Merlin - A Lesson in Vengeance
A Lesson in Vengeance (Season 5, Episode 7)
It’s finally beginning to bother me that Arthur doesn’t think Merlin counts when bringing him somewhere. In a way, it’s sweet that he trusts Merlin so much that he doesn’t hesitate to bring him into any and every part of his life. Including his anniversary picnic. But at the same time, it’s a little disturbing that Arthur doesn’t think Merlin counts as a person. Trust is one thing, but seeing someone as so much an extension of yourself that they don’t even count as a whole person to you? That’s unsettling.
It’s always understood that Merlin will go with Arthur wherever he goes. But Arthur saying “This is nice, isn’t it? Just the two of us.” And then, “Merlin? Merlin doesn’t count.” That really irked me. Arthur wasn’t being malicious or even taunting Merlin. But the fact that he wasn’t, and that this was such an off-hand comment is disturbing.
There’s that quote by Aristotle that says, “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” That’s one way of looking at Arthur’s point of view on himself and Merlin. But nowhere in that quote does it mention one mind inhabiting two bodies. Merlin has his own thoughts, is his own person. The fact that Arthur takes this for granted is a problem.
Annnnnd more proof that Merlin manages every single part of Arthur’s life. No wonder there are so many Modern AU fics of Merlin as Arthur’s PA. He even has to be the one to remember Arthur and Gwen’s anniversary.
Why is Tyr’s mother the only one in Camelot in possession of this (frankly unremarkable looking) red thread? And how did Gwen know this? And how did she get her hands on it if Tyr’s mother is the only one who has it?
Arthur seems to seriously doubt Tyr’s guilt. So why are you condemning him to death? This is not Arthur’s style. Why is my poor baby regressing? Where is the evidence for him becoming the great king of legend?
Oh goody, so Tyr’s been Arthur’s servant since they were kids. Another person Arthur’s supposedly known all his life but we’ve never met. Not until he’s needed as a plot device, of course.
“Even a great and honorable king has enemies within his walls.”
This entire conversation had me tearing my hair out in frustration. The irony of the entire conversation. I can’t. I just CAN’T. Maybe Arthur’s right in not getting too close to anyone. Because the minute he does, he becomes completely blinded to their faults and they can control him like a puppet on strings. Without fail (Merlin excluded, because he’s the exception to everything), everyone Arthur has wholeheartedly put his faith in has turned on him.
“I suppose experience should have taught me that by now.”
Experience should have taught you a lot of things, Arthur, sweetie. You haven’t learned any of those lessons. How are we to expect differently now?
Wow, they really like to put in affectionate scenes when one party is enchanted, don’t they? We got a sweet scene with Arthur stroking Gwen’s cheek. But hey! Gwen’s not herself! Just the like the one and only Merlin/Arthur hug we’ve gotten.
Am I the only one who sees the desperation in Gwen’s eyes? Seriously. This is not typical Gwen. Follow your own instincts, Arthur. Puppet on a string I tell you. Puppet. On. A. String.
So Morgana’s trying to put Gwen on the throne now? As a puppet for her, or so she can kill Gwen take her place?
How well does sound travel in this castle? Gwen looks pretty far away lurking outside the room. How is she hearing this conversation so well?
If Morgana’s so powerful that she can transform into Hilda without the aid of a potion, why can’t she just transform herself into someone else to buy the potion? Then she wouldn’t need to buy anyone’s silence. Where is all her money coming from anyway?
All of Gwen’s promises this episode sound so… out of character. She’s not usually so open with her affection. She doesn’t usually make declarations like, “I would lay down my life to protect you.” We know she loves Arthur, but things like this are not normally said. The sudden sappiness… how is Arthur not suspicious? Elyan’s recent death is not a good enough explanation.
Merlin, sweetie, check the dresses with fabric of similar color to the one in your hand. Not every single one. And how about you look for a rip instead of just comparing it to the neckline? Sigh. I don’t really blame Merlin for not recognizing the fabric as Gwen’s though. He doesn’t handle Gwen’s clothing after all. And expecting a guy to recognize embroidery on the hem of a cloak? Come on. That’s expecting a bit much. Even from Merlin.
Oh… throwback to the crossdressing from season two. Must we? You can find ways to establish continuity in these meaningless little fluff pieces, but not in the big things like the enchanted bracelet from season four?
“A lady’s modesty is at stake after all.”
Oh please! I don’t think you have to worry about Gwen’s modesty with the cleavage baring dresses she wears daily in court. I genuinely wonder how that red dress stays up all the time.
Sigh. The chemistry between Angel and Bradley is just so non-existent. I can’t hardly bring myself to watch their affectionate scenes together.
After all these years, the guards still readily throw Merlin in prison? After all these years, how is it that no one fought for Merlin? How is it that not even Gwaine stood up for him?
“She’s taken control over Gwen.”
Why is it that no one suspects that Gwen just broke under Morgana’s torture? I mean, of course she didn’t, because Gwen’s just always perfect like that. But why does no one even suspect? This is a very plausible explanation.
I cannot imagine Gwen waxing poetical at Arthur’s deathbed with Leon standing RIGHT THERE. Gwen is so much more reserved than that. I repeat, why does no one suspect anything? God, the idiocy in Camelot. Is there something in the water causing their idiocy?
“We need to be prepared.”
Yes, we do need to be prepared. That’s what an heir is for. So why don’t you have one, Arthur? Where is the explanation for this?
It bothers me that Leon is the one to convince Gwen to take the crown. I’ve always seen Leon as the most strictly traditional of the knights. The one most likely to object to commoners becoming knights, to Arthur marrying a serving girl, and to making Gwen the sole ruler of Camelot. Leon’s faith in Gwen is… a little over the top.
As much as I wish they would stop using Dragoon for an excuse for Merlin using magic, Colin’s acting is amazing. He manages to inject something a little different into his performance every time he plays Dragoon.
The citadel is on high alert, yet no one notices the servant accused of killing the king crouching behind a couple barrels. Really. The incompetence.
Aww, so Merlin can climb. And OMG, this is the scene we saw of Colin climbing, groaning and wriggling his little bottom in Pierrefonds, isn’t it?
Why was Merlin using his dragonlord voice at the beginning of the spell? And why does Merlin always feel the need to yell? Sound apparently travels very well in this castle. Tsk, tsk, baby.
You know what I love about Colin’s acting? (Besides, you know, everything.) The fact that he doesn’t try to make everything look pretty. Like when he was incanting the spell to save Arthur. And when he cries. His acting is raw and emotional and very real. He doesn’t try to dramatize it or make it look all glamorous. It is what it is and Colin presents it as such.
My poor baby.
And why in the world was the first word out of Arthur’s mouth GAIUS upon waking? This is creating disturbing images I want to scrub out of my brain. Then again, my mind lives in the gutter. So maybe it’s just me.
Wait. Wait. WAIT. Merlin climbed down the wall from Arthur’s chambers. Alone. So why did Arthur need rope to escape from his room in season two? Has Merlin developed some heretofore unknown spidey powers?
Merlin, sweetie. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I can’t take your… EVERYTHING.
Merlin wasn’t the one who brought Arthur’s food. Why is it no one before Arthur thought to check with the cook? But Arthur has so much faith in Merlin! It never even crosses his mind that Merlin might wish him harm. But god. The magic reveal (if it ever happens) is going to hurt like hell. Also, it’s so sad that now it’s “if” magic reveal happens instead of “when.” So angry that we really can’t expect a magic reveal anymore.
“Thanks to Guinevere, some new evidence has come to light.”
Oh. My. God. The entire last two minutes of this episode was so similar to Morgana “saving Camelot” in season three it sickens me. Arthur’s blind faith in Gwen and the way he heaps praise on her… I can’t even. I feel like TPTB kicks the affection up a notch whenever someone is about to die or turns traitor. It’s like… to compensate for turning Gwen evil, we’re gonna make everyone love her even more! Yay! Someone shoot me now.
Her tireless efforts? How long was Merlin in the dungeons? I thought he was only there for a day. How long could Gwen have had to search for the potion maker?
I love that Merlin remains silent in the end, not joining the chants of “long live the queen!”
It’s finally beginning to bother me that Arthur doesn’t think Merlin counts when bringing him somewhere. In a way, it’s sweet that he trusts Merlin so much that he doesn’t hesitate to bring him into any and every part of his life. Including his anniversary picnic. But at the same time, it’s a little disturbing that Arthur doesn’t think Merlin counts as a person. Trust is one thing, but seeing someone as so much an extension of yourself that they don’t even count as a whole person to you? That’s unsettling.
It’s always understood that Merlin will go with Arthur wherever he goes. But Arthur saying “This is nice, isn’t it? Just the two of us.” And then, “Merlin? Merlin doesn’t count.” That really irked me. Arthur wasn’t being malicious or even taunting Merlin. But the fact that he wasn’t, and that this was such an off-hand comment is disturbing.
There’s that quote by Aristotle that says, “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” That’s one way of looking at Arthur’s point of view on himself and Merlin. But nowhere in that quote does it mention one mind inhabiting two bodies. Merlin has his own thoughts, is his own person. The fact that Arthur takes this for granted is a problem.
Annnnnd more proof that Merlin manages every single part of Arthur’s life. No wonder there are so many Modern AU fics of Merlin as Arthur’s PA. He even has to be the one to remember Arthur and Gwen’s anniversary.
Why is Tyr’s mother the only one in Camelot in possession of this (frankly unremarkable looking) red thread? And how did Gwen know this? And how did she get her hands on it if Tyr’s mother is the only one who has it?
Arthur seems to seriously doubt Tyr’s guilt. So why are you condemning him to death? This is not Arthur’s style. Why is my poor baby regressing? Where is the evidence for him becoming the great king of legend?
Oh goody, so Tyr’s been Arthur’s servant since they were kids. Another person Arthur’s supposedly known all his life but we’ve never met. Not until he’s needed as a plot device, of course.
“Even a great and honorable king has enemies within his walls.”
This entire conversation had me tearing my hair out in frustration. The irony of the entire conversation. I can’t. I just CAN’T. Maybe Arthur’s right in not getting too close to anyone. Because the minute he does, he becomes completely blinded to their faults and they can control him like a puppet on strings. Without fail (Merlin excluded, because he’s the exception to everything), everyone Arthur has wholeheartedly put his faith in has turned on him.
“I suppose experience should have taught me that by now.”
Experience should have taught you a lot of things, Arthur, sweetie. You haven’t learned any of those lessons. How are we to expect differently now?
Wow, they really like to put in affectionate scenes when one party is enchanted, don’t they? We got a sweet scene with Arthur stroking Gwen’s cheek. But hey! Gwen’s not herself! Just the like the one and only Merlin/Arthur hug we’ve gotten.
Am I the only one who sees the desperation in Gwen’s eyes? Seriously. This is not typical Gwen. Follow your own instincts, Arthur. Puppet on a string I tell you. Puppet. On. A. String.
So Morgana’s trying to put Gwen on the throne now? As a puppet for her, or so she can kill Gwen take her place?
How well does sound travel in this castle? Gwen looks pretty far away lurking outside the room. How is she hearing this conversation so well?
If Morgana’s so powerful that she can transform into Hilda without the aid of a potion, why can’t she just transform herself into someone else to buy the potion? Then she wouldn’t need to buy anyone’s silence. Where is all her money coming from anyway?
All of Gwen’s promises this episode sound so… out of character. She’s not usually so open with her affection. She doesn’t usually make declarations like, “I would lay down my life to protect you.” We know she loves Arthur, but things like this are not normally said. The sudden sappiness… how is Arthur not suspicious? Elyan’s recent death is not a good enough explanation.
Merlin, sweetie, check the dresses with fabric of similar color to the one in your hand. Not every single one. And how about you look for a rip instead of just comparing it to the neckline? Sigh. I don’t really blame Merlin for not recognizing the fabric as Gwen’s though. He doesn’t handle Gwen’s clothing after all. And expecting a guy to recognize embroidery on the hem of a cloak? Come on. That’s expecting a bit much. Even from Merlin.
Oh… throwback to the crossdressing from season two. Must we? You can find ways to establish continuity in these meaningless little fluff pieces, but not in the big things like the enchanted bracelet from season four?
“A lady’s modesty is at stake after all.”
Oh please! I don’t think you have to worry about Gwen’s modesty with the cleavage baring dresses she wears daily in court. I genuinely wonder how that red dress stays up all the time.
Sigh. The chemistry between Angel and Bradley is just so non-existent. I can’t hardly bring myself to watch their affectionate scenes together.
After all these years, the guards still readily throw Merlin in prison? After all these years, how is it that no one fought for Merlin? How is it that not even Gwaine stood up for him?
“She’s taken control over Gwen.”
Why is it that no one suspects that Gwen just broke under Morgana’s torture? I mean, of course she didn’t, because Gwen’s just always perfect like that. But why does no one even suspect? This is a very plausible explanation.
I cannot imagine Gwen waxing poetical at Arthur’s deathbed with Leon standing RIGHT THERE. Gwen is so much more reserved than that. I repeat, why does no one suspect anything? God, the idiocy in Camelot. Is there something in the water causing their idiocy?
“We need to be prepared.”
Yes, we do need to be prepared. That’s what an heir is for. So why don’t you have one, Arthur? Where is the explanation for this?
It bothers me that Leon is the one to convince Gwen to take the crown. I’ve always seen Leon as the most strictly traditional of the knights. The one most likely to object to commoners becoming knights, to Arthur marrying a serving girl, and to making Gwen the sole ruler of Camelot. Leon’s faith in Gwen is… a little over the top.
As much as I wish they would stop using Dragoon for an excuse for Merlin using magic, Colin’s acting is amazing. He manages to inject something a little different into his performance every time he plays Dragoon.
The citadel is on high alert, yet no one notices the servant accused of killing the king crouching behind a couple barrels. Really. The incompetence.
Aww, so Merlin can climb. And OMG, this is the scene we saw of Colin climbing, groaning and wriggling his little bottom in Pierrefonds, isn’t it?
Why was Merlin using his dragonlord voice at the beginning of the spell? And why does Merlin always feel the need to yell? Sound apparently travels very well in this castle. Tsk, tsk, baby.
You know what I love about Colin’s acting? (Besides, you know, everything.) The fact that he doesn’t try to make everything look pretty. Like when he was incanting the spell to save Arthur. And when he cries. His acting is raw and emotional and very real. He doesn’t try to dramatize it or make it look all glamorous. It is what it is and Colin presents it as such.
My poor baby.
And why in the world was the first word out of Arthur’s mouth GAIUS upon waking? This is creating disturbing images I want to scrub out of my brain. Then again, my mind lives in the gutter. So maybe it’s just me.
Wait. Wait. WAIT. Merlin climbed down the wall from Arthur’s chambers. Alone. So why did Arthur need rope to escape from his room in season two? Has Merlin developed some heretofore unknown spidey powers?
Merlin, sweetie. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I can’t take your… EVERYTHING.
Merlin wasn’t the one who brought Arthur’s food. Why is it no one before Arthur thought to check with the cook? But Arthur has so much faith in Merlin! It never even crosses his mind that Merlin might wish him harm. But god. The magic reveal (if it ever happens) is going to hurt like hell. Also, it’s so sad that now it’s “if” magic reveal happens instead of “when.” So angry that we really can’t expect a magic reveal anymore.
“Thanks to Guinevere, some new evidence has come to light.”
Oh. My. God. The entire last two minutes of this episode was so similar to Morgana “saving Camelot” in season three it sickens me. Arthur’s blind faith in Gwen and the way he heaps praise on her… I can’t even. I feel like TPTB kicks the affection up a notch whenever someone is about to die or turns traitor. It’s like… to compensate for turning Gwen evil, we’re gonna make everyone love her even more! Yay! Someone shoot me now.
Her tireless efforts? How long was Merlin in the dungeons? I thought he was only there for a day. How long could Gwen have had to search for the potion maker?
I love that Merlin remains silent in the end, not joining the chants of “long live the queen!”