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SpoilerTV - TV Spoilers

POLL : What did you think of Merlin - The Diamond of the Day 2?

Dec 25, 2012

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104 comments:

  1. SandiDecember 24, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    So, what did people think? I'm hoping I'm not alone in liking the episode! lol

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  2. facebook-1038368018December 24, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    I enjoyed it. Very sad about Gwaine and Arthur, but I realise it had to happen.


    Also love the non-spoiler hounds reaction to the final scene. lol

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  3. helisDecember 24, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    Is this the finale? We wait 5 years for this?! BBC joke us!

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  4. Dave JonesDecember 24, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    i liked it

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  5. SandiDecember 24, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    The show is made by Shine rather than the BBC. What did you not like about it?

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  6. Dave JonesDecember 24, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    i liked it i know some people wont but thats there opinion but i liked it

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  7. Marco BragaDecember 24, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    Hi from azores island here. I tought it was emotional enough to be remembered. I was expecting Arthur's death, altough, I didn't enjoy so much the moment of the magic reveal. The last 10 minutes are just hearthbreaking, awesome performances from Morgan and James. And it was so good to see the dragon for a last time. If Arthur didn't die, the finale wouldn't had the same impact, so I think it was a smart choice.

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  8. Nimueh123December 24, 2012 at 9:17 PM

    I really liked it, too. I was so dreading it, but it was beautiful. We knew it had to happen and it was heartbreaking, but Arthur dying in Merlin's arms was too much to bear.
    This is (without the Arthur dying part) what should have happened in ep 2 this season! This was the best Colin/Bradley episode ever. No doubt I am going to rewatch it as soon as I can. I am so glad they finally TALKED. Even if it was under the terrible circumstances.
    I cannot express how much I love Colin and Bradley. They are wonderful together.
    The niggly thing you mentioned: I wonder if you also thought that Merlin should have called Kilgarrash a day earlier- he could have saved Arthur like this. But then the prophecy would have not come to pass. And the littel box Finna gave Merlin - never mentioned again...
    Many other question will probably pop up as i go along.
    Merry Christmas, Sandi. Hope you have a nice day tomorrow.

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  9. SandiDecember 24, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    It was a complete emotional roller coaster of an episode. The reveal was perfectly played out imo, it's a shame it was this late on in the series, but I have a feeling they have left it open to continue somehow in the future.

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  10. DarkUFODecember 24, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    Hey @marcobraga:disqus I don't think we've ever had someone from the Azores before!

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  11. SandiDecember 24, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    I wondered if Eoin asked to be killed off? It was a brutal death bless him, I cried a river :(

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  12. SandiDecember 24, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Hi there! My feeling is that the series covers the beginning and the middle of the story they wanted to tell. The ending will be Arthur coming back at some point when the United Kingdoms need him the most.

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  13. facebook-1038368018December 24, 2012 at 9:30 PM

    I was saved from the embarrassment of becoming a blubbering mess in front of everyone at that moment by a well timed joke on Twitter.


    One of the knights was a shoe-in to die, and as soon as he and Percy went off after Morgana it felt like it was certain to be Gwaine (his anger). Horrible way to go. :(

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  14. SandiDecember 24, 2012 at 9:30 PM

    It's been terrible the last few days, I was so heart broken after watching it I had to leave the internet for a few hours after posting the teasers so I could compose myself again :'(


    Yep, you guessed correctly, calling Kilgharrah earlier on could have saved Arthur was my thoughts while watching the episode. But it would have meant that Arthur would probably never have worked through the whole Merlin being a sorcerer thing as that took most of the journey for him to see the little things that he had missed before when he didn't know. Like I've said elsewhere, I really do think of this series as the beginning and the middle of a much bigger story that could very easily carry on at some point in the future...even if that only happens in fan-fic.


    Merry Christmas to you and yours too, it's been great talking about the show with you for the last few years!

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  15. TomDecember 24, 2012 at 9:32 PM

    Ouch - 'so I'd like to die in the most brutal way possible to show how I feel about the show' - because let's face it I think he wanted out more than most of others... :(

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  16. Luke James FarmerDecember 24, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    Was an amazing episode, am a little sad about it ending. The scenes with Gwaine and Arthur dying were amazingly done.
    I only have one problem (that I can think off). Kilgarrah said all Merlin set out to do was done, but nowhere did we see magic allowed again.

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  17. AdelinasDecember 24, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    It was epic finale and I liked it. But crying was there. But it made sense Arthur dying, because what then? :-) I will miss Merlin so much.
    Thank you, Sandi, for teasers.

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  18. SandiDecember 24, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    Exactly, I think directing and writing (like with Cold) is gonna be a great way forward for him. I think he has a very good eye for what works, and how to gauge and react to fans.

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  19. SandiDecember 24, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    I will too, I only came to the show late on but am so glad I found it. I'm itching to see the cast in other things, seeing Colin on the stage is something I would love especially!

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  20. AnnikaDecember 24, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    I didn't hate it! I liked a lot about it. But I'm not sure I'm happy with the ending (that said, I'd probably be not entirely happy no matter what they did). As cool as the last scene was, I could easily have done without it. There were too many unanswered questions, what did Merlin do next?! Did he go back to Camelot? I also don't think Merlin really fulfilled his destiny. Magic users aren't any better off than they were before, magic was left as still being illegal, although I'd hope that knowing Merlin was Emrys would sway Gwen to make magic legal again. I like to think that Merlin returned to advise her and that they had a good old cry in each others arms.


    I didn't cry at all during this episode until the end at the edge of the lake, then I was blubbering and I can't even blame it on alcohol this evening.


    I loved Merlin and Arthur's scenes and that they actually talked. Arthur finally acknowledging and thanking Merlin was lovely. I just wish it had happened a lot earlier and that Arthur had longer knowing the true Merlin.

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  21. MiwwwwDecember 24, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    Everything I ever wanted from this show. Merlin and Arthur, my God, they and their relationship is beautiful. And poor Gwaine and Percival.

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  22. AnnikaDecember 24, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    Yes! That really bugged me, because for years Merlin has been saying 'it will get better' and there's been no evidence of it. I guess we're left to assume that without Morgana causing problems and now that Gwen knows about Merlin she'll change the law.

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  23. AnnikaDecember 24, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    I think its perfectly set up for some amazing sequel films (or Christmas specials!) but that would only work for me with the original cast and I don't see that happening now.

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  24. SandiDecember 24, 2012 at 9:51 PM

    I heard that Shine hold the rights rather than the J's who have left the company. I think if they played it very cleverly and came up with a dynamite script then they may be able to lure some of the cast back. But my feeling is that they they are done with it now, their characters were all held back far too much and not developed completely in a way I think many fans wanted to see.

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  25. AnnikaDecember 24, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    I don't get the impression they'll get the cast back (although they'd only really need Colin, Bradley and Angel, the rest were either killed off or could be explained away). I agree though, with the right writers and story they could come up with a brilliant script.

    One thing that stood out to me in their interviews regarding the movie rumours was Katie saying that she couldn't imagine what story they could tell that wasn't told in 65 hours of TV. Well, I can certainly imagine a few stories right now! I guess I'll have to wait for fanfic to fill the gap. They'll probably do a better job than Shine or whoever holds the rights. I do agree that certain characters were not developed, Gwaine especially, there's a lot of stories in the legend about Gwaine and none of them were explored. His death was quite sad.

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  26. NellieDecember 24, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    I am now pretty much dead inside, but in a good way if that makes sense... I loved Gwen's reaction to learning the truth. I hope (I think it's implied) that she will allow magic back into Camelot as its ruler. I was actually very happy with the idea of Queen Guinevere ruling Camelot.


    Things I can't stand to even think about too hard: Gwaine. Is. Dead. AND he died without ever knowing the truth about Merlin. AND PERCIVAL'S REACTION TO SAID DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy mother of God I cried like a baby.


    Amazing performances by Bradley and Colin as always... I too am so glad they finally talked. I wished there had been a bit more, though... There were things Arthur is never gonna know about - Freya, how Merlin tried to save Uther, etc. etc. Maybe we can assume that they had more off-screen conversations on their trek throughout the episode.


    Overall, I'm... Well... I'm.... I'm sorta shaky. But I think I liked it.

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  27. AnnikaDecember 24, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    I hope fanfic will fill some of these gaps.


    I like to think Gwaine knew. There was just something when he was saying goodbye to Merlin that made me wonder. I like to think he understood that Merlin couldn't tell him but he knew anyway.

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  28. CandyDecember 24, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    Colin Morgan's performance was so amazing, especially in his emotional moments! He had tears in his eyes throughout the episode... Merlin's story is so sad, immortal and lonely... I'm crying.

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  29. CandyDecember 24, 2012 at 10:10 PM

    I liked it. Especially Colin Morgan's performances. He made me cry...

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  30. TomDecember 24, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    Hmm I've read about Cold... Seems like he is much more interested in the more realistic/darker shows now (e.g. After hours too)... Do you know how they'll release it? Will it be web download/purchase?

    Overall I really liked the episode, although there were a few niggles for me. Mainly, I wonder how Gwen rules/what the reactions of people are (Druids/knights/people in Camelot etc?) and also to Morgana's death... A bit on that would have been nice. I also have to wonder what happens after Gwen dies since that is not how it plays out in the legend and do we really think Gwen would take another husband? A spin off on either that or even better one about what Merlin gets up to during the rest of that period and well into the future would be amazing. Don't just want to rely on the fanfic :(

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  31. CandyDecember 24, 2012 at 10:15 PM

    Me too, Sandi. I want to take this opportunity to thank you very much for your kindness and for all the Merlin infos/spoilers you shared with us. You were like an anchor for me and helped me wait for the episodes weeks after weeks. I was always looking for your spoilers that made me very much looking forward to the show.

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  32. Davide BrownDecember 24, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    I didn't really like the episode, actually.
    There are many, too many, things that do not make sense. For example:
    - Why does Merlin call the dragon at the end? The death of Arthur, for this reason, it seemed rather forced.
    - The revelation only in the last episode. A huge mistake.
    - The final, I do not know, makes no sense. Merlin, in the modern era, continues to look for Arthur (at least let us see him?).
    - We have not seen Gwen, Percival, the Queen reactions.
    - The death of Morgana takes only one minute without any magic confrontation

    I don't know:.I was expecting an epic finale. I'm just pissed off.

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  33. AnnikaDecember 24, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    I think it started off epic then focused on the magic reveal and Merlin and Arthur's friendship. I'd have liked some more reactions about Arthur's death especially Merlin returning to Camelot (or did they just assume he was dead when he didn't return in two days?) but 45 minutes is just too short.

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  34. NellieDecember 24, 2012 at 10:25 PM

    I hope you're right about Gwaine... That would be nice.



    Another thing I was thinking about - As the episode was going on, I figured that since the entire journey was focused on saving Arthur, that they would somehow succeed in doing so, at the cost of Merlin's life. As tragic as Merlin dying would be, I almost would have preferred that as an ending. Then Arthur, now realizing the full extent of Merlin's magic and his loyalty, could return to Camelot and repeal the ban on magic, ruling on in Merlin's honor.


    It's just ridiculously depressing to think about Merlin, alone, immortal, all of the people he loves dying as time passes, just waiting for a particularly stubborn prat to rise again... And what does that look like, anyway? A new baby being born? Or Arthur suddenly popping out of the water in chain mail and being all - "I think I missed some things while I was dead!" (i.e. the Industrial Revolution, buddy). I guess I will have to turn to fanfic to appease my aching soul...

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  35. CécileDecember 24, 2012 at 10:30 PM

    Yeah.. me too. I feel like we've been watching for 5 years for nothing. Everything about the last few years was about the war - yet the battle is over within 5 minutes. They make the rest of the episode about the journey to the lake - yet arthur still dies. so many years fighting against Morgana and then she dies this easily? I can go on .. really didn't like it.

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  36. Davide BrownDecember 24, 2012 at 10:36 PM

    Exactly. 45 minutes was just too short.
    I mean, I didn't understand some things:
    1) Is Merlin back in Camelot? And if he did not, why not?
    2) The Queen? Her reaction with Merlin?
    3) Why Merlin is continuing to look for Arthur? Has he found out something in all these years?
    4) How Camelot is, after the death of Arturh?
    Too many questions,too few answers.
    The friendship with Arthur was the only thing they really well built. The only one.

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  37. AnnikaDecember 24, 2012 at 10:37 PM

    I think that's the saddest bit of all, Merlin being immortal and seeing everyone he loves die. Its partly why I would have been happier without the last scene.



    I thought they were going to go to the Isle of the Blessed not the lake of Avalon to be honest and there'd be the whole 'maintaining the balance' dilemma. I'd have been upset if Merlin had died though, because so much was made of him being the greatest Sorcerer ever and that he would always be that to kill him off to save Arthur would have seemed odd.

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  38. TomDecember 24, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    I don't really think he is still searching to be honest...

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  39. AnnikaDecember 24, 2012 at 10:44 PM

    I agree, he's walking along side a road. Unless I missed something, he didn't look like he was searching just waiting. Very sad.

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  40. phnxgrlDecember 24, 2012 at 10:52 PM

    I found the ending very puzzling!

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  41. MartheGreatDecember 24, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    I enjoyed the finale.... it was a great, emotional, and very sad episode.... But i hate that they kill off Arthur, i always expected that they'll give a different finale from the legend. But i was happy to see Mordred being killed by Arthur, and YES Merlin DID KILL THA B@***H Morgana... I always likes her but after season 3 if i remember she was such a b****. I always wanted Merlin to be the one who will kill Morgana....
    All the scenes between Merlin and Arthur were really great and emotional....
    I don't know if i like this future thing in the end....

    And if there is a movie how they are going to put in the dead characters? I don't know if i want to see a movie without Arthur and Morgana.. (yes even her.. :P ), with tha same actos of corse.

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  42. Marco BragaDecember 24, 2012 at 11:15 PM

    Actually you had, I even did an interview with Andy Page for my old tv shows website (portal-series.com). However, I usually don't comment on posts, but I check SpoilerTV everyday. Merry Christmas to all of you :)

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  43. DarkUFODecember 24, 2012 at 11:22 PM

    Oh wow. You have a better memory than me :)

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  44. Dave JonesDecember 25, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    i also think the morgana death scene showed her weakness against merlin she used magic which didnt do anything to him and then when she turned around and saw him with the sword instead of using magic and killing him straight away she just gloated about no mortal blade can kill her and like i said on another site gloating to merlin kind of killed her also i think it showed how over the years he has become more ruthless and im glad arthur see that death and all the other moments when he saw merlin use magic because he realised how much merlin has done for him and never took credit for it .

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  45. Shaneal RainfordDecember 25, 2012 at 12:37 AM

    I'm so sad:( Why did they have to kill Arthur. It's bad enough that Merlin the series is finish, did they have to kill Arthur too. Poor Gwaine as well. I'm just emotionally drained.

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  46. TheHindu TimesDecember 25, 2012 at 12:42 AM

    That ending really bumed me out. I was in the middle of a rewatch of the series(just finished season 1), but no longer have the will to even start season 2.

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  47. swanprideDecember 25, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    eh...that's exactly my reaction. Some really good dialogues and scenes in there, but they basically added up to nothing. Looking back on this show, I fell like I heard the election speech of a polician. "The once and future king".....I only saw a spoiled brat. Merlin should have served Lancelot, or anyone with an onze of common sense, I still don't see what was so great about Arthur...I don't even feel anything when he died. "The white dragon as symbol of hope"...Merlin should have kept the damned dragon in the damned egg. No enchanted sword, no dying Arthur. Morgana's "destiny and doom"..."doom" perhaps, but I don't see much of an destiny. Morgana decided her destiny herself (and why exactly are villains allowed to do that, but not the good guys?)...and her "did you want this" vision never came to pass. We never even got a decend battle out of this, or a proper telling off of Morgana. The "time magic comes back into the land"....when and where exactly? To me it looks like everyone and everything halfaway powerful has been destroyed. Uther has won in the end...and seeing what kind of magic the high pristresses have been up to (enslaving people aso) I can't even say I blame him at this point. And the whole "all you dreamed has come to pass" nonsense...nothing has come to pass. Basically, the four years are over, and now the politician tries to tell me that he has done somthing good, even though nothing has changed at all, and the he will change more in the future in order to get my vote again.
    Basically, everything, really everything the show promised to be never came to pass. Even the reveal was very...done....I have read dozens of fanfictions dealing with the matter in a either more dramatic or more thoughtful manner.

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  48. Megan_BDecember 25, 2012 at 2:00 AM

    Not sure what to think about it. I love much of it....but I'm disaopinted to see the battle gone so fast, and having the magic reveal only in the last episode. I would've love sooo much to see Arthur and everyone working with magic, to see a big fight against Morgana, to see Merlin accepted by everyone....

    I feared the finale when they announced it cause I was really scared they couldn't do everything in 2 episodes and they didn't :S

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  49. AliceDecember 25, 2012 at 5:42 AM

    Overall,I like whole show of Merlin did,because we seen a lot of Merlin and Arthur bromance,Gwen become a Queen,Morgana become a very powerful witch,also this completely roller-coaster ride episode,very emotional,sad to see Merlin go,too bad it's canceled by sixth season,and I will totally miss all Merlin drama.Colin Morgan have made good job in whole season,I wish I could see Colin in future!! And Bradley James also very funny,nice,thoughful.I like Bradley very much too!!Exactly,I will saying,I will miss all Merlin favorite moments,and I'm kinda sad right now,but we will moving on in future.

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  50. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 5:53 AM

    I'm really not sure what the plan with Cold is, I live in the arse end of nowhere where there's no chance of a big screen release at all really, so I'm hoping that it will be available on DVD or web download.

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  51. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 6:04 AM

    My god, when Colin teared up I was a mess, really wasn't expecting to be but he and Bradders were just amazing!!

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  52. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 6:10 AM

    That puzzles me too, there is still so much that can be told for Katie's character alone such as Morgana's missing years, or how she was actually captured or why Aithusa saved her last season. And that's ignoring all the other characters who haven't been fully fleshed out or what happens to them in the years following this final episode!

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  53. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 6:12 AM

    Aww, thank you for your kind words, you are very welcome! I have loved chatting with all the fans that come to the site too, I will miss you all terribly!

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  54. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    As soon as Gwaine and Percival set out again I had a horrible feeling that it wouldn't end well :( Them taking out all the Saxons that Morgana was travelling with probably saved Merlin and Arthur from more harm when they did eventually find them as I guess they would have been with her still once she'd found out they were in a different place to what she had been told. Poor, poor Gwaine dying thinking he'd endangered them even more was just so tragic :'(

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  55. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 6:23 AM

    Yep, her pride caused her death imo. She could have very easily killed them before they even saw that she was there, but she had to take that last gloating moment right in front of them. I also liked Merlin's line where he said that he feels partly responsible for what she became, because I think that is very true in a lot of ways. She had no-one but evil people to turn to when she discovered that she was magical too, if Gaius hadn't talked Merlin in to ignoring her plight at the start I think she would have turned out very differently. After he poisoned her thou, her path was kind of set in stone and her end inevitable :(

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  56. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 6:31 AM

    To be fair I think they did a wonderful job with the battle for the budget they have to work with, if they had a lot more money to spend then I think it would have gone on much longer but scenes like that are money drainers.

    I too would love to see Arthur et al all working together with magic being accepted, which is why I would have loved another season. Someone mentioned above that Christmas Specials would be great to see as well, kind of like the Doctor Who ones, I think they could work brilliantly. But I really can't see the cast coming back, they have all had their characters stunted along the way with this show in order to keep it relevant to the time slot it had I guess :(

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  57. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 6:33 AM

    I will miss them all a lot too, I've grown very fond of the whole cast and their characters. I think Shine wanted to do a 6th season, but it's the cast who have all moved on. I wish them all the best with their future projects and can't wait to see anything they are in next!

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  58. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 6:34 AM

    The last scene in the future?

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  59. Megan_BDecember 25, 2012 at 6:37 AM

    there's so many questions unanswered its bugging me X_X what happened to Merlin? Did he came back to Camelot, announced the king's death and live in a magic's accepted world as the Court Sorcerer...or he just kept on walking and no one ever knew what happen to him? It will bug me forever

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  60. Max AndsDecember 25, 2012 at 7:07 AM

    I'm sad that it's over. Mostly because there are so many questions without answer. As someone said earlier: It will bug me forever

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  61. Megan_BDecember 25, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    I can imagine a lot of things too, especially what happen after Arthur's death. if Merlin ever returned to Camelot, if Gwen let magic be allow again, her reaction to the 'new' Merlin if he came back, what the characters became...ect

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  62. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 7:17 AM

    Exactly, there's almost no limit to what is left to tell about any and all of these characters. I guess this is probably a line they were given to say to the press.

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  63. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 7:20 AM

    It's such a shame that we will probably never know, but maybe they ended it like this so that people could make their own minds up and flesh the story out more in their own individual way. I've found myself over the last few days coming up with so many lil possibilities, but then I've done that throughout the length of the show I guess. It's always been the kind of show that doesn't explain everything properly, all the characters have missing years between season for example where anything could have happened to them.

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  64. SandiDecember 25, 2012 at 7:23 AM

    As I've just commented a couple of posts above this, it's always been that kind of show unfortunately. Every year it's come back with so many unanswered lil questions about what's happened to the characters between seasons. I think it's more frustrating this time around as it's the end of the show now, and films/spin offs seem to have such a tiny chance of happening that I guess we will never know now :(

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  65. Nimueh123December 25, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    Yes, that thought came to my mind, too. Who told Gwen about Arthur's death? it can only have been Merlin. Why was he not there at the 'Long live the Queen' scene then? Gwen and merlin also would have had a lot to talk about. She must have had millions of questions, like: 'Gaius said that Arthur was in the best hands. Why did he die anyway?' And of course lots of questions about magic, and how Arthur reacted to it....

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  66. Nimueh123December 25, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    Yes, it is the old Morgana problem. Throughout the show she had many opportunities to finish Merlin or Arthur off. But she never did - simply to fit in with the story the Js had envisaged. Gaius and Merlin have to take a gib part of the blame for her turning into who she became.
    It is a shame that the producers spent so much time on the evil Gwen arc and cut both, Morgana's and Mordred's death short. I would have loved to see a proper Merlin/Morgana confrontation.

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  67. AnnikaDecember 25, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    Not necessarily. Gaius knew Arthur only had two days at the most. If they didn't return by then he'd know the worst had happened. I'd still hope that Merlin would have returned to Camelot but he may not have done it straight away.

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  68. Nimueh123December 25, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    Did you also notice that Melrin did not burn the boat?? That happened in all the funerals before, but not with Arthur. Why would Merlin not do it this time - so Arthur can come back some time in the future.

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  69. Nimueh123December 25, 2012 at 10:28 AM

    I have so much enjoyed coming here to chat. Thanks for all the work you have put in to keep us informed and thanks for your incerdible patience with all our questions and anxieties! :D

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  70. Annie PapasDecember 25, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    I can accept this as a great finale simply because it's been on par with the rest of the season which has been, at best, rather mediocre. Colin's acting is, as always, the highlight. He made me tear up so many times and I am really going to miss his performances most. In saying that, I will miss all the cast because I loved their off-season interviews and appearances together.
    I was really disappointed with Morgana's ending. I thought that after twisting her character every which way and that and abusing her for the purposes of storytelling, they would have given her a more emotional send-off. I DID NOT approve of Merlin killing her. It seemed wrong to me, despite everything. And ONE line about how he feels a little responsible made me really angry at him. He is MOSTLY responsible for the way she turned out. Had he revealed his magic to her when she confided in him about her own, none of this would have happened. Considering the amazing chemistry Katie and Colin have, I expected a more emotional scene between the two where she confronts him about this. Instead she gets a knife to the gut. Eurgh. Obviously this is prime evidence of how the Js cannot write women (or villains) well AT ALL. Morgana's transformation from good to evil was in itself ridiculous.
    But that is really my only gripe. Sad that Arthur died and a bit miffed we didn't get to see what happened to Camelot, magic people and even Aithusa post-Arthur's death.
    Was spoiled about the ending to wasn't surprised. But it saddened me to think of Merlin so alone for so long.

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  71. Nimueh123December 25, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    You know the list of questions is actually growing by the second....
    My main ones:
    1. Why was Merlin told of the prophecy, when in the end there was nothing he could do about it? Was there any point in him seeing it at the beginning?
    Merlin suffered so much for knowing - but then it came to nothing.
    2. Has Merlin failed in his destiny as he could not save Arthur? Is this something that can only be answered in the future?
    3. Why did no one give Colin a decent coat for the final scene? For once I would have preferred the good olkd brown jacket! :D

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  72. TomDecember 25, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    I think the answer to 1 is that it was meant to show the weight of destiny/fate and knowing you can't change anything... 2) I don't think TPTB showed him failing in his destiny - rather didn't actually tell us whether he did or not...


    Still there were lots of unanswered questions - esp. how Camelot fares after Arthur's death and whether magic was freed etc (I expect so since Gwen knows)... and whether Merlin returned to Camelot or not...

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  73. TomDecember 25, 2012 at 12:05 PM

    I must admit I agree :( I was planning to rewatch episodes and even perhaps participate in a themed rewatch concentrating on certain aspects of the characters etc but I don't think I can now... The finale wasn't badly done in my opinion but just knowing that Arthur only accepts Merlin as he is dying and we never see him using magic openly in Camelot etc makes it too difficult :(

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  74. CandyDecember 25, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    I will miss you too. <3

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  75. MerlinIsEmrys314December 25, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    To be honest, although I knew the ending was going to be sad (and it
    was), I feel it was a very necessary and to be honest, great ending. The
    acting was phenomenal and I choose to remember Merlin for what it was, a
    fantastic journey of the boy who become a legend. And you were right
    Sandi the best way to describe the ending was that it's 'bitter sweet'.

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  76. MerlinIsEmrys314December 25, 2012 at 12:39 PM

    I don't think he could return as a charred corpse :P. Nah I think personally because he knew one day that Arthur would return that there was no need, and he didn't have it in him to say a final goodbye to his best friend, and the once and future king.

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  77. a. ba.December 25, 2012 at 12:39 PM

    sad, still crying :'(

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  78. AnonDecember 25, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    Well I thought that ending was awful a real kick in he teeth to the loyal fans who loved the characters who wanted merlin to succeed, my biggest criticism is that Arthur and merlin achieved absolutely nothing, Arthur wasn't a king of legend he couldn't even dress himself, he never achieved one thing without the help of merlin so why would Britain ever need him? He never reunited Albion there was never a golden age he wasn't so very different from his father ( Uther in his later years had mellowed quite a bit) so why was he prophesied to be anything special?
    Merlin lost his way completely his love for Arthur and his need to be accepted by him led him to fail miserably he made so many stupid mistakes being led astray by the dragon, the moral of this story is that Merlin should have killed mordred as a child?
    In this last episode why the hell did he wait until Arthur had died to call the dragon?
    I love the bromance I loved the touching scenes between the two of them, last weeks episode had me so angry with Arthur for being such an arse to merlin calling him a coward that I'd pretty much grown to dislike him so much he's so petty I thought the lack of blood in this episode really made the dying scenes look silly I had known for ages the end through spoilers but even my imagined end was so much better, I think the writers were just very poor
    I hated Gwaines end torture and dying knowing he betrayed Arthur ( he must have pissed off the producers)
    Mordreds and Morganas death were very underwhelming
    The final scene was just ridiculous, why didn't merlin return to Camelot he could have archived the golden age he could have brought magic back and created Albion all without Arthur why didn't he do it or Gaius if not for gwen who in my opinion just turned into a massive diva in series 5 and very unlikable

    So if it wasn't for Colin Morgan's amazing acting that was overall a complete disaster, hope he goes on to bigger and better I'm so disappointed

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  79. Hungry EmoDecember 25, 2012 at 1:12 PM

    I... I don't even know how to process this episode.


    I have had really bad experiences with finales - in terms of "Lost" and "Battlestar Galactica" where people try to defend the shoddy writing/planning and unanswered questions by saying it was all about the characters, their relationships, etc.


    But Merlin... this show was quite easy to end. Always. There is a whole legend to fall back on. But this episode just felt far too concentrated on the Arthur/Melin friendship and the reveal, which came far too late in the show for it to have any real impact. We all new Arthur would accept Merlin, the fun and drama would have been the journey going from the shock and possibly hatred, to acceptance and peace. There was no chance of that ever happening within 45 minutes.


    I appreciated their friendship moments in this episode - it has always been the highlight of the show, for me - but I felt it bogged everything down. All else just fell to the side. Morgana's quick death, Arthur spending the whole episode dying (ugh), Gwen never really getting to shine as this warrior queen she should be, and that final scene... I have tried scrubbing it from my mind. Maybe I need a few more cocktails.


    I guess, after five years, I expected something a little more epic. And I don't mean in terms of huge battles, etc, but if you have a villain like Morgana for so many seasons, you need to at least give her a satisfying send-off. And if you're going to fulfil a prophecy, you need to actually show how it has been fulfilled, and how life is now better than before. We've followed Merlin's struggle for five years... we deserve at least that.


    So yeah, all in all, I praise the cast because their acting has always been the best thing about this show, but this episode, as a finale as well as just a single episode on its own, was pretty awful to me.

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  80. Hungry EmoDecember 25, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    Wasn't Morgana there to wait for Arthur to die, so he would die by Mordred's hands, as the prophecy stated?


    As for Merlin, yeah, she totally could have killed him (or at least tried) but she was following the prophecy by not killing Arthur herself.

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  81. phnxgrlDecember 25, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    Yes why even have it? What purpose did it do? So Merlin is still wandering about?? So what does that signify?

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  82. Max AndsDecember 25, 2012 at 2:24 PM

    Not to mention that they had two long episodes to do everything. They could at least showed how was Camelot, what Gwen would do about magic and stuff. Oh god, now I realize how much i'm gonna miss morgana's faces :(

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  83. Aylass01December 25, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    Yes, that final scene does absolutely nothing to me, it would've been much better if it ended with "long live the queen" or with Merlin arriving to Camelot afterwards and being welcomed by Gaius and Gwen or something like that...

    Its only purpose was to show that Merlin is immortal and still waiting for Arthur, like the episode wasn't sad enough...

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  84. Aylass01December 25, 2012 at 4:02 PM

    Well, that's it...Goodbye Merlin, it's been fun while it lasted...

    About the episode, a lot of you already said what's in my mind, so there's not really much to add, just a few thoughts:

    - I think the reveal was handled surprisingly well, considering the short amount of time, yes, it should've happened sooner, but Arthur dealing with it seemed natural, again, given that this happened in one episode.

    - Colin and Bradley's performances were brillant, as well as the rest of the cast, I'll miss them together, but they're all very talented and need to move on...

    - What I did NOT like was Morgana and Mordred's deaths, they felt so...anticlimactic....It's a shame, I think they deserved more than that, but it happens in a lot of shows when they try to do too much in so little time.

    - Poor Gwaine...and what happened to Aithusa?

    - Queen Gwen, I think she'll be (or was?) a better ruler than Arthur, and I'm glad she got the throne in the end.....sad circumstances though.

    Overall, it wasn't the best, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it'll be, there are a lot of holes to fill, but the show has always been like that, I guess the people who write fan fiction have a lot of new material to work with now...

    One last time, goodbye show, and thank you Sandi for all the spoilers and information that you gave us, and to the rest of the commenters, it's been fun reading your thoughts as well and than you all for being so respectful to eachother.

    And MERRY CHRISTMAS to those who celebrate it :D

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  85. LilahDecember 25, 2012 at 5:04 PM

    Loved it :D!

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  86. LilahDecember 25, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    Although I can't see the poll :P...

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  87. LilahDecember 25, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    Ah now I can.

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  88. phnxgrlDecember 25, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    Well the way he looked at the isle seemed to me be more with Contempt than wistfulness.

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  89. IvoShoenDecember 25, 2012 at 11:04 PM

    I read this on another site:

    "I don't think they actually intended this to be the finale. I think that
    in their original plans, Arthur would survive and a season 6 would be a
    very epic display of magic and knights working together to ensure
    peace. They got a little surprised that the actors refused a 6th season,
    so they scrambled this finale."

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  90. Ander DrakeDecember 27, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    The one thing the series fails to do is show the actually conflict between polytheistic cultures and monotheistic culture. The whole problem with magic being a problem historical stems from the churches bias to polytheistic cultures or in reality their war to convert all cultures to Christianity. The fact that Uther blames magic for the death of his wife and assault on his kingdom fails to tell a complete story. I can only guess that no one wanted to show Christianity in a bad light or admit it's faults. The so-called villains in the series I never felt any disapproval of their actions, because they were fighting to just be themselves. I thought it was awful to kill Morgana at the end of the last epsoide;however, I felt Arthor's dead was justified because he continued a cruel legacy his father started. Being a nicer king than his father did not impress me in the slightest, I do not call that justice. Justice would have been to exculting people for being part of cultures that use or believe in magic. I ended up hoping the series would be a tragic ending showcasing the mistakes Uther and in turn Arthor made that brought them down.

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  91. SandiDecember 28, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    Yeah, I think that they intended to do a 6th season right up until halfway through this one. It's pretty obvious that the actors were fed up of the characters not really going anywhere, so I'm not surprised that they didn't renew their contracts.. Still sad though, at what could have been :(

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  92. helisDecember 29, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    Yes, right sorry XD anyway I think it's a no sense end O.o The snow dind't follow the legend until
    beginning, so they could do a different ending, Gwaine's death is no
    sense and where is the Golden Age of Albion'! Merlin has failed and
    Arthur's death was no sense too, because he didn't create Albion O.o if they
    had developed the fifth season in a different way made sense but now
    I
    only ask questions that they would like an answer or at least a
    continuos with explanations! Finaly I don't understand why Arthur and
    Gwen didn't have more moments togheter as in the other season and a
    final goodbye in the end O.o
    I have a bitter taste, did not deserve
    such an ending this wonderful show! About the 5x13 episode I save the
    first part and the Arthur and merlin's moments. It's my opinion :)

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  93. SandiDecember 29, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    Gwaine died because he was tortured by Morgana into giving up where Arthur and Merlin really were :( I have a feeling that the actor may have asked for his character to die, I know he had been very unhappy with the last two seasons.


    The Golden Age is still to come, that is what the final scene was about. Merlin is still wandering around the UK waiting for the time Arthur awakens so that he may help it to come. I know that's a bit of a cop out, but Arthur had to die in the show in order for him to become the the Future King who creates the Golden Age when the country most needs him.


    I personally thought that Arthur and Gwen had more than enough moments together this season, the show isn't about them after all. I know that some fans were upset because there was no kiss, but I think that the relationship was shown to be very strong and loving. Something as shallow as a simple kiss doesn't show the depth of their feelings for each other imo, which is what we did see in every episode of this season. I agree that it is a shame that they didn't get to say goodbye to each other, but this is a tragic story that they are telling so I can see why it was done the way it was.

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  94. helisDecember 29, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    I know, but I didn't like this end, only few part... I know about Arthur and Gwen, but this end made a lot of questions, it's my opinion, it's not completely right, but me and other fan thinks that they
    could build the fifth season a little better!

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  95. MartheGreatDecember 29, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    But if the didn't want to do an other season why didn't make more episodes, so they could give an appropriate ending..... i think they could have done that....
    But I don't know of i want to see an other season or a film( if they ever do one) without this cast..... I think there is such a chemistry between, (especially,) colin morgan and brandley james, i can't imagine a film without them or one of them.....


    Why they did 13 episodes every season? is there something with the no 13 ?

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  96. SandiDecember 29, 2012 at 5:50 PM

    lol, I've often wondered that. I assume it's because Doctor Who does a season of 12 plus the Xmas Day episode, so they budget it the same way as they do that.

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  97. SandiDecember 29, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    Oh definitely, i think most fans would agree with you there. I think that they really did think that the actors would extend their contracts right up until the last minute. And when they couldn't make them do that, they had to scramble to get the story wrapped up by the end of S5. It was obvious to fans that they wouldn't want to do any more, so I have no idea why the J's thought they could persuade them :s

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  98. MartheGreatDecember 29, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    i really wish they have done more episodes and on other ending....

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  99. SandiDecember 29, 2012 at 6:21 PM

    I think if they had treated the characters better then the cast may have well signed up for more past S5 :(

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  100. MartheGreatDecember 29, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    I couldn't agree more..... I think the biggest mistake was that they didn't reveal Merlin's Magic earlier.... If they have done that, i think they'd have more stories to tell about the characters..... (Still i can't believe that they kill them off....) Before the finale airs i have seen a video with bradley james asked about a movie, and he answered that he doubt that he will been in it.... this, and your teasers about a sad ending make it me clear that he'd die.... also i think that i was like he said that he doesn't want to be in it....

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  101. po_nochkaJanuary 3, 2013 at 2:19 AM

    ABSOLUTELY! That reveal should have happened at the start of this season at least. Also Gwaine's character started so well and was dropped off the end entirely for the last 2 seasons. They could have done so much more this season instead of the pointless 4 eposides of evil Gwen that added nothing to the show or it's values.
    I did love the finale though, it was way too short to be EPIC, but it was the best episode this season. Both Colin & Bradley wanted the reveal so much and it was obviouse they enjoyed every minute of making this episode best yet.

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  102. po_nochkaJanuary 3, 2013 at 2:27 AM

    Do not even get me started on all that time wasted on "Evil Gwen".

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  103. SandiJanuary 3, 2013 at 2:14 PM

    A friend and I wished that they had done some little online minisodes with the knights to run alongside the last season. They were pitifully underused in the last two years and Shine were bloody lucky they stuck with it as long as they did imo!

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  104. helisJanuary 6, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    Of course :(

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