No, consistency is often a problem, which goes right to your point of how they break the stories and assign the writing (and who is actually making the full-season character arc decisions). This season has been more consistent in terms of characterization than the past couple, but I am very hesitant to get my hopes up week to week (but it is hard not to get my hopes up for BDSM, angst, and silliness).

FRANTIC WAR SEX IS THE BEST. And that is a damn good tent and bed to have it in. At first I was kind of disappointed that Merlin slept outside, but then I remembered that Arthur was still doing his Fortress of Solitude thing, so in normal times I bet Merlin TOTALLY sleeps in Arthur's bed tent.