A Lesson in Vengence Review
Review for Merlin 5x07: A Lesson in Vengence. There will be spoilers
Overview
Okay. Wow. Seems someone started filling the Merlin writer’s thermoses with Red Bull. Cause that was fairly impressive.
If this show gets any darker, I’m going to need a torch.
Episode Summary
ARC EPISODE!! I REPEAT ARC EPISODE!! ONGOING PLOT DEVELOPMENT AHOY!!
It’s not often in Merlin that the magic Retcon button doesn’t get hit. But it didn’t here. The writers didn’t ignore what happened last week, instead picking it up and running with it leaving us with a dark episode, which turned itself on its head every time.
While I’ll go into more detail about Gwen below, I have to say I like her as a villain. She certainly seems more adept at being the mole than previous moles have been, and it’s nice to see Angel Colby being given some real meaty stuff to work with.
What I will say is that the Knights are clearly blind loyal which is not necessarily good. Merlin is both the Kings most loyal servant and their friend. Why they would toss him in the dungeon solely on the word of the Queen smacks of dangerously blind loyalty.
Merlin
Here we got to see Senior Advisor!Merlin which makes a change from Manservant!Merlin. We tend to forget that Merlin has been with Arthur for about ten years now give or take, and Arthur - especially now he is king - clearly values Merlin’s advice. The banter was still there though too, showing that they are still also friends.
The look on Merlin’s face when he thought Arthur wasn’t going to make it, said it all really.
Also DRAGOON’S BACK!! I know some people don’t like Old!Merlin but he’s good for a bit of comic relief, - ergo the cook scene - so I don’t mind him so much. I will say though, he always wears the same outfit. Does Merlin have multiple red robes stashed around the castle, or does he magic his clothes as well?
Arthur (and Others)
You can tell in this episode, especially the way Arthur acted around his stable hand, that he really does care about his people, especially one’s he knows (reasonably) well. He cares about seeing justice done, and seems to genuinely want the best for the people of Camelot. Nice change from Uther.
It’s also clear both that Arthur is head over heels for Gwen (that betrayal is going to sting) and is beloved of his knights and courtiers.
This episode proved one thing though. Arthur needs to hurry up and declare an heir.
The Bad Guy
Evil!Gwen is Evil. And a little attractive. I don’t know what it is about evil female characters but you know whatevs.
Gwen is perfectly placed to be evil and sneaky and simultaneously put the blame on other people. She played the perfect mix of evil and sweet.
How Arthur is going to react to her second betrayal I don’t know. I also don’t know how they are going to resolve this story line.
I’m still plumping for Mind Control.
Conclusion.
More Killing. More Evil!Gwen. Show gets even darker.
Next Week: Even More Killing. Even More Evil!Gwen.
Overview
Okay. Wow. Seems someone started filling the Merlin writer’s thermoses with Red Bull. Cause that was fairly impressive.
If this show gets any darker, I’m going to need a torch.
Episode Summary
ARC EPISODE!! I REPEAT ARC EPISODE!! ONGOING PLOT DEVELOPMENT AHOY!!
It’s not often in Merlin that the magic Retcon button doesn’t get hit. But it didn’t here. The writers didn’t ignore what happened last week, instead picking it up and running with it leaving us with a dark episode, which turned itself on its head every time.
While I’ll go into more detail about Gwen below, I have to say I like her as a villain. She certainly seems more adept at being the mole than previous moles have been, and it’s nice to see Angel Colby being given some real meaty stuff to work with.
What I will say is that the Knights are clearly blind loyal which is not necessarily good. Merlin is both the Kings most loyal servant and their friend. Why they would toss him in the dungeon solely on the word of the Queen smacks of dangerously blind loyalty.
Merlin
Here we got to see Senior Advisor!Merlin which makes a change from Manservant!Merlin. We tend to forget that Merlin has been with Arthur for about ten years now give or take, and Arthur - especially now he is king - clearly values Merlin’s advice. The banter was still there though too, showing that they are still also friends.
The look on Merlin’s face when he thought Arthur wasn’t going to make it, said it all really.
Also DRAGOON’S BACK!! I know some people don’t like Old!Merlin but he’s good for a bit of comic relief, - ergo the cook scene - so I don’t mind him so much. I will say though, he always wears the same outfit. Does Merlin have multiple red robes stashed around the castle, or does he magic his clothes as well?
Arthur (and Others)
You can tell in this episode, especially the way Arthur acted around his stable hand, that he really does care about his people, especially one’s he knows (reasonably) well. He cares about seeing justice done, and seems to genuinely want the best for the people of Camelot. Nice change from Uther.
It’s also clear both that Arthur is head over heels for Gwen (that betrayal is going to sting) and is beloved of his knights and courtiers.
This episode proved one thing though. Arthur needs to hurry up and declare an heir.
The Bad Guy
Evil!Gwen is Evil. And a little attractive. I don’t know what it is about evil female characters but you know whatevs.
Gwen is perfectly placed to be evil and sneaky and simultaneously put the blame on other people. She played the perfect mix of evil and sweet.
How Arthur is going to react to her second betrayal I don’t know. I also don’t know how they are going to resolve this story line.
I’m still plumping for Mind Control.
Conclusion.
More Killing. More Evil!Gwen. Show gets even darker.
Next Week: Even More Killing. Even More Evil!Gwen.