Lover, Mother or Other?

[bluebeeangel]

I’m sorry. I really am. After hurling a ramble about Merlin and Arthur at you last week, I’m back again to talk about the relationship between Gwen and Arthur, as it fascinates me in a way. I apologise now and promise that this is the last week I try and sound smart.

I will warn that I’m not really a Gwen/Arthur shipper in the conventional way, so

Comments

[bluebeeangel]

It's all your fault! I was just going to scrap it, but I promised I would. Not entirely pleased with it, but it's posted now and out of my life forever. *covers post with blanket to hide it*

[bluebeeangel]

Ah, see the 'Little Women' connections carry on! That's a good point about Amy.

Yeah with a on-going medium like a series of books or a television show, the concept of the author relinquishing their right to the meaning of the text could be even more true. Not only do they have work that is released which they have in essence given over to audience interpretation, but they are also swayed by feedback for the next part of the text.

[magog_83]

I read this at work today on my phone but couldn't reply then! I really enjoyed reading this and I was nodding a LOT. The maternal aspect of the A/G dynamic is one I've discussed a lot with a8c-sock, and the fact that both become far less interesting together than they are apart. I think they are more THEMSELVES apart, which is ironic given the whole 'I can only be myself with you!' stuff we get on screen. When they are together all their endearing quirks are gone, Arthur is like a weird Ken doll and Gwen is either speechifying or being noble. As you so brilliantly point out, Arthur is passionate and feisty as a character, he is petulant sometimes and likes to tease, but with Gwen he is none of these things. In turn, Gwen was sweet and funny with Merlin and passionate with Lancelot, but with Arthur she is just a one-note love interest, there to look pretty, speechify or be kissed by Arthur. As they are presented on screen, I don't believe they would be enough for each other for life, Arthur needs someone to tease him and love him for

[bluebeeangel]

The whole 'I can only be myself with you' stuff between A/G that was prattled on, was absolute tripe. You can't just have declarations like that with no foundation to them. When they are together it's like we get two pod people replacing Gwen and Arthur. Especially Arthur, actually, because of how much more his character is fleshed out that Gwen's. We know who he is and what he is like. Different parts of people's personalities come out when they are around different people, for sure. However, when you are with you supposed true love, all the intense parts aren't supposed to disappear! If anything they should be more pronounced

Reply part 1

[a8c_sock]

I must check out your ramble from last week because this was wonderful

Reply part 2 (some spoilers)

[a8c_sock]

However, I do think that the PTB honestly think Arthur and Gwen are the epic love story. Johnny Capps has compared Arthur and Gwen in the shoe to the star crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet. Which is not a valid comparison at all. But constantly he reiterates that that he wants the audience to root for them, to want them to be together against the odds

Re: Reply part 2 (some spoilers)

[bluebeeangel]

I'm really hoping that TPTB aren't trying to sell this as the epic love story. I'm puting my trust in them that they MUST be able to see how it appears on screen. I mean they may be bound by certain storylines, but they certainly have limitless control over how much time is devoted to that story. If Gwen/Arthur worked so well then they would be shoving little scenes in left, right and centre. I know there is the argument that actually these scenes are limited because the show concentrates on Merlin/Arthur, but then how come we've always had the little scenes between Gaius and Merlin. Many of them weren't moving the plot along, they were just because the dynamic worked

Re: Reply part 1

[bluebeeangel]

In my opinion the 'mothering' did start from that first interaction in 1x10. At both the end of that season and the beginning of the next the remaining two scenes they had in that time involved Gwen playing nurse and nurturing Arthur of his injuries

[marvelpku]

OMG, dear, how can I miss this review? I shall get back to this later as I am a bit tired now. You know Arthur/Merlin fans always have the best review. It is amazing.