Merlin: Episode 4.12 The Sword in the Stone Part 1
Oh dear. I wish I could get the get the producers of this show - the Twu Lurve Obsessives I mean, not the other ones who know what they're doing - in a small room with a large bucket of haddock with which I could beat them repeatedly around the head. (Thats actually not as kinky as it sounds.) Eventually perhaps, they'd explain WTF they're thinking
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Purely for viewing pleasure, I thought this ep was miles better than the last few. Granted, it didn't make much sense, but at least there was something going on, lots of character interactions...
Your discussion of Aggravaine is interesting - I think Nathanial Parker is probably the reason I've liked him so far. His motivation of being-in-love-with-Morgana does seem a bit out of place when viewed against the episodes where he was just acting evil for the sake of it. I'm glad they at least attempt to give him some depth though.
Enchanting Arthur was a BIIIIG no-no. Should not have gone there, show. This is what Morgana did to Merlin. Surely the running theme of possession/disembodiment this season will not lead to *this*? Please let there be more thought behind it. *begs*
I actually liked the A/M scene where Merlin encourages Arthur once again with his slogan. Yes, it's completely due to the actors and not to the writing, but they made it one of those moments where Arthur opens up and doesn't seem completely stupid. There was a bit of foreshadowing for a reveal as well, and I didn't take the "at least my servant will support me" comment as disparaging at all - just Arthur's roundabout way of saying thank you.
While a reveal is long overdue, I think there *would* be room for developing the Arthur/Merlin friendship without one. (Not that they're doing it.) They could have made far better use of Aggravaine antagonising Merlin, and follow it up with a more decisive moment in which Arthur chooses to trust Merlin. And I mean in a definitive way, not in a "I might remember next episode, but don't bet on it" way. Basically, permanently getting rid of setbacks in their relationship so that they can tackle the magic problem properly.
Sorry if this is really incoherent, I'm half asleep. ^^
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I honestly hated the servant line because it was going back yet again. They're determined that Arthur can never forget Merlin is a servant, whereas Gwen simply isn't in his eyes. Thats a huge fail - why can he see equality with his girlfriend but not in his 'friend'. They appear to want to keep that there for the same reason they won't give the reveal - they dont seem to dare to move the A/M relationship on in any meaningful way. Maybe they think that if they do they'll kill the USP of the programme - the Merlin in hiding theme/Arthur thinks he's a humble servant - not seeming to realise that sometimes its better to chance killing something than have it die of old age. :p The longer he hides the more of a powerless servant he seems to become.
The class thing too is well past its sell by date imo, because of all the times they've breached it for plot reasons - and there fact Arthur can easily see past it for Gwen. Making Arthur go back to it time after time with Merlin, makes him look shallow & inconsistent IMO. Why can't Arthur say thank you without putting Merlin in his place - still? That reply would have sat well in S1 I felt.
I used to think they could develop A/M without a reveal, but I've come round to believing this season that they can't. Because - Merlin just doesn't have enough reason to hide any more and he has nowhere left to go magically without a reveal (can they use Dragoon/Arthur's blindness forever?). If he's Arthur's advisor, then Arthur is going to soften on magic under his influence; and if he softens on magic Merlin has no need to hide. Unless he intends to hide forever because he's scared to face the music and take his lumps, and that is not a nice thought for the character or his integrity.
Merlin as a character lies all the time. Its funny how some viewers are so horrified by the very possibility of an idea that Gwen - a 'good' character' could even think about cheating for a micro millisecond - yet they're totally fine watching Merlin also a 'good' character, lying ALL the time to everyone he knows and to his friend. I just think there needs to be a reckoning sooner rather than later before the relationship stagnates any further. But hey - maybe they'll change my mind in 4.13! :D
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Merlin's lying, on the other hand, is horribly, horribly butchering his character. I truly hope that in 4.13., they will go back to the Merlin of the first half of the season (i.e. lots of honesty between him and Arthur). If Merlin lies about every little thing, it cheapens the "necessary" lies considerably.
Hope you have a good Christmas! :)
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Oh I do agree that the A/G thing is the unrealistic depiction of the status difference and the huge flaw in the A/M servant/master ever-continuing SL. If Arthur can get over it so effortlessly and instantly for Gwen, theres zero reason at all that he can't for Merlin, who he actually knows better and with whom has been in every kind of extreme circumstance. As ever they haven't thought the characterisation out. And the result is I as a viewer feel unfair resentment toward Arthur as they write him more and more lines stressing Merlin's just a minion while he's treating Gwen as if she is in fact the princess and he's the lucky serving boy.
Talking of Arthurs characterisation it was pointed out by the brilliant Bluebeeangel that Simple! Arthur of 4.12 was an only slightly more docile version of Arthur with Gwen. Its absolutely and hilariously true!
Lets hope indeed that 4.13 is a return to form indeed - maybe there'll be something for Merlin in it beyond more misery and more lies!
I hope you have great Christmas too- and I look forward to your thoughts on the episode! :)
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