Merlin 3.12 The Coming of Arthur I
Nov. 28th, 2010 11:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakI wasn't sure whether or not to wait until next week so I can review both parts at the same time, which generally I prefer to do with a two parter, but decided to post some thoughts and speculations right now anyway.
- Gwaine continues to be my favourite future knight of the round table; the irreverence, the humour, the fact he continues to treat Arthur not hostile but as an unimpressed (though fond) older brother and teases Merlin - he definitely is one of the highlights of the season, that one
- I was ready to yell at the lack of Gwen when lo and behold we got a scene that, unless I'm very much mistaken which I don't think I am, sets Gwen up as the spy in the Morgana and Morgause led Camelot, leading to a neat mirroring of Morgana's position throughout the season. Mind you, I think it will only last an episode whereas I could do with a full season of spy!Gwen secretly meeting with Arthur and Merlin in the woods, but I'm looking forward to it anyway. It also fits with Morgause's and Morgana's established flaw of not taking servants into account, yet finally humanizes Morgana's attitude towards Gwen through the season somewhat in that it shows she has retained enough of her old fondness not to want Gwen gratitiously dead. Of course, it's very Morgana to think she can have her cake and eat it - i.e. Gwen as her loyal and devoted servant of yesteryear while completely ignoring Gwen might have feelings and thoughts of her own that do not approve of anything Morgana did these recent years (wouldn't be surprised if there is also some murky subconscious satisfaction of keeping Gwen as a servant, not the queen she saw in her vision), and I really hope we'll get an open conversation between them in part II before the end
- Arthur's silent reaction to seeing Morgana reveal herself to Uther (and thus, unknowingly, to him) was well played by Bradley; I also loved the detail that Merlin looks to Arthur first when Morgana shows up because all of this is no news to him, whereas he's concerned what finding out means to Arthur
- for all the thrown objects this season (none in this episode, thanks, guys) Merlin and Arthur really have arrived at a much more balanced relationship; can you imagine Merlin demanding (not asking) "will you tell me or not?" from Arthur or yelling at Arthur and Gwaine about their dumb planning as late as the end of s2, let alone s1?
- also loved that Arthur doesn't try to drag Gaius, Gwaine and Elyan into a suicide mission but sends them to safety, and gives Merlin the opportunity to go without really expecting him to because he knows Merlin won't leave him by now
- exit Cendred; that was predictable, though a bit of a shame since I liked him and Morgause as a mutually exploitative yet fond power couple
- so is the tree Cendred's insignia or Morgause's?
- Gwaine continues to be my favourite future knight of the round table; the irreverence, the humour, the fact he continues to treat Arthur not hostile but as an unimpressed (though fond) older brother and teases Merlin - he definitely is one of the highlights of the season, that one
- I was ready to yell at the lack of Gwen when lo and behold we got a scene that, unless I'm very much mistaken which I don't think I am, sets Gwen up as the spy in the Morgana and Morgause led Camelot, leading to a neat mirroring of Morgana's position throughout the season. Mind you, I think it will only last an episode whereas I could do with a full season of spy!Gwen secretly meeting with Arthur and Merlin in the woods, but I'm looking forward to it anyway. It also fits with Morgause's and Morgana's established flaw of not taking servants into account, yet finally humanizes Morgana's attitude towards Gwen through the season somewhat in that it shows she has retained enough of her old fondness not to want Gwen gratitiously dead. Of course, it's very Morgana to think she can have her cake and eat it - i.e. Gwen as her loyal and devoted servant of yesteryear while completely ignoring Gwen might have feelings and thoughts of her own that do not approve of anything Morgana did these recent years (wouldn't be surprised if there is also some murky subconscious satisfaction of keeping Gwen as a servant, not the queen she saw in her vision), and I really hope we'll get an open conversation between them in part II before the end
- Arthur's silent reaction to seeing Morgana reveal herself to Uther (and thus, unknowingly, to him) was well played by Bradley; I also loved the detail that Merlin looks to Arthur first when Morgana shows up because all of this is no news to him, whereas he's concerned what finding out means to Arthur
- for all the thrown objects this season (none in this episode, thanks, guys) Merlin and Arthur really have arrived at a much more balanced relationship; can you imagine Merlin demanding (not asking) "will you tell me or not?" from Arthur or yelling at Arthur and Gwaine about their dumb planning as late as the end of s2, let alone s1?
- also loved that Arthur doesn't try to drag Gaius, Gwaine and Elyan into a suicide mission but sends them to safety, and gives Merlin the opportunity to go without really expecting him to because he knows Merlin won't leave him by now
- exit Cendred; that was predictable, though a bit of a shame since I liked him and Morgause as a mutually exploitative yet fond power couple
- so is the tree Cendred's insignia or Morgause's?
Here from latest things
Date: 2010-11-28 11:41 am (UTC)Yes, though I imagine last week's conversations with Gilly (sp?) had a bit to do with that, the ones about not being recognised, about having more power and pretending.
I had thought that the lingering close-ups of Cenred were about him plotting to not be done in by Morgause, but my hopes were too high! Alas, poor Cenred, you were very pretty.
Re: Here from latest things
Date: 2010-11-28 02:06 pm (UTC)