Merlin 4x09 Review
Lancelot du Lac Review:
I’ve never written a review before, but there’s always a first time I suppose. Typical that it should be for an episode I have mixed feelings about.
Firstly; Bradley James is an amazing actor. The emotion he displayed in this episode - particularly in the fight with Lancelot and his confrontation with Gwen - was phenomenal, I’ve been going back again and again on iplayer to re-watch it. I don’t know why, but I’ve always felt that Bradley sometimes struggles with anger; some other episodes where he’s displayed it he seems to be trying too hard (like when Balinor was killed), but here it was just perfect. The line “what were you doing?!” to Gwen sent shivers down my spine with its intensity!
Now, for the rest of the episode...
To be honest, I hated that Morgana used magic to ‘force’ Gwen into Lancelot’s arms. It would have been much more believable for Gwen to have been torn between the two and fallen for Lancelot again. In light of yesterday’s episode; what was the purpose of the episode ‘Lancelot and Guinevere’? Why set them up as lovers if they were going to discard it here? I can see only two reasons: they want people to sympathise with Gwen, and they wanted Morgana to have more of a role in the episode.
I just do not understand why the writers act so oddly with one of Arthurian legend’s most prominent characters - Lancelot - is he part of this show, or not? Is he going to keep coming back for one episode specials, or is he gone for good now?
This series, overall, has been fantastic and by far the best; but they slipped up with this episode. I don’t think Guinevere is gone for good; the way she left was leaving it wide open for a return and some sort of redemption. There was no goodbye from Merlin, or even Gaius (who I think is probably closer to Gwen than Merlin!), so I think it’s certain she’ll be coming back.
We needed more Merlin/Arthur in the episode. I know I’m going to say that about every episode, because that’s what I’m like, but in this one we really did. It wasn't all bad, though, there were some good bits and hints, I think, at something deeper going on between Merlin and Arthur (a nod to our fandom?), such as when Arthur announced to Agravaine that he wished to marry Gwen; Merlin dropped what he was holding in surprise. Arthur gave Merlin a look at that moment, which said to me, “Merlin, a little more discretion please?” as if Arthur was worried Agravaine might realise something.
Also, when Arthur made the stubble joke; Merlin’s laugh was what I would call a ‘knowing laugh’, as if he was saying, ‘if only he knew the truth!’ And I loved that in the fight with Lancelot Merlin had no hesitation stepping in to help Arthur; I know he was aware that Lancelot was a Shade, but it still came across as Merlin being protective of his beloved :-)
Wishful thinking? Perhaps, but I prefer to call it living in hope!
Overall, the writers have managed to annoy the two largest sections of the Merlin fan-base - the Arthur/Gwen and Arthur/Merlin ‘factions’ - with this episode; they’re playing a dangerous game, they best be careful with the rest of this series, for we will be watching... closely.
I’ve never written a review before, but there’s always a first time I suppose. Typical that it should be for an episode I have mixed feelings about.
Firstly; Bradley James is an amazing actor. The emotion he displayed in this episode - particularly in the fight with Lancelot and his confrontation with Gwen - was phenomenal, I’ve been going back again and again on iplayer to re-watch it. I don’t know why, but I’ve always felt that Bradley sometimes struggles with anger; some other episodes where he’s displayed it he seems to be trying too hard (like when Balinor was killed), but here it was just perfect. The line “what were you doing?!” to Gwen sent shivers down my spine with its intensity!
Now, for the rest of the episode...
To be honest, I hated that Morgana used magic to ‘force’ Gwen into Lancelot’s arms. It would have been much more believable for Gwen to have been torn between the two and fallen for Lancelot again. In light of yesterday’s episode; what was the purpose of the episode ‘Lancelot and Guinevere’? Why set them up as lovers if they were going to discard it here? I can see only two reasons: they want people to sympathise with Gwen, and they wanted Morgana to have more of a role in the episode.
I just do not understand why the writers act so oddly with one of Arthurian legend’s most prominent characters - Lancelot - is he part of this show, or not? Is he going to keep coming back for one episode specials, or is he gone for good now?
This series, overall, has been fantastic and by far the best; but they slipped up with this episode. I don’t think Guinevere is gone for good; the way she left was leaving it wide open for a return and some sort of redemption. There was no goodbye from Merlin, or even Gaius (who I think is probably closer to Gwen than Merlin!), so I think it’s certain she’ll be coming back.
We needed more Merlin/Arthur in the episode. I know I’m going to say that about every episode, because that’s what I’m like, but in this one we really did. It wasn't all bad, though, there were some good bits and hints, I think, at something deeper going on between Merlin and Arthur (a nod to our fandom?), such as when Arthur announced to Agravaine that he wished to marry Gwen; Merlin dropped what he was holding in surprise. Arthur gave Merlin a look at that moment, which said to me, “Merlin, a little more discretion please?” as if Arthur was worried Agravaine might realise something.
Also, when Arthur made the stubble joke; Merlin’s laugh was what I would call a ‘knowing laugh’, as if he was saying, ‘if only he knew the truth!’ And I loved that in the fight with Lancelot Merlin had no hesitation stepping in to help Arthur; I know he was aware that Lancelot was a Shade, but it still came across as Merlin being protective of his beloved :-)
Wishful thinking? Perhaps, but I prefer to call it living in hope!
Overall, the writers have managed to annoy the two largest sections of the Merlin fan-base - the Arthur/Gwen and Arthur/Merlin ‘factions’ - with this episode; they’re playing a dangerous game, they best be careful with the rest of this series, for we will be watching... closely.