10 Thrilling TV Moments When Characters Finally Learned The Truth

2. Merlin Reveals His Magic To Arthur (Merlin)

The British reimagining of the legend of Camelot was never a big hit in the States, but for those who followed it, the moment when Merlin would reveal his magic to Arthur was anticipated from the first episode to the last. Yes, the writers saved it for the series finale, in which Merlin shows a mortally wounded Arthur that he is a sorcerer by creating a dragon in the flames of their campfire. Arthur is shocked and betrayed and spends the remainder of the episode bitterly commenting on his own obliviousness to his best friend's secret: "You've lied to me all this time", etc. He gradually comes around and the two regain their banter on an equal footing, and he thanks Merlin with his dying words. There are clichés aplenty, but it's somehow still thrilling and heartbreaking all at once. Many fans would have preferred Arthur to have found out earlier in the series, when the ramifications could have been explored to greater effect and the Camelot of legend could have been realised onscreen, but the final episode nonetheless delivers the magic reveal with aplomb.