The Poisoned Chalice or the episode that launched 10,000 slash fics

[kathyh]

I meant to post this days ago but was distracted by all the shiny and beautiful promo and behind the scenes Merlin publicity photos posted by gealach_ros from Merlin's Keep site (which might work for me again one day). Trying to choose a new wallpaper and then remembering that if I made a slideshow I could have more than one took a lot of time and

Comments

[kathyh]

Is that a polite way of saying he was being a total shit *g*. The scene where he crushes the flower just makes me wince every time I see it and I've seen it a fair number of times. Uther's so wonderfully complicated and I do miss him dreadfully even though it was time for him to go.

[archaeologist_d]

I really loved this episode for several reasons - Arthur being a prat about the outfit (I bet he had it made especially for Merlin), Uther being a total douche about servants and crushing the flower/hope in front of Arthur like that, Gwen kissing Merlin, Merlin's faster, faster comments and then him thinking that Gaius and Gwen were having a thing. So much goodness!
Best part, though, was the convoluted but making lots of sense plot. I miss Nimueh.

[kathyh]

Yes, I was never her biggest fan when Season 1 was being shown but looking back on her now she was a lot more effective than I remember her being.

I bet he had it made especially for Merlin

I'm *sure* he did *g*.

[gealach_ros]

What a lovely post about one of my absolute favourite Merlin episodes ever (and definitely the one I watched more often than any other Merlin episode). \0/

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts, I'll just say DITTO/LIKEWISE to pretty much every word you've written. :D

In addition: that scene between Arthur and Uther ('I can't bare to watch him die.' 'Then don't look.') is so good but I still feel bad (and shallow) that I always notice that Bradley had a bit of a cold when they filmed it, he's got a slightly breathy voice (and I find that SEXY). *_*

[kathyh]

That's a fantastic scene. I'm so unobservant with people's voices that I hadn't really noticed he had a cold and he had another one when 1.10 was being filmed!

one of my absolute favourite Merlin episodes ever

I love the fact that we actually get to see Arthur being effective on his own without anyone else's assistance. He just doesn't give up.

Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts

My pleasure. It's such fun to rewatch now and look back and see them all so young ♥

[kathyh]

My pleasure. I'm having an absolutely great time rewatching.

Now I want to watch the episode again.

You really should, it has moaning and sword twirls and Arthur in prison and...more moaning *g*.

it did feel very King Arthury, didn't it?!

It really did with the knight in armour, the dark forest and the mysterious girl. I know they change the legends but sometimes they get the feel of them spot on.

[jelazakazone]

Here via Ella_bane.

I love this ep so much. It was the first ep that made me really go "whoa". I agree, that it's one of the few where Arthur is acting on his own agency and he does quite well, if you ask me.

I'm pretty out of it, so I will just say, "word". You pegged it.:D

[kathyh]

Thanks :)

it's one of the few where Arthur is acting on his own agency and he does quite well, if you ask me.

I think so too. I wish Seasons 2 and 3 had shown him doing it more.

[jelazakazone]

Yeah, even in S4 we don't see it that much. Admittedly the show is called Merlin. To be honest, I hadn't noticed Bradley/Arthur or anyone else on the show that much until very recently (I only found the show a little over a year ago and was very much smitten with Merlin/Colin).

I just rewatched Sweet Dreams with an eye to pay attention to Vivian and Morgana and found it not so pleasing as I normally do because of that. I need to watch it with my Merlin or Arthur goggles on, like I usually do.

[kathyh]

I don't remember there being much Morgana in "Sweet Dreams". I find it difficult to take my Merlin or Arthur goggles off I'm afraid though I am trying to pay attention to everyone in this rewatch.

I hadn't noticed Bradley/Arthur or anyone else on the show that much until very recently

While I love Colin/Merlin I've been a Bradley/Arthur girl since 1.02 was first shown here in the UK :)