Comments | tanous: Merlin: 5:03 The Death Song of Uther Pendragon

tanous

Merlin: 5:03 The Death Song of Uther Pendragon

Oct 24, 2012 04:09

I don’t know. I should probably admit that I was expecting/hoping for a different episode than the one we got, so I’m actually reviewing the wrong thing. I know too that I’m stlll wearing my Traumatised By S4 Pt 2 goggles. But I can still see that there was alot to appreciate. We were given the, now rare, treat of an episode centred almost ( Read more... )

Comments 67

-Sigh- Part 1 arwyn_t October 24 2012, 08:05:57 UTC

I've been in a very cranky, sour mood in RL lately, so I thought that my cranky, sour reaction to 5x03 was a mirror of my cranky, sour mood of my RL. Even SForTheWicked told me to cool off, that I am paranoid. So, I've been anxiously waiting for your review, dear T, because I value your opinion and want to know if I am paranoid after all. Result? Thank you, Universe, I am not paranoid (not totally anyway...)!!! Or... are we in the same asylum? Hmmm... :-P ( ... )

-Sigh- Part 2 arwyn_t October 24 2012, 08:06:40 UTC

2. Merlin and Uther. -sigh- Not what I hoped for. I literally cheered at ( ... )

Re: -Sigh- Part 2 tanous October 25 2012, 04:22:50 UTC

Hi Arwyn! I actually cant remember an episode I've felt more torn over ( ... )

tanoshi_ame October 24 2012, 08:56:03 UTC

I was just left wishing for a better script, wondering what a writer capable of character depth who actually gets them, could have done with it.I think this is exactly why it's harder to review this ep. Focus on the right characters plus their actors' top-notch performance did more than save, they elevated the written content on a much larger scale this time. I enjoyed most scenes because of every acting decision, every little thing these talented men did, especially Colin for those small but deliberated and meaningful gestures. My response to Bee's review mirrored most of what's raised here, but in a more positive/forgiving light. Though now that I think about it, it was also more about praising the acting and ignoring the writing, so that explains it I guess ( ... )

tanous October 25 2012, 04:38:59 UTC

Hi again :) I agree with all you've said - about Bees fab review too. I wish I could see the episode in as uncomplicatedly positive a light as she does, I really do. I *want* to adore it unreservedly for the stuff it did give us like a fourhander with Colin, Bradley, Richard and Tony. I mean thats heaven right there! Its just the missed opportunities of having Tony there, having Uther turned into a panto villain after the ending he got with Arthur in S4 (wonder what *that* will do to Arthur's daddy issues) and the total la la laing past the tapdancing neon elephant in the corner of the room - ie magic. As you say we have no idea how Camelot is better under Arthur - we're just told. What has he changed beyond knighting and marrying peasants? I agree too that the pushing of the Disney romance has certainly damaged Arthurs character in the past- all that Uther said was right - he *should* have married to help the kingdom not to make himself happy - but so far we haven't seen too much of it to judge this year. Definitely though making ( ... )

tanoshi_ame October 25 2012, 06:20:43 UTC

Well, the issue is that it sounds horribly likely that the "greatest sacrifice" to make up for Arthur's error and one that Arthur apparently isn't prepared to make - since it's 80% not gonna be Merlin or magic-related - might very well be Her Sue-ish Majesty. I recall seeing BTS pics where Bradley rescued a Gwen-doll from a lake or something, so it's hard not to make connections. Hoping very much to be proven wrong though.

tanous October 25 2012, 07:11:28 UTC

Ah I see - yeah that sounds feasible. How many times is she going to have to be rescued this season- from Uther, from Morgana AND from whoevers the baddie in 5.05? We're weaving between Boadicea! Barbie and Victim! Barbie just to give her a role- which lets face it she doesn't naturally have. Its a 'how can we shove Gwen/Terry and June into this one?' dilemma each script conference Id imagine :-p Do we know if the writer's a Disney man, or does he do more grown up stuff ( ... )

Thread 9

gatepromise October 24 2012, 09:34:00 UTC

Another brilliant and facund review. I'm finding myself looking forward to your takes on each episode almost more than viewing the shows themselves. You never disappoint. We are in accord overall on this one too--I share your ambivalence. And fandom in general seems to be all over the map in their reactions.Loved the banter, hated the hitting, didn't see the hitting as abuse, saw Arthur as a domestic abuser, loved Uther, hated Uther, wondering what the hell Uther was doing there and why he's been taken over by an Evil Smurf, thought it was grand, thought Gaius' wig was grand, whined over the lack of Arwen, threw a party over the lack of Arwen, and wondered why we didn't have a magic reveal to Arthur and just give it all up ( ... )

sforthewicked October 24 2012, 10:41:39 UTC

Aithusa will conveniently re-appear when tptb want her to either save Morgana from certain death again, or prove that Merlin was mistaken in leaving her alone because now she's emotionally scarred and all. Just saying...

tanous October 25 2012, 04:56:13 UTC

Hi GP! Yeah it does seem to be an episode thats galvanised the fandom if only to run around in confused circles- so much right and so much wrong :-p I think the choice of focussing the ep on Arthur and Merlin with Gaius and Uther was *totally* right and it worked brilliantly. I cant imagine anyone other than their stans missed the rest of the cast for a second; these were the best actor by far let loose and the way Colin and Bradley worked together was amazing. The unspoken communication and trust they seem to have, the way they each work to make the other shine. Its such an incredible partnership ( ... )

marvelpku October 25 2012, 05:08:56 UTC

I think the only thing we all know is Merlin the WISE one. Not only in Merlin but also everywhere else in Arthurian legend.

I think TPTB should leave Gwen with her big boobs, rather than big brain (whatsoever).

Thread 5

Unpopular opinion... sforthewicked October 24 2012, 10:25:05 UTC

I really don't want to say/try to find bad things about this episode ( ... )

Re: Unpopular opinion... tanoshi_ame October 24 2012, 13:53:37 UTC

Ha! Hate from Arwen fans? Was it about the lack of Arwen scenes or did people actually get angry for that 'don't tell Gwen' line?

Actually, as for Uther I'm only miffed about how it looked like he was ready to kill Arthur which hugely disrespects his sacrifice last season. I agree with you about the talk between Merlin/Uther by the way. As it was, Merlin already had to raise his voice over Uther's to get 2 sentences in. I doubt Uther would have paused to listen more than that. Also, even Gaius had never been able persuade Uther when it came to magic, for Merlin to be able do so would seem a bit inexplicably influential. Uther was already a lost cause 4 seasons ago anyway, death should not change that.

Re: Unpopular opinion... sforthewicked October 24 2012, 14:00:14 UTC

Actually, apart from the lack of Arwen, it was mostly about having the QUEEN of Camelot recovering on servant Merlin's bed (omfg!) if you believe it!
I was like 'six episodes ago she was an exiled servant than mucked pigs' shit in a village and now she's too good to sleep on Merlin's bed? Is Arthur's royal seed turning people into bluebloods ffs?'...

Re: Unpopular opinion... marvelpku October 24 2012, 14:12:41 UTC

I think most of the Arwen fans are shallow (from what I have seen). BTW, they are a very small fanbase. Majority of the audiences are families gathering together on Saturday night without too much work to do and don't go pub as well. They watch the show but they are no fans.
If it ironic that I think Arwen fans should get furious on how they dress Gwen. It is not a decent queen of Camelot style, it is Las Vegas prostitute style. No wonder, Uther didn't approve Gwen. No sane people can approve with that kind of dress.

Thread 22