Merlin 5.04 and 5.05
First, 5.04. I know this wasn't a popular episode, but I thought it was in many ways stronger than the first three (stronger, not more enjoyable from a fannish perspective!) I really like the way they are paralleling previous episodes in this season; the difference between Arthur killing Annis' husband in season 4, after listening to Agravaine's counsel, and him sparing Odin here after listening to Merlin's counsel is lovely. Of course, Arthur in a sense hasn't learned. He trusted Agravaine, and he trusts Merlin, and no doubt he would listen to any voice he trusts to give him counsel. He still hasn't learned to trust himself. I suspect this series is going to be echoing itself all the way through. Here, of course, trusting Merlin was the right thing to do; I am sure it won't always be the case.
Apart from that, I loved Gaius being all Magic Hippie Dude (although why was he with them in the first place? he doesn't usually tag along) and I loved Merlin getting to use a sword with confidence, and Mithian hiding behind him during the battle, hee! Rohan thought Mithian was OOC - that she would have sacrificed her father for the greater good - but I'm not so sure. Herself, yes, absolutely; but not her father and her king.
5.05. I said to Rohan "Whoa, I bet this one's unpopular with the fandom" and I'm sure that is the case. I didn't hate it, but I am not especially happy with it - and I say that as someone who hasn't ever really hung my hopes on The Reveal as the climactic point of the show.
Having said that, I have never, never before wanted to slap Merlin over the head, but in this episode I did. Even while I wanted to cuddle him. This was your CHANCE, your shining CHANCE, Merlin. Come ON! I am beginning to think that glowy-head-alien-Dayna-from-Blake's-7 lied and Arthur's bane is in fact Merlin. Who is closer to him, always at his heels?
I did enjoy lots of things about this episode though. Some scattered thoughts:
- Merlin should Ignore Prophecy. Every time he tries to prevent something he's seen foretold, he brings it closer to actually happening. He can't see it because...
- Merlin really isn't very good at thinking beyond himself when it comes to responsibility. He thinks the problems are all up to him to solve, but he still doesn't really regard others as also players in the game, and more importantly he doesn't trust anyone else (except the dragon who he must surely KNOW by now is going to be less help than he could be). Arthur trusts too much, Merlin too little.
- Speaking of trust, this is at least the third episode in a row where Arthur has asked Merlin some variation on "If you were me, what would you do?" And he's still noticing when Merlin's unhappy, even down to "I haven't seen you smile for three days!" N'awwww.
- Love the relationship between Gwen and Arthur. They really do give the impression of two people who have been married a few years and have settled into a comfortable pattern, and who are helpers and supports to one another.
- The Old Religion really didn't help its case here, what with the whole "We shall throw spears at you!" thing. No wonder the knights don't trust it. And it seems a bit out of place with the way the Old Religion has been treated up until now; a bit OTT.
- Has Arthur forgotten that Mordred was a druid? Shouldn't he think to ask him for advice about Old Religiony things?
- Loved the quiet moment when Mordred discovers Merlin building a cairn for the sorcerer.
- Did not love Gwaine deciding to stab first and take-me-to-your-leader later.
- Mordred!!! Rohan said "Your allegiances are shifting!" but honestly, Mordred is really fascinating to me. His little tight smiles, like he doesn't quite know how to smile because he's always so guarded. His desperation to belong, following along with all the knights' naughty teasing. Oooh, I love him.
- The acting in the campfire scene blew me away. Of course. No, my allegiances are not shifting! COLIN COLIN COLIN!