As much as I love everyone on the show (except Agravaine, sorry!), the death grip that Merlin has on me is wild.
Having a young Merlin really was an interesting take because when we have seen old Merlin in film/telly/books, he is already really old, seen so much and very used to everything. It's fascinating and yet sad to watch a young Merlin go from a fresh-faced naive care free boy to learning about the cruel world, hard choices and loss he has to suffer through, and watch it slowly change him. And yet he still remained a kind/good person in his heart. Immortality is not his blessing, its a curse.
Arthur, Morgana, Gwaine, Lancelot, Gwen etc have a special place in my heart too, right next to Merlin, but Merlin will always be my boy <3