After the season finale next week, I'm going to seriously evaluate whether I want to spend time to watch the next season, if there is one. It's one episode before the season finale, and the writers still don't seem to have a clear idea where the show is going. On the one hand, Morgan's backhanded plans to undermine and eventually defeat Arthur are proceeding splendidly. On the other, Arthur's court is almost entirely a love-triangle which was as whiny and mind-numbing as it gets.
"The Battle of Bardon Pass" had the potential to change that, given the ending last week. And for a brief moment, the episode strikes home a key point--before taking it away. Arthur is not king material. After his thing with Guenevere comes out into the open, his brother rebukes him and there is real disgust with Arthur. In a land which needs a strong leader, there is this bratty kid. But then the episode turns around and Arthur turns into the hero who stays behind. So he's good now, right? If so, then the love-triangle seemed to have served little purpose.
Score: 7.8/10
