Interesting recap. I'm a slasher so I've got a very different perspective on the show, but it was kind of interesting to read how someone who's not interprets things (like what's going on with Will, which I see as pure jealousy and dealing with an ex).

But anyway, I just wanted to clarify a couple of things. Someone's already mentioned that Arthur didn't originally leave with them but came later, which is quite a significant plot point.

Another is that Morgana's been in Camelot since she was ten, when her father died and Uther took her in as his ward. It's hinted at throughout the series (including her mention here of beating Arthur when they were kids) but it's made explicit in #11.

As for Merlin's magic and spells, the sense I got from that was that he has been learning spells since getting to Camelot. When he first arrived he didn't use them, he simply 'thought' and things happened (the bed catching Gaius, the mace catching on the hooks, etc.). He's been studying since then and learning to control it - the dragon he made (a Pendragon, notably) is something I thought he'd picked up since getting to Camelot. (Hence Hunith's smile to see that yes, her boy is learning.)

Katie’s accent is inconsistent. Sometimes she lapses into hard American vowels, other times she has this soft Irish or Scottish burr happening.

Actually, no, Katie's accent is a very consistent Dublin accent (where she's from). She doesn't put on anything different here (not like Colin, who occasionally, when he gets worked up, let his Northern Irish vowels escape). The Dublin accent--I should say the south Dublin accent that she has--is very soft and less noticeable to American ears.

Anyway, interesting recap, thanks for posting!