The Death Song of Uther Pendragon is legit one of the best episodes in the whole of Merlin
It’s self-contained, with an easy and psychologically compelling premise (I’m ready to fight anyone that says that Arthur’s guilt over Uther, even after all those years, is unrealistic), unexpected horror vibes, great use of music (and silence! which is unusual in this show), and super emotional BAMF scenes. Oh, and did I mention the acting? The trio of Bradley - Colin - Anthony Head is life.
Also, I respect this episode so much for not coming up with a lesson of “oh yes, he might be bad, but he’s still your father”. No Arthur. Cut him off. Move on. Blow him away to that spirit world. You’re your own person, you deserve better than this toxic jerk.
Also the perfect contrast of Merlin and Arthur being doofuses as usual (“poetry” and the scene with Gaius’s gross potion) to the tone of everything else, thereby emphasizing how nothing is as bad for Arthur with Merlin around, and reflecting “Even when you were king there was magic at the heart of Camelot” aka even while you were king there was someone else for Arthur to rely on.
