Why can't we see Merlin and Arthur as adults now?
They are adults now. Don't you remember, Arthur rans after Merlin and caught him in one of hallways where he asks, "Why don't you laugh my jokes anymore?"
And Merlin answers, "I have grown up."
So they try to be serious, do serious things and the series certainly isn't about the boy king leading his toy soldiers in the battle. But I do admit that there are a lot of waffling because of the budget constrains. And they simply cannot change the whole series two notches north when they have established an audience with a lot of young people and some older people.
My wife, Mrs Ctg for example is really big fan of the show, and she likes to talk about "Merlin Wedding" whenever she can - although I do admit that she talks all time because she's a PR, and I cannot leave her alone for ONE MINUTE without her going to have a chat with a strange person.
But the thing is, I feel like people don't want to talk about this series because they are so embarrassed about how it has turned out. And there isn't single WOW episode, where people have gone and said that was really good. Not one in its entire history. So I feel that there's a lot of hatred towards Merlin. And people simply just like to plug holes in it.
Why is it still The Young Adventures of Merlin?
Why Doctor Who is still travelling in 50's phone box?