The Arthur & Merlin dynamics in series 2
One of the main attractions of series 1 of Merlin for me was the bond between Arthur and Merlin. Their banter on the one hand, their mutual fondness and the way they alternated saving each other's asses on the other hand.
One of my complaints about episode 2x1 was that in their desire to re-establish the relationship between Arthur and Merlin for new viewers they went a little overboard in making clear just how much Arthur was the master and Merlin was the servant. This was also done so that by the end of the episode the offer Sigan makes Merlin would come across as more tempting. I see what they were trying to do there, but I didn't like it and I still don't like watching Merlin be cast aside so easily by Arthur and literally being treated as a footstool after all they'd gone through.
Episode 2x2 also had a couple of moments that made me cringe and feel like Arthur was being an ass towards Merlin. I'm specifically thinking of how he went all repentant towards Gwen for treating her badly and then turning around and doing to Merlin exactly what Gwen had scolded him for.
After that it slowly went better though and if Arthur was scolding Merlin for something it was usually for something that could be justified at least from Arthur's POV since Arthur doesn't have all the information needed: for all he knows Merlin is kind of terrible at his job and it's just that he genuinely likes Merlin that he puts up with him.
And throughout the second series the whole saving each other's asses is back in full force, but for all Arthur knows he's the only one doing the saving and whenever he scolds Merlin he's got a good reason for it, at least from his POV. I really think Arthur must like Merlin a whole lot for still wanting him as a servant and even though Merlin is frustrated that Arthur doesn't know about Merlin saving his royal backside all the time, he's very aware that Arthur is fond of him and listens to what he says.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. I know that some of you agree, some of you have a completely different view on this and there are probably those who take the middle road. So lets hear it!
One of my complaints about episode 2x1 was that in their desire to re-establish the relationship between Arthur and Merlin for new viewers they went a little overboard in making clear just how much Arthur was the master and Merlin was the servant. This was also done so that by the end of the episode the offer Sigan makes Merlin would come across as more tempting. I see what they were trying to do there, but I didn't like it and I still don't like watching Merlin be cast aside so easily by Arthur and literally being treated as a footstool after all they'd gone through.
Episode 2x2 also had a couple of moments that made me cringe and feel like Arthur was being an ass towards Merlin. I'm specifically thinking of how he went all repentant towards Gwen for treating her badly and then turning around and doing to Merlin exactly what Gwen had scolded him for.
After that it slowly went better though and if Arthur was scolding Merlin for something it was usually for something that could be justified at least from Arthur's POV since Arthur doesn't have all the information needed: for all he knows Merlin is kind of terrible at his job and it's just that he genuinely likes Merlin that he puts up with him.
And throughout the second series the whole saving each other's asses is back in full force, but for all Arthur knows he's the only one doing the saving and whenever he scolds Merlin he's got a good reason for it, at least from his POV. I really think Arthur must like Merlin a whole lot for still wanting him as a servant and even though Merlin is frustrated that Arthur doesn't know about Merlin saving his royal backside all the time, he's very aware that Arthur is fond of him and listens to what he says.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. I know that some of you agree, some of you have a completely different view on this and there are probably those who take the middle road. So lets hear it!