Merlin 3x06 - IT'S A DISNEY ROMANCE, TYVM
So today's episode was the first S3 episode to NOT eclipse the previous episode in terms of awesome-sauce level, but it was still a DAMN good episode that had me flailing (and almost crying).
Before I get into that, I just need to say that Gwen has the cutest pouty face ever, even though she so wasn't going for pouty. I don't care. It's adorable. Bradley, Angel has beaten you at your own game. Time to kick it up a level!
-How freaking ADORABLE and amazing was Elena? OMG, guys, I'm in love. (Though LULZ, got a total Ella Enchanted vibe from her. Especially the "cursed" at birth bit.) The best part? SHE WAS NOT HURT IN THE PROCESS OF SAVING CAMELOT. And Arthur actually THOUGHT of her feelings. And it was glorious. And amazing. And Elena and Arthur should be BFFs who race horses and set up their kids on play dates. The end.
-I don't even think I can BEGIN to explain how in love I am with Gwen, Arthur, and Arthur/Gwen in this episode. GUYS, IT'S OUT THERE. THEY BOTH ADMITTED THAT THEY WANTED TO MARRY EACH OTHER SOME DAY. Okay, not explicitly, but they ABSOLUTELY admitted it. Even better? GWEN ADMITTED IT. The girl is finally letting her heart speak instead of smothering it with her rational thinking! Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE that Gwen is so rational. But she can't stay that way forever. She needs to learn to take a chance, and it looks like she's about ready to jump off that cliff. ASDHKAJSDHAJK
But dear GOD their angsty scene KILLED ME. HER VOICE BROKE. HER VOICE BROKE WHEN SHE SAID THEY KNEW THEY COULD NEVER BE. And he was in TEARS. Holy fucking hell, why did I make the mistake of watching the stream (which was SO unreliable, omg XD) instead of just downloading and watching it for the first time with my mother? I HAD NO ONE TO HOLD ME (AND I HAD TO HOLD HER INSTEAD). AND GYAH. My wish came true! That wish being that Arthur would look back at Gwen during the wedding ceremony (God, is Uther REALLY dense -- HOW DO YOU NOT NOTICE HIM MAKING SAD/SEXY EYES AT YOUR WARD'S DAUGHTER'S MAID?).
Their final scene was perfection. Absolute, freaking perfection. Do you know how long I've been waiting for flirty, mildly snarky, teasing Arthur/Gwen? SO. LONG. OMG. We had a glimpse of that in 2x02, but NOTHING like this. I would've loved to have seen more of this in S2, but whatever, it's here now and it's GLORIOUS. JUST LOOK AT THEIR SWEET LITTLE FACES:
And then he SKIPS off and she does a little look behind her shoulder, and omg, BE MORE ADORABLE, YOU TWO. I DARE YOU. Also, Gwen is officially a Disney princess. End of story.
-Quite possibly the most EPIC moment of this episode was Morgana finally figuring out what the fuck was going on in her BFF's maid servant's life. About freaking time, Morgs! "We've known each other for too long; I can see it in your eyes." LIES, MORGANA, LIES. Where the HELL was this when Gwen was crying her eyes out over Arthur/Vivian shenanigans? Well, okay, THIS Morgana is clearly determined to use her new-found information for evil instead of actually trying to be there for Gwen (I EFFING HATE YOU SOMETIMES, SHOW), but she KNOWS, and they actually talked about it. Didn't go down the way I had hoped it would way back when, but seeing as the path Morgana's on now... *sighs* ANYWAY, my point is that Morgana knows, which means major shit is going down (will discuss when I get into the 3x07 trailer). It also means that Morgana has eyes. YOU GET TO JOIN THE SECRET CLUB OF PEOPLE WITH OBSERVATION SKILLS. Current members (in order of observation): Merlin, Lancelot, Gaius, Gwaine, Elena (SHE SO COTTONED ON), and now Morgana. *hands Morgana a pretty pin*
-Merlin, you were such a good BFF to Arthur during this episode (your speech about Arthur choosing his own destiny...ASDJ:KLJHSAKJD), but you know what? Your other BFF, the one who saved your ass more times than you can count, needed you, too. And where were you? NOT BY HER SIDE, THAT'S FOR SURE. You lose Camelot Detective Agency merit points, Merlin. >=(
-Random spec over the angsty A/G scene: so when Morgs tells her that Arthur can't change 200 years of history Gwen's wearing her lavender, but when she goes to visit Arthur she's in her blue AND wearing a shawl. In my head Gwen spent a fitful night figuring out what to do, and she went straight to Arthur's room that morning (thus the shawl). AND NOW MY HEART IS BREAKING ALL OVER AGAIN (and my cracky side is wondering what would've happened if Gwen had gotten there just a BIT earlier and run into Arthur half-naked...OMG, GET A/G LAID CAMPAIGN -- LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME ASLKDHNA:SL).
-3x07 trailer. So, I'm kind of ridiculous and I actually watched the trailer in slow-mo and took screen captures for purposes of examination. HERE WE GO, Y'ALL (...did I just write "y'all"?):
Order: Arthur, GWEN, Merlin, Morgana. IT'S TEAM ONCE AND FUTURE PENDRAGONS LEADING THE WAY, GUYS. So much love for this image. <3
By now I think you all know about my damsel-in-distress kink. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS SCENE I CAN'T EVEN...ASDKJHLAKSJD. I assume this is where face-stroking comes in, yes? I can just SEE Cenred pulling the good ol', "You're so beautiful. I can see why the prince is so fond of you" crap that villains are so fond of.
As pissed off as I am that Morgana is using Gwen to get to Arthur (God, it's a DOUBLE fail, because this means she doesn't give a damn about either of them ;_;), I would be lying if I said I haven't been desperately wishing for a Gwen-is-kidnapped-to-get-to-Arthur storyline. I honestly didn't think we would get it this early on, but I'm not gonna complain. EEEP!
Merlin's attempting to make up for his BFF failure this ep by actually comforting her. I SEE THAT HAND REACHING FOR HER SHOULDER, MERLIN. KEEP IT UP. Ten bucks says Merlin is the one who spills Gwen's situation to Arthur (would like a very pissed off Arthur, please -- not pissed off at Merlin, pissed off at Cenred for using Gwen to get to him and placing Gwen in such a terrible situation).
PRETTY sure this is the first time we see Gwen staring at Arthur's lips. YOU GO, GIRL. GET IT WHILE YOU CAN.
I...don't even know how to BEGIN commenting on this image. Mostly it makes me laugh. Arthur is vying for superhero status now. FLY, ARTHUR, FLYYYYYYYYYY.
So here's how I'm guessing it goes down: Morgana goes to her lover sister with her news. The girls decide it'd be a BRILLIANT idea to use Gwen and officially put a nail in the coffin of the Gwen/Morgana friendship so they can KILL MORGANA'S BABY BROTHER. THE FUCK, MORGANA? SERIOUSLY? You are losing my sympathy SO quickly, and I've been fighting tooth and nail for you. What happened to thinking that Arthur would be a fair king one day? AKSL:DAKLSDJ. Anyway, either Morgana knows about Gwen's long-lost brother (because once upon a time they actually talked) or Cenred already has custody of Elyan and knows that he has a sister named Guinevere in Camelot (my ideas are getting more ridiculous by the second, but this IS Merlin after all). Anyway, they tell Gwen that they're returning her to Camelot, and she can either let her brother die or bring them Arthur. Gwen returns to Camelot and refuses to say anything because, as much as she loves her brother, she can't sacrifice an entire kingdom for him (and also, she's kind of been writing "Mrs. Guinevere Pendragon" on spare pieces of parchment, but I think it'll be the kingdom reason). Merlin, however, cottons on, tells Arthur, and Arthur insists that they go and rescue Elyan. Morgana finds out and goes ape-shit crazy because Morgause's her plans are about to burst into flames, so she insists on going and "helping out" Gwen ("yeah, right over a cliff you'll help me"). Merlin and Morgana spend the rest of the episode trying to stop each other (cue lots and lots of moments that just scream for hate sex), while Arthur and Gwen grow even closer, taking full advantage of being away from the castle even as death presses down on them (...um, I have mentioned that my brain goes insane after one am, right?). They reach Cenred's castle, free Elyan, and then there's an epic fight with Cenred and his ninjas. Rocks collapse on Arthur, but it's just another concussion to add to his growing list, and everyone returns to Camelot happy (save Morgana, but she puts on a nice face).
THE END. =)
Before I get into that, I just need to say that Gwen has the cutest pouty face ever, even though she so wasn't going for pouty. I don't care. It's adorable. Bradley, Angel has beaten you at your own game. Time to kick it up a level!
-How freaking ADORABLE and amazing was Elena? OMG, guys, I'm in love. (Though LULZ, got a total Ella Enchanted vibe from her. Especially the "cursed" at birth bit.) The best part? SHE WAS NOT HURT IN THE PROCESS OF SAVING CAMELOT. And Arthur actually THOUGHT of her feelings. And it was glorious. And amazing. And Elena and Arthur should be BFFs who race horses and set up their kids on play dates. The end.
-I don't even think I can BEGIN to explain how in love I am with Gwen, Arthur, and Arthur/Gwen in this episode. GUYS, IT'S OUT THERE. THEY BOTH ADMITTED THAT THEY WANTED TO MARRY EACH OTHER SOME DAY. Okay, not explicitly, but they ABSOLUTELY admitted it. Even better? GWEN ADMITTED IT. The girl is finally letting her heart speak instead of smothering it with her rational thinking! Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE that Gwen is so rational. But she can't stay that way forever. She needs to learn to take a chance, and it looks like she's about ready to jump off that cliff. ASDHKAJSDHAJK
But dear GOD their angsty scene KILLED ME. HER VOICE BROKE. HER VOICE BROKE WHEN SHE SAID THEY KNEW THEY COULD NEVER BE. And he was in TEARS. Holy fucking hell, why did I make the mistake of watching the stream (which was SO unreliable, omg XD) instead of just downloading and watching it for the first time with my mother? I HAD NO ONE TO HOLD ME (AND I HAD TO HOLD HER INSTEAD). AND GYAH. My wish came true! That wish being that Arthur would look back at Gwen during the wedding ceremony (God, is Uther REALLY dense -- HOW DO YOU NOT NOTICE HIM MAKING SAD/SEXY EYES AT YOUR WARD'S DAUGHTER'S MAID?).
Their final scene was perfection. Absolute, freaking perfection. Do you know how long I've been waiting for flirty, mildly snarky, teasing Arthur/Gwen? SO. LONG. OMG. We had a glimpse of that in 2x02, but NOTHING like this. I would've loved to have seen more of this in S2, but whatever, it's here now and it's GLORIOUS. JUST LOOK AT THEIR SWEET LITTLE FACES:
And then he SKIPS off and she does a little look behind her shoulder, and omg, BE MORE ADORABLE, YOU TWO. I DARE YOU. Also, Gwen is officially a Disney princess. End of story.
-Quite possibly the most EPIC moment of this episode was Morgana finally figuring out what the fuck was going on in her BFF's maid servant's life. About freaking time, Morgs! "We've known each other for too long; I can see it in your eyes." LIES, MORGANA, LIES. Where the HELL was this when Gwen was crying her eyes out over Arthur/Vivian shenanigans? Well, okay, THIS Morgana is clearly determined to use her new-found information for evil instead of actually trying to be there for Gwen (I EFFING HATE YOU SOMETIMES, SHOW), but she KNOWS, and they actually talked about it. Didn't go down the way I had hoped it would way back when, but seeing as the path Morgana's on now... *sighs* ANYWAY, my point is that Morgana knows, which means major shit is going down (will discuss when I get into the 3x07 trailer). It also means that Morgana has eyes. YOU GET TO JOIN THE SECRET CLUB OF PEOPLE WITH OBSERVATION SKILLS. Current members (in order of observation): Merlin, Lancelot, Gaius, Gwaine, Elena (SHE SO COTTONED ON), and now Morgana. *hands Morgana a pretty pin*
-Merlin, you were such a good BFF to Arthur during this episode (your speech about Arthur choosing his own destiny...ASDJ:KLJHSAKJD), but you know what? Your other BFF, the one who saved your ass more times than you can count, needed you, too. And where were you? NOT BY HER SIDE, THAT'S FOR SURE. You lose Camelot Detective Agency merit points, Merlin. >=(
-Random spec over the angsty A/G scene: so when Morgs tells her that Arthur can't change 200 years of history Gwen's wearing her lavender, but when she goes to visit Arthur she's in her blue AND wearing a shawl. In my head Gwen spent a fitful night figuring out what to do, and she went straight to Arthur's room that morning (thus the shawl). AND NOW MY HEART IS BREAKING ALL OVER AGAIN (and my cracky side is wondering what would've happened if Gwen had gotten there just a BIT earlier and run into Arthur half-naked...OMG, GET A/G LAID CAMPAIGN -- LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME ASLKDHNA:SL).
-3x07 trailer. So, I'm kind of ridiculous and I actually watched the trailer in slow-mo and took screen captures for purposes of examination. HERE WE GO, Y'ALL (...did I just write "y'all"?):
Order: Arthur, GWEN, Merlin, Morgana. IT'S TEAM ONCE AND FUTURE PENDRAGONS LEADING THE WAY, GUYS. So much love for this image. <3
By now I think you all know about my damsel-in-distress kink. I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS SCENE I CAN'T EVEN...ASDKJHLAKSJD. I assume this is where face-stroking comes in, yes? I can just SEE Cenred pulling the good ol', "You're so beautiful. I can see why the prince is so fond of you" crap that villains are so fond of.
As pissed off as I am that Morgana is using Gwen to get to Arthur (God, it's a DOUBLE fail, because this means she doesn't give a damn about either of them ;_;), I would be lying if I said I haven't been desperately wishing for a Gwen-is-kidnapped-to-get-to-Arthur storyline. I honestly didn't think we would get it this early on, but I'm not gonna complain. EEEP!
Merlin's attempting to make up for his BFF failure this ep by actually comforting her. I SEE THAT HAND REACHING FOR HER SHOULDER, MERLIN. KEEP IT UP. Ten bucks says Merlin is the one who spills Gwen's situation to Arthur (would like a very pissed off Arthur, please -- not pissed off at Merlin, pissed off at Cenred for using Gwen to get to him and placing Gwen in such a terrible situation).
PRETTY sure this is the first time we see Gwen staring at Arthur's lips. YOU GO, GIRL. GET IT WHILE YOU CAN.
I...don't even know how to BEGIN commenting on this image. Mostly it makes me laugh. Arthur is vying for superhero status now. FLY, ARTHUR, FLYYYYYYYYYY.
So here's how I'm guessing it goes down: Morgana goes to her lover sister with her news. The girls decide it'd be a BRILLIANT idea to use Gwen and officially put a nail in the coffin of the Gwen/Morgana friendship so they can KILL MORGANA'S BABY BROTHER. THE FUCK, MORGANA? SERIOUSLY? You are losing my sympathy SO quickly, and I've been fighting tooth and nail for you. What happened to thinking that Arthur would be a fair king one day? AKSL:DAKLSDJ. Anyway, either Morgana knows about Gwen's long-lost brother (because once upon a time they actually talked) or Cenred already has custody of Elyan and knows that he has a sister named Guinevere in Camelot (my ideas are getting more ridiculous by the second, but this IS Merlin after all). Anyway, they tell Gwen that they're returning her to Camelot, and she can either let her brother die or bring them Arthur. Gwen returns to Camelot and refuses to say anything because, as much as she loves her brother, she can't sacrifice an entire kingdom for him (and also, she's kind of been writing "Mrs. Guinevere Pendragon" on spare pieces of parchment, but I think it'll be the kingdom reason). Merlin, however, cottons on, tells Arthur, and Arthur insists that they go and rescue Elyan. Morgana finds out and goes ape-shit crazy because Morgause's her plans are about to burst into flames, so she insists on going and "helping out" Gwen ("yeah, right over a cliff you'll help me"). Merlin and Morgana spend the rest of the episode trying to stop each other (cue lots and lots of moments that just scream for hate sex), while Arthur and Gwen grow even closer, taking full advantage of being away from the castle even as death presses down on them (...um, I have mentioned that my brain goes insane after one am, right?). They reach Cenred's castle, free Elyan, and then there's an epic fight with Cenred and his ninjas. Rocks collapse on Arthur, but it's just another concussion to add to his growing list, and everyone returns to Camelot happy (save Morgana, but she puts on a nice face).
THE END. =)