Merlin 302
Weeeeeeeeeeeeell, I enjoyed it again this week. There was a lot of awesome to be had, especially Morgana's swordfighting. There's almost too much to think about, and I'm sure the clever thinky people will post intelligently about everything, but here is what interested me...
+ Igraine's second appearance, this time not just down a well but actually wet and with the other victims. There are some very strong implications here, and I'm really intrigued about where the show is going with that. Atm it's unclear if Uther is just linking her with the others through his guilt of his role in her death, or whether she really does belong with them for some more direct reason. Hmmmmmmm. Also, at one point the camera lingered on three rings on her forefinger, and later we saw the same three rings on Arthur's forefinger. I love little touches like that. I know Arthur's worn a ring there since the beginning, so someone in costume has obviously thought about that.
+ The way Merlin successfully averted Arthur's attention from his three day absence, because it is getting a bit ridiculous, but also the way Arthur was more tenacious than usual in trying to get a straight answer out of him. If you consider what Arthur actually knows about Merlin, it's understandable why he's so baffled by and frustrated with him, sometimes (all the time). This ep the implication seemed to be that sometimes Merlin provokes these physical outbursts in Arthur to redirect his attention.
+ Cenred appears to be at least a half decent king, withdrawing from the battle on the grounds of not wanting to lose so many men so pointlessly. And not quite so far under Morgause's thumb as she'd like, methinks. I still seem to want dirty bondage porn, though. In chainmail. *drifts off*
+ Gaius heard the mandrake screaming.
+ Merlin and Gwen were very obviously saying the same things to Arthur, about believing in himself and whatnot, and actually I don't know what the show is trying to say by this. Initially Arthur's reaction to each is different, showing something about how he sees each of them, but ultimately, after that beautifully acted scene with the 'destiny' talk, his reaction to Merlin is the essentially same as his reaction to Gwen, and I am none the wiser about what I'm supposed to take from that.
+ Whyyyyyyy so little Gwen? Why, show? Angel Coulby is doing her usual incredible job of showing Gwen's internal life with minimal screen time, and Gwen is clearly aware that something is amiss, but I really want to see this explored more, especially now that Morgana's role is ramping up.
+ Merlin and Morgana are openly at war! Glee! But also, omg, was I willing Merlin to have to use magic in front of Morgana in the crypt. Clearly while she's still hiding in plain sight in the court it would be suicidally dangerous for him, but christ I want someone to know!
In conclusion, still \o/
+ Igraine's second appearance, this time not just down a well but actually wet and with the other victims. There are some very strong implications here, and I'm really intrigued about where the show is going with that. Atm it's unclear if Uther is just linking her with the others through his guilt of his role in her death, or whether she really does belong with them for some more direct reason. Hmmmmmmm. Also, at one point the camera lingered on three rings on her forefinger, and later we saw the same three rings on Arthur's forefinger. I love little touches like that. I know Arthur's worn a ring there since the beginning, so someone in costume has obviously thought about that.
+ The way Merlin successfully averted Arthur's attention from his three day absence, because it is getting a bit ridiculous, but also the way Arthur was more tenacious than usual in trying to get a straight answer out of him. If you consider what Arthur actually knows about Merlin, it's understandable why he's so baffled by and frustrated with him, sometimes (all the time). This ep the implication seemed to be that sometimes Merlin provokes these physical outbursts in Arthur to redirect his attention.
+ Cenred appears to be at least a half decent king, withdrawing from the battle on the grounds of not wanting to lose so many men so pointlessly. And not quite so far under Morgause's thumb as she'd like, methinks. I still seem to want dirty bondage porn, though. In chainmail. *drifts off*
+ Gaius heard the mandrake screaming.
+ Merlin and Gwen were very obviously saying the same things to Arthur, about believing in himself and whatnot, and actually I don't know what the show is trying to say by this. Initially Arthur's reaction to each is different, showing something about how he sees each of them, but ultimately, after that beautifully acted scene with the 'destiny' talk, his reaction to Merlin is the essentially same as his reaction to Gwen, and I am none the wiser about what I'm supposed to take from that.
+ Whyyyyyyy so little Gwen? Why, show? Angel Coulby is doing her usual incredible job of showing Gwen's internal life with minimal screen time, and Gwen is clearly aware that something is amiss, but I really want to see this explored more, especially now that Morgana's role is ramping up.
+ Merlin and Morgana are openly at war! Glee! But also, omg, was I willing Merlin to have to use magic in front of Morgana in the crypt. Clearly while she's still hiding in plain sight in the court it would be suicidally dangerous for him, but christ I want someone to know!
In conclusion, still \o/