Merlin - Another's Sorrow
Another's Sorrow (Season 5, Episode 4)
Oh Mithian. How I've missed you. I had hoped she'd had a more permanent role in Merlin this season. I was so excited hearing she'd return for season five. I love Janet Montgomery. And I love that she made her plot device character that could've ended up being another princess Arthur was going to marry but didn't into a character I could love.
Someone please explain to me how anyone (including Morgana) can believe that Camelot's throne is rightfully Morgana's. She has a claim to it, sure. If Arthur died, then she could probably claim the throne rightfully. But now? While Arthur's alive? Even if Morgana were Uther's legitimate daughter, Arthur would still be the rightful heir. Morgana may be the first-born (I think), but Arthur is Uther's oldest son. Under no circumstances does Morgana have a rightful claim to the throne. It's a minor detail I suppose, but it really isn't at the same time. This has been Morgana's motivation for quite some time. If you can't convince the audience of the validity of your villain's motive, you really haven't got a very strong driving force behind your conflicts. Thus, the villain (Morgana) comes off looking weak, unjustified, and just plain crazy.
Shipping Leon/Mithian a little here. They're cute.
Even old!Morgana and Merlin have chemistry. So excited. I miss proper Colin/Katie interactions. Ones where they're not trying to kill each other.
"Did you just give me an order?"
"Yes, Sire."
"Feels good, does it?"
"It's... not unpleasant."
Oh boys. This could be a scene in a Merthur fanfiction.
Shipping Merlin/Mithian a little too. The tender way Merlin treats Mithian is so sweet. It's a very nice change of pace from their cold, almost stilted interactions from The Hunter's Heart. It's nice to see that Merlin doesn't have a problem with Mithian as a person, just her getting between Arthur and Gwen. He's very protective of his friends. What reason would he have to be loyal to some random princess anyway? Now that Merlin has reason to care about Mithian, he treats her just as well as he'd treat his friends.
Why does Gwen always get the crappy chair? This happened last episode at the feast too. Arthur gets an actual throne, and Gwen gets this little wooden thing that makes it look like she's sitting on a child's seat. Why doesn't she get a throne equal to Arthur's?
I really wish Mithian wasn't the damsel in distress plot device. Her role in season four was certainly meant to be a plot device, just like Elena and Vivian. But Janet Montgomery managed to make Mithian into one of my favorite characters. I don't even know how she did it. At least she got a good amount of screen time. I love that despite her position, she's not passive. She's still trying to help Arthur. Even if she didn't exactly succeed... she tried.
How does Merlin not sense Morgana using such powerful magic? He could sense Mordred using magic from far away, but he can't sense Morgana holding her powerful aging spell right in from of him? Gah. Merlin's inconsistent magic is such a problem.
This is the kind of strategy meeting I was expecting to see in episode one. Arthur's clearly the center of attention, his knights, Merlin, Gwen, and Gaius around him. Arthur already has a plan, just needs to get everyone on board and listen to any suggestions people might have. His knights are listening, asking questions, giving advice. Arthur has answers to all the questions, can counter everyone's concerns. He shines as a confident king. I love that Merlin is close to the table, casually leaning in. Not stiffly standing by the door like a proper servant in episode one. The only thing that would make this scene better would be if Merlin and Gwen got some little input. But the scene flows nicely as it is. It did seem a little like Gwen wanted to say something... but I like that she spoke up in later private rather than at the meeting. Gwen's concerns after all are nothing to do with strategy, but worrying about Arthur's safety. Those concerns have no place in a strategy meeting where Arthur is a king and not a husband. The scene later between Arthur and Gwen is quite nice as well.
I was watching this through a livestream, and the stream stalled for not even half a minute after Merlin left Mithian's chambers after delivering the potion. I FREAKED OUT. The noises that came out of my mouth were not human. I imagine I sounded pretty funny. Just thought I'd share.
I love Gwen's nightgown. It's gorgeous. It's nice to see that Gwen and Arthur can speak openly (kinda) about these things. Gwen's concern and insight was lovely. Arthur's lying... not so much. As much as the Merthur shipper in me is rejoicing at Arthur's unwillingness to share with Gwen, it really irks me that the writers can't write a good stable relationship. They just can't write romance. The only romantic relationship I could buy into a little was Merlin and Freya. With Gwen and Arthur, there were so many choppy jumps in their relationship, and then it was constant kissing in front of sunlit windows. And then Arthur banished Gwen, saying he'd never trust her again, then married her three episodes later. And now that they're married, their relationship might as well be platonic. I mean, he clasped her arm and kissed her on the forehead. Is Gwen your wife or your sister, Arthur?
"You were right to ask."
Of course she was right to ask! She has a right to be concerned about your motives! You don't need to tell her that she was right to ask, Arthur.
But seriously. When Gwen asked, it's all, "This is about helping our friends, no more, no less." But when Merlin asks, he says, "Odin is a plague on this land. I can't just stand by and let him murder Mithian's father as he murdered my own." Well. It's clear who Arthur trusts.
Loved Mithian sneaking out. But she could've gone about it so much better. She should've taken the key, unlocked the door, then put the key back in Morgana's hand, and close the door behind her. And stuff pillows under the covers for good measure. You do not know how to sneak, Mithian. Fair attempt though.
Whoa. Morgana, you and enchanted bracelets. At least this one doesn't influence the wearer.
Is it bad that I still ship Leon/Morgana? I thought this was adorable. Even if Leon doesn't know it's Morgana.
Isn't this where the boar was in The Curse of Cornelius Sigan? You know, the garlic plants Bradley and Colin were talking about in the episode commentary. They need some new locations. Or at least to find less obviously identified locations.
This scene made my heart melt. It was so sweet. I know it didn't mean anything, and Merlin's probably just doing his duty, but it was too cute.
I'm getting a little tired of the "if you were me" line now. It's like Arthur's just using it to shut Merlin up now. It was a great line in season two. Still equally good in season four. Still really cute last episode. But two episodes in a row? Now it just feels overused. Arthur seems to use it every time he wants Merlin to stop questioning his decisions. Don't you have any other heartfelt lines left?
If the spell was paining Morgana, doesn't that mean it was draining her magic and that it shouldn't hold? I was waiting for the spell to wear off and reveal her identity. But despite the pain, she still managed to hold it? I didn't think she was that powerful.
You know, it's kind of interesting. Morgana's aging spell is only a cover, it only affects the surface. But it's not like Morgause's aging spell that was so superficial a mirror could reveal her identity. It's also not like Merlin's aging potion that literally ages a person on the inside and out. Merlin was old through and through, but Morgana was young on the inside and old on the outside. I'm not sure if these little nuances are intentional or complete accidents I'm reading far too much into.
Poor Mithian looks so small and scared. It's such a dramatic difference from The Hunter's Heart where she was this proud, regal, confident princess. Janet Montgomery played both parts so well.
Clever, clever Mithian. I'm a little surprised Morgana saw through her plan though.
Why was there no magic reveal to Morgana here? It would've been perfect. Morgana attacked him, Arthur wasn't around, and Merlin was dying for god's sake. Why didn't he use his magic? Is he really going to play the helpless servant until he dies? The magic reveal is so long overdue. Maybe choking addled his brain and stopped him from thinking of any spells? Even if it did, Merlin's magic is mostly instinctive (at least I think that's canon), so it should've lashed out. So inconsistent.
"We can't wait for him."
"Gwaine, stay here with Merlin and Gaius. The rest of us make for Nemeth."
WHAT? WHAT??? *cue more inhuman noises* Why is Arthur leaving Merlin behind? Has revenge completely blinded him??? He didn't want to leave Merlin in The Darkest Hour when the entirety of Camelot was at stake. He didn't even want to leave Merlin in A Servant of Two Masters when it was just Merlin at stake. But now he's willing to live Merlin behind to go save a man he barely knows? What the fuck, Arthur?
Bradley's acting in this entire episode. Oh my god. So amazing. His acting during the confrontation between Arthur and Odin was wonderful.
Gwaine just killed one of Odin's men while he was peeing. Was that really necessary?
Well hello BAMF!Merlin with a sword knocking people out. As much I absolutely love BAMF!Merlin, BAMF!Merlin with a sword is strange... Since when is Merlin so handy with a sword? When would he have ever grabbed a sword before going after Arthur? And he was going to charge in to save Arthur with a sword? And do what? Drop it on them?
I was so excited for this scene in the trailer. It was still pretty epic, but after all the trailer made it out to be... I was a little disappointed. It seemed so much like a magic reveal in the trailer that seeing it as Merlin covertly saving Arthur... The scene had so much potential.
I was so excited when Merlin ran someone through from the back. YES FOR SAVING ARTHUR WITHOUT MAGIC.
Morgana. You felt someone throw you back with magic. Shouldn't you be wondering who did the magic?
Dead end from His Father's Son? As much as they need new locations, this particular scene in this particular location actually provided a really nice parallel. In His Father's Son, Arthur killed the king of Caerleon upon Agravaine's urging and nearly started a war. This time, he got into a fight with another king, and Merlin convinced him to spare his life, leading to a peace treaty.
Why does every person who wants revenge always want to be the one to kill the object of their revenge? What usually ends up happening is that the person after revenge gets killed. Just let everyone swarm the person and kill them. What will it matter after you have their head on a stick. You get what you want, don't you?
"Arthur. Stop. Think about what you're doing. What good will this achieve? How many times have you talked about uniting this land? Will killing this make this dream any closer?"
"He is right. This is no answer."
More parallels. So glad Arthur's listening to Merlin this time.
"You must restore Rodor to the throne of Nemeth."
So... did Odin usurp Rodor's throne? Wasn't Odin a king before? And Rodor definitely was too. What happened?
"Take it. Take it."
Bradley's facial expressions in this scene were so amazing. And his voice as he said, "Take it." He's come so far.
This treaty is the beginning of Albion, isn't it? It's the beginning of the legend. OMG! We're getting closer to the actual legend. Albion has seemed so far away in the past seasons. Maybe we'll actually get to see Arthur unite Albion.
"To have signed a treaty with Odin is a great achievement, and it brings a united kingdom one step closer."
"Not while Morgana lives and breathes it doesn't. Her power grows, Gaius. To have held an aging spell that long is frightening."
"Be that as it may, she is not yet your equal."
"And if that day should come?"
"Let us hope it does not."
It's nice to know that while Merlin is vicious toward Morgana and Mordred (people who are genuinely a danger to Arthur), he can still show mercy to people like Odin (who he knows will benefit Arthur more alive). I really hope Morgana becomes at least close to Merlin's equal by the end. And then we can get an epic final battle with Merlin up against Morgana. I would love to see an epic magical duel.
I started watching season one again yesterday. After watching season five, going back to the beginning was so jarring. All the actors have changed so much in their acting abilities. All the characters have come so far, even if the development through the seasons were choppy and sporadic. Looking at the Dragon's Call compared to Another's Sorrow is like looking at two different worlds.
Oh Mithian. How I've missed you. I had hoped she'd had a more permanent role in Merlin this season. I was so excited hearing she'd return for season five. I love Janet Montgomery. And I love that she made her plot device character that could've ended up being another princess Arthur was going to marry but didn't into a character I could love.
Someone please explain to me how anyone (including Morgana) can believe that Camelot's throne is rightfully Morgana's. She has a claim to it, sure. If Arthur died, then she could probably claim the throne rightfully. But now? While Arthur's alive? Even if Morgana were Uther's legitimate daughter, Arthur would still be the rightful heir. Morgana may be the first-born (I think), but Arthur is Uther's oldest son. Under no circumstances does Morgana have a rightful claim to the throne. It's a minor detail I suppose, but it really isn't at the same time. This has been Morgana's motivation for quite some time. If you can't convince the audience of the validity of your villain's motive, you really haven't got a very strong driving force behind your conflicts. Thus, the villain (Morgana) comes off looking weak, unjustified, and just plain crazy.
Shipping Leon/Mithian a little here. They're cute.
Even old!Morgana and Merlin have chemistry. So excited. I miss proper Colin/Katie interactions. Ones where they're not trying to kill each other.
"Did you just give me an order?"
"Yes, Sire."
"Feels good, does it?"
"It's... not unpleasant."
Oh boys. This could be a scene in a Merthur fanfiction.
Shipping Merlin/Mithian a little too. The tender way Merlin treats Mithian is so sweet. It's a very nice change of pace from their cold, almost stilted interactions from The Hunter's Heart. It's nice to see that Merlin doesn't have a problem with Mithian as a person, just her getting between Arthur and Gwen. He's very protective of his friends. What reason would he have to be loyal to some random princess anyway? Now that Merlin has reason to care about Mithian, he treats her just as well as he'd treat his friends.
Why does Gwen always get the crappy chair? This happened last episode at the feast too. Arthur gets an actual throne, and Gwen gets this little wooden thing that makes it look like she's sitting on a child's seat. Why doesn't she get a throne equal to Arthur's?
I really wish Mithian wasn't the damsel in distress plot device. Her role in season four was certainly meant to be a plot device, just like Elena and Vivian. But Janet Montgomery managed to make Mithian into one of my favorite characters. I don't even know how she did it. At least she got a good amount of screen time. I love that despite her position, she's not passive. She's still trying to help Arthur. Even if she didn't exactly succeed... she tried.
How does Merlin not sense Morgana using such powerful magic? He could sense Mordred using magic from far away, but he can't sense Morgana holding her powerful aging spell right in from of him? Gah. Merlin's inconsistent magic is such a problem.
This is the kind of strategy meeting I was expecting to see in episode one. Arthur's clearly the center of attention, his knights, Merlin, Gwen, and Gaius around him. Arthur already has a plan, just needs to get everyone on board and listen to any suggestions people might have. His knights are listening, asking questions, giving advice. Arthur has answers to all the questions, can counter everyone's concerns. He shines as a confident king. I love that Merlin is close to the table, casually leaning in. Not stiffly standing by the door like a proper servant in episode one. The only thing that would make this scene better would be if Merlin and Gwen got some little input. But the scene flows nicely as it is. It did seem a little like Gwen wanted to say something... but I like that she spoke up in later private rather than at the meeting. Gwen's concerns after all are nothing to do with strategy, but worrying about Arthur's safety. Those concerns have no place in a strategy meeting where Arthur is a king and not a husband. The scene later between Arthur and Gwen is quite nice as well.
I was watching this through a livestream, and the stream stalled for not even half a minute after Merlin left Mithian's chambers after delivering the potion. I FREAKED OUT. The noises that came out of my mouth were not human. I imagine I sounded pretty funny. Just thought I'd share.
I love Gwen's nightgown. It's gorgeous. It's nice to see that Gwen and Arthur can speak openly (kinda) about these things. Gwen's concern and insight was lovely. Arthur's lying... not so much. As much as the Merthur shipper in me is rejoicing at Arthur's unwillingness to share with Gwen, it really irks me that the writers can't write a good stable relationship. They just can't write romance. The only romantic relationship I could buy into a little was Merlin and Freya. With Gwen and Arthur, there were so many choppy jumps in their relationship, and then it was constant kissing in front of sunlit windows. And then Arthur banished Gwen, saying he'd never trust her again, then married her three episodes later. And now that they're married, their relationship might as well be platonic. I mean, he clasped her arm and kissed her on the forehead. Is Gwen your wife or your sister, Arthur?
"You were right to ask."
Of course she was right to ask! She has a right to be concerned about your motives! You don't need to tell her that she was right to ask, Arthur.
But seriously. When Gwen asked, it's all, "This is about helping our friends, no more, no less." But when Merlin asks, he says, "Odin is a plague on this land. I can't just stand by and let him murder Mithian's father as he murdered my own." Well. It's clear who Arthur trusts.
Loved Mithian sneaking out. But she could've gone about it so much better. She should've taken the key, unlocked the door, then put the key back in Morgana's hand, and close the door behind her. And stuff pillows under the covers for good measure. You do not know how to sneak, Mithian. Fair attempt though.
Whoa. Morgana, you and enchanted bracelets. At least this one doesn't influence the wearer.
Is it bad that I still ship Leon/Morgana? I thought this was adorable. Even if Leon doesn't know it's Morgana.
Isn't this where the boar was in The Curse of Cornelius Sigan? You know, the garlic plants Bradley and Colin were talking about in the episode commentary. They need some new locations. Or at least to find less obviously identified locations.
This scene made my heart melt. It was so sweet. I know it didn't mean anything, and Merlin's probably just doing his duty, but it was too cute.
I'm getting a little tired of the "if you were me" line now. It's like Arthur's just using it to shut Merlin up now. It was a great line in season two. Still equally good in season four. Still really cute last episode. But two episodes in a row? Now it just feels overused. Arthur seems to use it every time he wants Merlin to stop questioning his decisions. Don't you have any other heartfelt lines left?
If the spell was paining Morgana, doesn't that mean it was draining her magic and that it shouldn't hold? I was waiting for the spell to wear off and reveal her identity. But despite the pain, she still managed to hold it? I didn't think she was that powerful.
You know, it's kind of interesting. Morgana's aging spell is only a cover, it only affects the surface. But it's not like Morgause's aging spell that was so superficial a mirror could reveal her identity. It's also not like Merlin's aging potion that literally ages a person on the inside and out. Merlin was old through and through, but Morgana was young on the inside and old on the outside. I'm not sure if these little nuances are intentional or complete accidents I'm reading far too much into.
Poor Mithian looks so small and scared. It's such a dramatic difference from The Hunter's Heart where she was this proud, regal, confident princess. Janet Montgomery played both parts so well.
Clever, clever Mithian. I'm a little surprised Morgana saw through her plan though.
Why was there no magic reveal to Morgana here? It would've been perfect. Morgana attacked him, Arthur wasn't around, and Merlin was dying for god's sake. Why didn't he use his magic? Is he really going to play the helpless servant until he dies? The magic reveal is so long overdue. Maybe choking addled his brain and stopped him from thinking of any spells? Even if it did, Merlin's magic is mostly instinctive (at least I think that's canon), so it should've lashed out. So inconsistent.
"We can't wait for him."
"Gwaine, stay here with Merlin and Gaius. The rest of us make for Nemeth."
WHAT? WHAT??? *cue more inhuman noises* Why is Arthur leaving Merlin behind? Has revenge completely blinded him??? He didn't want to leave Merlin in The Darkest Hour when the entirety of Camelot was at stake. He didn't even want to leave Merlin in A Servant of Two Masters when it was just Merlin at stake. But now he's willing to live Merlin behind to go save a man he barely knows? What the fuck, Arthur?
Bradley's acting in this entire episode. Oh my god. So amazing. His acting during the confrontation between Arthur and Odin was wonderful.
Gwaine just killed one of Odin's men while he was peeing. Was that really necessary?
Well hello BAMF!Merlin with a sword knocking people out. As much I absolutely love BAMF!Merlin, BAMF!Merlin with a sword is strange... Since when is Merlin so handy with a sword? When would he have ever grabbed a sword before going after Arthur? And he was going to charge in to save Arthur with a sword? And do what? Drop it on them?
I was so excited for this scene in the trailer. It was still pretty epic, but after all the trailer made it out to be... I was a little disappointed. It seemed so much like a magic reveal in the trailer that seeing it as Merlin covertly saving Arthur... The scene had so much potential.
I was so excited when Merlin ran someone through from the back. YES FOR SAVING ARTHUR WITHOUT MAGIC.
Morgana. You felt someone throw you back with magic. Shouldn't you be wondering who did the magic?
Dead end from His Father's Son? As much as they need new locations, this particular scene in this particular location actually provided a really nice parallel. In His Father's Son, Arthur killed the king of Caerleon upon Agravaine's urging and nearly started a war. This time, he got into a fight with another king, and Merlin convinced him to spare his life, leading to a peace treaty.
Why does every person who wants revenge always want to be the one to kill the object of their revenge? What usually ends up happening is that the person after revenge gets killed. Just let everyone swarm the person and kill them. What will it matter after you have their head on a stick. You get what you want, don't you?
"Arthur. Stop. Think about what you're doing. What good will this achieve? How many times have you talked about uniting this land? Will killing this make this dream any closer?"
"He is right. This is no answer."
More parallels. So glad Arthur's listening to Merlin this time.
"You must restore Rodor to the throne of Nemeth."
So... did Odin usurp Rodor's throne? Wasn't Odin a king before? And Rodor definitely was too. What happened?
"Take it. Take it."
Bradley's facial expressions in this scene were so amazing. And his voice as he said, "Take it." He's come so far.
This treaty is the beginning of Albion, isn't it? It's the beginning of the legend. OMG! We're getting closer to the actual legend. Albion has seemed so far away in the past seasons. Maybe we'll actually get to see Arthur unite Albion.
"To have signed a treaty with Odin is a great achievement, and it brings a united kingdom one step closer."
"Not while Morgana lives and breathes it doesn't. Her power grows, Gaius. To have held an aging spell that long is frightening."
"Be that as it may, she is not yet your equal."
"And if that day should come?"
"Let us hope it does not."
It's nice to know that while Merlin is vicious toward Morgana and Mordred (people who are genuinely a danger to Arthur), he can still show mercy to people like Odin (who he knows will benefit Arthur more alive). I really hope Morgana becomes at least close to Merlin's equal by the end. And then we can get an epic final battle with Merlin up against Morgana. I would love to see an epic magical duel.
I started watching season one again yesterday. After watching season five, going back to the beginning was so jarring. All the actors have changed so much in their acting abilities. All the characters have come so far, even if the development through the seasons were choppy and sporadic. Looking at the Dragon's Call compared to Another's Sorrow is like looking at two different worlds.