MERLIN IS BLATANTLY CHECKING ARTHUR OUT. Also, I think this episode recap makes me the happiest so far—if you’re not a Merlin/Arthur fan, its squee will probably annoy you, but WHATEVER, I love it, and I think their scenes in the second episode are going to make me cry. JFC.
Colin: When he enters into the third series, which is set a year in the future from the second series, a huge amount’s happened and you actually find Merlin at a point where you’re seeing hints of that Merlin of old and that Merlin of legend. Not just the power of his magic, but the power of his words, taking on more of that wise advisor role to Arthur that we know of in the traditional legends. He acquires also a gift at the end of the second series, and that’s something that plays a huge part as well going into the third series. Merlin is becoming a man, and going into the third series, it’s more mature but still keeps that charm and that magic that the show does so well.
Bradley: We start to see hints of the king that he will become. Just hints — he’s still a prat, he’s still an idiot, but there are little flickers and signs so people can say, “Oh, hang on a minute. That reminds me of King Arthur.” That’s what he’s gonna be. I think people will be able to believe he can make certain decisions come the third series when responsibility is put on his shoulders.