I think I saw that in a movie. :D

[astri13]

Aaaaand, Merlin.

Wow, all out of gate with Arthur/Gwen this early? Would not have imagined that. And it's not that the characters aren't sweet together or that Gwen isn't a good influence but still, quite sudden.

Merlin and Arthur were a bit more on friendly terms than last week but I would love an episode that acknowledges that Arthur cares for Merlin's (opinion) as he cares for Gwen here. We got them in Season 1 too, after all. Now we got a little bit "you...you are telling me what I want to hear" *accusing finger of adorableness* "Yes...no...what was the question?" Hee.

And the stuff about Arthur describing the beast while Merlin nearly cracks up was very cute, too.

I liked seeing Arthur trying to better himself once more. He really is working on his flaws. And willing to listen, too.
Also, in the beginning he seemed genuinely upset the other knight didn't take his chance and defeat him. As seen with Lancelot and even last week, Arthur is not a sore loser nor ungenerous about giving other people credit or disliking them for being better at something than he is. So him wanting to prove to himself that he could win on his own merits was a good start already but of course the real test came at the end when he let the peasant earn the glory and was still all big smiles about it.

And, I would be remiss not to notice how handsome Arthur looked throughout. Bradley James is one fetching man. Woof.

Seeing as that was a jousting tournament, the comparism to "A Knight's Tale" was obvious but holy moly they lifted whole plotlines from it. James Purefoy aka Prince Edward competing incognito because he feared noone would fight him as himself. The evil guy with the sharpened lance. And the wounded knight clutching his lance and swaying in the saddle while he makes his final ride for honour's sake.

The kiss was a tad too long, I felt, but it was kinda sweet.

Gaius is a real taskmaster, I have to say. He could see how exhausted Merlin looked and still ordered him around like Arthur does. Methinks Gaius needs a good chewing out by Gwen, too.

Arthur trying to cook. Or lets say pulling the chicken. Muhahaha.

Now one thing where I have to defend Arthur is the stuff with the bed. It WAS an honest mistake IMO. There was another room and he knows that formerly two people lived in that house so why wouldn't he think Gwen had a bed further back? He didn't say "where is the bed?", he basically said "so, is this my bed?" aka where I'll sleep. And he was genuinely surprised to have taken her bed. So yes, I think she could have said something.

I didn't like him getting on Merlin about the stupid mattress, though. Arthur had no trouble sleeping on the floor with Merlin in Merlin's old home-village. And I'm sure he slept on the ground while on hunting trips so I imagine he could take it.

Was it me or did "Odin" look like an older Aragorn? Is Camelot in Middle-Earth?

Loved Arthur being so joyful there at the end when he reported back. He nearly giggled at some point.

So overall, it was fun and charming and giving me Merlin-feeling again.

Comments

[scolaro]

Aahhhh, have to agree with everything you said. :-D
Esp. the LOL-moments... *squeeeee*

And the bed. But it WAS a fucked up situation. He didn't know, but she - as a servant - thought she couldn't tell him. Honest mistake on both parts, but yeah, she shouldn't have attacked him like that over this thing. Everything else, YES, for sure, though! ;-)

Didn't care for him sending Merlin to get the mattress, either. They should have cut that scene out, it didn't fit in at all.

However, the rest of the ep was brilliant!

[legoline.livejournal.com]

Is Camelot in Middle-Earth?

Taking in account that the Anglo-Saxons (who had settled in England at the time at which Arthur supposedly lived) according to their Germanic beliefs called their world "middeongeard" (Middle-Earth, as opposed to "Asgard" where the Gods lived and "Isgard" where the dwarves lived)... uhm, yes? ;-)

And no, I went "ARAGORN" as well ;-)

[frogspace.livejournal.com]

Was it me or did "Odin" look like an older Aragorn? Is Camelot in Middle-Earth?

You are not alone! I immediately thought "Aragon"? *g*

He could see how exhausted Merlin looked and still ordered him around like Arthur does.

I want Merlin to fall asleep while doing Arthur's bed. I really, really want to see that. The boy needs some rest! Surely Arthur wouldn't deny him the comfort of his pillows? :P

[shardsofblu.livejournal.com]

I've seen so many references to A Knight's Tale since this episode aired, but I haven't actually seen the movie itself. I just might check it out soon. ;)

I'm very torn over this episode. The Arthur/Gwen stuff was very good, but they don't know how to stop IMO. They should've just left at the kiss (I totally get it as it was played out, both of them were caught up in their emotions), have the characters step back a bit instead of instantly deciding they're both already deep in love.

I like Arthur trying to work on his flaws with Gwen, but by not extending the same courtesy to Merlin and still treating him basically like a lapdog smacks of hypocrisy.

Still holding out hope this season will get much better soon.

[stealingpennies.livejournal.com]

Here via MerlinXArthur

Gaius is a real taskmaster, I have to say. He could see how exhausted Merlin looked and still ordered him around like Arthur does. Methinks Gaius needs a good chewing out by Gwen, too.

This bit really surprised me! We've always known Arthur could be pratty (though Merlin is such a rubbish servant I don't suppose he complies with half of Arthur's requests) but I expected much more Gaius. I mean Merlin was obviously exhausted but he just went on and on.

[foxie-trot.livejournal.com]

*comes in from merlinxarthur*

Arthur trying to cook. Or lets say pulling the chicken.
Oh good lord, this made me die a little inside. LOLOLOL.

And I agree with the feelings on Arthur ordering Merlin to get him his mattress. I thought that was stupid, because he did sleep on the ground with Merlin in ep10 last season, and he wouldn't be that adverse to sleeping on the ground. Silly writers and their continuity fail.