Merlin 2x01: The Curse of Cornelius Sigan
Oh, Arthur! Dearie me! Fancy letting me down like that...and in front of everyone, too!
I don't know what to make of it all! Like most of fandom I was a little bit taken aback by his treatment of Merlin. I certainly didn't think his character progression was always consistent during series one, there were lots of times I thought 'Oh! Arthur has really turned a corner here!' and then in the next episode he'd be back to his mean old ways XD, but still, he was pretty heartless in this episode. I've kind've explained it to myself by thinking that Arthur's pride was hurt by Merlin (or Cedric!). Falling off his horse, getting covered in wee, having his horses run loose...I can see how these things might be unforgivable to Arthur, more so than anything else that Merlin has done (or am I forgetting some other awful things that might've been hugely embarrassing to Arthur? Ones that weren't connected to attempts on his life? My brain is tired) His pride is a major flaw after all.
I know there's been some discussion about the fact that Arthur reverting to his old ways might've been for the benefit of new viewers, and this does make sense to me. I think the main things everyone associates with Arthur (the King) are fairness, loyalty, gentleness, chivalry, wisdom...so the writers have to make it very clear from the outset that we're seeing a very different Arthur to the man we expect. Even though those qualities do shine though! I hope this isn't the case, I hate the thought that they'd sacrifice character development just to give newcomers a taste for what was in series one.
Anyway, I fell in love with Arthur when he was being a complete ass during episode one...and I still love him being an ass a series later! ♥
More than anything, I will forgive Arthur his indiscretions because it led to my favourite bits of the episode, which were seeing just how hurt Merlin was, how much he cares for Arthur and how jealous he was of Cedric. Poor old Merlin. My heart was really breaking for him during his conversations with Gaius! Speaking of Gaius, he's just brilliant, isn't he? I love the relationship he has with Merlin...I had tears in my eyes when he was wiping the poo from Merlin's cheek ;__;
I thought that Mackenzie Crook was completely fabulous. I wish they hadn't killed him off (was Cedric killed off too?) I would've loved him to be the villain in this whole series, I never liked Nimueh very much, I think it was her hair that annoyed me. But I guess I just have an aversion to Michelle Ryan. Did possessed,flamboyant!Cedric remind anyone else of The Raven King from Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell? Awesome. I'm disturbed by how attractive I found him, I guess I'm just a sucker for indie hair (but clearly not Michelle Ryans').
I reeeally want the Slash Dragon to be free, I have all along, I can't bear the thought of him chained up in that dark cave ;__;. That conversation was so ominous though. Please be a good Slash Dragon, I can't have you letting me down as well as Arthur!
I just can't bring myself to talk at length about Arthur/Gwen. Obviously I don't want it to happen, obviously it's going to happen. To be honest, I just don't want too much of the legend to creep into the story! I want 'the endless adventures of young Merlin and Arthur' so please stop going so fast with the plot ;__;. Just keep dropping hints at future events, like with little Mordred and slightly evil!Morgana . That was great! I wouldn't mind if the Arthur/Gwen was handled really well, but it seems so forced and hasn't had the right amount of build up. Ahh well. Moan, moan, moan. I know most of us are in the same ship boat.
I really enjoy unrequited love storylines (as long as it's requited in the end!) and when it comes to Merlin/Arthur, I like Merlin to be the one pining away...and in this episode he really was. So I enjoyed it immensely! Even though it made me horribly sad. :(((((((
Also, LOL HORCRUX!
I'll probably think of loads more to say once I post this, but I'm already a day late in writing it all down and I really must go to bed. I'm sure there'll be a slightly more humorous blow by blow account next time, but I was far too excited this week and also had my eyes glued to my merlin_bingo card (I didn't win by the way!). Sign-ups for the second episode are here!
I don't know what to make of it all! Like most of fandom I was a little bit taken aback by his treatment of Merlin. I certainly didn't think his character progression was always consistent during series one, there were lots of times I thought 'Oh! Arthur has really turned a corner here!' and then in the next episode he'd be back to his mean old ways XD, but still, he was pretty heartless in this episode. I've kind've explained it to myself by thinking that Arthur's pride was hurt by Merlin (or Cedric!). Falling off his horse, getting covered in wee, having his horses run loose...I can see how these things might be unforgivable to Arthur, more so than anything else that Merlin has done (or am I forgetting some other awful things that might've been hugely embarrassing to Arthur? Ones that weren't connected to attempts on his life? My brain is tired) His pride is a major flaw after all.
I know there's been some discussion about the fact that Arthur reverting to his old ways might've been for the benefit of new viewers, and this does make sense to me. I think the main things everyone associates with Arthur (the King) are fairness, loyalty, gentleness, chivalry, wisdom...so the writers have to make it very clear from the outset that we're seeing a very different Arthur to the man we expect. Even though those qualities do shine though! I hope this isn't the case, I hate the thought that they'd sacrifice character development just to give newcomers a taste for what was in series one.
Anyway, I fell in love with Arthur when he was being a complete ass during episode one...and I still love him being an ass a series later! ♥
More than anything, I will forgive Arthur his indiscretions because it led to my favourite bits of the episode, which were seeing just how hurt Merlin was, how much he cares for Arthur and how jealous he was of Cedric. Poor old Merlin. My heart was really breaking for him during his conversations with Gaius! Speaking of Gaius, he's just brilliant, isn't he? I love the relationship he has with Merlin...I had tears in my eyes when he was wiping the poo from Merlin's cheek ;__;
I thought that Mackenzie Crook was completely fabulous. I wish they hadn't killed him off (was Cedric killed off too?) I would've loved him to be the villain in this whole series, I never liked Nimueh very much, I think it was her hair that annoyed me. But I guess I just have an aversion to Michelle Ryan. Did possessed,flamboyant!Cedric remind anyone else of The Raven King from Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell? Awesome. I'm disturbed by how attractive I found him, I guess I'm just a sucker for indie hair (but clearly not Michelle Ryans').
I reeeally want the Slash Dragon to be free, I have all along, I can't bear the thought of him chained up in that dark cave ;__;. That conversation was so ominous though. Please be a good Slash Dragon, I can't have you letting me down as well as Arthur!
I just can't bring myself to talk at length about Arthur/Gwen. Obviously I don't want it to happen, obviously it's going to happen. To be honest, I just don't want too much of the legend to creep into the story! I want 'the endless adventures of young Merlin and Arthur' so please stop going so fast with the plot ;__;. Just keep dropping hints at future events, like with little Mordred and slightly evil!Morgana . That was great! I wouldn't mind if the Arthur/Gwen was handled really well, but it seems so forced and hasn't had the right amount of build up. Ahh well. Moan, moan, moan. I know most of us are in the same ship boat.
I really enjoy unrequited love storylines (as long as it's requited in the end!) and when it comes to Merlin/Arthur, I like Merlin to be the one pining away...and in this episode he really was. So I enjoyed it immensely! Even though it made me horribly sad. :(((((((
Also, LOL HORCRUX!
I'll probably think of loads more to say once I post this, but I'm already a day late in writing it all down and I really must go to bed. I'm sure there'll be a slightly more humorous blow by blow account next time, but I was far too excited this week and also had my eyes glued to my merlin_bingo card (I didn't win by the way!). Sign-ups for the second episode are here!