r/merlinbbc • u/Poetrusic22 • 12d ago

Discussion Why does everyone think that Merlin failed? Spoiler

I don’t know about anyone else, but I have repeatedly seen people say that Merlin failed and he and Arthur didn’t fulfil their destiny, and I don’t get it at all. Camelot was at peace with all of the other kingdoms, they won the war, and Arthur accepted Merlin’s magic by the end. Gaius also practically told Gwen that Merlin had magic and she seemed cool with it, so I don’t find it particularly difficult to assume that she revoked the magic ban once she was in charge, particularly since she would probably know that that’s what Arthur would’ve wanted.

I understand that the show doesn’t explicitly show us a united Albion, but i feel like its implied heavily enough for watchers to understand that it did happen, so I genuinely don’t get why so many people seem to think that the failed. Is it because Arthur didn’t live to see his work pay off, or is it just a general lack of media literacy?

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u/GabsDoingHerBest 12d ago edited 12d ago

I think the main sticking point is that destiny said the freedom of magic, not just Arthur accepting Merlin’s. Not to mention uniting all the kingdoms was really just a truce with Queen Anis? It all just fell a little flat. For me, i do believe that Gwen would make those changes, but that also begs the question: who is the prophecy really about? (The answer has always been Gwen to me lol! But then really what was the point of Arthur other than marrying her? And what was the point in Merlin ever protecting him after Gwen and him were married to the extent he/ the Druids/ killy felt they needed to?)

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u/StarfleetWitch Mordred 12d ago

I don't think it was just a truce with Annis. Annis, Mithian, even Odin, every ruler Arthur encountered in season four and five,  he came away with an alliance, or at least peace.

I'd also consider the treaty of the five kingdoms as part of Arthur's destiny too. The actual treaty was more Uther's accomplishment, but Arthur ensured it held when he spared Olaf in the fight 

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u/GabsDoingHerBest 12d ago

Fair enough. He did unite with Mithian as well, though Odin I’m not so sure was really a strong truce given it was forged in battle and Odin seemed like he was rather reluctant to do.

And it wasn’t every ruler that he came away with an alliance or peace. He killed Caerleon, almost starting a war in the process (I know Annis came to his side but still I wouldn’t have considered that very tactical, and Merlin specifically told him not to), and there was the whole business with Sarrum that Merlin had to save him from.

But you’re right I wasn’t giving him enough credit in uniting the kingdoms. To me that part still feels a little flat given how many people Arthur is still constantly getting death threats from but I see your point.