(no subject)
Oh, gosh, Merlin. (I KNOW. I would apologise for going on about it so much but I'M NOT SORRY IN THE SLIGHTEST). I really enjoyed this episode - they really seem to be finding their feet as the series progresses. I remember back in the old days when the historical innacuracies and glaring anachronisms (tomatoes! sandwiches!) filled me with rage. Now I don't give a shit. It is fun! There are dragons! There are people with stupid cloaks on! There are ridiculous CGI monsters! There is glaring homogayness! I fecking love it.
- This was the first time that I really felt that it came together. It was much darker in tone - Merlin having to have serious debates with himself about morality and what his "destiny" means. There was a lot more character development as well. I liked seeing Morgana and Uther's relationship developed a bit more - they obviously care a lot about each other, just disagree massively over this one thing. I also liked seeing more Athur/Morgana interaction - she can play him so well.
- I loved seeing Merlin and Morgana together more - they had a really nice sense of cameraderie going on. And I like that they are both a little bit magical but are unaware of the other's magicalness. I think it is going to be very interesting when they both find out.
- Morgana got to do some Hero Business at last! Except that she kind of failed at it and needed Arthur to do it properly in the end but never mind. I liked how noble she was towards Merlin and Gwen ("I could never forgive myself if something happened to either of you." Which I can understand with regards to Gwen - their relationship is well established. But Merlin? They have had hardly any time together and yet she is willing to risk her life to protect him?
- Gaius! Such sass! I know I said he annoyed me a bit but, truth be told, I am enormously fond of him. He clearly dotes on Merlin but is obviously quite a massive coward. I find these glimpses of his slightly unsavoury side interesting - the fact that he stood by Uther without question when he basically comitted genocide, the fact that he would prefer Merlin to be safe rather than to do the right thing.
- Anthony Head was looking ridiculously attractive this episode, even when he was dolling out death penalties to young, wide-eyed, slightly creepy druid boys. And where did that scar come from? I'm sure that wasn't there before. I'm ashamed to admit it but, uh, I may have a bit of a thing for him now...
- Good, god, there is so much shipping potential in this programme - such fanservice. We are quite spoiled. Uther and Morgana being all feisty yet caring at each other, Morgana and Arthur being all I HATE YOU I secretly love you at each other, Morgana and Gwen being all intense gazes and overly protective at each other, Merlin and Arthur being all idotic and love struck at each other, Gaius and Merlin being all innapropriately suggestive at each other, Morgana, Arthur and Merlin being all OT3 of awesome together, JESUS WEPT IT'S LIKE A FLIPPING ORGY OVER THERE IN CAMELOT.
- In conclusion: Camelot, it is a silly place. But I wouldn't have it any other way.