Merlin 4.09
Hmmmm. I didn't like this much on first viewing, although I felt it improved second time around. Still one of the two episodes I haven't been that keen on this season (the other being 'Lamia').
I'm very surprised that Colin nominated this as his favourite episode. Why, Cols, why? Merlin did very little apart from stand around and watch and worry. It was very good to see him openly criticise Agravaine - Merlin's heart does overtake his mouth sometimes. I did like, nay love, the boat-burning scene, and he does a wonderfully poignant sad-angry-conflicted Merlin who makes me want to take him home and cuddle him to my ample bosom forever, but apart from that there wasn't much Merlinness in this one.
The acting from both Bradley and Angel was superb. I loved Arthur trying so desperately to keep himself under control, at first unable to look Gwen in the eye; acting so reasonably, asking Gwen what happened, and then that one desperate outburst for which he immediately apologises. I am becoming a massive Arthur fangirl; every time he does something stupidly noble, or shows his soft heart for a second before covering it up again, or does something kingly, I think YES, BE MY KING, I WILL FOLLOW YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, ARTHUR.
Dissatisfied with what they did with Gwen this ep. Something about her characterisation was just off. I intensely disliked the "I want to be your queen" rather than "I want to be your wife" - it makes her sound as if the throne was her main goal, which of course is not the case. I also didn't like the "If it wasn't for you there would be no wedding", rather than "If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have Arthur".
Interesting that nobody even pauses to consider that Gwen might be enchanted - not even Merlin and Gaius, both of whom know that everyone and their dog has been under some form of magical control at some stage. I don't know whether that's because they are being particularly thick, or whether it's because everyone is quite prepared to believe Gwen could be led astray by her feelings. And of course, Gwen herself doesn't know she's been enchanted, which is just cruel.
That little scene with Merlin watching her go felt lacking somehow. You'd think at least a few other people would have turned up; Gaius, for one, and Gwen's own freaking brother for another. And you'd think Merlin would have said goodbye properly; maybe he's really, really torn between loyalties. I was kind of hoping he would suggest she go live with his mum in Ealdor, where at least he'd know she was safe.
Finally, three observations:
1. All the talk of adultery, and they weren't even married yet. Hello!?
2. Why did Lancelot need to have Merlin's bed? For old times' sake? It's a freaking castle. There must be a spare bed lying around somewhere. Where was he sleeping when he was alive?
3. Is this the first time we've seen Percival with his arms covered? Almost didn't recognise him :)
So in conclusion: I don't have the same level of hate that lots of other people have, but I didn't like it as much as I'd hoped to (and let's be honest, the actors and crew all talked it up so much, I probably expected something amazing, and that is not what I got).