Merlin: S2|E11: "The Witch's Quickening"
First, cheers for a Morgana-centric episode! *grins*
MORGANA.
They seem to be really pushing the "Morgana turns evil" storyline what with that confrontation with Uther. Kick ass!Morgana is BACK. :) And you could tell that Uther *just knew* that it was Morgana who had aided that man's (couldn't catch his name, the one who seemed to be Replacement Father-Figure #2 to Mordred) escape. He did give these sort of "I know you did it" looks in her direction. After the words they had exchanged in a previous scene, of course Uther would suspect Morgana's involvement. I mean, she has done this sort of thing before at any rate.
I've been thinking why the show isn't going for Merlin/Morgana -- and this episode definitely showed why. There's a definite Merlin vs. Morgana + Mordred dynamic being set up. Again, (remember "To Kill the King" in S1?) Merlin is following Morgana discreetly to find out what she's up to. I get this feeling that if they do bring Merlin & Morgana together as a couple, that it will prevent Morgana's turning evil and going against Camelot. Keeping them at odds (not on the surface yet - Morgana is clearly more frustrated with Uther and is using that as her main motivation to plot against him specifically) will continue Morgana's steady progress to the dark side, as it were.
So, though I do wish there would be some Merlin/Morgana action, I doubt it'll come into fruition. It appears that Freya is meant to be Merlin's love interest for the time being. And Morgana - well... she has Mordred? Although that's more of a mother/child relationship.
Also, Mordred continues to be creepy. His smile is creepy as ever. Anyway...
Oh, of course, Morgana finally got kissed by a man (well, an almost kiss and then he kissed her on the cheek). *cheers* Took them long enough! :P Yeah, yeah, so the guy is apparently a charismatic con-man type person. Still, he was awesome at it.
And really, Morgana didn't need that much convincing to steal that crystal. As long as she knew it would anger tyrant!Uther, it's a good enough reason for her. I did like her hesitance at first in agreeing to steal the crystal... but fortunately creepy!Mordred came in and used his puppy-dog eyes of creepiness to persuade her. And no one can deny Mordred (I mean, even MERLIN helped him escape in S1 despite the knowledge that the creepy!kid would bring about Arthur's doom and all that. Nice move there, Merlin. *shakes head*).
MERLIN & THE CRYSTAL.
Anyone else think "Oh god yes! Dark!Merlin FINALLY!" when he was irresistibly drawn by the crystal's power? No? Just me then? :p
Poor Merlin - seeing an unwelcome future in that crystal and hoping it wouldn't come to pass. It looked like the crystal was showing the S2 finale with the Dragon being released and the destruction he unleashes upon Camelot.
The strong reiteration by the Dragon that Merlin *must* keep to his promise to release him - yes, we get it, show! Obviously, this all has to be leading up to something big and fiery (literally ;)).
It's really looking like Merlin will be the one to release the Dragon (I'm sure he'll be guilt-ridden whilst doing it). I bet the Dragon is nearly going to drive Merlin mad trying to insist that he be released now (or like yesterday... I'm getting impatient here, Merlin! :\).
ARTHUR & MERLIN.
Awww...Arthur lied to his father again to save Merlin from the king's wrath. I think I read numerous fics like this. :p
I was amused by Arthur's wondering why he brought Merlin along with him on these expeditions: "All you do is act scared..." And the "Something's on your mind. You're not talking rubbish as usual" line.
*LOVE* the banter. Always entertaining to see those scenes.
MERLIN VERSUS MORDRED.
"I shall never forgive this, Emrys and I shall never forget."
So...Merlin makes Mordred trip so the Camelot knights will catch him, but Mordred uses his magic to get away (yet again). Um...point for effort, Merlin. At least you tried. Except now Mordred is really your enemy now. No going back. So an exponential screw-up.
Merlin + Arthur AGAINST Mordred + Morgana + Morgause (half-sisters FTW). Y/Y? Most likely.
~ * ~
Oh, look, Arthur & Morgana actually interact with each other! What a nice surprise especially when it continued their winning S1-like banter ending with Morgana saying Arthur was, "utterly obnoxious." LOL.
NEXT EPISODE.
Everyone has fallen asleep except for Merlin & Arthur because they DEFY sleeping enchantments. *nods*
I think I read a fic like this...
Actually, it's this one: http://community.livejournal.com/tierfallen/88905.html { Rosemary by tierfal }
Except I'm sure this fic will prove to be much more awesome than the episode due to my firm belief that Arthur will not find out about Merlin's magic (which he does find out about in the above fic) in the episode.
MORGANA.
They seem to be really pushing the "Morgana turns evil" storyline what with that confrontation with Uther. Kick ass!Morgana is BACK. :) And you could tell that Uther *just knew* that it was Morgana who had aided that man's (couldn't catch his name, the one who seemed to be Replacement Father-Figure #2 to Mordred) escape. He did give these sort of "I know you did it" looks in her direction. After the words they had exchanged in a previous scene, of course Uther would suspect Morgana's involvement. I mean, she has done this sort of thing before at any rate.
I've been thinking why the show isn't going for Merlin/Morgana -- and this episode definitely showed why. There's a definite Merlin vs. Morgana + Mordred dynamic being set up. Again, (remember "To Kill the King" in S1?) Merlin is following Morgana discreetly to find out what she's up to. I get this feeling that if they do bring Merlin & Morgana together as a couple, that it will prevent Morgana's turning evil and going against Camelot. Keeping them at odds (not on the surface yet - Morgana is clearly more frustrated with Uther and is using that as her main motivation to plot against him specifically) will continue Morgana's steady progress to the dark side, as it were.
So, though I do wish there would be some Merlin/Morgana action, I doubt it'll come into fruition. It appears that Freya is meant to be Merlin's love interest for the time being. And Morgana - well... she has Mordred? Although that's more of a mother/child relationship.
Also, Mordred continues to be creepy. His smile is creepy as ever. Anyway...
Oh, of course, Morgana finally got kissed by a man (well, an almost kiss and then he kissed her on the cheek). *cheers* Took them long enough! :P Yeah, yeah, so the guy is apparently a charismatic con-man type person. Still, he was awesome at it.
And really, Morgana didn't need that much convincing to steal that crystal. As long as she knew it would anger tyrant!Uther, it's a good enough reason for her. I did like her hesitance at first in agreeing to steal the crystal... but fortunately creepy!Mordred came in and used his puppy-dog eyes of creepiness to persuade her. And no one can deny Mordred (I mean, even MERLIN helped him escape in S1 despite the knowledge that the creepy!kid would bring about Arthur's doom and all that. Nice move there, Merlin. *shakes head*).
MERLIN & THE CRYSTAL.
Anyone else think "Oh god yes! Dark!Merlin FINALLY!" when he was irresistibly drawn by the crystal's power? No? Just me then? :p
Poor Merlin - seeing an unwelcome future in that crystal and hoping it wouldn't come to pass. It looked like the crystal was showing the S2 finale with the Dragon being released and the destruction he unleashes upon Camelot.
The strong reiteration by the Dragon that Merlin *must* keep to his promise to release him - yes, we get it, show! Obviously, this all has to be leading up to something big and fiery (literally ;)).
It's really looking like Merlin will be the one to release the Dragon (I'm sure he'll be guilt-ridden whilst doing it). I bet the Dragon is nearly going to drive Merlin mad trying to insist that he be released now (or like yesterday... I'm getting impatient here, Merlin! :\).
ARTHUR & MERLIN.
Awww...Arthur lied to his father again to save Merlin from the king's wrath. I think I read numerous fics like this. :p
I was amused by Arthur's wondering why he brought Merlin along with him on these expeditions: "All you do is act scared..." And the "Something's on your mind. You're not talking rubbish as usual" line.
*LOVE* the banter. Always entertaining to see those scenes.
MERLIN VERSUS MORDRED.
"I shall never forgive this, Emrys and I shall never forget."
So...Merlin makes Mordred trip so the Camelot knights will catch him, but Mordred uses his magic to get away (yet again). Um...point for effort, Merlin. At least you tried. Except now Mordred is really your enemy now. No going back. So an exponential screw-up.
Merlin + Arthur AGAINST Mordred + Morgana + Morgause (half-sisters FTW). Y/Y? Most likely.
~ * ~
Oh, look, Arthur & Morgana actually interact with each other! What a nice surprise especially when it continued their winning S1-like banter ending with Morgana saying Arthur was, "utterly obnoxious." LOL.
NEXT EPISODE.
Everyone has fallen asleep except for Merlin & Arthur because they DEFY sleeping enchantments. *nods*
I think I read a fic like this...
Actually, it's this one: http://community.livejournal.com/tierfallen/88905.html { Rosemary by tierfal }
Except I'm sure this fic will prove to be much more awesome than the episode due to my firm belief that Arthur will not find out about Merlin's magic (which he does find out about in the above fic) in the episode.