Wow! I really don't know what to say... you voiced everything I was thinking and so much more! I agree with absolutely everything you said, but I could have never said it so well.
Thanks so much for putting this together! Definitely a keeper for future reference. :)
I loved this. I think you've looked at all the complaints about the episode and really explained them beautifully.
When I first watched the episode, I thought something was off about Arthur and then he recognized the place somehow but I thought it was more Uther's doing and that Arthur was feeling guilty about it. How much more effective it was to have Arthur be the one who was in charge! Plus since he'd done some things I considered OOC in other episodes (putting a sword to a Druid child's throat, following his father's orders to take no prisoners at the Druid camp), it made those instances much more poignant now that we know more about Arthur.
As for Colin and Bradley's performances, they've been very nuanced and gorgeous this year. I'm really enjoying Bradley especially now that he's gotten some meatier roles.
Ah, I didn't recall those other moments, but yes, the other instances are much more poignant in retrospect. We always knew Arthur was desperate to please his father, but we rarely saw how much the person Arthur thought he needed to be was in conflict with who he truly was. We sympathize with Merlin because we experience the show from his perspective, but Arthur is in a way going through similar struggles of hiding who he really is. And it's even worse for Arthur because at least Merlin is happy with who he is (just not recognized for it). Arthur is recognized but never feels like he's good enough.
Gah! Season-4!Arthur, you're killing me!
And yes, Bradley has really been given a chance to shine, even if that means Arthur is in a perpetual state of unhappiness. Good thing Merlin's there to cheer him up!
I didn't read the whole review, but I saw where you were going with it. I LOVED this ep from the very beginning. I thought Bradley knocked it out of the park (he's killing me this season too) and hadn't really thought he was preoccupied with Gwen. Rewatching some of the eps really makes them so much better when you know what's coming and why certain things are the way they are.
really interesting analysis, you've certainly made me think harder about that episode.
I have to admit I only dabble on the edges of this fandom, so I wasn't aware of people complaining about this ep or the characterisations, but I do remember thinking that Merlin and Arthur were acting a bit 'off' in that ep. I'll rewatch it in a new light now!
Thanks for reading. Yeah, I totally thought Merlin and Arthur was off too. As for the reactions/complaints, I recently discovered Tumblr and it is at once highly addicting, entertaining, and a frightening place where people give feedback on instantaneous gut reactions and that's how this review came about :) I love fandom.
I absolutely agree with you! I think this episode wasn't the best, but it was much better than some people made it out to be. Thanks for writing my thoughts about this in an understandable way :P
Comments 44
Reply
Reply
Thanks so much for putting this together! Definitely a keeper for future reference. :)
Do you mind if I friended you?
Reply
Reply
When I first watched the episode, I thought something was off about Arthur and then he recognized the place somehow but I thought it was more Uther's doing and that Arthur was feeling guilty about it. How much more effective it was to have Arthur be the one who was in charge! Plus since he'd done some things I considered OOC in other episodes (putting a sword to a Druid child's throat, following his father's orders to take no prisoners at the Druid camp), it made those instances much more poignant now that we know more about Arthur.
As for Colin and Bradley's performances, they've been very nuanced and gorgeous this year. I'm really enjoying Bradley especially now that he's gotten some meatier roles.
Reply
Gah! Season-4!Arthur, you're killing me!
And yes, Bradley has really been given a chance to shine, even if that means Arthur is in a perpetual state of unhappiness. Good thing Merlin's there to cheer him up!
Anyway, thanks for reading and commenting!
Reply
Reply
I have to admit I only dabble on the edges of this fandom, so I wasn't aware of people complaining about this ep or the characterisations, but I do remember thinking that Merlin and Arthur were acting a bit 'off' in that ep. I'll rewatch it in a new light now!
Reply
Reply
I absolutely agree with you! I think this episode wasn't the best, but it was much better than some people made it out to be. Thanks for writing my thoughts about this in an understandable way :P
(can't wait for this week's episode)
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment