Merlin Episode 10: The Practical Exam

[crabby_lioness]

Confession time:  I've always hated teen shows that revolve around sex and/or high school.  One of the reasons I enjoy Merlin is because it breaks that mold.  But just because there's no school doesn't mean there are no tests.

Comments

[lovelyhera]

I love your analysis(es)? of the episodes. I actually check the community to see when the next one will be up.

[crabby_lioness]

Thank you.

[oconel]

Very interesting analysis of the episode. I completely agree that Merlin could have stopped the bandits even before the fight started and kept wondering why he waited so much to do something.

Interesting that you haven't mentioned the subtext :)

[crabby_lioness]

Merlin is very naive and inexperienced.

Interesting that you haven't mentioned the subtext :)

I know, but I was trained very Old School. Text is for analysis, subtext is for "fan fiction". In this case the subtext is blatantly there, it's not something merely imposed by the fans, but I'm still wary of reading more into it than it will support.

[oconel]

Merlin is very naive and inexperienced.

Yes, and I think I'll miss that somewhere along the way because he's destined to loose that along the way.

I said it was interesting because most of the analysis I've read so far are focused on it and forget about other things.

[crabby_lioness]

"Always bring something different to the party." :)

[ink_n_imp]

I've read all of your reviews, and have loved each of them. Spot on with this episode, of the many "why don't they's..." and the grades ^_^ I couldn't help but feel that this episode suffered from the Samurai Seven/Magnificent Seven curse (i.e. writers sitting around thinking about who AWESOME both/either of those movies were and badly wanting to do their own version).

And hear hear about Merlin. Boy, there MUST have been SOMETHING you could have thought up on your own (underneath everyone's noses if you must have). Someone's *looking at YOU merlin* got a little too much trust in his prince's prowess, even though he's only had to save his life how many times at this point? Remember boys; teamwork! It makes thing easier and saves countless lives from UNNECESSARY DEATH!

And looking forward to your review of ep. 11 with bated breathe. (...it's kinda my favorite episode ^_^ )

[crabby_lioness]

I actually thought they did a good job of showing Arthur and Morgana underestimating what was needed and struggling to cope.

Merlin has absolutely no fear of physical danger. Discovery yes, because that's been hammered into him, but not danger. He acts like the biggest fool in the village OR the biggest predator in the food chain.

[mossylawn]

*claps* I absolutely adored reading this.

[crabby_lioness]

*bows* Thank you.

[tranquil_eyes]

I agree, there are lot of instances in Merlin where there are plotholes in service of furthering the ~drama~ but I tend to try and suspend my disbelief and enjoy the characters instead.

I do wonder about the writers though... Do they think they can take shortcuts just because this is more of 'teen' show? Anyway, great analysis, spot on!

[crabby_lioness]

I gather the writers specialize in teen drama. That's why they're so good at that and so -- lacking at everything else. But they are learning. Slowly.