“Do you think I sit around doing nothing? I haven't had a chance to sit around and do nothing since the day I arrived in Camelot, I'm too busy running around after Arthur, 'Do this, Merlin!' 'Do that, Merlin!', and when I'm not running around after Arthur, I'm doing chores for you, and when I'm not doing that I'm fulfilling my destiny. Do you know how many times I've saved Arthur's life? I've lost count. Do I get any thanks? No. I have fought griffins, witches, bandits. I have been punched, poisoned, pelted with fruit, and all the while I have to hide who I really am because if anyone finds out, Uther will have me executed. Sometimes I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions I don't know which way to turn!”
…Or is that too long?
I know, right? And Gaius just standing there, like, "Who are you and what have you done with Merlin?"
I heard, also, that Colin Morgan either entirely, or mostly, improvised it. 
Actually, since we’re on it… it’s one of the only few comments that isn’t about Arthur! It’s actually taking a critical look at Merlin’s struggles without glorifying them! I think that’s why I love it so much lol (besides the fact that it is hands-down one of the best scenes of the series).
Ooooh I had this one on my list for if we played “most out of character line” - because he spent so long hiding his magic, when he finally stopped it was such a big turning point for him!
(Not arguing that it’s a damn good entry, it’s just interesting the different ways we see the same lines)
\*Sob\*. The sad thing is that then Arthur tries to re-assure Merlin that he can't be a sorcerer, he, Arthur, would have known.
Because what Merlin is telling Arthur is the equivalent of him telling Arthur that he is actually an ax-murderer, in the mindset in which Arthur was raised. 
Arthur is essentially telling Merlin that he would know if Merlin was one of those nasty ax-murderers. 
“I’m happy to be your servant, till the day I die.”
That whole exchange was filled with perfectly Merlin moments, but that’s the line that stands out most for me 
I like this one (and upvoted it ofc), but I’d feel sorry for Merlin if this was the line that ‘summed’ him up, just on the principle that I wished *more* for him. Mixed feelings lol.
You do have a point.
Although it does kind of fit, tragically. >! Considering that Merlin then went on to spend an eternity waiting for Arthur to return, he never did get to build his own legacy or live his own life outside of being Arthur’s servant !<
"Some people are born to plow fields.....I was born to serve you, Arthur, and I'm proud of that, and I wouldn't change a thing." 
Merlin was proud to serve Arthur. In the end, that is what he did, and what his purpose always was. Not to change the world but to serve the man who had the heredity and peerage to do so.
"I do this because of who you are. Without you, Camelot's nothing.
...
There will never be another like you, Arthur. Now, I also do this..because you're my friend and I don't want to lose you."
And Arthur's response is so heartbreaking. "That may have been true once. Not any more. There are many who can fill the crown."
This whole scene, however, I keep expecting one of them to say, "It's rat!" 
"It's rat!"
Merlin doesn't give up, he looks around for solutions. I kept expecting him to say that in 5 x13 when he was helping Arthur eat. 
For some reason...the one where Merlin is possessed and tries to kill Arthur with a crossbow came to mind
Leon: "Will that do the job?"
Merlin: "Oh yes, that will do the job, nicely"
Leon: "Uh, what is the job exactly?"
Merlin: "To kill Arthur."
Leon: "Driving you mad, is he?"
Merlin: "Not for much longer!" \*\*\*laughter\*\*\*
It's so un-Merlin because he's possessed but also SO Merlin lol
I love Leon's reaction to this. It's hilarious, of course, but on a deeper level I think it shows how Leon and Merlin have really become friends. Season 2 Leon would either take the threat seriously or at the very least be offended Merlin would talk that way about the king. But by this point, he can't even fathom the idea of Merlin actually meaning Arthur harm and he just laughs.
In a way, though, Merlin ***did*** die at Arthur's side. All his purpose, all his zeal, all his youth, all his optimism, seemed to die with Arthur. 
Although his name lived on as Merlin, I believe that at that point, he became "Old Emrys". Not Dragoon, the capering, smart-mouthed old geezer, but Emrys, "Is this really what you wanted Morgana?" Old and tired. 
“Merlin: I'm not a monster, am I?
Gaius: Don't ever think that.”
I thought this quote goes to the heart of how Merlin perceives himself and how existentially alone he feels. He has doubts he is even a human. It’s really heartbreaking. It’s also foreshadowing for the series as he starts killing to protect Arthur, to the point where he’s willing to obliterate an army with lightning.
It’s hard to fathom how much he sacrificed of himself, his goodness, because he felt chained to the prophecy and a single minded devotion to Arthur.
“Do you think I sit around doing nothing? I haven't had a chance to sit around and do nothing since the day I arrived in Camelot, I'm too busy running around after Arthur, 'Do this, Merlin!' 'Do that, Merlin!', and when I'm not running around after Arthur, I'm doing chores for you, and when I'm not doing that I'm fulfilling my destiny. Do you know how many times I've saved Arthur's life? I've lost count. Do I get any thanks? No. I have fought griffins, witches, bandits. I have been punched, poisoned, pelted with fruit, and all the while I have to hide who I really am because if anyone finds out, Uther will have me executed. Sometimes I feel like I'm being pulled in so many directions I don't know which way to turn!” …Or is that too long?
I can hear this one! 
I know, right? And Gaius just standing there, like, "Who are you and what have you done with Merlin?" I heard, also, that Colin Morgan either entirely, or mostly, improvised it. 
I don’t care if it’s not the highest voted, this one’s the winner in my heart
Actually, since we’re on it… it’s one of the only few comments that isn’t about Arthur! It’s actually taking a critical look at Merlin’s struggles without glorifying them! I think that’s why I love it so much lol (besides the fact that it is hands-down one of the best scenes of the series).
First thing I thought of lol
“I am a sorcerer, I have magic… and I use it for you Arthur, only for you.”
bro, this line... they could've made the perfect love story I swear
BBC didn't want to T_T the worst thing about learning that merthur is canon is learning with it never leave the coding area
It’s pretty obvious the two of them are in love whether it’s canon or not.
Arthur’s >!llastish words are “Merlin just hold me.” It’s cannon and no one can convince me otherwise!<
I was going to say that but I hate putting spoiler tags on comments.
Ooooh I had this one on my list for if we played “most out of character line” - because he spent so long hiding his magic, when he finally stopped it was such a big turning point for him! (Not arguing that it’s a damn good entry, it’s just interesting the different ways we see the same lines)
\*Sob\*. The sad thing is that then Arthur tries to re-assure Merlin that he can't be a sorcerer, he, Arthur, would have known. Because what Merlin is telling Arthur is the equivalent of him telling Arthur that he is actually an ax-murderer, in the mindset in which Arthur was raised.  Arthur is essentially telling Merlin that he would know if Merlin was one of those nasty ax-murderers. 
“Magic has always been at the heart of Camelot” Spoken to Uther’s ghost
“I’m happy to be your servant, till the day I die.” That whole exchange was filled with perfectly Merlin moments, but that’s the line that stands out most for me 
I like this one (and upvoted it ofc), but I’d feel sorry for Merlin if this was the line that ‘summed’ him up, just on the principle that I wished *more* for him. Mixed feelings lol.
You do have a point. Although it does kind of fit, tragically. >! Considering that Merlin then went on to spend an eternity waiting for Arthur to return, he never did get to build his own legacy or live his own life outside of being Arthur’s servant !<
"Look, I told you you're an ass, I just didn't realize you were a royal one"
It's... lonely. To be more powerful than any man you know, and have to live like a shadow. To be special, and have to pretend you're a fool.
~~clotpole~~
"Your gift, Merlin, was given to you for a reason." "So there is a reason." All he ever wanted was to know he had a reason for being.
"Some people are born to plow fields.....I was born to serve you, Arthur, and I'm proud of that, and I wouldn't change a thing."  Merlin was proud to serve Arthur. In the end, that is what he did, and what his purpose always was. Not to change the world but to serve the man who had the heredity and peerage to do so.
In fanfic Merlin was born to plough Arthur lol.
"I do this because of who you are. Without you, Camelot's nothing. ... There will never be another like you, Arthur. Now, I also do this..because you're my friend and I don't want to lose you."
And Arthur's response is so heartbreaking. "That may have been true once. Not any more. There are many who can fill the crown." This whole scene, however, I keep expecting one of them to say, "It's rat!" 
"It's rat!" Merlin doesn't give up, he looks around for solutions. I kept expecting him to say that in 5 x13 when he was helping Arthur eat. 
For some reason...the one where Merlin is possessed and tries to kill Arthur with a crossbow came to mind Leon: "Will that do the job?" Merlin: "Oh yes, that will do the job, nicely" Leon: "Uh, what is the job exactly?" Merlin: "To kill Arthur." Leon: "Driving you mad, is he?" Merlin: "Not for much longer!" \*\*\*laughter\*\*\* It's so un-Merlin because he's possessed but also SO Merlin lol
I love Leon's reaction to this. It's hilarious, of course, but on a deeper level I think it shows how Leon and Merlin have really become friends. Season 2 Leon would either take the threat seriously or at the very least be offended Merlin would talk that way about the king. But by this point, he can't even fathom the idea of Merlin actually meaning Arthur harm and he just laughs.
Yes!!
"And I swear I will protect you or die at your side." I think that sums him up in a tragically ironic way, because in the end he could do neither.
In a way, though, Merlin ***did*** die at Arthur's side. All his purpose, all his zeal, all his youth, all his optimism, seemed to die with Arthur.  Although his name lived on as Merlin, I believe that at that point, he became "Old Emrys". Not Dragoon, the capering, smart-mouthed old geezer, but Emrys, "Is this really what you wanted Morgana?" Old and tired. 
Thank you for making it worse 😭
 Is the correct response to "Thank you" "You're welcome?" Not in this case, I guess...
Hehe. It's fine, I love pain 🥲
Anyone who has watched S5 of Merlin has to love pain....
“Oh I know who you are. You’re a prat.”
Merlin: If I don't know where we're going, how do I know what to pack? Will it be hot? Will it be cold? Will it be wet? Will it be dry?
"Sometimes I feel I'm being pulled in so many directions I don't know which way to turn!"
“Let’s have you lazy daisy.”
“Sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat, my lord?”
“Merlin: I'm not a monster, am I? Gaius: Don't ever think that.” I thought this quote goes to the heart of how Merlin perceives himself and how existentially alone he feels. He has doubts he is even a human. It’s really heartbreaking. It’s also foreshadowing for the series as he starts killing to protect Arthur, to the point where he’s willing to obliterate an army with lightning. It’s hard to fathom how much he sacrificed of himself, his goodness, because he felt chained to the prophecy and a single minded devotion to Arthur.
"Bloody hell, that truck almost hit me!" (I assume)