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astri13I have to say it again, this Season of Merlin rocks.
I just love how they're letting the characters mature and grow up now. And it does wonders for their interaction as well. The banter and interplay between Arthur and Merlin was great. So many references to friendship and they actually make me FEEL it, too. Guess all that had to go was the stupid, stupid slapstick, throwing silverware and pratfalls. Hooray for that. (Okay there was a little slapstick last week and I didn't care for it much).
Also, Merlin basically IS king's advisor already, servant or not. A neat look at things to come.
Arthur as King probably has to be darker and more mature as well and it suits him fine. Too bad he listens to his deadbeat uncle. That guy just bugs me.
Considering the episode was titled "His Father's Son", I found Annis' remark at the end to Morgana particularly clever. Nope, Arthur isn't much like Uther, has in fact never been but Morgana is more her father's daughter than she cares to admit. We know Uther raised a bloody vendetta on all magic after his wife died, killing children even. And he justified it to himself as HIM being the injured, victimized party. Morgana acts no different now.
Though, again, I find it particularly sad how her fall to darkness was handled. This current story would be so much juicier if she was at least conflicted about Arthur. She obviously cared about his well-being once and while I can see her never forgiving Uther, Arthur personally never did anything to her. She has in the past also acknowledged that he is a better man than his father. Heck, she did it this very episode in a way.
So this lightswitch to hate-hate-hate makes for a most unfortunate one-dimensional villain when she doesn't have to be. Then again, maybe it's all about her inability to be better than her father.
Further treat this episode? It used magic more sparingly and thus more effectively. There is nothing I hate more than Merlin having to do magic for even the simplest feats which has the result of making other people look like they are unable to cross the street unless Merlin magics them into it. It does not only make magic look utterly mundane but also all the non-magical characters look patently stupid. This isn't freaking Bibi Blocksberg after all.
Here, Morgana enchanted the sword and Merlin performed counter-meassures. THAT is the kind of magical involvement I like to see.
Promo for next week? Oooooooh. *rubs hands in glee*
I just love how they're letting the characters mature and grow up now. And it does wonders for their interaction as well. The banter and interplay between Arthur and Merlin was great. So many references to friendship and they actually make me FEEL it, too. Guess all that had to go was the stupid, stupid slapstick, throwing silverware and pratfalls. Hooray for that. (Okay there was a little slapstick last week and I didn't care for it much).
Also, Merlin basically IS king's advisor already, servant or not. A neat look at things to come.
Arthur as King probably has to be darker and more mature as well and it suits him fine. Too bad he listens to his deadbeat uncle. That guy just bugs me.
Considering the episode was titled "His Father's Son", I found Annis' remark at the end to Morgana particularly clever. Nope, Arthur isn't much like Uther, has in fact never been but Morgana is more her father's daughter than she cares to admit. We know Uther raised a bloody vendetta on all magic after his wife died, killing children even. And he justified it to himself as HIM being the injured, victimized party. Morgana acts no different now.
Though, again, I find it particularly sad how her fall to darkness was handled. This current story would be so much juicier if she was at least conflicted about Arthur. She obviously cared about his well-being once and while I can see her never forgiving Uther, Arthur personally never did anything to her. She has in the past also acknowledged that he is a better man than his father. Heck, she did it this very episode in a way.
So this lightswitch to hate-hate-hate makes for a most unfortunate one-dimensional villain when she doesn't have to be. Then again, maybe it's all about her inability to be better than her father.
Further treat this episode? It used magic more sparingly and thus more effectively. There is nothing I hate more than Merlin having to do magic for even the simplest feats which has the result of making other people look like they are unable to cross the street unless Merlin magics them into it. It does not only make magic look utterly mundane but also all the non-magical characters look patently stupid. This isn't freaking Bibi Blocksberg after all.
Here, Morgana enchanted the sword and Merlin performed counter-meassures. THAT is the kind of magical involvement I like to see.
Promo for next week? Oooooooh. *rubs hands in glee*
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Date: 2011-10-30 02:47 pm (UTC)I just like it when it doesn't lead to Arthur looking terribly stupid/incompetent because Merlin does everything single-handedly with magic. When they're playing up both characters strength like in this episode, it is so much better to me.