Life and Merlin
I have post-nasal drip. Stupid body. Last night I coughed so hard I threw up. Lovely.
But! I signed up for Goodreads months ago, and then I forgot about it, but I needed to talk about All Clear so badly that I went and wrote a review. And people responded! I am having an actual conversation about a book! YOU GUYS! I need to do more on there.
Are you on goodreads? What's your name? I am vanessarama there.
We bought some lollies for Halloween, but only had three kids turn up together. They were all in street clothes although one had a mask. What's the point of Halloween if you don't dress up? I was so tempted to tell Rohan not to give them anything although he did ask them where their costumes were.
Today is the day between a weekend and Melbourne Cup day. Half our office has the day off. Hopefully all Melbourne will be this quiet and I can get some things done!
Oh. Merlin. 3.08, 'The Eye of the Phoenix'.
OH YEAH BABY. That was fabulous! Starting with topless Arthur (and really, we thought it was gratuitous in season 2, now it's just ridiculous) and then... Merlin and Gwen being all cute and bonding! Gwaine and Merlin forming a genuine friendship! Arthur being all ridiculously brave and beautiful! Gwen being Super Sleuth! Arthur and Merlin so comfortable with one another! The awesomeness of Warwick Davis! The creepiness of the Fisher King! Colin Morgan being beautiful and acting his heart out!
I have a few observations on this ep:
Arthur and Merlin
I see why people get upset about Arthur chucking stuff at Merlin, but I don't share those feelings. I mean, one, Merlin is a servant in a fantasy mediaeval setting and any other servant who cheeked the Prince as he does would probably be sacked; and two, it's Arthur. Arthur is emotionally stunted and has probably never been hugged in non-romantic friendship in his life. He expresses affection for his father through doing his duty and expressing unswerving loyalty to the crown, and he expresses affection for Gwen and other ladies with whom he has (or is expected to have) romantic leanings through gifts and kisses and pretty words. He has no idea how to express affection for Merlin, who is a servant, and not related to him, and a man; there are no bonds of family or fealty there and so he doesn't have a basis for comparison. In fact, the closest comparison to the way he acts with Merlin is probably the way he acts with Morgana, who he also baits and teases. I'm sure that if Morgana wasn't a lady he'd be chucking things at her too, as part of the back-and-forth combative affection that characterises their relationship.
When Arthur does display his affection for Merlin physically because he can't do it verbally. And because Merlin is not of equal status, and is of the same gender, he doesn't get it right. Manly thwacks on the shoulder or arm are about as far as he lets himself go. It was obviously very deliberate that Gwaine saw Arthur give Merlin a "hey, thank goodness you're alive" thwack and then went in for a hug. He's more comfortable in his skin, and in expressing himself, than Arthur is.
(I could write PAGES and PAGES of analysis of Arthur's character... but I won't)
The thing is that Merlin gives as good as he gets, verbally and sometimes physically (witness the end of 'Gwaine' where he shoved Arthur back and then they began chasing each other). We won't mention the times he gets his own back magically :)
Gwen and Gaius
Gwen, as the closest person to Morgana - certainly the person who spends most time with her - is obviously the most likely to spot the fact that she's changed, all the more so because of her status as servant; Morgana is free to snap and shout at Gwen because Gwen cannot answer her back (and this is where their master/servant relationship differs from Arthur and Merlin's). It's because Morgana doesn't guard herself as carefully with Gwen as she does with Arthur and Uther that Gwen finds out her secret. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE SERVANTS, PEOPLE.
The best thing about this was that Gwen discovered the secret on her own, without help from Merlin, and that when she came to Gaius he actually didn't fob her off. I have theories about the reason Gaius has become Enemy Number One for many Morgana fans for keeping the secret of her magic from her. I think Gaius calculates how much he will reveal to any given person according to how he estimates their character and intelligence. He has always seen Gwen as sensible and full of practical intelligence, so he's OK with discussing Morgana's newly discovered evil with her. On the other hand, I think he's always underestimated Morgana's intelligence, seeing her as unable to cope with knowing she's magic without somehow revealing herself. He has mostly seen her when she's been nightmare-ridden and hysterical, after all; he probably worried that she'd become even more hysterical if he'd admitted it could be magic. Which isn't to excuse him - Gaius is far from pure and faultless. In fact, given his past history, lying has probably become a way of life for him by now.
Morgana
I do wonder whether Morgana has ever thought about what she is going to do once she gets on the throne - whereas I'm willing to bet that Morgause has not only thought about it, she's planned the first five years of Morgana's reign and exactly what she will manipulate Morgana into doing. Poor Morgana is so blinded by her hurt and hatred and feelings of betrayal that she doesn't realise how much she is behaving like her biological father. Like Uther, she's letting her personal slights and hurts, and a need to avenge the wrongs done to her, drive her actions. This is why Arthur is going to be a better ruler than either of them - he puts his personal feelings aside where Camelot is concerned.
Gwaine and Merlin
I really like that the friendship between Gwaine and Merlin has nothing to do with either Arthur or magic. The affection is very evident; they are genuinely fond of one another. That little scene beside the fire was important because it clarifies that while Gwaine is happy to help out Arthur, he's doing it because of Merlin. Of course, that falls into place beautifully when we learn that this was Merlin's quest, not Arthur's. I was hoping that Gwaine wouldn't learn about the magic in this episode and I'm glad it didn't happen. It would be too much of a parallel with Lancelot if that were to happen.
Courage, strength and magic
Arthur has got to think about this, surely? You can't tell me that he wouldn't have paid careful attention to every little clue or hint he got along the way of doing this quest. I'm hoping that he is even now (between episodes) mulling over exactly what that meant, and thinking about the roles played by Gwaine and Merlin. I'm also convinced that he's been thinking a lot about what happened when he was hit by an arrow a few episodes back, and just gave up asking Merlin about it. ARTHUR IS BEGINNING TO WORK IT OUT. Please, show, don't make me wrong about this.
The Fisher King
Ahhh, more LOTR, with Merlin getting his own personal phial of Galadriel. Donald Sumpter was absolutely wonderful, and Colin Morgan likewise. And I must say, I adored the idea that this is actually Merlin's quest. I'm not as familiar with the Fisher King as I am with some other aspects of Arthurian legend; I'll have to read up on this one a bit more.
Leftovers
- Arthur doesn't seem too concerned about what's happened to the bracelet Morgana gave him, does he? After all that talk about how lovely it is and what a thoughtful gift it was, you'd think there would at least be a "Oh goodness, I've lost Morgana's present, she's going to kill me."
- Arthur said "I don't condone the use of magic", which is much better than "Magic is evil and I will have nothing to do with it!" Hmmm.
In short: this was an awesome episode and I will be rewatching it.
Also, they filmed much of it in two places I visited just six weeks ago: Puzzlewood and Caerphilly Castle. Which reminds me, I must get more of my UK pics up.
But! I signed up for Goodreads months ago, and then I forgot about it, but I needed to talk about All Clear so badly that I went and wrote a review. And people responded! I am having an actual conversation about a book! YOU GUYS! I need to do more on there.
Are you on goodreads? What's your name? I am vanessarama there.
We bought some lollies for Halloween, but only had three kids turn up together. They were all in street clothes although one had a mask. What's the point of Halloween if you don't dress up? I was so tempted to tell Rohan not to give them anything although he did ask them where their costumes were.
Today is the day between a weekend and Melbourne Cup day. Half our office has the day off. Hopefully all Melbourne will be this quiet and I can get some things done!
Oh. Merlin. 3.08, 'The Eye of the Phoenix'.
OH YEAH BABY. That was fabulous! Starting with topless Arthur (and really, we thought it was gratuitous in season 2, now it's just ridiculous) and then... Merlin and Gwen being all cute and bonding! Gwaine and Merlin forming a genuine friendship! Arthur being all ridiculously brave and beautiful! Gwen being Super Sleuth! Arthur and Merlin so comfortable with one another! The awesomeness of Warwick Davis! The creepiness of the Fisher King! Colin Morgan being beautiful and acting his heart out!
I have a few observations on this ep:
Arthur and Merlin
I see why people get upset about Arthur chucking stuff at Merlin, but I don't share those feelings. I mean, one, Merlin is a servant in a fantasy mediaeval setting and any other servant who cheeked the Prince as he does would probably be sacked; and two, it's Arthur. Arthur is emotionally stunted and has probably never been hugged in non-romantic friendship in his life. He expresses affection for his father through doing his duty and expressing unswerving loyalty to the crown, and he expresses affection for Gwen and other ladies with whom he has (or is expected to have) romantic leanings through gifts and kisses and pretty words. He has no idea how to express affection for Merlin, who is a servant, and not related to him, and a man; there are no bonds of family or fealty there and so he doesn't have a basis for comparison. In fact, the closest comparison to the way he acts with Merlin is probably the way he acts with Morgana, who he also baits and teases. I'm sure that if Morgana wasn't a lady he'd be chucking things at her too, as part of the back-and-forth combative affection that characterises their relationship.
When Arthur does display his affection for Merlin physically because he can't do it verbally. And because Merlin is not of equal status, and is of the same gender, he doesn't get it right. Manly thwacks on the shoulder or arm are about as far as he lets himself go. It was obviously very deliberate that Gwaine saw Arthur give Merlin a "hey, thank goodness you're alive" thwack and then went in for a hug. He's more comfortable in his skin, and in expressing himself, than Arthur is.
(I could write PAGES and PAGES of analysis of Arthur's character... but I won't)
The thing is that Merlin gives as good as he gets, verbally and sometimes physically (witness the end of 'Gwaine' where he shoved Arthur back and then they began chasing each other). We won't mention the times he gets his own back magically :)
Gwen and Gaius
Gwen, as the closest person to Morgana - certainly the person who spends most time with her - is obviously the most likely to spot the fact that she's changed, all the more so because of her status as servant; Morgana is free to snap and shout at Gwen because Gwen cannot answer her back (and this is where their master/servant relationship differs from Arthur and Merlin's). It's because Morgana doesn't guard herself as carefully with Gwen as she does with Arthur and Uther that Gwen finds out her secret. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE SERVANTS, PEOPLE.
The best thing about this was that Gwen discovered the secret on her own, without help from Merlin, and that when she came to Gaius he actually didn't fob her off. I have theories about the reason Gaius has become Enemy Number One for many Morgana fans for keeping the secret of her magic from her. I think Gaius calculates how much he will reveal to any given person according to how he estimates their character and intelligence. He has always seen Gwen as sensible and full of practical intelligence, so he's OK with discussing Morgana's newly discovered evil with her. On the other hand, I think he's always underestimated Morgana's intelligence, seeing her as unable to cope with knowing she's magic without somehow revealing herself. He has mostly seen her when she's been nightmare-ridden and hysterical, after all; he probably worried that she'd become even more hysterical if he'd admitted it could be magic. Which isn't to excuse him - Gaius is far from pure and faultless. In fact, given his past history, lying has probably become a way of life for him by now.
Morgana
I do wonder whether Morgana has ever thought about what she is going to do once she gets on the throne - whereas I'm willing to bet that Morgause has not only thought about it, she's planned the first five years of Morgana's reign and exactly what she will manipulate Morgana into doing. Poor Morgana is so blinded by her hurt and hatred and feelings of betrayal that she doesn't realise how much she is behaving like her biological father. Like Uther, she's letting her personal slights and hurts, and a need to avenge the wrongs done to her, drive her actions. This is why Arthur is going to be a better ruler than either of them - he puts his personal feelings aside where Camelot is concerned.
Gwaine and Merlin
I really like that the friendship between Gwaine and Merlin has nothing to do with either Arthur or magic. The affection is very evident; they are genuinely fond of one another. That little scene beside the fire was important because it clarifies that while Gwaine is happy to help out Arthur, he's doing it because of Merlin. Of course, that falls into place beautifully when we learn that this was Merlin's quest, not Arthur's. I was hoping that Gwaine wouldn't learn about the magic in this episode and I'm glad it didn't happen. It would be too much of a parallel with Lancelot if that were to happen.
Courage, strength and magic
Arthur has got to think about this, surely? You can't tell me that he wouldn't have paid careful attention to every little clue or hint he got along the way of doing this quest. I'm hoping that he is even now (between episodes) mulling over exactly what that meant, and thinking about the roles played by Gwaine and Merlin. I'm also convinced that he's been thinking a lot about what happened when he was hit by an arrow a few episodes back, and just gave up asking Merlin about it. ARTHUR IS BEGINNING TO WORK IT OUT. Please, show, don't make me wrong about this.
The Fisher King
Ahhh, more LOTR, with Merlin getting his own personal phial of Galadriel. Donald Sumpter was absolutely wonderful, and Colin Morgan likewise. And I must say, I adored the idea that this is actually Merlin's quest. I'm not as familiar with the Fisher King as I am with some other aspects of Arthurian legend; I'll have to read up on this one a bit more.
Leftovers
- Arthur doesn't seem too concerned about what's happened to the bracelet Morgana gave him, does he? After all that talk about how lovely it is and what a thoughtful gift it was, you'd think there would at least be a "Oh goodness, I've lost Morgana's present, she's going to kill me."
- Arthur said "I don't condone the use of magic", which is much better than "Magic is evil and I will have nothing to do with it!" Hmmm.
In short: this was an awesome episode and I will be rewatching it.
Also, they filmed much of it in two places I visited just six weeks ago: Puzzlewood and Caerphilly Castle. Which reminds me, I must get more of my UK pics up.