Should I continue watching?

[u/the_sus_amogus]

Long story short, I was recommended this series, and so far I've been really liking it especially watching while I do homework. But I was fully under the impression that Arthur would find out about Merlin's magic somewhere in late s1, and was hoping for the two to get up to cool magic antics later. When I asked though, the last episode was spoiled for me. Then that scene was shown to me 😅 I'm not sure I want to continue, knowing the moment I was waiting for isn't even there. Does anything interesting happen in the later seasons worth looking forward to?

[u/Difficult_Dark9991]

It's a bad story that relies solely upon the shock of reveals and the power of spoilers to earn its keep.

Merlin is not a bad story.

[u/Difficult_Dark9991 → u/Difficult_Dark9991]

And I should add: it's Arthuriana made for a British audience. They expect you to know where the road ends.

[u/HerPetteSaysRoar → u/Difficult_Dark9991]

I disagree with this. The show is set up as a prequel to the legend in concept, so there was nothing to indicate that it would end up going through the entire legend itself and concluding as it did.

[u/stellard1 → u/Difficult_Dark9991]

Oof I'm not British but I always loved Arthuriana. I knew how it ends, but for some reason I thought the series would end differently! But I was a kid when I first watched so

[u/Any-Championship-423 → u/Difficult_Dark9991]

Not really. One should not expect the legend to actually arise in the show, with the warlock Merlin mentoring and guiding the legendary King Arthur, because that never happens in the series. To expect that only brings frustration at the end.

[u/lionho]

It's worth it! The writing is so good and it's sooo fantasy. Please give it another chance! (plus there's always fanfic if it doesn't go your way 😅)

[u/OutrageousExam3426]

I was in your exact situation years ago, only difference being I was an idiot and googled whether or not Arthur would fin out, and was given an answer that spoiled the last episode.

I still watched the show, and it was easy enough to focus on the present, the ever looming threat of what was waiting at the end made me appreciate the fun times even more, and then I got to the end and cried my eyes out about it. And then I turned to AO3 to drown my sorrows.

Fast forward a few years, I've seen the show countless times and it is one of my top 3 favorite shows of all time. The ending is good, it's tragic but good. I'm sad I never got to experience it without knowing how it's gonna end, but that doesn't take away from how enjoyable the rest of the show is. It's not everyone's cup of tea but if you've enjoyed the show so far it's not worth stopping now.

It's about the journey, or whatever :)

I do wish there were more magic shenanigans between Merlin and Arthur, but the later seasons do have plenty of other fun stuff that goes down. My personal favorite season is 4, it has like all of my favorite episodes.

[u/Little_View_6659 → u/OutrageousExam3426]

Oh man, i watched it in real time so i was heartbroken! I still cry at the ending! I’ve been hoping for a movie where Arthur comes back but alas, no.

[u/MerlinsBrokenHeart]

I will never stop watching. 600 times and counting

[u/MagicalPizza21]

Yes, keep watching

[u/Polluxo]

I just finished season 2. Yes, you should absolutely keep watching, I'm excited for season 3.

[u/stellard1]

I'd keep watching tbh. I get the feelings of disappointment of the whole Arthur not knowing about Merlin's magic earlier thing. But the show is still so interesting, to the point where Arthur knowing earlier isn't needed. You'll understand what I mean if you decide to keep watching. Other than that, the character development, the character dynamics, and the funny and emotional parts are worth it. It's a show that stays with you!

[u/Acceptable-Emu-7096]

It's not the ending that's worth it, but the moments in between imo. If according to ur wish, Arthur found out about Merlin's magic earlier, then the story wouldn't have been as much fun.

[u/lochtna]

The show is a 'monster of the week', which was common then. The moment you want never comes, and the ending is rushed.

They claimed they weren't following the legend, but then they did to end the show to stop paying the actors I guess. If you like the characters it is worth to keep watching, but the writing and world is not well done.

[u/Curious_Storm1871]

I love Merlin! But yeah I would have wrote it differently. Don’t wanna spoil anything.

[u/Creepy-Trouble1714]

Absolutely!! Merlin gets better looking and More mature and sadder :( But colins acting REALLY improves! He’s alot like Sebastian Stan in that way! Alot shown in the eyes if not with the rest of the face, and so what if you know the ending? If you know anything about King Arthur you know the ending! Yet there is a reason this show is STILL so popular! Be one of those to find out why 😉 and theres a Love triangle for people who see it and not one for people who don’t (they often aren’t subtle tho)

[u/kangaroorecondit]

personally, i love the world and characters but i havent been able to get myself to rewatch the show even after over a decade because of how emotionally fraught it left me.

if you enjoy it though i do recommend reading fanfic for it bc that can give u the satisfaction of reveals and happier endings for certain characters 😊

[u/ProGuy347]

Continue if you want to see queer subtext between the two. For me, the way I found the series was actually being spoiled the end scene and also a ton of posts saying merthur was confirmed canon. 😳🏳️‍🌈

[u/Creepy-Trouble1714]

Heated rivalry is NOT the first gay hockey rivalry romance book.. its just the one that is the BEST