Aside from the footstool lapse in judgment (which perhaps was intended as a moment of humour for some fans, but I think a better in-character Merlin would not get on his knees for Arthur like that, and a better in-character Arthur wouldn't make him - please, how long has Arthur been riding horses? He shouldn't need help mounting), I don't think either Arthur or Merlin has changed that much at the beginning of this series - Arthur isn't really more pratly than last series, and Merlin isn't any more subservient than he had already shown in series one. And, as you said, the presence of Cedric also had a lot of influence on them.
Actually, the stool grated me a bit. But the way that neither acted as if it was out of the ordinary made me think that the producers discovered that this was what servants did back then and theyre going for historical accuracy
A rare moment of historical accuracy. You could substitute footstool for manservant in regards to the servants of royalty in Middle Ages and it would be pretty much spot on.
It's nice to read a positive review. I guess it's Arthur's pratliness paired with Merlin subservice that annoyed me. but I agree with you on your points, especially the PLUS we have 12 more episodes to go! WOOHOO! I'm expecting lots of Merlin/Arthur bonding! because I think the whole series isn't going to be just like this. There will be character development again; it was just the point of this episode to sure Merlin's loyalty.
Thanx! I've noticed Merlin gets more subserviant when he feels insecure or upset. Aww, he really was a jealous sweetie in this, but like so many jealous sweeties, he acted like a complete muppet! Actually I have this theory. Arthur has never felt loved (no mum, Uther as crap dad etc) so he holds back from affection, in that macho way of his. It's too scary!
Yeah, see I really think Arthur was just pissed off at him. He probably wouldn't have totally got rid of him. He could have just sacked him, but it was more like a parent/toddler moment "go and think about what you did"
I wanted to watch it again before I wrote something quite similar but you've done it for me :) We are in Merlin's pov a lot of the time, but from Arthur's pov Merlin is behaving rather oddly. He appears to have caused Arthur to fall off his horse which a) might have hurt him, and b) made him look stupid in public. This gave Cedric his chance (I wasn't clear on why the girth snapped and whether Cedric had a hand in it) and from then on it's downhill all the way. From Arthur's pov Merlin is careless, late, possibly drunk and then throwing hysterical accusations about resulting in an attack on Cedric.
He does deserve recognition but he won't get that from Arthur while he keeps him in the dark about his true self.
Amen sister! Glad to know I'm on someones wavelength! I think Arthur gets a bit of a personality battering in the fandom. I'm with Bradley, he's misunderstood!!
You may want to lj-cut this in case there's someone on your flist who hasn't seen the ep yet. ;o)
ETA: And now that I'm actually back from my shopping: you pretty much point out all the things I always things that always make me think 'of course Arthur thinks Merlin's an idiot.' It makes perfect sense if you don't know Merlin's a powerful sorcerer, or, you know, a sorcerer at all. The one thing that still really made me go o_O is Arthur asking Merlin be escorted from the palace. That seemed a bit much, at the time.
And like archaeologist_d points out, the ep kind of stood out not so much by Arthur's pratliness, but by the lack of moments of understanding compensating for this, but we may have been spoiled by episodes such as Moment of Truth and Labyrinth of Gedref. Though I absolutely loved Arthur's face when he's going 'An honour,' which did reflect all of their friendly banter relationship. :D And the ending, eeee!
thanx for heads up. cut now in place. I've been in the middle of nowhere with no internet access for so long, I've forgotten basic lj function.
Agree! Watch that scene back. Merlin soundds so weird and completely drunk, I'm convinced thats why Arthur had him escorted. The girly, hand in face bitch fight probably confirmed his suspicions! Contrast it with the valient ep when merlin spoke clearly and brought proof. Totally different response.
Comments 53
Reply
Reply
Reply
Hmmm! We shall see.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
He does deserve recognition but he won't get that from Arthur while he keeps him in the dark about his true self.
Exactly. Trust goes both ways.
I'm expecting lots of Merlin/Arthur bonding!
I certainly hope so :)
Reply
Reply
ETA: And now that I'm actually back from my shopping: you pretty much point out all the things I always things that always make me think 'of course Arthur thinks Merlin's an idiot.' It makes perfect sense if you don't know Merlin's a powerful sorcerer, or, you know, a sorcerer at all. The one thing that still really made me go o_O is Arthur asking Merlin be escorted from the palace. That seemed a bit much, at the time.
And like archaeologist_d points out, the ep kind of stood out not so much by Arthur's pratliness, but by the lack of moments of understanding compensating for this, but we may have been spoiled by episodes such as Moment of Truth and Labyrinth of Gedref. Though I absolutely loved Arthur's face when he's going 'An honour,' which did reflect all of their friendly banter relationship. :D And the ending, eeee!
Reply
Agree!
Watch that scene back. Merlin soundds so weird and completely drunk, I'm convinced thats why Arthur had him escorted. The girly, hand in face bitch fight probably confirmed his suspicions! Contrast it with the valient ep when merlin spoke clearly and brought proof. Totally different response.
Reply
Leave a comment