I like the new darker tone in theory, but the kind of tone they're shooting for is incompatible with the series' usual "inter-episode continuity and development what inter-episode continuity and development" stance on things, and you can't actually engage with the kinds of themes they're shooting for if there are no lasting consequences. It's hard to care about any of the grimdark twists if we know the status will be quo next episode. I didn't mind so much during season one because the plots were a hell of a lot more lighthearted, and Arthur and Merlin's relationship did develop over the course of the season, but the show seems stuck in sitcom mode now as far as actual character development goes, and it's frustrating.

Also, the Shakespeare nerd in me delights at that article. Mmm, linguistics.