The Diamond of the Day
Lots of gushing, cursing, love, irritation and disappointment ahead.
I didn't do a review of part one as I wanted to wait for both eps. Not sure if I can remember all that happened, so I'm just going to have a flow of thought for both eps and we'll see where it leads.
Ep 1:
The whole ep just had me in tears. I think mostly for the anticipation of what was to come. The ep as a stand alone wasn't a tear jerker to the extent that I was falling apart. When Merlin tells Arthur he's not going with him and Arthur says he always thought Merlin was the bravest man he knew. It didn't dawn on me until much later (sadly), that this comment goes back to s3e13 when Lancelot tells Merlin "You're the bravest of us all and he doesn't even know it".......OMFG OMFG. When I realized that, I was a sobbing mess. Again.
I like when Arthur made the comment about Merlin to Gaius; that it was a shame Merlin was unable to be there. It was a snide and childish remark, but it was so clear Arthur was deeply upset by Merlin's absence and for the life of him could not figure it out. He knew it had to be more than what Merlin said. It's nice to see Merlin isn't 'out of sight, out of mind' for Arthur. That when Merlin is genuinely not there, it hurts Arthur. I'm all about the angst. I don't believe for one moment Arthur really thought Merlin a coward. He just did not understand. How could he? Merlin is ALWAYS there. It was a hurtful thing for him to say to Merlin, but that was the point. Arthur was vunerable and he lashed out because of it. Unkind, but very human.
It was nice to see Balinor, but the whole thing was cheesy and too easy. It would have been cool to see crystal lightening bolts or something while Merlin slept, charging him with their magic. They are, after all, where magic lives or whatever. Not just Merlin lying down for a snooze and wah-frickin-lah you're magic is back. I thought the butterfly was a true picture of Merlin's gentle soul. I'm tearing up again.
Arwen = bleck. Gwaine and Eira: As much as I love Gwaine, it was a waste of time.
I always love Merlin and Gaius; their dynamic. Two great actors together. Tears.
By far my favorite scene was the crystal scrying between Merlin and Arthur. The idea that Arthur absolutely heard, believed, and acted on Merlin's voice was out of character and so lovely. I do have to wonder, though, if he knew it wasn't a dream, why was he so disbelieving when Merlin revealed to him? Didn't he already wonder how Merlin's voice was in his head? Or maybe Merlin's voice is always in Arthur's head............. that's nice and slashy. I remarked on tanous' review of s5e12 that I want to believe the reason Arthur DID act on Merlin's voice through the crystal was because he knew it wasn't a dream. I think he was reminded of the feeling he had when the blue light guided him out of the cave in "The Poisoned Chalice". He remembered the gentle warmth, benevolence and love from that light and this 'dream' was the same feeling. That's my headcanon.
As usual, Bradley in battle is a wonder to see. He really can't do anything in an unattractive way. He's a slo mo dream. Gaad, I'm going to miss Arthur in slo mo battle. More tears.
Ep 2:
All the beautiful Merthur moments. My most favorite line was Arthur saying to Merlin "I don't want you to change. I want you to always be you" or some such. OMFG. What person doesn't want to hear their loved one tell them that? To be loved for all that you are, good and bad. Dammit! I'm starting to cry! Arthur asking Merlin to hold him. I really didn't expect TPTB to go there. I figured they'd think it was 'too gay'. This really was all about Merthur. It was so lovely and so sad and so heartbreaking and so infuriating all at once. Infuriating because we should have had a hell of a lot more time to do this. The reveal, the breakup, the angst, the reunion, the death. Stupid Fucks TPTB.
I had hoped, as many did, that when Arthur found out about the magic, all hell would break loose. Since we only had like 30 minutes for the most important story of the ENTIRE SHOW FOR FIVE SEASON/SERIES to wrap up, I think Arthur handled it all rather well. Everything he did and said was expected IMO.
How Gaius knew where they were is yet one of the many mysteries of this show, but I was happy Gaius explained to Arthur Merlin's immense power. I just really wanted Arthur to see his Merlin move the sun and stars and earth for him. I am very disappointed about that and will always be. Damn tears.
It was great to see the badass magic. I wish it had been young Merlin, of course, especially since he revealed like two minutes later, but the magic was what I've wanted to see for a long long long time. Damn this show! We have such a love/hate relationship. *shakes fist in the air*
Did Arthur cotton on Merlin is a Dragonlord? He never found out Balinor was Merlin's father. Arthur never saw his Merlin being the bad ass sorcerer, only Dragoon. So did he get it? One of many loose ends never to be tied. Sigh.
It was cute Merlin told Arthur he was uncomfortable doing magic in front of him. And then Arthur tells him to just light the fire. Oh, and that Merlin showed Arthur that if he can get away with it, he won't hurt people. Like when the Saxon dudes come across them and at first Merlin just tries to bullshit his way out of it and then BAM, you're done and Arthur just watches. It's kinda hot to see Merlin do magic in front of Arthur. Dang.
I don't remember the exact line, but somewhere Arthur asks Merlin why he just never told him. Merlin's answer was fanfiction come to life and Arthur's reaction was also ff come to life. Bradley's delivery was like a little boy. It broke my heart.
Man, Merlin showed no mercy with Morgana. Not just in his actions, but his tone was contempt to the core.
I thought Arthur's death was anti-climatic. Not surprising since we've known of it, whether by legend or by TPTB harking on it all season/series. It was sad, yes, but I had wanted to see Merlin scream and have the earth break apart or clouds and lightening or whatever. It just wasn't enough. I feel both eps just weren't enough. We deserved more. Merlin and Arthur deserved more. TPTB shoved into 90 minutes what should have been at least a 1/2 season arc. Assholes. "Long Live the Queen".......... yeah, fuck you.
Old Merlin in current time....DOUBLE FUCK YOU. That was just shite. Done solely to enrage EVERYONE. I don't think anyone in any fandom wanted it to be Old Merlin.
Our beloved and, at times, much maligned show is over. I'll admit I am quite sad. I am broken to bits over this show ending. Tears. I just can't believe we'll never have a new Merlin story on screen. More tears. We'll never have beautiful Bradley and Colin lighting up our lives with their silly selves. And more tears. I am really, really going to miss those two.
Arthur's final words were to his beloved Merlin, saying 'thank you'. I think those two words spoken by Arthur to Merlin with complete acceptance of who Merlin is, was most likely the most cherished thing Immortal Merlin will ever hear. Gross sobbing.
I know there's so much I missed in this ramble. I just can't think anymore at the moment.
Thank you to all in this fandom. You have all touched my life in such a wonderful way! I've enjoyed reading reviews, sharing my thoughts, following blogs, and of course, reading fanfiction. I wish all of you luck and wonderful times ahead.
I didn't do a review of part one as I wanted to wait for both eps. Not sure if I can remember all that happened, so I'm just going to have a flow of thought for both eps and we'll see where it leads.
Ep 1:
The whole ep just had me in tears. I think mostly for the anticipation of what was to come. The ep as a stand alone wasn't a tear jerker to the extent that I was falling apart. When Merlin tells Arthur he's not going with him and Arthur says he always thought Merlin was the bravest man he knew. It didn't dawn on me until much later (sadly), that this comment goes back to s3e13 when Lancelot tells Merlin "You're the bravest of us all and he doesn't even know it".......OMFG OMFG. When I realized that, I was a sobbing mess. Again.
I like when Arthur made the comment about Merlin to Gaius; that it was a shame Merlin was unable to be there. It was a snide and childish remark, but it was so clear Arthur was deeply upset by Merlin's absence and for the life of him could not figure it out. He knew it had to be more than what Merlin said. It's nice to see Merlin isn't 'out of sight, out of mind' for Arthur. That when Merlin is genuinely not there, it hurts Arthur. I'm all about the angst. I don't believe for one moment Arthur really thought Merlin a coward. He just did not understand. How could he? Merlin is ALWAYS there. It was a hurtful thing for him to say to Merlin, but that was the point. Arthur was vunerable and he lashed out because of it. Unkind, but very human.
It was nice to see Balinor, but the whole thing was cheesy and too easy. It would have been cool to see crystal lightening bolts or something while Merlin slept, charging him with their magic. They are, after all, where magic lives or whatever. Not just Merlin lying down for a snooze and wah-frickin-lah you're magic is back. I thought the butterfly was a true picture of Merlin's gentle soul. I'm tearing up again.
Arwen = bleck. Gwaine and Eira: As much as I love Gwaine, it was a waste of time.
I always love Merlin and Gaius; their dynamic. Two great actors together. Tears.
By far my favorite scene was the crystal scrying between Merlin and Arthur. The idea that Arthur absolutely heard, believed, and acted on Merlin's voice was out of character and so lovely. I do have to wonder, though, if he knew it wasn't a dream, why was he so disbelieving when Merlin revealed to him? Didn't he already wonder how Merlin's voice was in his head? Or maybe Merlin's voice is always in Arthur's head............. that's nice and slashy. I remarked on tanous' review of s5e12 that I want to believe the reason Arthur DID act on Merlin's voice through the crystal was because he knew it wasn't a dream. I think he was reminded of the feeling he had when the blue light guided him out of the cave in "The Poisoned Chalice". He remembered the gentle warmth, benevolence and love from that light and this 'dream' was the same feeling. That's my headcanon.
As usual, Bradley in battle is a wonder to see. He really can't do anything in an unattractive way. He's a slo mo dream. Gaad, I'm going to miss Arthur in slo mo battle. More tears.
Ep 2:
All the beautiful Merthur moments. My most favorite line was Arthur saying to Merlin "I don't want you to change. I want you to always be you" or some such. OMFG. What person doesn't want to hear their loved one tell them that? To be loved for all that you are, good and bad. Dammit! I'm starting to cry! Arthur asking Merlin to hold him. I really didn't expect TPTB to go there. I figured they'd think it was 'too gay'. This really was all about Merthur. It was so lovely and so sad and so heartbreaking and so infuriating all at once. Infuriating because we should have had a hell of a lot more time to do this. The reveal, the breakup, the angst, the reunion, the death. Stupid Fucks TPTB.
I had hoped, as many did, that when Arthur found out about the magic, all hell would break loose. Since we only had like 30 minutes for the most important story of the ENTIRE SHOW FOR FIVE SEASON/SERIES to wrap up, I think Arthur handled it all rather well. Everything he did and said was expected IMO.
How Gaius knew where they were is yet one of the many mysteries of this show, but I was happy Gaius explained to Arthur Merlin's immense power. I just really wanted Arthur to see his Merlin move the sun and stars and earth for him. I am very disappointed about that and will always be. Damn tears.
It was great to see the badass magic. I wish it had been young Merlin, of course, especially since he revealed like two minutes later, but the magic was what I've wanted to see for a long long long time. Damn this show! We have such a love/hate relationship. *shakes fist in the air*
Did Arthur cotton on Merlin is a Dragonlord? He never found out Balinor was Merlin's father. Arthur never saw his Merlin being the bad ass sorcerer, only Dragoon. So did he get it? One of many loose ends never to be tied. Sigh.
It was cute Merlin told Arthur he was uncomfortable doing magic in front of him. And then Arthur tells him to just light the fire. Oh, and that Merlin showed Arthur that if he can get away with it, he won't hurt people. Like when the Saxon dudes come across them and at first Merlin just tries to bullshit his way out of it and then BAM, you're done and Arthur just watches. It's kinda hot to see Merlin do magic in front of Arthur. Dang.
I don't remember the exact line, but somewhere Arthur asks Merlin why he just never told him. Merlin's answer was fanfiction come to life and Arthur's reaction was also ff come to life. Bradley's delivery was like a little boy. It broke my heart.
Man, Merlin showed no mercy with Morgana. Not just in his actions, but his tone was contempt to the core.
I thought Arthur's death was anti-climatic. Not surprising since we've known of it, whether by legend or by TPTB harking on it all season/series. It was sad, yes, but I had wanted to see Merlin scream and have the earth break apart or clouds and lightening or whatever. It just wasn't enough. I feel both eps just weren't enough. We deserved more. Merlin and Arthur deserved more. TPTB shoved into 90 minutes what should have been at least a 1/2 season arc. Assholes. "Long Live the Queen".......... yeah, fuck you.
Old Merlin in current time....DOUBLE FUCK YOU. That was just shite. Done solely to enrage EVERYONE. I don't think anyone in any fandom wanted it to be Old Merlin.
Our beloved and, at times, much maligned show is over. I'll admit I am quite sad. I am broken to bits over this show ending. Tears. I just can't believe we'll never have a new Merlin story on screen. More tears. We'll never have beautiful Bradley and Colin lighting up our lives with their silly selves. And more tears. I am really, really going to miss those two.
Arthur's final words were to his beloved Merlin, saying 'thank you'. I think those two words spoken by Arthur to Merlin with complete acceptance of who Merlin is, was most likely the most cherished thing Immortal Merlin will ever hear. Gross sobbing.
I know there's so much I missed in this ramble. I just can't think anymore at the moment.
Thank you to all in this fandom. You have all touched my life in such a wonderful way! I've enjoyed reading reviews, sharing my thoughts, following blogs, and of course, reading fanfiction. I wish all of you luck and wonderful times ahead.