Theory about Merlin's magic

[jelazakazone]

Maybe Merlin does not retrieve the Cup of Life in 3.12 with magic because he has just performed magic and his "source", so to speak, is used up.  Have we ever seen him perform magic twice in a row?   (Look at me try to rationalize a fictionalize universe into some kind of bizarre sense.)

Comments

[universaldogma]

Rationalizing fiction is a fun part of fandom. :D Like, rationalizing about how Colin is real~

Hmmm, he uses magic a lot whenever they fight bandits. Not exactly one-spell-after-another though... Recharging would be a good idea though. He's mostly used instinctive magic throughout his life, and so whenever he uses spells, it still takes time to adjust? XD

[jelazakazone]

Oh yeah. That's so true. (OMG. Your icon. I'm in love with your icon. One of my favorite scenes ever!)

He doesn't use a spell when he throws Cenred's guard against the tree, but the Cup immediately flies away and Merlin looks pretty helpless and hopeless as he watches it fly.

I like the recharging idea. *pets idea fondly*

[universaldogma]

:D I love that scene so much. ♥

Maybe he couldn't think of a spell to bring it back to him? XD I have the feeling if he used his instinctive magic more, he'd get more done...

Considering how powerful Merlin is, he doesn't know how to access large amounts of magic unless he's in danger/angry? *shrugs* I'm just throwing ideas around. XD

[jelazakazone]

Who doesn't love that scene? <3.

Maybe he was panicked and couldn't think of what to do?

Yeah. He's supposed to be so powerful, but then stuff like this happens and you wonder. It's got to be down to training, right?

[a8c_sock]

Hmmmm I'm trying to think now and going through each episode on it's own.

He sort of uses magic twice in 1x13 but there is a pause.
Same with 2x01 he uses a spell twice but with a pause. Same in 2x04.

In 2x05 he uses the same spell on Catrina several times in a row but fails.

Then in I 2x06 he uses spells close together with a couple of pauses but also he uses wordless magic twice to first close and then lock the door of the council chamber.

I think he also uses two spells close together in 2x09 when he does tricks with the candles for Freya.

I think that's it? He does use a spell in 3x03 to stop the dagger and then wordlessly turns it around and sends it back.

And in 3x11 he uses quite a bit of wordless magic in a row to stop Gilli.

I can't remember anything else from season 3 but then I don't know it as off by half as the others.

[jelazakazone]

Can't reply to this now. Leaving. Now:D I will reply next week.

[jelazakazone]

I think we don't see him try to use magic one on top of another really until 3.13 when he tries to get something out of the hourglass and practically falls asleep from exhaustion. I really think there is an expenditure of energy that happens when he performs magic and that would explain why he couldn't retrieve the cup. *is very happy to have rationalized that ridiculous scene that everyone asks about*:D

Thanks for playing and sorry to be getting back to you so late!

[princealia]

Didn't he do that with the hourglass in 3x13 when he was trying out spells?

[jelazakazone]

I have not yet rewatched 3.13. I've only seen it once.

[jelazakazone]

So, I have now rewatched that scene, and yes, he wears himself out trying different spells (or maybe it's the same spell over and over?).