It was a good episode. Tempted to say very good, but it did still have a few Merlin cliches that it just can't shake off.
I found that I liked pretty much any scene so long as it didn't have Merlin or Arthur in it. Like Tomtrek, I find that Merlin's attitude is a real flaw in the writing. It's just not credible that he'd still refuse to do the logical thing and tell Arthur he has magic. I don't understand the writers view either, as they clearly seem to think that it would somehow break the show, but it wouldn't. It'd be terrific, and it'd open up lots of new story possibilities.
Anyway, so aside from the comedy music Merlin and Arthur eye rolling scenes it was good.
Gwen's suddenly become my favourite character. She's easily the most credible and sympathetic character in it at the moment, aside from good old Gaius, but he's barely opened his gob so far this season.
The dragon made a welcome return... they should've had John Hurt doing the voice, but on helium.
The blokes having their shirts off is all very well, but in one shot Percival breathed really heavily and you could see the condensation from the caves actually being freezing cold... just saying.
Mordred being knighted was a big wtf moment for me. I was convinced it was a dream sequence for some time. I know Arthur is the son of the man who let strangers come into the castle on a weekly basis despite them on each consecutive occasion turning out to be murderous warlocks, but someone is fighting alongside your greatest enemy, switches side at the last minute, and suddenly you make them a bloody knight of the round table?! And this after your best friend/snivelling clodpole has been telling you all day to kill the guy in cold blood because he's so dangerous?
Guh... MERLIN!! Why do you have to be so inconsistent?!