Dave, they have announced that the series ends; that there's not going to be any more Merlin; that these coming three episodes are the final episodes in this series and then it is no longer. So it doesn't matter if we would like it to continue it. The BBC has closed their purse, the actors are looking for new productions and rest of the crew can finally relax. The Merlin was a good production and it was destined to go out at the end of the fifth series.
So, either Merlin has to die too or they do a Harry Potter-style 'where are they now' ending.
Because otherwise "I dooon't believe it!" The BBC will put on endless
One Foot in the Grave &
Only Fools and Horses-type 'Christmas Specials' until they have milked the franchise dry for all it is worth. You never say never again - unless you are
Dallas and Larry Hagman dies in his eighties.
Anyway, back to
The End. I agree that the wide canvas they are painting looks like we are going to go out with a big bang with lots of story threads. It has an almost cinematic feel to it. This weeks episode was one of the best. Very little of the silliness of late (apart from breakfast in bed, and the picnic in the same wood that Morgana had just been shelling and storming with her Saxon troopers.)
I did find it a little strange when Gwen commented on how happy Arthur now was. Merlin didn't reply back that it was probably how she was no longer possessed and trying to kill him on a weekly basis.
And Merlin always picking fresh herbs!
What I didn't like was the preview for next week's ep. So Mordred turns evil over some silly girl.
I didn't think the trailer for next week showed us enough to say that is the only reason, but I would agree if it was.
The only disparity I can see at the moment is the continued referencing to the coming reign of Arthur as a long and glorious one - how is that going to happen if they are building toward the conclusion now?
Or is it going to jump a few years in the last two part episode?
Having things happen over a longer time-scale would have helped the series in general. It would have made the turning of Gwen more believable too. They have jumped around too much. 2 years passing between Seasons 4 & 5 with little happening, and then wam-bam between weekly episodes, but mainly at the beginning and the end. I can't see that format changing now.
Why the
A Streetcar Named Desire reference in the episode title? What is the significance?
Is it because the streetcar route took it to Elysian Fields? Do I think to much about references?