Merlin 1x11: the epic romance of Arthur and Merlin continues.
Oh show. This week Merlin is the virgin maiden virgin maiden who allows Arthur the hunter to slay a unicorn. Really, show? Seriously?
And then evil befalls Camelot because, see, Arthur equals Camelot already. He is the heart of Camelot while Merlin is Arthur's heart. Arthur suffers seeing his people starve for his mistake. Uther is being a prideful, pig-headed jerk. And can I just say that the Uther/Arthur moments were delicious once again. Am I mistaken or was this the first time Arthur openly defied his father? Also, his look when Uther pats him on the shoulder in the end when he returns to Camelot, that was nicely played.
Arthur is changing and growing apart from Uther's type of kingship. Arthur will not let pride stand in the way when it comes to caring for his people. He has learned his lesson. Of course, he is kind of a prat and has a long way to go still. The second test was painful to watch. Don't poke Arthur's daddy issues. God, his face when he realises what he has done.
I want more exploration of the Uther & Arthur relationship in fic. If Arthur canonically breaks with Uther because of Merlin, I will... I don't know what but it will involve hysterical laughter and much joy. I look at the spoilers for the next episode and - words fail. Two intense relationships, no matter if you see them as platonic or romantic, one Arthur/Merlin and one Gwen/Morgana, at the heart of the Arthurian legend. And on top of that, Arthur and Morgana are nobility, one crown prince and one ward of a king, while Gwen and Merlin are common servants. I'm kinda in love with the four musketeers theme (see last episode) of it, eventhough Arthur and Merlin are clearly at the center of the storytelling. The writers need to step up to the task of developing Gwen more. She had some nice, distinct moments last episode, but is now back to being bland good girl. She is just there.
Anyway, I loved the rat-stew scene. It was so intimate with the leaning and almost hand-feeding. And of course, they banded together the moment Morgana appeared in the door. They are adorable like puppies: yipping at each other and tumbling all over each other, gnawing on ears and biting into tails, just to then curl up together in a tight ball of happy fluff.
I'm not even trying to talk about the scene at the cliff. "I'm glad you're here at the end of all things." Jesus, Arthur, just kiss the fool already. Seriously. Is there anyone left who isn't trying to convince the boys of their epic love?
In conclusion: they are pure of heart and their love will unite Albion and make it the best kingdom in the history of ever. This show is killing my sarcastic streak. It's cotton candy and baby animals and fuzzy duck fluff, with just enough bite to keep me from dying of sugar shock.
reviews I liked:
Merlin 1x11 / elandrialore
Can I totally see the labyrinth as a metaphor? They came from totally different places, yet walked by each other's sides without knowing it, and then somehow ended up together.
Let's all go to Candy Mountain! / rivier
OMG, could they be any more giantly, giantly, GIANTLY HUGELY UTTERLY BUTTERLY LOVED-UP? - God, the unabashed romance of it all - I think not!
Merlin 1.11 - The Labyrinth of Gedref / frogspace
Die Merlin/Arthur-Beziehung ist wirklich wie eine Liebesgeschichte geschrieben. Ich weiß auch nicht, wieso ich das immer von einer Woche zur nächsten vergesse und jedes Mal aufs Neue überrascht bin.
True love has never been a snap. / almostinstinct
Anyways, back on topic! Arthur's quest reminded me of two things: the story of the Fisher King and the story of The Loathly Lady. The most obvious theme here (to me, anyways), was that of the the Fisher King, which basically says that when a king is a Bad King (injured, or injust, or generally unfit to rule), the land and his people will suffer until a Just King ascends the throne.
further reading:
I did some quick search for Arthurian myth.
- http://www.uiweb.uidaho.edu/student_orgs/arthurian_legend/
- http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/index.htm#arthurian
- http://www.britannia.com/history/h12.html
- http://academics.vmi.edu/english/arthur.html
- http://www.pantheon.org/areas/folklore/arthurian/
- http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/index.html
- http://www.ramsdale.org/legend.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur
- http://www.arthurian-legend.com/
Would anyone else be interested in a Merlin meta community where we could ponder Arthurian myth, history, subtext, character development, etc? I'm totally willing to take over mod duties.
And then evil befalls Camelot because, see, Arthur equals Camelot already. He is the heart of Camelot while Merlin is Arthur's heart. Arthur suffers seeing his people starve for his mistake. Uther is being a prideful, pig-headed jerk. And can I just say that the Uther/Arthur moments were delicious once again. Am I mistaken or was this the first time Arthur openly defied his father? Also, his look when Uther pats him on the shoulder in the end when he returns to Camelot, that was nicely played.
Arthur is changing and growing apart from Uther's type of kingship. Arthur will not let pride stand in the way when it comes to caring for his people. He has learned his lesson. Of course, he is kind of a prat and has a long way to go still. The second test was painful to watch. Don't poke Arthur's daddy issues. God, his face when he realises what he has done.
I want more exploration of the Uther & Arthur relationship in fic. If Arthur canonically breaks with Uther because of Merlin, I will... I don't know what but it will involve hysterical laughter and much joy. I look at the spoilers for the next episode and - words fail. Two intense relationships, no matter if you see them as platonic or romantic, one Arthur/Merlin and one Gwen/Morgana, at the heart of the Arthurian legend. And on top of that, Arthur and Morgana are nobility, one crown prince and one ward of a king, while Gwen and Merlin are common servants. I'm kinda in love with the four musketeers theme (see last episode) of it, eventhough Arthur and Merlin are clearly at the center of the storytelling. The writers need to step up to the task of developing Gwen more. She had some nice, distinct moments last episode, but is now back to being bland good girl. She is just there.
Anyway, I loved the rat-stew scene. It was so intimate with the leaning and almost hand-feeding. And of course, they banded together the moment Morgana appeared in the door. They are adorable like puppies: yipping at each other and tumbling all over each other, gnawing on ears and biting into tails, just to then curl up together in a tight ball of happy fluff.
I'm not even trying to talk about the scene at the cliff. "I'm glad you're here at the end of all things." Jesus, Arthur, just kiss the fool already. Seriously. Is there anyone left who isn't trying to convince the boys of their epic love?
In conclusion: they are pure of heart and their love will unite Albion and make it the best kingdom in the history of ever. This show is killing my sarcastic streak. It's cotton candy and baby animals and fuzzy duck fluff, with just enough bite to keep me from dying of sugar shock.
reviews I liked:
Merlin 1x11 / elandrialore
Can I totally see the labyrinth as a metaphor? They came from totally different places, yet walked by each other's sides without knowing it, and then somehow ended up together.
Let's all go to Candy Mountain! / rivier
OMG, could they be any more giantly, giantly, GIANTLY HUGELY UTTERLY BUTTERLY LOVED-UP? - God, the unabashed romance of it all - I think not!
Merlin 1.11 - The Labyrinth of Gedref / frogspace
Die Merlin/Arthur-Beziehung ist wirklich wie eine Liebesgeschichte geschrieben. Ich weiß auch nicht, wieso ich das immer von einer Woche zur nächsten vergesse und jedes Mal aufs Neue überrascht bin.
True love has never been a snap. / almostinstinct
Anyways, back on topic! Arthur's quest reminded me of two things: the story of the Fisher King and the story of The Loathly Lady. The most obvious theme here (to me, anyways), was that of the the Fisher King, which basically says that when a king is a Bad King (injured, or injust, or generally unfit to rule), the land and his people will suffer until a Just King ascends the throne.
further reading:
I did some quick search for Arthurian myth.
- http://www.uiweb.uidaho.edu/student_orgs/arthurian_legend/
- http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/index.htm#arthurian
- http://www.britannia.com/history/h12.html
- http://academics.vmi.edu/english/arthur.html
- http://www.pantheon.org/areas/folklore/arthurian/
- http://www.timelessmyths.com/arthurian/index.html
- http://www.ramsdale.org/legend.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur
- http://www.arthurian-legend.com/
Would anyone else be interested in a Merlin meta community where we could ponder Arthurian myth, history, subtext, character development, etc? I'm totally willing to take over mod duties.