I'm going to have to rewatch that scene, because I just couldn't get back into the seriousness of the moment after that. *g*
Putting this under a cut for those who may just want to focus on the positive: [two things I didn't like]two things I didn't like:
The closing scene. I have mixed feelings about Arthur hitting Merlin in general (mostly because we've seen Merlin give as good as he gets), but I'm a little confused as to why they decided to make it a theme this ep, and that closing scene came across as a little too serious for my comfort. Also, it seems to be a bit of a reminder out of nowhere that, oh yeah, Merlin and Arthur really aren't equals in spite of their banter. /possibly overthinking [Edit: EXCEPT OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED THE FISTING IMPLICATION. Thank you, Tumblr. Now dying with laughter. Apparently this is in the bloopers, too?
Was Uther supposed to be a vengeful spirit? I know that his stance corresponds to what we've seen him say before, but, I don't know, he seemed weirdly OOC compared to how he was just before he died. And just very cold-hearted, in general - and putting Camelot before Arthur? Uther's one sympathetic trait has always been just how much he cares about Arthur, as much pressure as he might put him under. And here, in spite of the fact that he said the words, it didn't shine through at all.
That said, I spent the entire episode terrified that they were going to use it as another excuse to strengthen Arthur's anti-magic stance (that certainly ramped up the tension for me ;)), so I can't tell you how happy I am with what they did do with it.
Great build-up for it throughout the episode, too, on Arthur's part, and I love the role Merlin played in making Arthur realise what was going on in his own mind. I loved it, too, because there have been a lot of moments in the past series that Merlin talks Arthur up for no apparent reason that we can see, but here, this really meant something to Merlin, especially after Arthur saved that woman.
Are we to take this as a hint, too, that Arthur hasn't condemned any more magic users? Strange that Uther didn't mention that (or did I miss it?). I suppose, in a way, that makes it even stranger that Merlin hasn't revealed his magic yet, but at the same time, it makes it easier for me to imagine that part of it is perhaps that Merlin knows things will change after he reveals his secret, and he's really already in the best position possible to protect and advise Arthur where he is now, especially when Arthur still needs the occasional confidence boost. And if Arthur really has been ruling so differently from Uther, then it's a good reason for Merlin to want to make absolutely sure he can keep him safe.
And he's so proud of what they've achieved. I really can't imagine the Merlin from when Uther was alive being particularly eager to rub it in Uther's face, but he's moved on to the point where he's confident enough to hold it over Uther's head that there was magic at the heart of Camelot (great choice of words, by the way) even while he was still alive, just because he can. He's not afraid of Uther at all.
On a more general level, I thought the ep was surprisingly scary. I mean, it's still Merlin, but there was a genuinely eery atmosphere, and the section with Gwen in particular was kind of scary. Probably the idea that Uther would be capable of such a thing added to it.
For a scary episode, I feel like I laughed out loud way too many times. Mostly at the right moments. ;) Also, ahaha at Merlin and Arthur needing to justify themselves to Leon as though they'd been caught red-handed at - well, one really does wonder. What kind of poetry was that, hm, Merlin?
Also, lovely to see a bit of knight-banter thrown in there. :)
Merlin and Arthur together on a hunt was kind of endearing. Why it was just the two of them is a mystery I will not be complaining about. *g*
Effective use of a familiar-sounding bit of soundtrack for the scene where Arthur looks at Uther's grave. Oh, Arthur. He looked so vulnerable this episode, and it contrasted nicely with Merlin seeming so confident.
All in all, I really liked this ep. I felt like there were simultaneously a lot of throwbacks to previous series yet it had a sort of different feel to it than most Merlin eps - I can't quite put my finger on it, but it made for an interesting viewing experience. :)