causing his mother/sister/wife/girlfriend much agony, but they still love him and risk their lives for him/get into tough situations because of him and so on and so forth. It confirms the pessimism I had about the so called "color-blind casting" from the first season.
This is starting to sound a little negative, so I'll switch gears and talk about some of the elements I really liked. Gwain was great and I was happy to see Lancelot return at the end. They've also done a good job making me not despise Gaius so much... although I still think he's had too many near-death experiences which he miraculously survived.
The best elements, however, were some of the magic-related plotlines. The prophecy episode with Taliesin and the Crystal Cave was great - I love how Merlin unwittingly ended up causing the very events he thought he was trying to prevent. I don't think I need to mention that this episode was written by Julian Jones. He's written quite a few of the episodes in season 3 and again, they were my favorites.
The other thing that I liked was how they incorporated the sword in the stone and the round table. The scene at the round table was awesome and I loved seeing the Knights of the Round table and their beginnings. Hopefully, this means that we will finally be able to see more of Lancelot and Gwain!
I am also very pleased with the way Arthur's story line is progressing. Mainly because it means we will soon be rid of Uther's antics and Merlin will, hopefully, be forced to reveal his magical abilities to Arthur... I am very much looking forward to that scene and I hope they do it the justice it deserves in terms of the writing and the aftermath.
The Sorcerer's Shadow was also a wonderful episode. The idea of Uther in a tournament with peasants - a tournament with unrestricted entry and no rules - was a little unbelievable, but this was completely overshadowed by the great story line with Gilli. After the initial shock of seeing Dudley Dursley form the Harry Potter series as a young Wizard who gets picked on (this was actually quite hilarious for me, tbh) I was amazed by the depth of the character he was portraying and the speed and ease with which they showed up his growth. His relationship with Merlin was, of course, very well written, and I must admit that the pessimistic side of me was actually scared that they would kill him off - that Merlin would allow this to happen. My fears were misplaced, however, this is one character that was in good hands and I really hope to see him return in the future.
World-Building Rating:
As usual many new monsters, Kingdoms, and characters are introduced here. Also as expected the story continues to carry itself mostly on characterization of Merlin and some of the characters around him. There have, however, been improvements in the writing that have continued to make the world more believable and given it its own unique flavor. I will give this one a rating of Great, like season two, for the world-building.
I will say this for the writers, though, they had some great moments for Uther in this one, including the whole arc in the first two episodes and in the fifth episode when Morgana is dying. He pulls it off really well. I also understand that killing Uther will change alot of things about the series so it's not a step to be taken lightly... it's well past time, though, and by the looks of it we will finally see this happen in season 4.
My other main regret is Morgana. She was such an awesome character earlier and Katie McGrath really does an excellent job portraying her, but the whole disappearance thing was too convenient a method to have her turn evil off screen and I find myself unconvinced. They did such a good job of building up her character in the first two seasons and showing the conflict she was going through - showing her confusion slowly grow into anger... and then with her disappearance and the time jump they rushed her development along and destroyed the hard work they'd done characterizing her.
I have a very hard time buying the idea of the caring, passionate Morgana from the first two seasons, the Morgana who constantly defended the helpless suddenly wanting Gwen burned at the stake, trying to kill Arthur, and worst of all, randomly executing a bunch of peasants just to annoy the Knights... it just doesn't fit. Yes, she hates Uther, and I don't blame her, I hate him too, but it doesn't logically follow that she suddenly wants anyone and everyone killed. They also failed to come through on her longing for a world where magic is accepted... she got the throne, but instead of helping the Druids come out of hiding and giving back to the magical community she's too busy killing peasants. She doesn't even seem to have a vision for what she wants her reign to be like, except for two dimensional evil. This is a waste of the character we've grown to love. Also, where is Mordred? That kid is seriously underused...
The other female lead, Gwen, has also taken a downturn this season. Supposedly she's growing into her role as future queen or whatever... all I see is that she's there solely for purpose of being Arthur's love interest and to get threatened/kidnapped a couple of times. I had hope for her after Season 1 because she seemed like a friend to Merlin and she seemed to help out with stuff, but during this season she doesn't do anything. There was a particular moment when she discovers Morgana making those fires to drain Arthur's lifeforce or whatever and instead of doing something about it all she does is go cry to Gaius...
There was so much potential there for her to tamper with Morgana's spells and end up saving Arthur before Merlin could get to him. Also, in the final episode she makes an attempt to free Sir Leon and there's some cool action on her part, but this is spoiled by the fact that Morgana and Morgause know what she's up to and easily turn her escape into a way of getting to Arthur. The whole episode where her never before seen or heard of brother felt very out of place. It honestly felt like someone was inserting the stereotypical tale of a young and bitter Black Male who leads the life of a trouble-maker, causing his mother/sister/wife/girlfriend much agony, but they still love him and risk their lives for him/get into tough situations because of him and so on and so forth. It confirms the pessimism I had about the so called "color-blind casting" from the first season.
This is starting to sound a little negative, so I'll switch gears and talk about some of the elements I really liked. Gwain was great and I was happy to see Lancelot return at the end. They've also done a good job making me not despise Gaius so much... although I still think he's had too many near-death experiences which he miraculously survived.
The best elements, however, were some of the magic-related plotlines. The prophecy episode with Taliesin and the Crystal Cave was great - I love how Merlin unwittingly ended up causing the very events he thought he was trying to prevent. I don't think I need to mention that this episode was written by Julian Jones. He's written quite a few of the episodes in season 3 and again, they were my favorites.
The other thing that I liked was how they incorporated the sword in the stone and the round table. The scene at the round table was awesome and I loved seeing the Knights of the Round table and their beginnings. Hopefully, this means that we will finally be able to see more of Lancelot and Gwain!
I am also very pleased with the way Arthur's story line is progressing. Mainly because it means we will soon be rid of Uther's antics and Merlin will, hopefully, be forced to reveal his magical abilities to Arthur... I am very much looking forward to that scene and I hope they do it the justice it deserves in terms of the writing and the aftermath.
The Sorcerer's Shadow was also a wonderful episode. The idea of Uther in a tournament with peasants - a tournament with unrestricted entry and no rules - was a little unbelievable, but this was completely overshadowed by the great story line with Gilli. After the initial shock of seeing Dudley Dursley form the Harry Potter series as a young Wizard who gets picked on (this was actually quite hilarious for me, tbh) I was amazed by the depth of the character he was portraying and the speed and ease with which they showed up his growth. His relationship with Merlin was, of course, very well written, and I must admit that the pessimistic side of me was actually scared that they would kill him off - that Merlin would allow this to happen. My fears were misplaced, however, this is one character that was in good hands and I really hope to see him return in the future.
World-Building Rating:
As usual many new monsters, Kingdoms, and characters are introduced here. Also as expected the story continues to carry itself mostly on characterization of Merlin and some of the characters around him. There have, however, been improvements in the writing that have continued to make the world more believable and given it its own unique flavor. I will give this one a rating of Great, like season two, for the world-building.
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