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astri13Merlin
When Arthur became regent and later King, I feared it would put an end to him riding out on those adventure trips him and Merlin used to take all the time for some reason or another. But for the first couple episodes this Season, this didn't happen. Arthur was still on every "away-mission".
So when this ep started with Merlin and the Knights riding out while Arthur stayed in Camelot, it was finally the sensible thing to do but also very sad because in the previous Seasons, he would have ridden with them from the start. Or it would have just been Arthur/Merlin stealing away because Uther would have likely refused to send resources for such a "small" matter. Unless the villagers wised up and told him "we fear there is sorcery, Sire" in which case the entire army would have marched there. *g*
Only thing is, as soon as the Merlin-posse went missing, Arthur rode out after them anyway. Ha.
I guess if they do it like this, they can do away with sense and have the King keep continuing to go on any frivolous mission he wants.
And yeah, they made it out as more of a Gwen-concern but it's not as Arthur hasn't been established as someone who wouldn't worry or go look for his other subjects. If it had been just Merlin missing, he would have gone as well. If it had just been a couple Knights missing, he mostly likely would have gone himself as well. So, in this instance it didn't bother me so much that the writing textually only pinned it on the A/G-ship.
Besides, I found both reunion scenes rather cute. It's not like Arthur completely ignored Merlin lying there, he was good-natured, he helped him up and smiled a big smile, making a wise-crack. They also had another cute banter scene later.
And even though, I'm not an Arthur/Gwen shipper by any means, her little hop into his arms was a sweet moment. Much better than the last scene where they overdid the pimping again. But I guess they had to set up the next episode here where from the promo it's pretty clear what happens. Guess THAT part of the legend couldn't be done without. Eh, I predict a break-up, for the time being at least.
So, it might not have been the bestest of episodes this Season but I didn't hate it either.
And as a general, non-spoilery comment, Merlin does bring out the biggest and bestest smiles in Arthur this Season. When Arthur smiles (laughs) a happy and carefree smile, it's usually during a banter scene with Merlin. It really sells that those two, whatever one thinks of their relationship, have fun together.
When Arthur became regent and later King, I feared it would put an end to him riding out on those adventure trips him and Merlin used to take all the time for some reason or another. But for the first couple episodes this Season, this didn't happen. Arthur was still on every "away-mission".
So when this ep started with Merlin and the Knights riding out while Arthur stayed in Camelot, it was finally the sensible thing to do but also very sad because in the previous Seasons, he would have ridden with them from the start. Or it would have just been Arthur/Merlin stealing away because Uther would have likely refused to send resources for such a "small" matter. Unless the villagers wised up and told him "we fear there is sorcery, Sire" in which case the entire army would have marched there. *g*
Only thing is, as soon as the Merlin-posse went missing, Arthur rode out after them anyway. Ha.
I guess if they do it like this, they can do away with sense and have the King keep continuing to go on any frivolous mission he wants.
And yeah, they made it out as more of a Gwen-concern but it's not as Arthur hasn't been established as someone who wouldn't worry or go look for his other subjects. If it had been just Merlin missing, he would have gone as well. If it had just been a couple Knights missing, he mostly likely would have gone himself as well. So, in this instance it didn't bother me so much that the writing textually only pinned it on the A/G-ship.
Besides, I found both reunion scenes rather cute. It's not like Arthur completely ignored Merlin lying there, he was good-natured, he helped him up and smiled a big smile, making a wise-crack. They also had another cute banter scene later.
And even though, I'm not an Arthur/Gwen shipper by any means, her little hop into his arms was a sweet moment. Much better than the last scene where they overdid the pimping again. But I guess they had to set up the next episode here where from the promo it's pretty clear what happens. Guess THAT part of the legend couldn't be done without. Eh, I predict a break-up, for the time being at least.
So, it might not have been the bestest of episodes this Season but I didn't hate it either.
And as a general, non-spoilery comment, Merlin does bring out the biggest and bestest smiles in Arthur this Season. When Arthur smiles (laughs) a happy and carefree smile, it's usually during a banter scene with Merlin. It really sells that those two, whatever one thinks of their relationship, have fun together.
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(no subject)
Date: 2011-11-20 12:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-11-20 01:00 pm (UTC)Anyways, the next episode may prove interesting. It will undoubtedly be big on Arthur/Gwen from the promo alone but I'm curious about Merlin's reaction. He is friends with both Arthur and Gwen, and he was a friend of Lancelot as well. However, I believe if Gwen genuinely were to betray Arthur by cheating on him (though if it goes beyond a kiss, I'd be surprised), he'd be outraged. And my poor Arthur.
I see some potential for Arthur/Merlin friendship next week, too.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-11-20 02:18 pm (UTC)I wouldn't really have a problem with Arthur/Gwen. After all, we all knew it was bound to happen. However, they don't work as a couple at all, because they don't have any sexual chemistry together. And it also doesn't help that I know from people who visited the set that both actors are so very annoyed by the pairing.
So, yeah, I kind of liked the hopping into his arms, because it was a "friendly" moment, but I actually laughed out loud at the kiss in the end, because it looked like brother and sister kissing.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-11-20 02:41 pm (UTC)I know and the first one or two scenes of set-up for the pairing way back when in Season 1 weren't even all that bad. I think it wasn't before episodes 10 and 13 of Season 1 that the characters had any real, meaningful interaction between them and then Gwen told him more or less what a great king she envisions him to be. But my problem is more that nearly every scene since then had the same gist.
Gwen seems to love some idea she has of Arthur and Arthur...I don't even know. Maybe it's because the actors are not into it, that they can't sell it either. Though actors sometimes have natural chemistry, regardless of behind the scenes feelings. Which, yeah, not so much in this case.
I know Bradley James and Angel Coulby are friends but that's how their characters come across onscreen as well, as friends.
but I actually laughed out loud at the kiss in the end, because it looked like brother and sister kissing.
Heh. Apart from their first onscreen kiss - which wasn't too bad - I don't think any kiss between them ever looked much different than that.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-11-20 04:56 pm (UTC)I am probably one of the few people who mostly likes Gwen, though I can't say I really ship her and Arthur. But then again, I don't really ship Arthur/Merlin either.
For some reason, I just don't see that kind of chemistry between any of the characters on this show. I guess I am just a friendshipper when it comes to Merlin.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-11-20 05:31 pm (UTC)I hadn't noticed that before. Must rewatch again. Hee.
I am probably one of the few people who mostly likes Gwen,
Oh, I like her fine. I just thought the whole Arthur/Gwen love story hasn't been done all that well. And since that became largely Gwen's story for the past few years, the character has been swept up in that annoyance.
For some reason, I just don't see that kind of chemistry between any of the characters on this show. I guess I am just a friendshipper when it comes to Merlin.
But friendshipping is shipping, too. :D But hee, I know what you mean.
Arthur/Merlin for me can be easily read as friendship as well as slash. Mostly, the slash vibe between them caught me in Season 1
and it stuck but I guess I know what you mean, there isn't this "cut the air for the sexual tension" between any of the characters. Maybe that's because it's more or less a kids show. And since I haven't seen any of the younger actors in anything else, it's hard to gauge.