Apart from that scene, Arthur's characterization is very off in this episode IMO, and it was very disheartening to see how he treated Merlin. I hope this bipolarity is not going to be a recurring thing.
I found it a bit strange as well - I mean the footstool is certainly historically correct but we have never seen it in Season 1 so why bring it in now? - and it overshot their bickering of the later Season 1.
What was I missing was a fundamental feeling of respect there from Arthur's side. But if he never did respect Merlin then the whole of "Moment of Truth" for example wouldn't have happened. Arthur helping Merlin put on his armour and telling him it has been an honour would never have happened if all Arthur saw is a clumsy servant way, way beneath his notice. Arthur just doesn't roll this way. I mean, take Cedric, I think he enjoyed Cedric's bootlicking but didn't have a shred of respect for the guy himself.
Arthur can overcome his class thinking - unlike Uther pretty much - but he needs reason for that. Merlin, Gwen and Lancelot are people who have given him such reason IMO.
It seemed to me that Gwen actually has always been attracted to Arthur from the very beginning, but with the whole status issue she was consciously and constantly trying to put herself in a more appropriate position. Hence, the flirting with Merlin and Lancelot.
Really? I never saw her remotely considering him that way. The only meaningful interaction they had that I can remember in early Season 1 was the flower maneuver and that was totally about their shared bond for Merlin.
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I found it a bit strange as well - I mean the footstool is certainly historically correct but we have never seen it in Season 1 so why bring it in now? - and it overshot their bickering of the later Season 1.
What was I missing was a fundamental feeling of respect there from Arthur's side. But if he never did respect Merlin then the whole of "Moment of Truth" for example wouldn't have happened. Arthur helping Merlin put on his armour and telling him it has been an honour would never have happened if all Arthur saw is a clumsy servant way, way beneath his notice. Arthur just doesn't roll this way. I mean, take Cedric, I think he enjoyed Cedric's bootlicking but didn't have a shred of respect for the guy himself.
Arthur can overcome his class thinking - unlike Uther pretty much - but he needs reason for that. Merlin, Gwen and Lancelot are people who have given him such reason IMO.
It seemed to me that Gwen actually has always been attracted to Arthur from the very beginning, but with the whole status issue she was consciously and constantly trying to put herself in a more appropriate position. Hence, the flirting with Merlin and Lancelot.
Really? I never saw her remotely considering him that way. The only meaningful interaction they had that I can remember in early Season 1 was the flower maneuver and that was totally about their shared bond for Merlin.