Merlin 2.12: The Fires of Idirsholas
WTF? WTF? WOT? WOT? OMFG! Usually I try not to read any responses, but this ep left me so flaily and overcome that I logged on and found that virtually everyone who watched this week wrote a review - and the reactions ranged from extreme to really extreme!
This is the first time I’ve consciously been aware that the ships/character love you take into an episode totally dictates what you come out with. Since I’m here for the Merlin/Arthur and the Arthur/Gwen and pretty much feel warm and smushy towards all the other characters, without demanding they live up to any particular standards of morality, I’m very nearly ecstatic. Fegh, why not admit it? Shades of grey make my day. That said, I can see why there’s been lots of upset this week.
So thoughts. In no particular order.
Julian Jones, I forgive you doe-eyed emo footstool!Merlin because finally, finally we have an episode where the choices made are going to have massive repercussions and all the characters stepped up to the mark and did the best they could in difficult circumstances. The actors (CM, BJ, and KM) were all bloody fantastic too. *is awed* I’m not sure how the finale could top this - although my dream scenario is Arthur clearly and unmistakably seeing Merlin performing magic culminating in a cliff hanger where we wait to find out how he will react.
Arthur/Merlin: SHIPPER’S DREAM episode. Thank you, Show. This is the relationship I want to see - that bond where A/M work together, banter at each other and then save each other’s lives, all the while indulging in huge amounts of eye-sex and facial expressions full of unspoken feelings. And if there can be dresses, a little hurt/comfort, sweating and panting, some sword fighting and other delicious bonbons along the way that’s even better. “In my next life if I need a servant.” “Don’t ask me.” Please don’t be telling me that’s not a declaration of love. Reincarnation ahoy - AUs and future fic FTW!
I love that Arthur is prepared to die for Camelot (the Knight’s code) and Merlin is prepared to die for Arthur. (And pre-meditatively kill for Arthur. More on that later.)
Morgause: Sorceress extraordinaire! I really, really like Morgause but she’s working an agenda and doesn’t really care who gets harmed in the way of it. That’s fine by me. She loves Morgana (or at least the thought of Morgana/sister) but is less than honest in her dealings. Sure, Morgana may be willing to kill Uther but that doesn’t mean she’d buy into the whole enchant the castle plot. It’s a nice touch of subtle in the show because Morgana is never going to be able to claim total innocence (even to herself) and Morgause will be able to say that she thought that Morgana had agreed to the whole scheme. But, whatever her agenda Morgause values Morgana over revenge and that counts for a LOT. Although there’s a touch of ‘Evil Overlord’ over-complicated in Morgause’s plots (why not just pitch down and take Uther out herself without all the fuss?) she’s powerful and competent and all-round pretty IMPRESSIVE.
I do hope that when Morgana gets better she doesn’t find herself Morgause’s caged bird in the same way she was Uther’s. Perhaps out of Camelot she’ll have time to reflect on what she has lost as well as all that she has gained. At least now she’ll have a chance to learn to harness her magic. I want Morgana to learn to use her head as well as her heart, to think about consequences of her actions, to get wisdom as well as experience - but still to remember that running the world does not mean you have to do so in practical suits and flats. Keep working that killer wardrobe and get Morgause to introduce you to her dressmaker and her hairdresser. And her horses’ hairdresser - that white mane was beautiful.
I still don’t, btw, see any evidence that bringing down Camelot or Camelot’s current ruling elite will do anything to better the lives of the general population. Margause seems entirely personally motivated in her actions.
“Go and investigate, Arthur.” Bless you, throne-lounging Uther, this is one time when there is magic and you’re all blasé. My theory is that Arthur picked a group of second, or even third, division Knights for this expedition and left all the really experienced men at Camelot. Well, he can’t afford to keep losing trained men. Merlin comes too because, well, because he always does, although Arthur really should start kitting him out a bit better for these expeditions. Really, the court gossip surrounding Merlin must be incredible.
Knights of Medhir: You know you thought of Nazgul. It’s all right, it’s homage rather than a total rip. The increased budget has once again paid off well here with the flowing cloaks and the creepy masks and the gorgeous horses. Camelot’s inhabitants may have been asleep but I’m not actually sure that rendered them safe from harm. They seemed to feel pretty poorly before their collapse. Arthur only survived thanks to Merlin. And surely Arthur must have noticed the magic that time? Merlin practically bellowed in his ear before bringing the ceiling down.
“Will you do as I tell you?” Clearly not, but obviously Arthur hopes that there’s always a first time. And then there was ripped shirt and arm bandaging. Rrrroah! The neckerchief would make more sense but Arthur does like to mark his territory.
“Protect the king.” Oh, BB, this is what it’s all about. Of course, they have to protect Uther as Uther in a very real sense is Camelot. I love that Arthur’s emotions are blurred between king and father.
“Take this sword and defend him with your life.” Excellent Morgana/Arthur interaction, with the obvious affection, the not quite easiness, the underlying trust, all playing out in turn. I can see how, even if she remains estranged from Camelot, Morgana will be the one to take Arthur to Avalon. I’ve read bits that suggest Arthur is being brusque and unsympathetic when he questions Morgana but I saw it more as stress and the need to know any/all facts as quickly as possible. Also, I’m not sure how Morgana would have responded to more open sympathy - she was already (understandably) frightened and they couldn’t afford to have her break down.
Arthur trusts Morgana to do her duty for Camelot. Naturally Morgana cannot kill Uther when he is asleep and defenceless - she is not that person. Incidentally, Morguase totally is that person but I like her despite that.
Gwen: Not really a Gwen ep, and for once that seems understandable rather than poor writing choices. The Gwen/Morgana scene is friendly enough but there’s no closeness there or anything other than mistress/servant interaction. Oh girls, where did all go wrong? And why weren’t you considered important enough for us to find out?
Arthur carrying Gwen to Morgana’s bed and then brushing the tress away from her face was sweet. I was mildly perturbed that Morgana had just left Gwen were she fell without making an effort to move her but am giving Morgana a pass on the grounds that she was probably terrified at that point.
I guess that could be seen as Arthur installing Gwen as first lady of Camelot in Morgana’s place?
I’m interested to see what becomes of Gwen at this point. Her only reason for being in the Castle is as Morgana’s maidservant. Perhaps she’ll start to work for Gaius?
“We could put him in a dress.” Merlin and the frocks. LOLs. I admit, it made me laugh and now I really am convinced that somewhere in that attic room Merlin is sewing a fine ballgown he plans to bring out one day Cinderella-style. There may also be glass slippers.
“Two pillows!” The throwaway lines this week were excellent. And they really worked well in the context of the episode.
Merlin in the closet. Enough said.
“No destiny and no Arthur.” Oh Dragon. You are one BAD lizard. Of course, the dragon is going to say anything to get out of that cave. Who wouldn’t? Merlin should know not to take things on trust. Note that Dragon has to bring in Arthur at this point as just saving Camelot may not swing it. OTOH, there is nothing that Merlin would not do to protect Arthur. (More dark!Merlin and scary, stalker if-I-can’t-have-you-then-nobody-will Merlin fic please.)
“I swear by my mother’s life.” Hunith, we missed you this season. There’s no way Merlin’s going to back out of his promise now.
“Here, drink this.” OMG! DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. Total kudos to the all that the poisoning scene plays out so well that sympathy is divided. Poor Merlin really is faced with a terrible dilemma - I don’t think anyone watching could say he acted easily or without looking for an alternative. He’s started out trying to protect Morgana (keeping her secret from Arthur) and moved slowly, slowly into distrust. Even then, I don’t think he would have managed to go through with the poisoning if Arthur had not gone out to the die-nobly thing.
The fact that the Knights don’t harm Morgana must just confirm Merlin’s suspicions. Incidentally, I know it sounds terrible, but I have to say that if I was told I had to kill a friend for the greater good I, too, would have tried to bottle out of it and let someone else do the actual deed. However, when it comes to the moment Merlin steps up and does what he feels he must for DESTINY. And he looks completely broken and wretched in the doing. No Merlin hate here. And the thing is, it doesn’t matter in the end if Morgana is a willing participant or not, she is the embodiment of the enchantment and has to be removed.
KM rocks in this episode managing to convey fear and disbelief and then fear again as she lets Merlin take her in his arms. (See, writers, the femmes can really deliver when given the chance.)
“She chose to use her magic differently.” Did she, b’god?” Well, no. NOT AT ALL. Morgana didn’t choose anything since choice has been consistently denied to her. To paraphrase Harry Potter - it’s other people’s choices that make us who we are. This should actually be a key scene - though it’s Merlin, so who knows. Gaius is giving Merlin a fell better ‘get-out clause’, which is presumably how Gaius has managed to live with himself all these years, simply by not taking responsibility for his own part in events. BUT, I think that Merlin is fundamentally more honest. I think he knows there’s a price for his actions. Ideally, this would be the start of Merlin leaving Gaius behind as Mentor telling him what he’s done rather than asking what he should do.
Uther: blames himself for not protecting Morgana. Even now he makes Morgana passive in this - understandably I guess since she was lying in Morgause’s arms. Lots of bumping around for ASH this week - bet that was fun!
Gaius: that smile when Merlin first tried to wake him up was one of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen. Now we know what zombie!Gaius is going look like. Once again poor RW got stuck with the role of exposition man.
To conclude: OT4 is no more.
This is the first time I’ve consciously been aware that the ships/character love you take into an episode totally dictates what you come out with. Since I’m here for the Merlin/Arthur and the Arthur/Gwen and pretty much feel warm and smushy towards all the other characters, without demanding they live up to any particular standards of morality, I’m very nearly ecstatic. Fegh, why not admit it? Shades of grey make my day. That said, I can see why there’s been lots of upset this week.
So thoughts. In no particular order.
Julian Jones, I forgive you doe-eyed emo footstool!Merlin because finally, finally we have an episode where the choices made are going to have massive repercussions and all the characters stepped up to the mark and did the best they could in difficult circumstances. The actors (CM, BJ, and KM) were all bloody fantastic too. *is awed* I’m not sure how the finale could top this - although my dream scenario is Arthur clearly and unmistakably seeing Merlin performing magic culminating in a cliff hanger where we wait to find out how he will react.
Arthur/Merlin: SHIPPER’S DREAM episode. Thank you, Show. This is the relationship I want to see - that bond where A/M work together, banter at each other and then save each other’s lives, all the while indulging in huge amounts of eye-sex and facial expressions full of unspoken feelings. And if there can be dresses, a little hurt/comfort, sweating and panting, some sword fighting and other delicious bonbons along the way that’s even better. “In my next life if I need a servant.” “Don’t ask me.” Please don’t be telling me that’s not a declaration of love. Reincarnation ahoy - AUs and future fic FTW!
I love that Arthur is prepared to die for Camelot (the Knight’s code) and Merlin is prepared to die for Arthur. (And pre-meditatively kill for Arthur. More on that later.)
Morgause: Sorceress extraordinaire! I really, really like Morgause but she’s working an agenda and doesn’t really care who gets harmed in the way of it. That’s fine by me. She loves Morgana (or at least the thought of Morgana/sister) but is less than honest in her dealings. Sure, Morgana may be willing to kill Uther but that doesn’t mean she’d buy into the whole enchant the castle plot. It’s a nice touch of subtle in the show because Morgana is never going to be able to claim total innocence (even to herself) and Morgause will be able to say that she thought that Morgana had agreed to the whole scheme. But, whatever her agenda Morgause values Morgana over revenge and that counts for a LOT. Although there’s a touch of ‘Evil Overlord’ over-complicated in Morgause’s plots (why not just pitch down and take Uther out herself without all the fuss?) she’s powerful and competent and all-round pretty IMPRESSIVE.
I do hope that when Morgana gets better she doesn’t find herself Morgause’s caged bird in the same way she was Uther’s. Perhaps out of Camelot she’ll have time to reflect on what she has lost as well as all that she has gained. At least now she’ll have a chance to learn to harness her magic. I want Morgana to learn to use her head as well as her heart, to think about consequences of her actions, to get wisdom as well as experience - but still to remember that running the world does not mean you have to do so in practical suits and flats. Keep working that killer wardrobe and get Morgause to introduce you to her dressmaker and her hairdresser. And her horses’ hairdresser - that white mane was beautiful.
I still don’t, btw, see any evidence that bringing down Camelot or Camelot’s current ruling elite will do anything to better the lives of the general population. Margause seems entirely personally motivated in her actions.
“Go and investigate, Arthur.” Bless you, throne-lounging Uther, this is one time when there is magic and you’re all blasé. My theory is that Arthur picked a group of second, or even third, division Knights for this expedition and left all the really experienced men at Camelot. Well, he can’t afford to keep losing trained men. Merlin comes too because, well, because he always does, although Arthur really should start kitting him out a bit better for these expeditions. Really, the court gossip surrounding Merlin must be incredible.
Knights of Medhir: You know you thought of Nazgul. It’s all right, it’s homage rather than a total rip. The increased budget has once again paid off well here with the flowing cloaks and the creepy masks and the gorgeous horses. Camelot’s inhabitants may have been asleep but I’m not actually sure that rendered them safe from harm. They seemed to feel pretty poorly before their collapse. Arthur only survived thanks to Merlin. And surely Arthur must have noticed the magic that time? Merlin practically bellowed in his ear before bringing the ceiling down.
“Will you do as I tell you?” Clearly not, but obviously Arthur hopes that there’s always a first time. And then there was ripped shirt and arm bandaging. Rrrroah! The neckerchief would make more sense but Arthur does like to mark his territory.
“Protect the king.” Oh, BB, this is what it’s all about. Of course, they have to protect Uther as Uther in a very real sense is Camelot. I love that Arthur’s emotions are blurred between king and father.
“Take this sword and defend him with your life.” Excellent Morgana/Arthur interaction, with the obvious affection, the not quite easiness, the underlying trust, all playing out in turn. I can see how, even if she remains estranged from Camelot, Morgana will be the one to take Arthur to Avalon. I’ve read bits that suggest Arthur is being brusque and unsympathetic when he questions Morgana but I saw it more as stress and the need to know any/all facts as quickly as possible. Also, I’m not sure how Morgana would have responded to more open sympathy - she was already (understandably) frightened and they couldn’t afford to have her break down.
Arthur trusts Morgana to do her duty for Camelot. Naturally Morgana cannot kill Uther when he is asleep and defenceless - she is not that person. Incidentally, Morguase totally is that person but I like her despite that.
Gwen: Not really a Gwen ep, and for once that seems understandable rather than poor writing choices. The Gwen/Morgana scene is friendly enough but there’s no closeness there or anything other than mistress/servant interaction. Oh girls, where did all go wrong? And why weren’t you considered important enough for us to find out?
Arthur carrying Gwen to Morgana’s bed and then brushing the tress away from her face was sweet. I was mildly perturbed that Morgana had just left Gwen were she fell without making an effort to move her but am giving Morgana a pass on the grounds that she was probably terrified at that point.
I guess that could be seen as Arthur installing Gwen as first lady of Camelot in Morgana’s place?
I’m interested to see what becomes of Gwen at this point. Her only reason for being in the Castle is as Morgana’s maidservant. Perhaps she’ll start to work for Gaius?
“We could put him in a dress.” Merlin and the frocks. LOLs. I admit, it made me laugh and now I really am convinced that somewhere in that attic room Merlin is sewing a fine ballgown he plans to bring out one day Cinderella-style. There may also be glass slippers.
“Two pillows!” The throwaway lines this week were excellent. And they really worked well in the context of the episode.
Merlin in the closet. Enough said.
“No destiny and no Arthur.” Oh Dragon. You are one BAD lizard. Of course, the dragon is going to say anything to get out of that cave. Who wouldn’t? Merlin should know not to take things on trust. Note that Dragon has to bring in Arthur at this point as just saving Camelot may not swing it. OTOH, there is nothing that Merlin would not do to protect Arthur. (More dark!Merlin and scary, stalker if-I-can’t-have-you-then-nobody-will Merlin fic please.)
“I swear by my mother’s life.” Hunith, we missed you this season. There’s no way Merlin’s going to back out of his promise now.
“Here, drink this.” OMG! DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. Total kudos to the all that the poisoning scene plays out so well that sympathy is divided. Poor Merlin really is faced with a terrible dilemma - I don’t think anyone watching could say he acted easily or without looking for an alternative. He’s started out trying to protect Morgana (keeping her secret from Arthur) and moved slowly, slowly into distrust. Even then, I don’t think he would have managed to go through with the poisoning if Arthur had not gone out to the die-nobly thing.
The fact that the Knights don’t harm Morgana must just confirm Merlin’s suspicions. Incidentally, I know it sounds terrible, but I have to say that if I was told I had to kill a friend for the greater good I, too, would have tried to bottle out of it and let someone else do the actual deed. However, when it comes to the moment Merlin steps up and does what he feels he must for DESTINY. And he looks completely broken and wretched in the doing. No Merlin hate here. And the thing is, it doesn’t matter in the end if Morgana is a willing participant or not, she is the embodiment of the enchantment and has to be removed.
KM rocks in this episode managing to convey fear and disbelief and then fear again as she lets Merlin take her in his arms. (See, writers, the femmes can really deliver when given the chance.)
“She chose to use her magic differently.” Did she, b’god?” Well, no. NOT AT ALL. Morgana didn’t choose anything since choice has been consistently denied to her. To paraphrase Harry Potter - it’s other people’s choices that make us who we are. This should actually be a key scene - though it’s Merlin, so who knows. Gaius is giving Merlin a fell better ‘get-out clause’, which is presumably how Gaius has managed to live with himself all these years, simply by not taking responsibility for his own part in events. BUT, I think that Merlin is fundamentally more honest. I think he knows there’s a price for his actions. Ideally, this would be the start of Merlin leaving Gaius behind as Mentor telling him what he’s done rather than asking what he should do.
Uther: blames himself for not protecting Morgana. Even now he makes Morgana passive in this - understandably I guess since she was lying in Morgause’s arms. Lots of bumping around for ASH this week - bet that was fun!
Gaius: that smile when Merlin first tried to wake him up was one of the creepiest things I’ve ever seen. Now we know what zombie!Gaius is going look like. Once again poor RW got stuck with the role of exposition man.
To conclude: OT4 is no more.