right then, Queen of Hearts. DID FANDOM HATE IT? ON A SCALE OF 1-10, DO I CARE?
No, but seriously guys. It gave me femslash -- proper threeway femslash I could see without trying too hard -- as well MAJOR LULZ. AND ROMANTIC PENDRAGONS BEING ROMANTIC AND BEAUTIFUL. AND Y'KNOW, SO MUCH OF MY GWENFACE.
SO BASICALLY, YOU GET TUMBLR RESPAMS WHILE I EXPLAIN WHY I STILL LOVE THIS SHOW AND MANY OF ITS RELATIONSHIPS. Even when I don't.
GIRLS. Y'all maybe familiar with the fact I haven't even been able to fanwank Gwen and Morgana has been distressing. Cus usually they smile and snipe and lie and basically tell each other to fuck off but in medieval AND IT'S SO SUPERFICIAL AND UNADDRESSED AND UNEMOTIONAL I WANT TO CRY. But lookit now! Morgana dreams of Gwen, and as you do when your subconscious a) exists b)used to love someone c)is a bitch, GUINEVERE IS BEAUTIFUL. AND STRAIGHT. And in general it's an OT3 that's happily existing without Morgana. I MEAN I WOULD WAKE UP DISTRESSED, AND I'M NOT EVEN AS CO-DEPENDENT AS SHE IS. And look at Morgana's face, she is proper upset -- and not necessarily because lol, Gwen beat her to the throne, but because Morgana -- bless her heart -- is a wee bit thick. And while she's been cheerfully manipulating the A/G relationship on a day by day, practical manner, she kinda forgot the bigger implications of the relationship: that Arthur and Gwen will maybe get married. And have babies. And be a different world away from what Morgana's ever pictured. In the immediate aftermath of the dream, she doesn't hate Gwen for being queen. She's left distraught by a concept something she's never even entertained.
Also, I'M PRETTY SURE MORGANA'S ONLY EVER IMAGINED BEING QUEEN WITH MORGAUSE ON ONE SIDE AND GWENFACE ON THE OTHER. Not even necessarily out of current devotion for Gwen, but just, her brain's conditioned to think of the situation like that. And now her dreams are rudely informing this isn't actually going to happen.
So she runs straight into Morgause's arms. MORGAUSE WHO APPARENTLY HAS SOD ALL TO DO THESE DAYS BUT LIGHT PATHWAYS WITH CANDLES. What did she do before having a baby sister to run around after? How does Camelot still stand when magicians infiltrate it so regularly? Has Morgana noticed the baby bump?
Answers on a postcard.
I ship these two on a pretty superficial level, I've realised. I love that they cling and whatnot, and I find Morgana's uncontrollable fangirling lulzy to the extreme, but y'know, they're related. And sometimes Morgause remembers to behave like it. And I'm less invested, because I'm so sure this relationship will end in a) death or b) divorce, cus Morgana's just smooth like that.
Having said that, INCESTY FEMSLASH TO THE EXTREME IN THIS EPISODE. Because Morgause pretends she can't remember Gwen's name as if they haven't constructed plots around her and as if Morgana didn't spend the first few months of the gap year saying "that's not how Gwen does it". And she manipulates Morgana down the pathway of GWEN MUSN'T BE QUEEN OMG CAN YOU STOP HAVING FEELINGS ABOUT YOUR FORMER STRAIGHT CRUSH. Whereas before Morgana was just in need of a hot chocolate and cuddle, as anyone who had a bad dream would be. Anyway, the secret rendezvous was terribly romantic, and teased the subtext in a way I haven't felt for a while.
And then THEN THEN. Morgana embarks upon her mission and gets her ust on with Gwen. SHE CREEPS. GWEN IS WEIRDED OUT AND MISTRUSTFUL AND TURNED ON. lmao, shut up. They hold hands and NEITHER ARE TAKEN IN. Personal space is deliciously invaded. Gwen's new bodice is beautiful, and she maintains as firm a distance as she can. Morgana purrs and is seductive as possible. I CAN TAKE THEM BREAKING UP WHEN THEY BREAK UP LIKE THIS. Because it's about them. Thinking about each other, not just as accidental meetings between smirking or chilling with the lads.
So, yes. DEEP JOY FOR THE GIRLY RELATIONSHIPS ATM. Especially given what we know is going to come in the season finale. HAVE I USED THE WORD DICHOTOMY YET TODAY? HAVE IT. Y'ALL KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
Haha, okay, I think this episode was also about Arthur/Gwen.
via takethewords CAN I MOP MY BROW AND CONFESS I FOUND THEM FREQUENTLY FRUSTRATING LAST YEAR? I mean, most of the time I was squeeing down at CL, it was because whatever, I was excited they were having scenes together, and anything that involved Gwen + screentime was an improvement in my eyes. BUT THEIR SCENES WERE ALL SO SUBPAR AND HEAVY HANDED. I was more excited for their potential. And finally, finally, the writers have learnt how to depict a love story with a lighter touch. Because all that man you are inside and one day you will find your real princess and let's spend an episode pouting at one another despite the fact we've just had our first kiss is all very well, but you know what's better? ACCIDENTAL HAND BRUSHING AT DINNER. BARELY CONCEALED SMILES.
PICNICS IN FIELDS FROM WONDERLAND AS FAR AS I CAN SEE.
via happybeinginsane It's just, it makes moments like the beautiful coronation scene all the more epic. Because that's glorious and golden, and has all the weight of 'zomg this is Romance' but without all the silly repeated phrases. And it therefore means I have that much more patience for when it does come up, because it's actually got context for once. See: later.
via fuckyeaharwen But anyway, I just love how comfortable they finally are together. From 303-onwards, Arthur/Gwen has been one of the best relationships to watch unfold, because they move forward, but even if they're just going about their daily lives and the story is about some hot ass knights or something, they're doing it cheerfully. And it's such a relief. So basically, yeah, it's lovely seeing Gwen take the iniative and go for the first kiss. Arthur unwinding is lovely. The fact that Merlin is an integral part the whole time, whether bringing them together or popping up frequently in conversation warms my OT3 heart. And that they're both so in love with each other, it's ridiculous. And beautiful. Because it makes them confess their feelings in public and kiss in slow mo. Did you see that bit btw? It was unexpected kissing. With passionate declarations and music. And kissing.
via emptylighters lmao, shut up.
MOVING ON, UTHER PENDRAGON IS A BASTARD. I mean, honest to god, Morgana and I have been a bit cold with each other recently because, y'know, trying to kill Arthur's not nice, BUT UTHER WILL ALWAYS BE THE BIGGEST GIT. Hated him waaaay more than Morgana this week. HE SLAPPED GWEN. HE ASSUMED (as we all knew he would, but he did it in the cheapest and sleaziest way) THAT ARTHUR WAS ONLY IN IT FOR THE FUN TIEMES. He was played so easily by Morgana; he was brutal to Gaius; cold hearted and irrational. I MEAN YEAH YOU CAN SEE WHERE MORGANA GETS IT FROM NOW, but at least she's pretty, and used to be nice once upon a time. Uther, straight up, sinks lower every time I think he can't. And Gwen talking back to him and defending herself was the thing of my dreams.
(It is possibly another matter I want verywrong Gwen/Uther fic. But I blame that on the camera man.)
So, you say, HOW DID YOUR HEALING FEMSLASH HEART DEAL WITH MORGANA'S REACTION TO GWEN'S INCARCERATION? Well, firstly, my laughing my arse off at Morgana's theatrics. Slapping Gwen? MORGANA IS SLIGHTLY UPSET ABOUT THIS, SHE WILL HAVE YOU KNOW. SHE WILL EXTEND AN ARM AND SPEAK A WORD OR TWO OF DISAGREEMENT.
And as for the rest, well. My understanding of Morgana's approach atm is basically 'think later, if you can be bothered'. And Morgana, right now, cannot be bothered. She's had a long day.
Besides, Gwen seeing Morgana smirk? GAME. IT IS ON.
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withflowers Also, I take it people are distressed about Arthur's declarations. lol, am I really alone in not giving about this debate? 1) IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE FOR THREE YEARS. 2) Daddy splits you up. 3) OBVIOUS REACTION IS A SELFISH ONE OKAY. I don't blame him at all, and Gwen is a better person than me for reminding him that they kinda have to be unselfish about this. It's what makes them not-Morgana.
But it's not even that selfish because he said he would come back. Sounds like a pretty good plan B to me.
And finally, he would also quit Camelot if Uther planned to execute Morgana or Merlin. Really, he's kinda equal opportunities about his love.
So what's the beef?
Anyway, other things: Arthur and Morgana!
via slippingintodarkness This could have been actual fic. I swear to god, those ones where Arthur's like a total kid to siblingy!Morgana and being all "TELL ME THINGS ABOUT GUINEVERE" and Morgana pets him and does. They were total brother and sister here -- a vibe I frequently don't get off them -- and all the touching and teasing was lovely. Pity Morgana was faking it all. But the echoing of Merlin's words from a season ago were a bit weird. YOU WERE THAT BLIND (WO)MAN, MORGANA. MOSTLY CUS YOU SPENT THE SEASON HUNGOVER.
Anyway, Katie looked beautiful. I mean, she was generally pretty banging this episode, but particularly this scene. Her side parting: I approve.
And then, old!Merlin. OMG I THINK I HURT MYSELF LAUGHING AT THIS. Every now and then I am reminded of how excellent Colin's comedic timing is. And this -- Merlin mimicking every villain ever, using it to rant a little, ARTHUR RECOGNISING MERLIN'S EYES AND BEING VAGUELY NONPLUSSED, the oldman hunch and voice -- was once again, like many a crack!fic. An excellent crack!fic.
Also, lol forever at Morgana's wtf!face. You know she's gonna be up all night, trying to fgure out went wrong, and how.
Which brings me nicely onto that final scene between the girls. It was beautiful for many reasons, not counting the one where Morgana looks like a rockstar with that hair. It was a fabulous hearkening back to the times they used to hug because they meant it and Morgana had been sobbing her eyes out all night. Both of them were so deliciously false with each other, because there was a time when she would have raged at Uther until something definite happened, and Gwen knows the difference. And they hugged, and it was green and slinky and wrong and the last touch either wanted AND SO IT WAS A BIT AND RIGHT.
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fuckyeahteamevil And then Morgana symbolically closed the screen between them, and Katie played it so well, all that confusion and frustration at being back to square one and maybe -- just maybe a hint? -- of self-doubt. I STILL HAVE HOPE OKAY.
AND BASICALLY, THE GIRLS ARE PROPER ENEMIES NOW AND IT'S ALL EXCELLENT.