Merlin 5.05 - "There is Nothing I Can Do To Prevent It. Nothing."

[bluebeeangel]

My review/recap of episode 5, season 5 of Merlin; The Disir. Or as I like to call it 'Two Sides of the Same Chocolate Coin'.






Previously on Merlin...well, we'll pretend it never happened, kay?

It’s my ‘birthday episode’! Well, that’s what I consider the episode each season that falls nearest my birthday to be. This year it’s this one. Because I’m such a geek I looked back today, to see which episodes were my ‘birthday episodes’ from previous seasons.

I remember season 1 really well. It was ‘The Gates of Avalon’. For some reason I can’t watch the scene where Uther puts Merlin in the stocks without thinking about my birthday, so I remember that one. In season two it was ‘Beauty and the Beast Part 2’ which I adored. I think this show has been a bit hit and miss on comical episodes (mostly miss), but this was definitely the best one for me, just for the potion/poison scene alone. Season 3 was ‘The Eye of the Phoenix’, now I’m awful at remembering episode titles, so I had to look this one up. It was the one with the Fisher King which I thought was a bit of a season 3 highlight. In the forth season my birthday was technically closest to ‘A Servant of Two Masters’, which was my second favourite episode for the whole season. So, what I worked out is that I’ve always liked my birthday episode, so this one should be good. Well…in theory that works…

Okay, own up, who put ‘more Shakespearean references’ on the Merlin feedback form? I personally put down ‘Knights spin off reality show’ so I’ve got my fingers crossed for next week. Meanwhile, back to this episode and we’re in a cave. The lack of social housing in Camelot means that a certain amount of the population live in caves, tree houses, down rabbit holes, that sort of thing. Arthur’s political manifesto is surprisingly harsh on the homeless. Dwelling in this cave are three Macbethian witches. Either that or it’s the new Sugababes line up. They do change it often.

Outside the cave, the Babes’ roadie is lingering, ready to hold back the hordes of fans looking for autographs. One of the Babes exit’s the cave and gives the Roadie one of those chocolate coins you get at Christmas. I heart those, they taste of magic, sparkle and unicorn spit. The Roadie puts on his official merchandise Babes hoodie and strolls off into the forest, when we go into titles….

Can I just say I love the show, but have always hated the titles. Always. I love the music, I really like the first 5 seconds of it, but after that it looks like a collage put together by my sister’s cat. You can imagine how hard it is to use Pritt-Stick with paws. Anyway, I just thought I’d get that off my chest after 5 years. Can’t let these little things fester inside and eat away at you.

Mordred! He’s back! After his time off for his Knight Health and Safety Course (“Die fast and die quietly”), he returns. Yay! *pets Mordred*. Watcha doin’ there with that sword? Oh hey Arthur…wait…abort…abort…step away from The Arthur!!!! Bad Mordred!!! As it turns out it’s only training. Arthur pretty easily beats him, but tells him he’s getting good. I suppose it’s a comparative thing, most of the Knights probably fall down on their swords and stab themselves to death on the way to the training field.

Merlin’s been watching Arthur and Mordred train and goes over to them. There’s a hint of envy in Merlin’s eyes, but also genuine fear. I don’t think it’s jealousy per say. Merlin seems to adore all the other Knights. I think it’s more because Mordred is like him and he feels that maybe he should be in that position. I think this only makes up a small part of it though. I think Merlin’s major concern is that Mordred is going to stab Arthur over the bread rolls at dinner. They enter Arthur’s chambers and Merlin is asked if he knows what Mordred’s skilled contre quarte is. I feel like we’ve slipped back into Strictly Come Dancing land and want to shout out ‘Viennese Waltz’, but apparently Merlin’s been paying more attention that I have and tells Arthur what the move is…the little swot. *coughteacherspetcough*

Arthur goes behind the screen to change, the little shy wallflower that he is. Has he really still got that? Dude, man up, it’s not like Merlin hasn’t seen everything already. It’s not like you take the screen with you on one of your trips outside the castle. It’s even got flowers on it for pete’s sake! Christmas present from Gwen? I’m guessing the show is trying to avoid having the visual image of Arthur undressing in front of another man, but the screen in between them actually makes it kinda hot. Nice try show, but epically failing again. Arthur and Merlin are having one of their chats about which of the Knights is the most dreamy. Arthur tells him that he thinks Mordred is super foxy hot, but Merlin argues that Camelot has many bodacious Knights. He’s thinking of Gwaine isn’t he? He’s so close to returning the Knight’s love, but it’s just not quite there.

Gaius is singing Mordred’s praises as well, but Merlin’s a little bit hung up over that ‘killing Arthur’ thing. You’ll never find a good man with that attitude Merlin. No one’s perfect. Gaius is pretty keen to let that point slide though, so he must really be smitten. In my head, Mordred bakes cupcakes and goes around to Gaius’ for afternoon tea when Merlin is on one of his hunting/horseplay/poetry trips with Arthur.

I do actually really like this little scene with Merlin and Gaius. It’s got a lot more personality, meaning and sparkle than last week’s conversations between the two of them. Gaius tells Merlin that they must know, for certain, before they act. This has always been Merlin’s problem and Gaius know it. He doesn’t think through all possibilities and considerations. He focuses on one outcome and drives forward on that assumption.

Sir Leon! He looks purposeful! He’s been at a convention at the Camelot Business Centre in the east, to present a PowerPoint on more accurate troop movement. He’s still wearing his ‘Hi My Name is Leon’ I.D badge. He enters the room, with no round table, apparently. How long does it take to get a table fixed? Uther only dropped a light fitting onto it, it didn’t send it rolling down an cliff. Arthur and his Knights are having to make do with the patio table for the moment.

Sir Leon does not return with happy news. Sir Ranalph…is dead. NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Not Sir Ranalph! This is totally unexpected, why would they kill him off? He was adding such vibrancy to the show, such bravery and he just had that amazing back story. Remember that episode where he did that thing? How we all talked it over for hours and hours?…yeah me either, who the heck is Sir Ranalph? Percival looks positively distraught! (big shout out for Tom in this scene, I was loving his expression).

Arthur says he is personally going to lead a mission to track down Sir Ranalph (RIP sweet, sweet man…or woman…who really knows). Gwen…yes Gwen’s in this episode. Morgana we get missing for two this season, but Gwen we‘ve got to sit though every bloody episode. She’s like a dog humping your leg. Awkward, unnecessary and impossible to get rid of .

So Ma Walton (thank you tanous) is warning John Boy that it’s not safe to go down the mountain and he should send Pa to do it. I want to make a comparison later so I’ll just make the point here that Gwen’s asking Arthur to send his men instead, as she is worried about his safety. Mordred enters and Arthur tells him that he’s ready to accompany him. Huh, so there is some sort of training procedure in place for the Knights. Who would have thunk? Gwen agrees to let Arthur go out and play with Mordred, but he has to be back by curfew.

The Knights are hazing Mordred. Hee! That was quite cute. I don’t feel I’ve seen enough of Arthur’s Angels this year. I may have to bring back the theme tune. They are thoroughly delightful when we do get to see them though and add a nice depth. They were a great addition to the show, it’s a shame they aren’t utilised enough. Merlin is questioning Arthur’s decision in letting Mordred join them. “Where would any of us be Merlin, if no one had given us a chance?” Now that’s an interesting little statement. I like to think it’s referring to the road not travelled for Merlin. One of the things I liked about this episode is that it seemed to encompass decisions made through the whole course of the series. What would have happened if Merlin was never Arthur’s servant?

Uhhh…what exactly is ‘melding’ and why do you need your breeches back to front for it? Is this some modern vernacular I’ve not heard of, like ‘poetry’? I do wonder what these Knights get up to on their little excursions…not that I’m against melding, I fully support everyone’s right to meld, whether they be a Knight or not.

Remember last season when Arthur identified a piece of Gwen’s dress from a tiny bit of cloth? Like how that was supposed to prove his love for her? Well, it’s back again this season, only this time it’s Percival doing it with a bit of Roadie’s clothes. I’m not entirely sure what that’s supposed to tell us, but I have an unusual desire to start shipping Percival/Roadie.

The Knights set off to track him down. Gwaine and Elyan head off down one trail. Oh, hey Elyan, have you even been in this season yet? Must suck that your sister gets more lines than you, but you still have more chemistry with Arthur than she does. The two Knights find Roadie, just hanging out, drinking some water and carving ‘I heart Percival’ into a tree, and they ambush him. Our two Knights, never the brightest lights in the Christmas Tree, don’t seem to understand that he wanted to be caught. Bless them, they’re all proud and brave, like little baby hedgehogs sticking up their spikes.

Roadie does that little magic spell, that Merlin and Morgana seem to like so much, of hurling the two knights into a tree. He seems to do it with a bit more gusto though. Are we sure Merlin and Morgana are as great as everyone keeps telling us? It would explain a lot if they were actually a bit more squib-ish than everyone thought. Gwaine, before he gets knocked unconscious, manages to stab Roadie in the stomach. Oh NO!!! Don’t break up ‘Perdie’! Percival and Roadie for ever! You can kill one of them off, but you can’t stop their melding love! This is like Lancelot all over again…

Roadie makes a run to find Arthur, who god love him, has his back turned and doesn’t hear him till he’s about two foot behind him. Mordred is with him, and so is Merlin, who probably isn’t going to leave the two of them alone for a second. Roadie says he is there to pass judgement on “Arthur Pendragon. Once and Future King“. Arthur’s looking like he’s got wrongly addressed mail during the OAFK part. Roadie gets out the chocolate coin. It’s probably melted a bit by now and got a bit sweaty in his cloak.

Arthur’s apparently got the same sweet tooth that I have, as he takes the coin, no questions asked. Sweet, naïve, trusting Arthur. Roadie tells Arthur that even as Camelot flowers, the seeds of her destruction are being sown. “What nonsense is this?” Babe, it’s not great, I grant you, but it’s Stoppard compared to last week’s script. Merlin looks like he’s about to throw up. Genuinely, Colin’s face is brilliant in this, where he’s just so alarmed at what just happened for multiple reasons.

Merlin’s marking Roadie’s grave when Mordred comes along. The only way I can describe this scene is delicious. Really, can they please throw as many Merlin/Mordred scenes at us as possible? The tension positively crackles. It’s like that ‘popping candy’ you used to have as kids, it’s just alive and unpredictable. Mordred informs Merlin that you aren’t allowed to mark a sorcerers grave. His tone just slightly changes when he tells him that he would have done the same as “he was one of us”. There is almost a bonding between the two, but there is so much doubt, curiosity and anxiety on Merlin’s side and such an enigmatic vibe from Mordred, that it comes off with such an underlying apprehensive tone. I love this scene and I officially love Alex (learnt his name and everything!)

There’s something interesting about Merlin marking the sorcerer’s grave. On the surface it’s like he’s doing it because of a sense of empathy or connection, but in reality it’s guilt that leads him to this. He has the ear of the king, but does nothing to speak up for magic. He will turn on those with magic in a heartbeat if it means protecting Arthur. If he told Arthur the truth, then maybe he can turn the King around on magic, but he’s not willing to take that risk. He won’t risk loosing him, not for all the power and peace in the world. He’d rather bury a million sorcerer’s than do that.

“The swelling should go down by morning.” That’s an…interesting…line to start the scene on. Well Merlin did deny Gwaine his hug last week, if he wants to make it up to him with a bit of melding, who am I to interfere? It’s night time and all the Knights are having an evening out. Mordred complements Merlin on his physician skills. Merlin tells him he’s watched Gaius…and then done the opposite. Arthur then complements Merlin on his breakfast in bed skills, but Merlin is in a huff so doesn’t respond. Yeah…they’re absolutely not married. Arthur teases Merlin a little more and then tells him to come sit down and have a drink. Don’t fall for it Merlin, you stick to your guns, we’ve all been there. Some guy tries to get us to loosen up by plying us with alcohol and hoping to get into our pants and give us a good melding.

Arthur tries to toast in celebration, but get’s into a bit of a tiff with Merlin. It’s always awkward when you’re out with a couple and they start arguing during dinner. Merlin questions Arthur on the truth behind Roadie’s words and the meaning of the coin. Arthur throws it to Merlin. I kinda love the symbolism of that; Merlin literally has Arthur’s fate in his hands. I loved the ‘fairy dust’ sound effect as it happened too. Arthur says he’ll have the jeweller mount it as a memento of their success. Is he giving Merlin jewellery now? Don’t fall for it Merlin, you stick to your guns, we’ve all been there. Some guy offers us a shiny chocolate coin to get our attention in the hopes of getting into our pants and giving us a good melding. Alcohol and jewellery all in a 30 second period? Arthur really must be gagging for it. If he’s that desperate, I’m pretty confident Gwaine’s a sure thing.

Back in Camelot and Merlin is still quieter than usual. Arthur says his face “resembles the backside of a cat.” *snort*. He then complains that Merlin isn’t laughing at his jokes anymore. This reminds me of episode three where Arthur was upset and Merlin was trying to cheer him up by tempting him to play and insult him. This time it’s the other way around. I do think it’s quite sweet actually how they quickly know the other one is upset, and how disappointed they get without the banter. Arthur’s been checking his diary and he hasn’t noted Merlin down as smiling in the last three days. “I’m not sure there’s anything to smile about.” I love Bradley’s face here. He makes Arthur exasperated, but in quite a caring way.

Has Gaius turned his house into an office? He actually asks Arthur to come in and sit down in a chair on the other side of the desk. Is he moonlighting careers again as an accountant? I think I hear a fax machine whirring in the background. Gaius explains to Arthur what the coin is, all the while Merlin is standing over looking at the king like a pissed off wife saying ‘I told you so‘. See, Gwen, that’s how you do marriage. “I make my own path.” “Do you?” Nice. The dialogue is definitely a lot crisper and cleaner than last week. I’ve always like the relationship between Arthur and Gaius on the show. It’s one of the more underused ones. There is a firm respect their between both of them, a sort of equality. Their relationship has lasted longer than any other.

Arthur’s getting ready for bed, apparently screen-less, and is chatting to Merlin about the coin and his judgement. Arthur asks Merlin why. Merlin responds that he’s not the person to ask. It’s interesting that as much as Merlin craves and actually has Arthur’s ear, he doesn’t really know what to do with it. He sometimes can’t give an honest answer, because honesty is the only think he keeps from Arthur. The king pushed him though “But I am asking you…Merlin…man on man.” Oh whoops, I meant ‘man to man’…butterfingers (that’s what he said…ba-dum-dum-tsh!). Merlin responds by saying that perhaps he is being judged because he is open to listening. There may be an element of truth to it, but I’m not sure that’s Merlin’s intention. He is hoping that Arthur will just wake up one day and decide that he loves magic. It’s a naïve and hopeless dream and Merlin knows it. Not only will that never happen, but even if Arthur accepts magic, Merlin knows that telling Arthur he has lied to him for all those years is what will make him angry. It’s not even really about the magic anymore.

Merlin’s got himself into a real little pickle so he calls upon the dragon. Maybe he’ll mention that loosing Aithusa thing. He doesn’t seem to get too far away from the castle which is worrying. Let’s hope Elyan is looking out his window and sees a huge dragon flapping his way towards Camelot. The Dragon tells him that the coin predicts Arthur’s death. “When…when will Arthur die?” That’s Merlin’s plague right there. He thinks he needs to know when so he can stop it. It’s engulfing him. The Dragon gives him some (futile?) hope by saying not all paths lead to ruin. Oh, by the way if anyone wants to make a Merlin/Arthur video with the Foo Fighters ‘Long Road to Ruin’ as a soundtrack, then I will owe you my first born.

The Dragon, who’s never been a huge Mordred fan, softly manipulates Merlin into believing that killing him is the only way to save Arthur. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, but I’m not sure saving Arthur is Kilgarrah’s intention. There’s almost a goading nature in Kilgarrah. I sometimes forget the consistency in his character, as he is so little seen. In a show full of ambiguous characters, his intentions have always been the most fuzzy. His friend or foe status constantly changes. Least we forget that long ago it was he who set Merlin on this path. Did he do it because it was foretold, or did he set it in motion himself? There’s a question over destiny and fate, which will turn up again later.

John Boy is playing with his coin at the table, when Ma Walton brings him some supper. Is Gwen hard up for cash? Is she taking some serving shifts on the side to pay for more dresses? It’s an interesting conversation they are having actually. Well not interesting, that’s overstating somewhat, more curious. Gwen is essentially defending Arthur’s thoughts from earlier to Arthur. He’s getting frustrated though because that doesn’t help him. He knows what his thoughts were, he needs someone to present the other argument to him. Arthur tells Gwen that the Babes don‘t think he is a good King. She responds “That’s because they don’t know you like I do….now tomorrow we’ll call the school and tell them those nasty girls are picking on you. Eat up your dinner, there’s a good boy.”

Arthur comes pounding of Gaius’ door demanding to know where he can find the Babes. Gaius is completely confused, he say he literally only heard of them yesterday and it would take many, many years to track them down. “Gaius do I look like a man to trifle with?” He then proceeds to tell Arthur their tour schedule for the next year, their email addresses, their twitter names and their pets’ names. Oh nice one, Gaius. While you’re at it, why don’t just cut his head off , shove it on a kebab stick and gift it to Morgana as an early birthday present?

Mordred begs Arthur to come on the journey and the king relents. They travel for…about five minutes (got to love the changing time and distance in Camelot), when the go past a stick version of the Deathly Hallows that some school child has made. Cute. Merlin warns Arthur that they shouldn’t go into the cave armed. He’s probably right, a nursery school is no place for swords and such, however Arthur refuses and they go in. There are some more stick mobiles that the children have made, but those naughty Knights stamp all over them. Oh it’s the Babes cave…uh nice art…very modern.

Arthur wants to know the meaning of the chocolate coin. The Babes accuse Arthur of arrogance, conceit and insolence, and perhaps there is a touch of this in him. On the surface at least. However, I actually think Arthur’s humility shines though a little too. It’s not that he thinks he shouldn’t be judged, it’s that he thinks he should be judged fairly. Gwaine’s crushing on Arthur this week, so jumps to the kings defence. Apparently that ‘throw the person backwards’ spell is popular in all parts of the magic world, as the Babes use it on Gwaine.

Mordred jumps in front of a spear that is thrown at Arthur. Merlin’s got a WTF look on his face. He half can’t believe his luck and half just can’t believe it. The Babes throw another spear at Merlin just as everyone else is retreating. He uses magic to knock it away and this earns him a curious glance form the Babes. Nice little look from Merlin as well. A nice hint of arrogance there, mixed with a little bit of risk.

Outside and Arthur asks Merlin to check out Mordred’s injury. Already the wheels are beginning to whirl inside Merlin’s head. I think Merlin will absolutely kill someone if he has too. If they are an immediate risk then he’ll take them out, without regret. However, letting someone die who isn’t an immediate or confirmed threat is slightly different. There maybe should be more concern and thought, but he doesn’t think twice. He tells Arthur that they need to get him back to Gaius. That should be Arthur’s first clue that Merlin wants him dead.

The stop to rest and Merlin uses that classic diagnostic technique of Gaius‘, putting his hand on Mordred’s forehead, to see how he is. Unfortunately Arthur’s there so Merlin can’t give him a swift kick in the ribs to try and finish him off. Even Arthur’s got Gaius’ medical skills down to a tee, as he tells Merlin that Mordred is getting worse, without even going near him. Arthur is regretting his decision to let Mordred come on the journey. Merlin is torn between wanting to reassure Arthur and stop him feeling guilty, and rolling Mordred off a cliff somewhere. Arthur exlains to Merlin that Mordred saved his life twice.

The arrive back in Camelot and Gaius gets set to diagnosing Mordred…by placing a hand on his forehead. Job done. Arthur asks Gaius to let him know if Mordred improves or if he does something to kill him off for good. I think Gaius would have let Arthur know if Mordred dies, he wasn’t going to try and flush him down the toilet or anything to cover it up and then go round to the nearest ‘Enigmatic Sorcerer Shop’ to buy a new one that looked exactly the same. I mean you can’t just change and get a new Mordred without someone in Camelot noticing it’s not the same one….oh.

Arthur leaves and Gaius sternly tells him that only Merlin’s magic can save Mordred. Apparently Merlin’s powerful this week. Merlin’s got a determined, cold look on his face. He’s not budging. He’s not going to save his life if there’s even a smidgen of a possibility he would ever hurt Arthur. This is not a risk that Merlin is ever prepared to take. It’s an action which is laced with utter devotion and pure bloody mindedness. It’s a dark action, one you’d expect to see out of Morgana on one of her more bat shit crazy days. While there is sorrow in is voice, there isn’t regret. He doesn’t relish doing it, but that won’t hold him back. I love Merlin as a character when he’s like this.

“What happened to the young boy who came into my chambers, just a few years ago.” “
He grew up. And he learned the meaning of duty."
I loved the reference back to the first episodes of this season here, when Arthur asked Morgana what happened to her and she told him she grew up. In truthfulness, just growing up has nothing to do with it for either or them. For Morgana, it was being completely betrayed or left alone by everyone or everything. Her magic and how she uses it becomes her defence, her sense of power. She’s angry and vengeful and she wants people to pay for the hurt she feels and what she’s been through. For Merlin, it’s obsession, but in a different way. He’s loved and lost people too, but he still has Arthur, that‘s what keeps him focused. It’s all built on a lie though, like a brilliant and intricate house of cards that could tumble down around Merlin’s feet at any second. The pressure of this lie, his emotional proximity to Arthur has caused Merlin to do anything and everything to keep the status quo.

We’ve got another Gwen and Arthur scene…yay. Three in one episode. What a treat. Gwen again is comforting Arthur, telling him what he needs to hear, that he did the right thing. Arthur still doesn’t take her counsel seriously though. Thankfully there’s a knock on the door. Gaius is there to deliver the bad news to Arthur than there is nothing more he can do for Mordred. He’s very good at it, he must have to tell people he can’t do anything often. Arthur’s a man with a plan though. He’s going to go to the Babes himself.

Merlin and Arthur are walking though the woods and Arthur tells Merlin he would do this for any of his knights. Merlin states that Arthur wouldn’t do it for him. Arthur disagrees, although makes a joke out of it, you know it’s true. I sometimes think that Merlin is so caught up in how he feels about Arthur, he doesn’t realise that the king is just as close to him. In fact Arthur puts more trust in Merlin than the other way round. They have a little conversation that can be compared to the Gwen/Arthur one we’ve just seen. They are both essentially trying to stop Arthur from saving Mordred, but for different reasons. Gwen wants Arthur to stay indoors and play Boggle, so he doesn’t get hurt when he’s out. Merlin tells Arthur, he cares about who he is and who he’s destined to be. Arthur says it’s fated, so it doesn’t matter. Merlin tells him that there is a difference between destiny and fate.

I think it’s interesting that they have Merlin and Gwen both make the same argument here, one after the other. Gwen asks Arthur not to risk his life. Merlin won’t allow him to make that decision. There’s something very passionate about that, and I’m not talking romantically or sexually, necessarily. It’s just being completely obsessed about that one thing or person, feeling so completely synonymous with them that their decisions become ingrained in yours. There’s a little bit of control there from Merlin. He is the one with all the power in their relationship, Arthur just doesn’t really realise the extent of it. Arthur and Merlin ,you can actually look at in quite a dark way, the complete subjugation to one person. Arthur and Gwen are very simplistic. She’s worried about him and doesn’t want him to go, the end. Arthur and Merlin is a lot more twisted, a lot more complicated, on both sides actually. Arthur keeps Merlin by his side, not because he’s any good at his actual job, or because he shouldn’t be promoted, but because he needs him there.

Arthur lays down his sword as he enters the cave. He should get some sort of bike chain for it, I should imagine looting is rife in Camelot. Merlin and Arthur go through the religious symbols with more care than Percival, who had all the delicacy of an elephant in lingerie. There’s a sweet little line from Arthur where he says he respects other people symbolism. You don’t doubt this, even if he disagrees, there is an understanding there. Arthur is not beyond apologising either, or admitting his mistakes. There’s a lovely contrast with Arthur’s honour in this episode, with Merlin’s tactics. The Babes perform a new album track for Arthur entitled ‘Embrace the Old Religion (Bow to the Goddess)’. I think it’s more of a grower track as Arthur’s not won over easily. They tell him he has until dawn to buy the album, or they’re hiking the price up.

I’m liking this tradition of ‘Fireside Chats’ that we’ve had every week for Merlin and Arthur. They’ve been real highlights of episodes. This one isn’t just a highlight of the episode, but of the whole season so far. It’s a fantastic scene and one of my favourite ever. Arthur asks Merlin how he knows this place is sacred. “Everything here is so full of life.” He speaks beautifully about his senses and how he feels nature around him. He asks Arthur if he feels it to. He does not. Merlin looks disappointed. I think it reminded him of a difference between himself and Arthur, that his loyalties lie with someone who is not of his own kind.

I’ve always said before that Arthur’s best decisions happen instinctively. If he’s given too much time to think, then he questions what his heart is telling him. Merlin’s the opposite, he needs someone to run through every scenario for him. He can be single minded and not think through every outcome or repercussion of his decision. He doesn’t see the whole picture as quickly or fairly as Arthur does. Merlin asks Arthur what he is going to do and Arthur tells him he doesn’t know. He knows what his heart is telling him, but is confused over that pesky sorcery. Arthur, again, wants to know what Merlin would do. The back and forth a bit as Merlin says he must protect the kingdom. Then Arthur asks him the ultimate question; Does he want sorcery to reign free in Camelot?

I have pointed out Merlin for his negative points this review. Not criticised the character, I love that he has these flaws, but as a ‘person‘. However, this moment really shows that devotion and loyalty are beautiful to his character. He puts Arthur first. Maybe it is in a selfish way for a little part, but he fully gives up everything he has and everything he could be for him. This is what I love about the non-reveal. This right here. We’ve seen Merlin put Arthur before ‘his own kind’ and really anything else many times before, but perhaps as not as definitively and powerfully as now. It was a straight choice; to have the Old Religion back and to stop the persecution of a whole breed of people, or the slight hope of saving one man. There’s just something so very dark, but so beautifully heart breaking about Merlin choosing Arthur over everything. He’s not a bad person, he doesn’t want to hurt people, but he will justify it for Arthur. Arthur mentions how much he owes Mordred for saving his life. I know we’re supposed to make the comparison with Merlin, how he hasn’t saved Arthur twice, but hundreds of times. That isn’t Merlin’s sacrifice though, that’s just a symptom of it. He’s sacrificed everything about himself, he’s lost everything, given up everything not only for himself, but for his people. He has to live with that everyday. Merlin has turned the world upside down and done it all for Arthur. (Labyrinth quote. Boom!).

I waxed lyrical about Bradley’s non-verbal acting last week, but jeepers, Colin absolutely shines beyond belief this week. We get a few references in this episode about how unusually quiet he is. For the audience though, it doesn’t feel it, as you’re getting every single thought process of his conveyed at every moment through Colin’s face. No time more so, than in the beautiful and perfect scene. Arthur’s giving Merlin an out. All he has to do is basically nod his head and magic will be free in Camelot. The absolute pain that Merlin is going through here is ridiculously evident. You understand his decision. You know why he’s doing it. He tells Arthur that “there can be no place for magic in Camelot.”

Arthur listens to him. I’ve just mentioned about Arthur’s instinctive nature. He senses, and always has, something in Merlin that he has to listen to. He doesn’t know why, or even understand it, but he feels it. The kicker is that because Merlin can’t tell Arthur the whole truth, often he gives the wrong advice. It’s devoted advice, but detrimental to Arthur. We saw earlier how Merlin literally had Arthur’s fate in his hands. Well he has it figuratively too. He could be Arthur’s downfall, without the king even realising it. By trying to change his fate, he may just be securing it. Maybe Merlin has become Arthur’s obsession too. He seeks out his opinion, not only listens to it. He almost can’t function without him by his side. I really hope this is setting up a reveal in the not to distant future episodes. You’ve got Merlin and Arthur to a place where their lives revolve around each other. To see something just blow the whole thing to smithereens would be entirely epic to watch.

Arthur returns to the cave and the Babes ask him if he’s decided to buy the album. He tells them no, he won’t buy it. Alt-J have just won the Mercury prize and he will spend the chocolate coin on their album instead. Merlin and Arthur return to Camelot. Merlin reassures Arthur that his decision was for the good of his kingdom. Ultimately it wasn’t based on that, it was all about saving Arthur himself, the king just wasn’t aware of that.

Don’t you just hate when things come back to bit you on the arse? Well it turns out that despite leaving Mordred in Gaius’ ‘care’, he’s made a full recovery. Merlin is more linked to Arthur’s fate than he thinks. He tries to distance himself from it, but the link and connection is there. Everything he does leads Arthur closer to his downfall. They’re two sides of the same chocolate coin, remember? It wasn’t just Arthur’s fate he was holding he was holding in his hands, it was his own as well. Something he failed to see by being so monomaniacal. We have seen Merlin’s decisions backfire on him before, but not with such instance and undeniable cruelty. It feels like he’s fighting against an ever increasing current and becoming frantic that no matter what he does, no matter how many people he’s prepared to sacrifice, he can’t seem to save Arthur. It’s not about destiny or building a kingdom or freeing a persecuted people; it’s all about trying everything to get Arthur to stay alive.

I loved this episode. Really, where do I start? I’ll be honest, some of the earlier scenes could have been a bit punchier for me. They weren’t badly written, they just needed tidying up and glossing up a bit. I wasn’t crazy about Gwen’s scenes either, but I’ve built up a certain immunity to them now. They were pretty insignificant to the whole episode other than showing that Arthur doesn’t listen to a thing Gwen says. Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I understand that the story again isn’t the most original we’ve ever had, but like I said last week, that doesn’t bother me. I don’t mind a simple story as long as there is more to it. This had bucket loads more dilemmas than last week. It really managed to pile on the emotion and sense of doom and foreboding. On the surface, nothing has changed. But underneath it all the repercussions and fallout is huge. It’s like watching a duck. You see them glide gracefully across the water, but then underneath the surface, their feet are going like the clappers.

At the risk of repeating myself (again, and again…and again), this definitely followed my core belief that episodes that are about Merlin and Arthur; their decisions, their actions, their similarities and their differences, are always the best. Always. There is just so much care, obsession, trust, betrayal, faith and love in that relationship. It’s intensely complex and as always, the boys manage to bring it out better without lines, than with them. Although credit where credit’s due, for the most part it was a good script. I don’t think it had the same beautiful changes of tone that some of the best Merlin episodes had. The great episodes heighten the darkness with lighter, comedic tones. They remind me of salted caramel. You’d think the salt would actually lessen the sweetness of the caramel, but it enhances it. The darkness in dark episodes is always heightened by lighter shades. This one almost had it, really very close, but not quite. It was just caramel. Good caramel, but nothing to give it that extra kick.

I know one scene doesn’t mean a brilliant episode, but that fireside scene was KILLLER. It blew my mind and made me cry. It actually made me weep. I am an emotional person anyway, but that’s beside the point. There was nothing manipulatively emotional about that scene. It was so simple, so effortless, so powerful and so wonderful. Scenes like that almost make me anti-reveal. Almost. I still feel the whole show needs the reveal as a shake up and it’s way past it’s bed time, but the beauty of Merlin’s dishonesty and the repercussions always knock me off my feet when it’s done well. Can I just say that for all the criticism I’ve given things over the last few episode, the consistency of Merlin and Arthur’s relationship has been rock solid, more so than any other time in the last five seasons. The equality and bond has been evident all the way through so far.

I’m so glad Mordred didn’t die. I love him and I love how Alex is playing him. I genuinely have no clue about his motives. I think it could come off a bit unbelievable, how Merlin’s friendly with him one minute, and prepared to let him die the next, but the character is being played so well, that I actually feel the same. I’ve seen the same images Merlin has, but I actually sort of trust Mordred and believe he’s good or wants to be. I’m really pleased with this character. There’s a sort of macabre beauty in Arthur training up his own potential killer.

RIP Sir Ranulph.

Next week…Gwen and Morgana…oh good.