Tear Jerker / Merlin (1998)

• After a bittersweet last exchange between Arthur and Merlin, Merlin begins walking away. In the background, you can see the blurred form of Arthur, who attempts to get up and then simply and pitifully falls and rolls down a slope into a pathway, complete with shuddering and pained breath thanks to well-done sound editing. It really drives home just how tragic, and inevitably pointless and wasteful Arthur's death was. Quite the achievement for a moment that takes place not only in the background, but completely out of focus with only the sharp, clear sound to let us know just what's happening. You can watch the scene "here"
  • Adding to it is the fact Merlin is clearly trying to hold back tears as he walks away from Arthur, a man who from their interactions wasn't just a favourite pupil to Merlin, but the closest thing to a son he ever had.
• The death of Ambrosia, and her final words with Merlin.
• How Frik's relationship with Morgan le Fay ends.
• The Lady of the Lake's final conversation with Merlin, and the lingering demise of both Queen Mab and magic itself, desperately telling Merlin that she loves him as he leads everyone else in turning their backs on her, causing her to just fade away.
• The pain of Merlin and Nimue at being magically locked away from each other for the rest their lives, although it would turn out not to be quite that long.
• The guilt on Arthur's face as Mordred calls out "one more sin" - being forced to kill his own son.
• Gawain being taunted and forced to watch his father die from Mordred's fatal wound, especially after their earlier split and reconciliation.
• Frik is seen having joined Arthur's army during the battle against Mordred's own to avenge Morgan le Fay. Stripped of his powers, he wields a mace with vicious effectiveness and previously uncharacteristic rage. However when the battle is concluded in a pyrrhic victory, before he throws up his usual playful pretense in Merlin's presence, we can see him sitting alongside the other soldiers with a thousand yard stare, traumatized by the horrors of mortal warfare.
• A good half of the Crowning Moments of Heartwarming are also TearJerkers.

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