Epic Merlin Rewatch: S01E02 Valiant
AN EPIC MERLIN REWATCH OF MERLIN EPICNESS
Episode 2 Season 1: Valiant
"In a time of myth and a time of magic, a great kingdom rests of the shoulders of a [not really that] young boy. His name...Hercules."
- Firstly, I just can't take Will Mellor seriously. He's from Manchester. He was in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. He was in Hollyoaks, for Christ's sake! I love the guy, he's hilarious, but in no way does he convince me that he's a knight (called 'Valiant' at that). All I can see is this:
Click to view- The snakes thing is insanely ridiculous. Especially because that shield looked like cardboard.
- Arthur v. Merlin practice fighting is hilarious and wonderful. Why can't we have them doing this every episode? Although I don't understand why Arthur has to train with Merlin when he has dozens of knights to beat on. Is that because he just wanted a reason to pick on Merlin?
- Gwen! Showing Merlin how to dress as a knight is brilliant. I love that she's the blacksmith's daughter. I don't know why but I've always thought blacksmiths were rather cool. I want to be a blacksmith. Can I be a blacksmith?
- Whats Valiant's purpose? Whats his goal? Just to win? That's pretty pathetic that he feels he has to cheat (and potentially kill people) to win. Is there a monetary prize or something? Surely, its not just a date with Morgana?
- Uther putting pressure on Arthur to win is interesting. I feel sorry for Arthur, which I suppose is the point- it shows that he isn't just an idiot. He has pressures put on him. Arthur doesn't cheat, like Valiant did, despite the whole of Camelot's expectations resting on him. It gives colours to his personality so that he's not just the idiotic, arrogant and vain Prince. Arthur trusts Merlin, which is surprising since they got off to a rocky start, but it shows that Arthur has more sides to him than you'd think. Merlin treats Arthur like an equal and so Arthur treats Merlin like an equal. Merlin doesn't know how to be subservient, which is where his worth lies. We see again and again that this is what Arthur appreciates most- with Merlin here and in future with Gwen.
- The differences between Uther and Arthur are highlighted here, just two episodes in. Despite Uther saying that Valiant is how a true knight acts, and basically calling Arthur a coward, Arthur is the one who takes a servant's word as truthful. I think it was around this point that I started falling in love with Arthur. *sigh* And, despite firing him and despite being shouted at by Uther and humiliated in front of the court, Arthur still believes Merlin. There's a lovely moment where you see the Future!Arthur shine. Arthur might die but he still has to fight. Despite what Uther says, Arthur is not a coward.
- Merlin calls Valiant a creep. Its interesting now that Merlin is on Arthur's team he's not as antagonistic towards him.
- Gwen being sweet to Merlin when Arthur's fired him is lovely. She doesn't have anything helpful for him, but she believes him and she's encouraging and that's what counts.
- Surely there's not just one servant for the Prince?
Despite what I say about the historical inaccuracies of this show, I really really love it. In fact, its the ridiculousness of it that makes me love it more, if possible. There's a dragon? Sure. There's a medieval servant saying "I'm good" (which is an Americanism in the first place)? Never! LOL!
I really like this as a second episode to a new series. A new, evil knight arrives to show how not bad Arthur really is. I mean, at least Arthur doesn't wear that gaudy yellow. And he doesn't cheat. Its a good action adventure, with a couple of great sword fights and a few intriguing glimpses into Arthur's personality.
Merlin saves Arthur: Merlin: 1; Arthur: 0
Best Lines:
Arthur: I don't get nervous
Merlin: Everyone gets nervous
Arthur: WILL YOU SHUT UP?
Arthur: How can I lead men into battle if they think I'm a coward?
Merlin: Valiant will kill you. If you fight, you die.
Arthur: Then I die.