Merlin: 3x01, 3x02
Okay, so is anyone going to be really surprised when I say I found a way to watch the first two episodes of Merlin S3? Thought not. Anyway, thoughts:
1. Did anyone not immediately know Morgana was evil when she showed up at the beginning? Clearly, a year spent with Morgause…yeah, EVIL. Have I mentioned yet how much I love her wardrobe? It’s so gorgeous. I love her cloaks, especially. Though, red? Not the best color for sneaking around in.
2. I actually love that Uther is being haunted by his magic purge. The show’s done a really good job, I feel, at showing how Uther has made his enemies, by his own intolerance. The tragedy of it all being that those enemies also become enemies of Camelot and Arthur, who have done them no wrong. That’s what hate does; it spreads and infects everyone around it. Anyway, Uther's visions were creepy as hell. I actually jumped when Igraine’s face appeared in the well. And have there ever been any children on this show who weren’t meant to terrify the viewers? That’s a little disturbing.
3. Arthur seemed especially harsh with Merlin in these two episodes. Did anybody else think that? I mean, I always get a kick out of his showing his love for Merlin by bossing him around, but just…I don’t know, it seemed a little extreme this time. I loved that scene in the second episode, though, where Merlin talked about Arthur’s great victory, and Arthur called him wise. That was fantastic.
4. I loved Arthur being called to step up as regent, and him trying to refuse but eventually taking on the mantle. I loved his trying not to cry by his father’s bedside, especially after his lecture to Merlin last season finale on how there is no man worth crying for. I always love Arthur the Commander, and these episodes totally delivered on that. Basically, it was Merlin’s tribute to Helm’s Deep, y/n?
5. Hey, Morgause! Still being the High Priestess of Badassery, I see. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.
6. Speaking of love, I was deeply disappointed with the lack of Arthur/Gwen in the first episode. But they made up for it by far in the second. She’s so meant to be his queen. You can see it in the way they interact together, that familiarity and mutual support. I loved the touch to his arm, and his holding her hand, then looking down to where her hand rested as she left. I loved that he wanted her to not call him “sire,” but she reminded him that she has to. Because even though Arthur knows they can’t be together now, I think he just wants to ignore it. He loves her so much. Gwen is being the voice of reason, and he always listens to Gwen. I loved their other small moment, too, when they were both preparing for the siege and just interchanged those small glances. They are Partners. And Equals. And I will keep talking about how perfect they are for each other until the end of time.
7. Ooh, but I am scared for Gwen. I feel like she’s in a position to discover Morgana’s treachery (was I imagining it, or did she overhear Merlin’s conversation with Gaius?), which could put her in all kinds of danger. But it might make for some awesome plotlines, so long as Arthur protects her, of course.
8. On to the main event. MERLIN/MORGANA ARE FOREVER INTERTWINED. SHE IS THE DARK TO HIS LIGHT, THE HATE TO HIS LOVE. In other words, they are as epic as I always wanted them to be. I loved every single one of their interactions across the two episodes. I don’t think, however, it’s as simple as the Dragon tried to make it. I’ve always thought Merlin should have told Morgana about his powers when she discovered hers. Then she would have turned to him as a support system, instead of the Druids and Morgause. But I definitely understand why he won’t tell her about them now. Morgause is her sister; Morgan’s loyalties are always going to lie with her, instead of the guy who poisoned her. Telling her would just give her ammunition, a way to easily discredit him with Uther. And yes, I do believe at this point that she would sell out another magician. But I love that Merlin still pities her, still cares for her, even if he thinks he’s hardened to it. I loved their fight-the fact that she was kicking his ass, and he sneaked magic to beat her. I loved that he still tried to reason with her. I understand that she sees it as a war now, and casualties come with war. Remember, she’s had an entire year to be molded and guided by Morgause’s logic.
9. In conclusion, I thought it was an amazing start to what promises to be a kickass season. Although the preview for next week looked lame. I really don’t care that much about Gaius, it didn’t look that funny, and none of the components I love the show for were involved. Oh well. Surely, there will be an A/G moment hidden in there somewhere.
1. Did anyone not immediately know Morgana was evil when she showed up at the beginning? Clearly, a year spent with Morgause…yeah, EVIL. Have I mentioned yet how much I love her wardrobe? It’s so gorgeous. I love her cloaks, especially. Though, red? Not the best color for sneaking around in.
2. I actually love that Uther is being haunted by his magic purge. The show’s done a really good job, I feel, at showing how Uther has made his enemies, by his own intolerance. The tragedy of it all being that those enemies also become enemies of Camelot and Arthur, who have done them no wrong. That’s what hate does; it spreads and infects everyone around it. Anyway, Uther's visions were creepy as hell. I actually jumped when Igraine’s face appeared in the well. And have there ever been any children on this show who weren’t meant to terrify the viewers? That’s a little disturbing.
3. Arthur seemed especially harsh with Merlin in these two episodes. Did anybody else think that? I mean, I always get a kick out of his showing his love for Merlin by bossing him around, but just…I don’t know, it seemed a little extreme this time. I loved that scene in the second episode, though, where Merlin talked about Arthur’s great victory, and Arthur called him wise. That was fantastic.
4. I loved Arthur being called to step up as regent, and him trying to refuse but eventually taking on the mantle. I loved his trying not to cry by his father’s bedside, especially after his lecture to Merlin last season finale on how there is no man worth crying for. I always love Arthur the Commander, and these episodes totally delivered on that. Basically, it was Merlin’s tribute to Helm’s Deep, y/n?
5. Hey, Morgause! Still being the High Priestess of Badassery, I see. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.
6. Speaking of love, I was deeply disappointed with the lack of Arthur/Gwen in the first episode. But they made up for it by far in the second. She’s so meant to be his queen. You can see it in the way they interact together, that familiarity and mutual support. I loved the touch to his arm, and his holding her hand, then looking down to where her hand rested as she left. I loved that he wanted her to not call him “sire,” but she reminded him that she has to. Because even though Arthur knows they can’t be together now, I think he just wants to ignore it. He loves her so much. Gwen is being the voice of reason, and he always listens to Gwen. I loved their other small moment, too, when they were both preparing for the siege and just interchanged those small glances. They are Partners. And Equals. And I will keep talking about how perfect they are for each other until the end of time.
7. Ooh, but I am scared for Gwen. I feel like she’s in a position to discover Morgana’s treachery (was I imagining it, or did she overhear Merlin’s conversation with Gaius?), which could put her in all kinds of danger. But it might make for some awesome plotlines, so long as Arthur protects her, of course.
8. On to the main event. MERLIN/MORGANA ARE FOREVER INTERTWINED. SHE IS THE DARK TO HIS LIGHT, THE HATE TO HIS LOVE. In other words, they are as epic as I always wanted them to be. I loved every single one of their interactions across the two episodes. I don’t think, however, it’s as simple as the Dragon tried to make it. I’ve always thought Merlin should have told Morgana about his powers when she discovered hers. Then she would have turned to him as a support system, instead of the Druids and Morgause. But I definitely understand why he won’t tell her about them now. Morgause is her sister; Morgan’s loyalties are always going to lie with her, instead of the guy who poisoned her. Telling her would just give her ammunition, a way to easily discredit him with Uther. And yes, I do believe at this point that she would sell out another magician. But I love that Merlin still pities her, still cares for her, even if he thinks he’s hardened to it. I loved their fight-the fact that she was kicking his ass, and he sneaked magic to beat her. I loved that he still tried to reason with her. I understand that she sees it as a war now, and casualties come with war. Remember, she’s had an entire year to be molded and guided by Morgause’s logic.
9. In conclusion, I thought it was an amazing start to what promises to be a kickass season. Although the preview for next week looked lame. I really don’t care that much about Gaius, it didn’t look that funny, and none of the components I love the show for were involved. Oh well. Surely, there will be an A/G moment hidden in there somewhere.