The Kindness of Strangers Review
Review for Merlin 5x10: The Kindness of Strangers. Spoilers of course.
Overview
That’s it. I’m out. Everything is Merlin and everything hurts.
Every little thing.
Stupid BBC.
Episode Summary
Every so often the Merlin writers pull something out of the hat, or get dosed up on Red Bull and produce an episode that is not only fantastic but at the same time allows for some major plot advancement.
This was one of those episodes.
While I would have liked to see some more of Alator - I remember he was a very impressive antagonist and would have liked to see him interact with Merlin a bit more than last time, at least he went out nobly, defending Merlin and the dream Merlin is creating till the end.
Finna however, despite her also all to brief appearance was an excellent substitute. We don’t see that many people who believe in what Merlin is hoping to create and to see someone who not only believes, but is willing to die to protect Merlin, shows how important what he is doing is to fellow magic users.
The last scene as well, with the reference to Camlann - which made my inner Arthurian buff sit up and grin - set a dangerous precedent for the last three episodes.
Oh this is going to hurt so much.
Merlin
Oh Merlin.
Sometimes we forget that for all his power and his great destiny, he is still just one man, left with a burden that no one man should have to shoulder on their own. Yet he does it, without complaint, without fuss.
It was nice to have this bought into sharp focus this episode. So much rests on him and the decisions he makes. And as we saw in this episode, people are not only relying on him, but are willing to die for him.
If I was in his place I would have given up ages ago. I hope he gets a happy ending.
Arthur (and Others)
Arthur really wasn’t really relevant to this story much so we’ll pass over him.
Gaius on the other hand got a lot more screen time this week. Just as we don’t always see how his “great destiny” affects Merlin, we don’t always see how Merlin rushing off to do all these dangerous things affects Gaius - who does after all view Merlin as like a son. Again it was nice to see expressing both his worry and his admiration for Merlin and all he does. It bought a more personal dimension to his character.
I’m saddened that we might soon be facing the end of Kilgharrah. While he hasn’t been much of a feature this season, it’s nice to know he’s in the background, to offer support to Merlin when Gaius isn’t around - and serve as handy backup when necessary.
The show would be so different without him.
The Bad Guy
Morgana’s been a busy bee hasn’t she? She now has an army and a castle and everything. And now she’s declared war on Camelot.
Her obsession with Emrys suggests that she knows he is the only one capable of stopping her - so why she hasn’t figured out its Merlin yet I don’t know - and she wants to take him out before she tries anything.
Seems like that plans gone out the window.
Conclusion.
A solid episode, no slow bits and a great step forward in terms of plot. 10/10
Next Week: Oh. Crap.
Overview
That’s it. I’m out. Everything is Merlin and everything hurts.
Every little thing.
Stupid BBC.
Episode Summary
Every so often the Merlin writers pull something out of the hat, or get dosed up on Red Bull and produce an episode that is not only fantastic but at the same time allows for some major plot advancement.
This was one of those episodes.
While I would have liked to see some more of Alator - I remember he was a very impressive antagonist and would have liked to see him interact with Merlin a bit more than last time, at least he went out nobly, defending Merlin and the dream Merlin is creating till the end.
Finna however, despite her also all to brief appearance was an excellent substitute. We don’t see that many people who believe in what Merlin is hoping to create and to see someone who not only believes, but is willing to die to protect Merlin, shows how important what he is doing is to fellow magic users.
The last scene as well, with the reference to Camlann - which made my inner Arthurian buff sit up and grin - set a dangerous precedent for the last three episodes.
Oh this is going to hurt so much.
Merlin
Oh Merlin.
Sometimes we forget that for all his power and his great destiny, he is still just one man, left with a burden that no one man should have to shoulder on their own. Yet he does it, without complaint, without fuss.
It was nice to have this bought into sharp focus this episode. So much rests on him and the decisions he makes. And as we saw in this episode, people are not only relying on him, but are willing to die for him.
If I was in his place I would have given up ages ago. I hope he gets a happy ending.
Arthur (and Others)
Arthur really wasn’t really relevant to this story much so we’ll pass over him.
Gaius on the other hand got a lot more screen time this week. Just as we don’t always see how his “great destiny” affects Merlin, we don’t always see how Merlin rushing off to do all these dangerous things affects Gaius - who does after all view Merlin as like a son. Again it was nice to see expressing both his worry and his admiration for Merlin and all he does. It bought a more personal dimension to his character.
I’m saddened that we might soon be facing the end of Kilgharrah. While he hasn’t been much of a feature this season, it’s nice to know he’s in the background, to offer support to Merlin when Gaius isn’t around - and serve as handy backup when necessary.
The show would be so different without him.
The Bad Guy
Morgana’s been a busy bee hasn’t she? She now has an army and a castle and everything. And now she’s declared war on Camelot.
Her obsession with Emrys suggests that she knows he is the only one capable of stopping her - so why she hasn’t figured out its Merlin yet I don’t know - and she wants to take him out before she tries anything.
Seems like that plans gone out the window.
Conclusion.
A solid episode, no slow bits and a great step forward in terms of plot. 10/10
Next Week: Oh. Crap.