Merlin Episode 11: Today is a Good Day to Die

[crabby_lioness]

"That's the best unicorn story I've ever seen," my husband said when the credits rolled.  This episode examined Arthur in a story rich in Early Western European religious symbolism.

Comments

[gillianinoz]

rat-eating

Oddly the rat-eating scene was my my second least favourite scene of the series so far. I think it would have been a lot cleverer if Merlin had pretended to be reluctant and then scarfed the whole lot down. Grinning and reminding Arthur all the time about the poor village he grew up in, and how rats were welcome meat in a hard season.

What do y'all think?

I might be doing them a diservice, but I think you're way smarter than the writers. Also very cool!

Thanks for pointing this all out - you always make me appreciate and understand the episodes so ,much better!

[crabby_lioness]

Thank you! Merlin could have done that, but he adapted to city life real quick. He reminds me of Riki Tiki Tavi. "What every mongoose wants to be is a house mongoose." That may not be true for every one, but it's certainly true for Riki and Merlin.

[archaeologist_d]

Great review. I learned something of the difference between labyrinths and mazes (I didn't know there was one before) and I loved how Arthur chose the analytical and Merlin the mystical paths.

I also had a slight problem with Arthur turning down the rat stew but I figured it was for giggles - and it was really funny, especially Merlin's face when he ate it.

I also noticed the abundance of food, especially at the beginning of the show. We see Arthur sitting by a table and it's almost covered in uneaten or partially eaten food, like he's wasting most of it and later the table is empty. A great setup for their dilemma.

Thanks for pointing out that Arthur had accepted his death before he drank the poison. It felt right but I hadn't known why. This makes perfect sense.

I think you pointed out all the things I liked most about this - Arthur's weakness when it comes to his father, his willingness to die for his people and especially the interactions with Merlin.

Wonderful episode. One of my favorites.

[crabby_lioness]

Thank you. I think the production team put more thought into this series than shows up at first glance, although sometimes a little more wouldn't hurt.

Wonderful episode. One of my favorites.

Mine too. I've lost count of how often I've rewatched the beach scene.

[kataren]

This is a man who has already accepted that he is not getting out of here alive.

I agree; this is my most favorite scene in the series. The first time I watched it, I kept rewinding that part again & again & again & again...because Arthur's expression at that moment. I remember thinking, "A little crazed, & a lot desperate." And the way the actor delivered his line too, was perfect.

But IMO, I don't think he accepted his presumed death with joy, but instead with well, acceptance, & some regret. Regret because he was finally beginning to believe that he could one day learn to be a better king than his father; that he couldn't show Uther that there can be alternatives that work; that he could change his people's lives for the better; that he could maybe have at least one genuine friend; that he would have to die in front of MerlinAnd I think the realization all came to him right after Merlin teased him about actually paying Merlin a compliment. My heart just ached for Arthur right then. It's hard to imagine what season two will be

[mossylawn]

You thoroughly nailed this as usual!
The Middle Path and Arthur accepting his death and relaxing (and actually coming as close as he can to admitting his connection with Merlin as he can at this point)and facing it with trandescendal joy.
And hellloooo there mystical subtext!

It's my absolute favourite episodes and I think I re-watched the beach scene more times than healthy.

[crabby_lioness]

Thank you!

Mysticism is healthy. *nods* That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.

[oconel]

I rewatched the beach scene yesterday and I'm going to rewatch it again a moment. I completely agree that Arthur has accepted his destiny (death) and that makes a beautiful scene.

I didn't know there was a difference between labyrinth and maze in English (in Spanish we just have one word: Laberinto), so that was interesting to learn.

Ok, my brain is fried today to try to write something more coherent, so: great analysis of the episode. I really enjoyed it and learnt lots of things from it.

[crabby_lioness]

Thank you.