Review: Merlin, S03E07 - The Castle of Fyrien: jen2976

jen2976

Review: Merlin, S03E07 - The Castle of Fyrien

Oct 24, 2010 14:24

THE WOLVES!!!!!

Merlin S03E07 - The Castle of Fyrien
Written by: Jake Michie (1x05 Lancelot; 2x07 The Witchfinder)

Requisite Harry Potter Reference.

Hogswart/Hogwarts?

Gwen.

Our independent girl is independent. Walking home from the castle alone late at night, all by herself, and then grabbing a fireplace poker to face the creepy guy who was in her home? And then kidnapped and slung haphazardly over the back of a horse. But the girl does work a mean flint! lol.

Gwen/Cenred.

Cenred is totally creepy in his scenes with Gwen, but especially the second one, when he tries touching her face. Poor Gwen, doing her very best to pretend she doesn't know what he'd talking about in order to protect Arthur. <3

Arthur/Uther.

Arthur makes a little bit of headway with Uther in the episode on the subject of searching for Gwen, which Uther did not allow in 2x04. Admittedly, it wasn't MUCH progress, but at least he gave them until nightfall to search for her, rather than just telling Arthur no. Also, the scene with Arthur telling Uther about the "bet" he lost to Morgana is very cute. Uther doesn't approve of gambling, but since it was to Morgana, well, that's apparently as funny as heck. lmao.

Morgause/Cenred.

These two have an entire castle at their disposal and they still can't get a room? lol. He may be thought of as "in league" with Morgause, but she is definitely pulling his strings.

Gwen/Elyan.

First interactions together, and very very believable. They have issues, and they started working through them. Plus, Elyan is a blacksmith, like his father. Now that he's settling back in at Camelot and opening Tom's forge back up, it looks like Camelot has a new blacksmith! :D

Also, Elyan catches on to AG really quick - Gwen absolutely SUCKS at hiding it. lol. Three times this season, she's given it away to someone (3x04 to Gwaine, 3x06 to Morgana (and possibly even to Elena, tho that's half on Arthur too), and 3x07 to Elyan). It's a good thing Uther's pretty blind. lol.

Merlin/Arthur.

Two scenes really stood out to me. First was THE WOLVES. lmao. All Arthur wants is a little alone time with Gwen, and Merlin just doesn't get it. lol. And after he and Morgana interrupt the potential kiss, Merlin offers to go fetch another twig to give them another minute. Awww, Merls, how so cute? <3 The second scene was, well, technically between Gwen and Merlin, but it was about Arthur, and how he wasn't going to leave him without backup. <3

Arthur's reaction to Merlin using the sword to knock the one soldier out? Priceless.

Also, the throwback to 2x04. In that ep, Arthur shoves Merlin into the room with the two guards to distract them while he sneaks up and knocks them out. In this one, Merlin has an idea, then shoves Arthur out to face the guard. lmao.

Gwen/Merlin.

Back when Colin Morgan was interviewed in July (at Comic Con, perhaps, or around that time), he answered a question about Gwen/Merlin, saying that there basically wouldn't be any more G/M than absolutely necessary. (I'm thinking he misconstrued the question as a shipper question rather than as a friendship question.) And I'm very happy he did.

Season 3 has been really good for Gwen/Merlin scenes, and 3x07 has probably my favorite G/M scene ever.

I loved that Merlin right away picked up on the fact that something was wrong when he visited Gwen's house (and that he knew enough to KNOW something was wrong and out of place). Then he was very sweet and excited when he bumped into her in the hallway and got her to break down.

My favorite G/M scene ever is Merlin making her something warm to drink and sitting by her and talking to her. He is totally her BFF. <3 (I don't understand why he was deflecting her suspicions away from Morgana, but he was trying to comfort her and keep her from thinking it was all her fault that Arthur's life could be in danger.)

I loved the scene between them when he tells her he's going to go help Arthur, after Arthur tells him to escape with Gwen and Elyan. Gwen doesn't try to stop him; she's relieved that Arthur won't be going alone, and that ups the chances for both to come back alive.

OT3.

Arthur/Gwen/Merlin. Merlin convinces Gwen to tell Arthur everything, and Arthur is like a giddy schoolboy about to go on a great adventure. lol. But he reassures Gwen that her brother will be safe, and doesn't think twice about including her in the adventure. <3

Merlin/Morgana.

I've always liked these two, based on their potential futures as enemies. But WOW, as enemies their chemistry blows me away.

Their first scene was short, but cute, as Morgana blocks her goblet so Merlin can't pour her a drink. Yay, continuity! lol.

The scene in the woods between the two was incredible. I love Merlin sticking up for Arthur and Gwen as his friends, but Morgana has the line of the scene, about poisoning friends.

For all the times we don't see Morgana feeling any remorse, she always seems to show how much Merlin hurt her when he tried to kill her.

Morgana/Morgause.

These two are beautiful together, and incredibly shippy in all their scenes. Invading personal space, holding hands. Morgana was worried about Morgause after Merlin used his magic against them all (though they still don't know he did), and it seems like Morgause is the only person she really cares about anymore. :(

Loved Morgause laughing when Morgana insults Cenred after he captures the OT4 in the tunnel.

Evil OT3.

Morgana/Morgause/Cenred. This episode is the first time we've seen Morgana and Cenred in the same scenes, and I like it. She's not nearly as friendly to him as Morgause is, and she doesn't trust him or particularly like him, but she's willing to work with him because Morgause is.

OT4.

Breaks my heart every time, since Morgana may be there in body but not in heart.

Loved the first day's ride, with Arthur and Gwen talking, then Arthur trying to cover his tracks by including Morgana and Merlin in the banter.

Also, awww, asking Gwen to watch Merlin's back, and Merlin finding it just as cute as Gwen and Arthur did, only to find Morgana glaring at him. :(
Merlin trying to distract Arthur from telling Morgana their plans by talking about beans. OH, Merlin. <3 We know how smart and strategic you are, even if Arthur looks at you like you're crazy. <3

Arthur/Morgana.

Still not the biggest fan, but the scene where she's slowing them up with her ankle and Arthur just throws her over his shoulder and runs off made me laugh so hard. lol.

Also, "she insisted." lmao. Oh, Arthur, scared of trying to tell her no, she can't come? lol.

Gwen/Arthur.

Beautiful, as always.

Did anyone else notice? By initially refusing to tell Arthur about Cenred's plan, Gwen chose Arthur over Elyan. (Though I'm still positive she did that because, like her, Elyan is basically a "nobody" in those times, and Arthur is the future king, and not because she loves one more than the other.)

Arthur includes Gwen in the rescue plans without a thought, and is all cute and sweet while they're talking and riding, basically telling her that she's safe from the creepy woods because she has him to protect her. <3 The scenes at camp are amazing. After he gets rid of Merlin, he helps her with her horse, and then gets her to confide in him about HER life (for once, not about his). I love that he couldn't get the fire started (he's had to have done it before, lmao), so she took the flint and started it right up. lol. His face, and her explanation. <3 And then the near kiss, finally, one that they both want, know, expect. (After all, Arthur startled Gwen in 2x02, and Gwen jumped enchanted!Arthur in 2x10.) And both are disappointed by being interrupted. <3 Poor Merlin, though he's not the first one to walk back in and interrupt them. lol.

Loved Arthur telling Gwen to leave him at Fyrien and go straight back to Camelot (he could have kissed her there, though!!), and how relieved she looks when Merlin tells her he's going to stay and help Arthur. Even better was her sassing him after he points out that he'd told her to ride to Camelot after getting free, and she tells him that just because he's a prince doesn't mean she has to listen to him all the time. His face, sharing a look with Elyan, is priceless. lmao.

And the last scene. <3 While I wanted him to get up and kiss her (darn him!! lol.), it was sweet, and I loved him quoting her words back to her, about ,"it's what you do when you love someone." <3 Yay, we got the L-word again, though I'm still hoping to hear actual "I love you"s sometime! <3

Random Comments Are Random.

Arthur sleeping around the campfire with his hand wrapped around his sword hilt. lmao.

How did they not light all the cobwebs in the cave on fire when they lit their torches? Those things are like candle wicks, they'd flame up (and out) in a quick second. And they were so thick, I don't know how they ran completely out of them after tearing away just a few feet's worth of cobwebs.

Why on EARTH would Merlin trust Morgana to walk along behind him? lol.

Awwww Gwen, taking the blame for Morgana's betraying them, thinking that her scream is what drew the guards. *hug*

Arthur: You wanted me, you have me, let the others go. <3 All noble. <3

The dungeon cells at the Castle of Fyrien are MUCH nicer looking than the ones at Camelot. But their doors sure aren't any more solid. lmao.

Arthur is so not bothered by being captured and locked up in a dungeon, or about going on a rescue mission, or anything. lol. He's just all, oh this is fun! We can handle this! lol.

QUIBBLES.

I really wanted to see Arthur's reaction to Gwen's wrists, as I can't see him taking it lightly, since Gwen was in danger because someone wanted to get to him (so I'm guessing that part wasn't shown/told to him).

Also, what the heck was Elyan doing sharing a horse with Merlin? Either have him ride with his sister, or let him have his own horse and let Gwen share a horse with Arthur. It just seemed odd to have him riding with Merlin.

No substantial Gwen/Morgana scenes, just the morning after the capture scene which was short. :( But three Gwen-related heartbreaking smirks (Morgana was throwing them around left and right in the episode).

Morgana's horse. It changes mane colors. In the riding scenes early and late and the camping scene, it has a dark gray mane/tail. When it has to rear and panic at the snake, it has a white mane/tail. I'm guessing that's probably because the gray maned one either wouldn't do the stunt or wasn't trained for it, but it's very noticeable, and I'm surprised they didn't try to darken the stunt-horse's mane/tail.

Escape hallway? CLEARLY Camelot.

Final Thoughts.

Speculation was dead on that Cenred was holding Morgana "captive" to keep up appearances. Everyone made an appearance, even if in Uther's and Gaius's cases it was short. We got some substantial scenes between Arthur & Gwen, and between Merlin & Morgana, plus Merlin and Gwen, and Gwen and Elyan (and the evil duos and trio). This is a solid episode, strong acting, well-weaved storylines (though I'm always amused at how easily our ragtag band always escapes from these strongholds, lol). And the continuity fairy struck. :D

Excellent episode, and one of the best of season 3 (and of the entire series).

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