I actually think the show is finally making progress: Arthur is coming into his own, we're seeing the formation of the knights of the round table, etc. Where it's lacking is in its heavy-handed approach to portraying Morgana's descent into evil - I would have loved to see her acting with a bit more subtlety. Letting Uther live, for one thing, was silly.

I'm curious why you think Gwen should be tougher? Going by the Mists of Avalon (not the best source, but still one of the coolest portrayals of the myth, in my opinion) and what I know of the legend, she wasn't the world's bravest little cookie. They've made her a humble servant instead of a humble queen who didn't have much of a purpose save for looking pretty.