Merlin 2.7: The Witchfinder
Insta-reactions.
I’m a bit torn about this episode but I think my overriding feeling is disappointment and a vague feeling of unease. Having read an early review I was hoping for some OT4 cooperation and friendship that never materialised. I did like the overall darker feel of the episode. If only the show was prepared to have the courage to follow its ideas through to the logical conclusions and not give us the children's show endings.
To be honest I’m surprised someone as paranoid as Uther does not have a permanent Witchfinder. (Cynical part of me wonders if this is what earns Gaius he seat on the council?) So it’s no surprise when we find out he does indeed have up-close and personal dealings with Aredian, witchfinder extraordinaire.
Merlin: Colin Morgan is a fantastic actor his eyes really do speak. That out of the way, dear gods Merlin, a life-size horse in the forest when there are loads of people about? Stupid stick, hit with. I’m going to explain this away with the thought that the pressure is really starting to get to Merlin and he is beginning to crack. Imagine the horror of having magic and never being able to use it. Morgan does actually get a lot of this across.
‘I’m not a witch.’ *start subliminal message* Of course not, Merlin, cos it’s SO MUCH BETTER to be a warlock. *end subliminal message*
Arthur: Surely the clues are being seeded so that we decide he does know? That scene in the court where Gwen was checking out Morgana and Arthur was checking out Merlin was more than just concern for their friends but fear for the discovery of their magic. I’m sure it’s ambiguous so that the show can jump either side but do hope Arthur knows. LOLs at Arthur man-handling Merlin out of the chambers. Merlin really is a seven-stone weakling. But yes, love and concern. And then Arthur takes Merlin to Gaius. Thank you, at last, for showing some genuine love and concern between these two.
Aredian: Those of us watching Trinity are having a bit of a more Charles Dance moment here. T’is true in acting that 10 per cent of the acting population seems to be employed 90 per cent of the time. Aredian’s entrance gave me Childcatcher from Chitty Chitty flashbacks. I don’t know anyone who wasn’t afraid of the Childcatcher and his cage and the creepiness hangs on. I half expected a little bit of ‘Here children…” from Dance. It was an effective performance and more nuanced than (I suspect) was deserved. Personally I would rather that Aredian had been honest in his witchfinding and not a charlatan but I know the show is not prepared to go there.
Subtle Show is Subtle: How many times did we get to see that half skull?
The Crucible: Eng Lit students can do a compare and contrast of the court scene. I’d like to happy at the presence of a group of female extras but it turns out they were only hallucinating for reasons of VANITY. Oh show! Your misogyny is showing again. *sighs*
Uther: Hoist by his own petard. But, shit show, what is he expected to do? If you have a law it cannot be one law for your friends and one law for everyone else. Uther may be wrong but he is impartial in his upholding of the law. Also, hmmm, Gaius has been pretty silent in the enforcement of the law prior to this and stayed silent while sorcerer after sorcerer was killed. I was left feeling very sorry for Uther here. Probably it was unintentional but it’s a tribute to ASH’s performance. Aside: burning or beheading seems to be the execution method of choice in Camelot. I don’t recall any hangings. I would have expected Uther to push for beheading for his old friend as both quicker and kinder but maybe he was expecting/hoping for some sort of last minute reprieve to happen.
Gaius: The deeds of the past come to haunt us. About bloody time, says I. Hints of Gaius’ sorcering history throughout but nothing concrete is revealed - and how many times did Gaius say the word sorcerer this week?? It should not have been as amusing at it was. Richard Wison was great as a semi-broken old man intend only on saving his loved ones before he dies. He really did look frail. I literally flinched when the water was thrown in his face. Gaius’ anger at Uther is understandable but wrong although I’m sure the show intends us to side wholly with Gaius.
Morgana: A pretty thankless role for Katy McGrath this week as it’s pretty much all passive and reactive. (Those dreams are never any practical use, are they?) I understand her fears but would have loved a scene with Gwen or Merlin or Arthur where she was in a more active role. Fear does take people in odd ways though so at least the reaction was plausible and it was easy to see how she could be trapped.
Gwen: YaY a return to the Gwen/Merlin friendship. BUT , and I’m really sad to write this because I love Gwen and I like Arthur/Gwen, I’d really rather have had Gwen’s part played by Merlin at fire scene. Also, while understandably clutching at any weapons, Arthur did NOT let an innocent man die. Tom was GUILTY. He knew the laws about sorcerers and still CHOSE to aid them for money. So we’re not talking about rights and wrongs but EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL. Unnecessary emotional blackmail, at that. Gwen is better than that. Arthur is better than that. Grrrr. I really, really did not like the way that scene was played out.
Finale: Another guest star dies. Cue final shots of Merlin and Gaius laughing. Reset.
Next week: Trailer is MADE OF AWESOME. I’m trying not to get too excited. And failing. MISERABLY.