I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this ep. On the one hand, lots of great moments, on the other, why the hell didn't they just show the amulet to Arthur? I mean, I'm sorry, but unlike most plotholes, this is kind of really important at this point, and unless I'm missing something, there wasn't actually any reason for them not to. *tears out hair*
Whoa, well done, Bradley - I thought he really outdid himself this ep. Loved his rendition of pretending not to be scared, his drunken self (also weirdly hot, especially with Merlin standing next to him being amused...), and his multiple sad!faces (and, oh, his calling out for the guards with Uther in his arms *cries and cries*) - although perhaps my very favourite Arthur moment of the ep was him coming out of the great hall after crying over Uther's death and being quietly confident and ready to shoulder on.
Also, OMG, broken Merlin in that same scene. ;_; JFC, boys, stop breaking my heart so. LOVED that moment between them, though. <3
I'm so, so happy that Arthur did get some great moments with Uther before he died. Broken Uther was a lot more open about his feelings than the normal one, and I'm glad he got to prove to his son just how much he loves him and how much faith he has in him.
Aww, old!Merlin's happy face when Arthur agreed to his proposition. Damn you, Morgana. D: But, OK, I wasn't actually expecting that to work out...
Ahaha at the whole Arthur watching Merlin pee thing, though. Especially Arthur actually going into it instead of just assuming Merlin was joking. *g* Bondage and watersports in one ep - score.
Man, I would have loved to be there when they filmed that scene with Colin on Bradley's back...
That advice Gaius gave Merlin at the end - I wonder if this is part of what he himself felt when he had to go on serving Uther after magic was banned.
I really liked that Morgana wasn't dancing around in glee at Uther's dead. Seems they've maybe listened a little bit at least to people complaining about her unrelenting evil. I like that there's at least a little bit of nuance.
I also kind of liked how quickly the coronation scene went. I'm not sure how these things usually went in medieval times, but I can imagine there might have been an element of rushing to it, in most cases, with most people's minds more on the practical consequences of power changing hands than anything else.
I'd been spoiled for Uther's death, but a couple of weeks ago, I wouldn't have expected Uther to die this early on. I'm curious to see where they're taking that and Arthur's development as king. I think they really did a good job of showing how far Arthur has come these past three eps, since the bully we saw in 1x01, but I'm curious what kind of further growth they will now bring on for him, and if his attitudes to people are going to change.
PS: almost forgot to say, Arthur must think Merlin's an alcoholic by now. Or at least loves a good night on the town, with all possible consequences, ahem. :P Would love a fic where Arthur actually assumes Merlin's all experienced, and comes to him for advice/practice. *g*