Merlin - Arthur's Bane

[seravia]

Word of caution.  One, this is full of spoilers.  Two, half of this will be me going "alsgrdbvinsd;vam" from the feels, and the other half will be... me crying.  Also over feels.  Maybe with some actual intelligent commentary interspersed.  So if you're looking for actual deep stuff, this is not the place to find it.

Comments

[mshutts]

You know the scene with Gwen's suggestion where it was really bothering you that she was the only one who came up with it? I was thinking about it and have decided, what bothered me about it wasn't so much what Gwen said as Arthur's response.

She suggesting going around. That's all well and good. However, I can't believe Arthur hadn't thought of going around. (He's been sitting in on strategy meetings of his fathers since he was what? 7, maybe 10, I'm sure this strategy has been used in the past.)

I would have personally been much happier if he had responded to Gwen's comment with something to the effect of, "That's a good idea, but... I'm not sure it will work." Which could lead into a great discussion about how it would mean traveling into Annis' lands and how Arthur was unsure of the reception there. Thus giving the impression that Arthur had actually already thought about going around, he just wasn't going to say anything until he had figured out a feasible way to do so.

Personally, I think that would have been much more realistic, but maybe that's just me. (Sorry, the idea just came to me while I was reading through the comments and I had to share.)

[seravia]

Yes! I think that's exactly what bothered me! I just couldn't put what was in my mind into words properly. Gwen's idea was perfectly simple, and it's ridiculous that Arthur wouldn't have thought of it. It's not so much that I have a problem with Gwen suggesting going around. The problem is that Arthur acted as thought this was a completely new idea to him.

Your suggestion for Arthur's response would've made me a lot happier too.

So thank you for putting into words what I couldn't!

[mshutts]

It does have the added benefit of making neither one of them look stupid. Gwen's just more inexperienced that's all.

And I don't care what the show tries to pull, I will never agree that Gwen is more experienced in politics, battle, or strategy than Arthur. 3 years is in no way to equal to a lifetime of training. For Arthur, this type of strategizing would have quite literally been child's play.

(That, added to the fact that Gwen isn't jaded enough to think that an ally wouldn't be willing to help them out, whereas I'm sure Arthur has seen it happen before during Uther's reign, is the perfect recipe for inexperienced!Gwen.)

[seravia]

At this point, Gwen is definitely not more experienced than Arthur in ruling a country. Arthur has been trained to be king all his life. Three years is nowhere near enough time to get to the same point. Not to say Gwen can't have good ideas at times. Maybe a fresh outlook just because she's inexperienced. But the scene in the episode? No way.