Swordplay and sorcery, dragons and destines are met in the spectacular season four finale of, ‘Merlin’.

Here is what I’m looking for in the season ender:

Tie up some of the plot threads that have been cast aside– How Excalibur a.k.a. the sword in the stone ended up in the rock instead of resting at the bottom of a lake, more of an explanation of the nine lives of Gaius as he defies death yet again and how Morgana keeps that sinister grin going (Its been there since season three).

Shake up the ‘status quo’ and redirect the mythos back more towards the Arthurian legend– I DO like it when liberties are taken to expand stories. I have no idea after how many seasons ‘Merlin’ will end but coming full circle and finishing it on a high note based back into the fantasy of the knights of the round would be EPIC.

No time to catch your breath– Keep it moving through the forty three minute run time. Action, drama, suspense, danger, killer acting, build up and pay off. I want it all. Every season this show gets better and better, my expectations are high. So far, I have yet to be let down.

As Fourth Season of MERLIN Comes to an End
With Friday’s Season Finale on Syfy,
the Cast and Creator Offer a Look Back … and Forward

Colin Morgan, Bradley James & Katie McGrath, Co-Creator Johnny Capps
Reflect on Season Four and Look Forward to All-New Fifth Season of
MERLIN

Thirteen episodes of sorcery and swordplay, dragons and demons,
bewitchings and betrayals comes to a head this Friday when the fourth
season of MERLIN culminates in an exhilarating season finale entitled
“The Sword in the Stone, Part 2,” premiering March 30 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
only on Syfy.

For cast members Colin Morgan (merlin), Bradley James (Arthur) and
Katie McGrath (Morgana), the fourth season has been filled with
memorable moments for both the actors and viewers.

Morgan is particularly enthused about developments for the title
character, who has gone from the King’s servant to his best friend and
closest adviser. The fourth season presented some frustrating speed
bumps in that relationship as Arthur’s traitorous uncle Agravaine
wielded far more power and influence over the King than Merlin would
have seen fit.

“After Uther died, there was an interesting transition within the
characters as Arthur put family over friends,” Morgan recalls. “That
was a difficult transition for Merlin to overcome. One of the key
elements in the finale is Arthur seeing his uncle for who he is, and
positively reflecting on Merlin’s valued friendship. Arthur always
knew Merlin was a good friend and a trusted guy, but to realize he’s
loyally been there the entire time is a big revelation for Arthur and
certainly paves the way for where we’re going in Season Five.”

McGrath’s Morgana has experienced a true roller coaster ride in Season
Four, initiating one coup of Camelot after another before finally
succeeding – if only for a few brief moments.

“I loved it when you see Morgana sitting on the throne after she has
taken Camelot,” McGrath explains. “The difference in her body language
and attitude and her presence is miles away from her coronation in
Season Three, and even further away from what it had been in earlier
years. I think it shows how far she has come and how much she has
changed throughout the series.”

The entire series has changed, observes James – for the better, in his
estimation. “We’ve gradually gotten closer to the legend, which
requires us to get a little bit warped, because the legend is really
quite dark. That shift has been fantastic. It’s what the show has
needed, and what we have needed as actors because it has really kept
our interest alive and provided us with a lot of new fun and
challenges.”

Filming has begun on Season Five in Wales and France, and the cast is
anxious to see what’s next for their characters and the series. But
what do they hope is on the horizon?

“Merlin revealing his magic is definitely going to be the ultimate
test for Arthur and Merlin, and I think it might be explored in the
fifth season,” Morgan says. “The levels of trust between friends is
one thing, but Arthur’s distrust of magic is something that runs
longer than he and Merlin have been friends. It will take much more
influence and much more work to break and to overcome. Certainly we’re
entering into that territory, but it’s never going to be an easy task
for Merlin. Still, it has to happen sooner or later.”

Underscoring just how strong all of its characters are, McGrath adds:
“I’d like Camelot to realize that Morgana has a point. The persecution
is unjust, and that magic has a place in the kingdom.”

MERLIN co-creator and executive producer Johnny Capps also offers a
tantalizing possibility of things to come: “I think,” he says, “the
return of Mordred would be very interesting.”

Stay tuned.