My Favorite Episodes: #4 - Recap and Review
And...........#4 on my list of favorite episodes is.......
Review: Episode 2x04 - Lancelot and Guinevere
Episode written by: Howard Overman
RECAP
When Morgana goes on a pilgrimage to her father's grave, she and her party are attacked by bandits hoping to kidnap the king's ward to ransom. They take Morgana and Gwen hostage, and the girls escape, but Gwen falls and injures herself, and she tells Morgana to get to safety and stays behind. The bandits take Gwen back to their leader, and he tells Gwen she will pose as Morgana for his own boss, Hengist.
When Morgana is recovered, she pleads with Uther to rescue Gwen, and she can't get anyone to volunteer to help her. In secret, however, Arthur and Merlin make plans to leave to go save Gwen. They sneak out of the castle and head for the location the ransom note tells them to take the ransom.
While being held as a "guest," Gwen spots Lancelot during the evening meal's entertainment; he is there to fight another man, to the death, for coins. He spots Gwen, as well, and he spares the man's life, leaves the cage, accepts Hengist's purse, and then is introduced to "the Lady Morgana." He knows something is wrong, and when Gwen is alone in her cell, he comes to speak to her through the grates.
Lancelot stages a daring rescue, then, after exchanging an emotional goodbye and kiss, he stays behind to allow Gwen the chance to escape. He is captured, and to his surprise, Gwen is as well, and Hengist plans to feed them to his favorite "pet," a giant rat called a Wildren.
Merlin and Arthur approach Hengist's lair, and along the way, Merlin picks up on Arthur's unusual determination to rescue the servant girl. He pokes at Arthur about it until Arthur confesses that he has feelings for her but that he can't do anything about them.
Merlin and Arthur arrive just in time to save Gwen and Lancelot from the Wildren. As they escape, Arthur notices that Gwen and Lancelot have feelings for each other, and hurt, he tells them that he only came to rescue Gwen because Morgana begged him. Lancelot easily picks up on the fact that Arthur has feelings for Gwen, and he leaves so as not to interfere. The now unhappy trio returns to Camelot, where Gwen and Morgana are happily reunited, although Arthur is heartbroken.
REVIEW
I find this episode to be absolutely amazing. It's #4 of my top 5 Merlin episodes. And I'm seriously thinking about writing this as a love note to Howard Overman (who penned three of my four favorite episodes of this show!!). I wish he could write them all! <3
* Gwen
* Merlin/Gwen.
I love Merlin/Gwen BFFery. And when Merlin told Gaius that there was nothing he could say to talk him out of going to rescue Gwen? Awww, Merlin, I <3 you.
* It's one of the few times I really love Morgana.
I am not the biggest Morgana fan. The only times I really like her are when she's with Gwen, or when she's fighting with Uther on Gwen's behalf. So, the whole opening with the two girls escaping and then Morgana having to leave Gwen (I hate that she trips, FAIL!), then Morgana going off to the court about rescuing her friend. I really adore Morgana and her devotion to Gwen. (Season 3, I hate what you've done to my girls!!)
* This also leads to my favorite Arthur/Morgana scene. Of course it's about Gwen. lol.
As a self-confessed non-Ar-Mor, I tend to cringe at a lot of their scenes together. But not this one. Morgana goes to the one person she thinks she can talk into helping Gwen - her friend - and she starts berating him until he finally gets her attention so she can see that he's already packing to go rescue Gwen. Poor Arthur can't break through her rant for a couple minutes, as she goes off. lol.
* Arthur/Gwen.
We don't get very much with actual Arthur/Gwen interaction on their own, but the whole episode is about them, even if it's titled "Lancelot and Guinevere."
The first scene is sad, when he's not allowed to help Gwen onto her horse, like he does with Morgana, because of class barriers.
I love that, as soon as Morgana is found, the first words out of Arthur's mouth are NOT, "Are you okay?" They are, "Where's Guinevere?" <3
The ride back to Camelot had to be so uncomfortable. I'm sure to Arthur, ideally, Lancelot wouldn't have been a romantic rival for Gwen, and so Gwen would have ridden back to Camelot in front of him, wrapped in his arms and safe, instead of awkward, hurt silence on separate horses.
The Gwen/Morgana hug at the end. While the girls get their happy reunion, Arthur watches sadly, as if he's wishing he'd gotten to hug her, to express how worried he was about her, like Morgana is able to.
* Lancelot/Gwen.
I'm a Gwen-multi-shipper. A/G is my OTP, but I like Gwen with pretty much everyone.
I adore Lancelot. Aside from being a stone fox, he's incredibly sweet and noble. I just don't understand why he sent Gwen off to escape alone, while he stayed behind to fight and give her time. If he'd gone with her and kept running, they might have had an easier escape -- and together. (Tho it was good for A/G that they were caught. lol.)
And yes, Lancelot calls her both Gwen and Guinevere in the episode. (Arthur calls her Guinevere more than once, and Gwen once.)
* Arthur/Gwen/Lancelot.
Hearts breaking all over the place.
That campfire scene is SO angsty.
Lancelot notices stuff. (Unlike almost every other character in the show. lmao.) In 1x05, he knows that Merlin has magic, and in this, he knows that something is up with Arthur and Gwen. I half wonder if he thought Arthur might like Gwen before then, anyway, because in 1x05 when Lancelot is staring at Gwen, Arthur is staring at Morgana when he asks if Lancelot thinks she's beautiful, and it's clear that Lancelot thought he was talking about Gwen, so he might have guessed easier than even Merlin did.
Poor Merlin. All awkward with the triangle at the campfire. <3
* Arthur/Lancelot.
I'm not sure if Arthur realizes that Gwen is still alive because of Lancelot's rescue attempt, as I'm pretty sure Hengist would have tried to feed her to the Wildren a short while sooner had she not been free. That few minutes or however long it was allowed Arthur and Merlin to arrive in time to save Gwen and Lancelot. Lancelot, however, knows Arthur and Merlin saved them, and he thanks Arthur for it. <3
* Merlin/Lancelot.
I love their friendship, and that Lancelot knows and keeps Merlin's secret. I also love that Merlin answers Lancelot's questions without saying a word, and that Lancelot knows him well enough to understand the wordless answers. <3
* Lancelot
Just because he's amazing to look at.
* Arthur/Merlin.
This is one of my all-time favorite Arthur/Merlin episodes. They have so many great and funny scenes, and one very sweetly supportive scene. <3
* Epic Moments.
Epic handhold is epic. It's like the shot heard around the world, except this one went straight into Arthur's heart.
* The Confession.
Of COURSE this gets it's own asterisk. lol.
This, combined with the triangle angst, makes this episode one of my favorites in the entire show. The confession is MADE of win. <3 <3 <3
Merlin: Well, they do say love makes you do strange things.
Arthur: What are you talking about?
Merlin: Why can't you just admit your feelings for Gwen? It's so obvious a blind man could see it. Is it really that hard to admit you like her? Just say it!
Arthur: I can't. How can I admit that I think about her all the time? Or that I care about her more than anyone? How can I admit that I don't know what I'll do if any harm comes to her?
Merlin: Why can't you?
Arthur: Because nothing can ever happen between us. To admit my feelings, knowing that... hurts too much.
Merlin: Who's to say nothing can happen?
Arthur: My father won't let me rescue a servant. Do you honestly believe he'd let me marry one?
Merlin: You want to marry Gwen?
Arthur: No! No, I don't know. It's all talk, and that's all it can ever be.
Merlin: When you're king, you can change that.
Arthur: I can't expect Guinevere to wait for me.
Merlin: If she feels as you do, she'll wait for you.
<3 <3 <3
* The humor is actually funny, there's a LOT of it, and nothing feels forced.
This is such a BIG thing for me. I hate it when it feels like the writers are trying to force the humor (3x01 Merlin/Arthur!!), but when it comes naturally to the storyline, it is so much better. And this episode has a lot of it. <3
First, Merlin "distracting" the guards so he and Arthur can sneak out of the castle. Merlin flopping off his horse, asleep, and Arthur throwing water on him to wake him up. Then doing the same thing later. Then the "giant...baby rats" that feed on human flesh. <3 Merlin stepping on Arthur's foot in the Tunnels of Andor. Then Merlin's reaction to Arthur's surprise over the gaia berries having worked. Climbing the walls to get into the castle and rescue Gwen. Arthur shoving Merlin into the room with the men he needed to distract. lmao. Then, "you still got me."
<3 Awww, Merlin, I <3 you.
BEST LINES
There are a LOT of them in this episode.
Morgana: The bandits still have Gwen.
Arthur: I believe they were Mercian. We've received reports that Hengist has crossed the border.
Uther: Hengist?
Morgana: You must send a rescue party.
Uther: If Hengist is holding her, it would take a small army to rescue your maid.
Morgana: We can't abandon her!
Uther: How many men would you have me sacrifice to save a servant?
Morgana: As many as it takes! Gwen gave herself up so that I might escape. I owe her my life.
Uther: She did so willingly, and she will be honored for it.
Morgana: I don't want her honored, I want her rescued! She is more than just my maid. She's my friend.
Uther: A servant is of no value to these bandits. I fear she's dead already.
Morgana: No! We cannot give up hope. Arthur, I'm begging you. You have to do something.
Arthur: My father's right. I'm afraid there's nothing we can do.
Morgana: How can you say that? How can you live with yourselves? All of you!
Morgana: How can you be so heartless? Gwen is the most kind, loyal person you'd ever meet and she's been more than a friend to all of us, and you would leave her at the mercy of those animals?
Arthur: Morgana.
Morgana: Have you no shame? Do you think of no one but yourself?
Arthur: Morgana.
Morgana: I knew you were many things, Arthur Pendragon, but I didn't know you were a gutless coward.
Arthur: Morgana! Perhaps if you'd stop shouting at me for one second, you'd notice that I'm packing.
Morgana: You're going after Gwen?
Arthur: Of course I'm going after her. What do you take me for? I couldn't disagree with father in public.
Morgana: Arthur? Bring her home.
Gaius: I suppose you and Arthur are going after Gwen?
Merlin: Gaius, don't even think about telling me not to go. There's nothing you can say that will stop me.
Arthur: We can save a day's riding if we cut through the Tunnels of Andor.
Merlin: Oh, no. I know that face. I'm not going to like this, am I? What's in the tunnels?
Arthur: They're infested with wildren.
Merlin: What are wildren?
Arthur: They're like giant (sees Merlin's expression) baby rats.
Merlin: Baby rats? They don't sound so bad.
Arthur: They feast on human flesh.
Merlin: Maybe we should go over the mountains?
Lancelot: I am surprised you would undertake such a rescue mission with just the two of you.
Arthur: Father would not risk the lives of his knights for a servant.
Lancelot: And yet you disobeyed him and came here anyway?
Arthur: (Hurt, hiding it) Truth is, I only came because Morgana begged me.
Gwen: (Hurt) I think I'll get some rest.
Lancelot: Is it true that Arthur came to rescue Gwen because Morgana begged him?
(Merlin looks away, doesn't answer)
Lancelot: He has feelings for her, doesn't he?
(Again, Merlin doesn't answer, though this time he meets Lancelot's eyes)
Merlin: What about you? Do you have feelings for Gwen?
Lancelot: My feelings do not matter. I will not come between them. Tell Gwen... tell Gwen that she has changed me forever... but some things cannot be.
Merlin: Look on the bright side. You've still got me.
Arthur: Is that supposed to cheer me up?
Merlin: Thought it might.
Arthur: You really are a complete idiot, aren't you, Merlin?
Review: Episode 2x04 - Lancelot and Guinevere
Episode written by: Howard Overman
RECAP
When Morgana goes on a pilgrimage to her father's grave, she and her party are attacked by bandits hoping to kidnap the king's ward to ransom. They take Morgana and Gwen hostage, and the girls escape, but Gwen falls and injures herself, and she tells Morgana to get to safety and stays behind. The bandits take Gwen back to their leader, and he tells Gwen she will pose as Morgana for his own boss, Hengist.
When Morgana is recovered, she pleads with Uther to rescue Gwen, and she can't get anyone to volunteer to help her. In secret, however, Arthur and Merlin make plans to leave to go save Gwen. They sneak out of the castle and head for the location the ransom note tells them to take the ransom.
While being held as a "guest," Gwen spots Lancelot during the evening meal's entertainment; he is there to fight another man, to the death, for coins. He spots Gwen, as well, and he spares the man's life, leaves the cage, accepts Hengist's purse, and then is introduced to "the Lady Morgana." He knows something is wrong, and when Gwen is alone in her cell, he comes to speak to her through the grates.
Lancelot stages a daring rescue, then, after exchanging an emotional goodbye and kiss, he stays behind to allow Gwen the chance to escape. He is captured, and to his surprise, Gwen is as well, and Hengist plans to feed them to his favorite "pet," a giant rat called a Wildren.
Merlin and Arthur approach Hengist's lair, and along the way, Merlin picks up on Arthur's unusual determination to rescue the servant girl. He pokes at Arthur about it until Arthur confesses that he has feelings for her but that he can't do anything about them.
Merlin and Arthur arrive just in time to save Gwen and Lancelot from the Wildren. As they escape, Arthur notices that Gwen and Lancelot have feelings for each other, and hurt, he tells them that he only came to rescue Gwen because Morgana begged him. Lancelot easily picks up on the fact that Arthur has feelings for Gwen, and he leaves so as not to interfere. The now unhappy trio returns to Camelot, where Gwen and Morgana are happily reunited, although Arthur is heartbroken.
REVIEW
I find this episode to be absolutely amazing. It's #4 of my top 5 Merlin episodes. And I'm seriously thinking about writing this as a love note to Howard Overman (who penned three of my four favorite episodes of this show!!). I wish he could write them all! <3
* Gwen
* Merlin/Gwen.
I love Merlin/Gwen BFFery. And when Merlin told Gaius that there was nothing he could say to talk him out of going to rescue Gwen? Awww, Merlin, I <3 you.
* It's one of the few times I really love Morgana.
I am not the biggest Morgana fan. The only times I really like her are when she's with Gwen, or when she's fighting with Uther on Gwen's behalf. So, the whole opening with the two girls escaping and then Morgana having to leave Gwen (I hate that she trips, FAIL!), then Morgana going off to the court about rescuing her friend. I really adore Morgana and her devotion to Gwen. (Season 3, I hate what you've done to my girls!!)
* This also leads to my favorite Arthur/Morgana scene. Of course it's about Gwen. lol.
As a self-confessed non-Ar-Mor, I tend to cringe at a lot of their scenes together. But not this one. Morgana goes to the one person she thinks she can talk into helping Gwen - her friend - and she starts berating him until he finally gets her attention so she can see that he's already packing to go rescue Gwen. Poor Arthur can't break through her rant for a couple minutes, as she goes off. lol.
* Arthur/Gwen.
We don't get very much with actual Arthur/Gwen interaction on their own, but the whole episode is about them, even if it's titled "Lancelot and Guinevere."
The first scene is sad, when he's not allowed to help Gwen onto her horse, like he does with Morgana, because of class barriers.
I love that, as soon as Morgana is found, the first words out of Arthur's mouth are NOT, "Are you okay?" They are, "Where's Guinevere?" <3
The ride back to Camelot had to be so uncomfortable. I'm sure to Arthur, ideally, Lancelot wouldn't have been a romantic rival for Gwen, and so Gwen would have ridden back to Camelot in front of him, wrapped in his arms and safe, instead of awkward, hurt silence on separate horses.
The Gwen/Morgana hug at the end. While the girls get their happy reunion, Arthur watches sadly, as if he's wishing he'd gotten to hug her, to express how worried he was about her, like Morgana is able to.
* Lancelot/Gwen.
I'm a Gwen-multi-shipper. A/G is my OTP, but I like Gwen with pretty much everyone.
I adore Lancelot. Aside from being a stone fox, he's incredibly sweet and noble. I just don't understand why he sent Gwen off to escape alone, while he stayed behind to fight and give her time. If he'd gone with her and kept running, they might have had an easier escape -- and together. (Tho it was good for A/G that they were caught. lol.)
And yes, Lancelot calls her both Gwen and Guinevere in the episode. (Arthur calls her Guinevere more than once, and Gwen once.)
* Arthur/Gwen/Lancelot.
Hearts breaking all over the place.
That campfire scene is SO angsty.
Lancelot notices stuff. (Unlike almost every other character in the show. lmao.) In 1x05, he knows that Merlin has magic, and in this, he knows that something is up with Arthur and Gwen. I half wonder if he thought Arthur might like Gwen before then, anyway, because in 1x05 when Lancelot is staring at Gwen, Arthur is staring at Morgana when he asks if Lancelot thinks she's beautiful, and it's clear that Lancelot thought he was talking about Gwen, so he might have guessed easier than even Merlin did.
Poor Merlin. All awkward with the triangle at the campfire. <3
* Arthur/Lancelot.
I'm not sure if Arthur realizes that Gwen is still alive because of Lancelot's rescue attempt, as I'm pretty sure Hengist would have tried to feed her to the Wildren a short while sooner had she not been free. That few minutes or however long it was allowed Arthur and Merlin to arrive in time to save Gwen and Lancelot. Lancelot, however, knows Arthur and Merlin saved them, and he thanks Arthur for it. <3
* Merlin/Lancelot.
I love their friendship, and that Lancelot knows and keeps Merlin's secret. I also love that Merlin answers Lancelot's questions without saying a word, and that Lancelot knows him well enough to understand the wordless answers. <3
* Lancelot
Just because he's amazing to look at.
* Arthur/Merlin.
This is one of my all-time favorite Arthur/Merlin episodes. They have so many great and funny scenes, and one very sweetly supportive scene. <3
* Epic Moments.
Epic handhold is epic. It's like the shot heard around the world, except this one went straight into Arthur's heart.
* The Confession.
Of COURSE this gets it's own asterisk. lol.
This, combined with the triangle angst, makes this episode one of my favorites in the entire show. The confession is MADE of win. <3 <3 <3
Merlin: Well, they do say love makes you do strange things.
Arthur: What are you talking about?
Merlin: Why can't you just admit your feelings for Gwen? It's so obvious a blind man could see it. Is it really that hard to admit you like her? Just say it!
Arthur: I can't. How can I admit that I think about her all the time? Or that I care about her more than anyone? How can I admit that I don't know what I'll do if any harm comes to her?
Merlin: Why can't you?
Arthur: Because nothing can ever happen between us. To admit my feelings, knowing that... hurts too much.
Merlin: Who's to say nothing can happen?
Arthur: My father won't let me rescue a servant. Do you honestly believe he'd let me marry one?
Merlin: You want to marry Gwen?
Arthur: No! No, I don't know. It's all talk, and that's all it can ever be.
Merlin: When you're king, you can change that.
Arthur: I can't expect Guinevere to wait for me.
Merlin: If she feels as you do, she'll wait for you.
<3 <3 <3
* The humor is actually funny, there's a LOT of it, and nothing feels forced.
This is such a BIG thing for me. I hate it when it feels like the writers are trying to force the humor (3x01 Merlin/Arthur!!), but when it comes naturally to the storyline, it is so much better. And this episode has a lot of it. <3
First, Merlin "distracting" the guards so he and Arthur can sneak out of the castle. Merlin flopping off his horse, asleep, and Arthur throwing water on him to wake him up. Then doing the same thing later. Then the "giant...baby rats" that feed on human flesh. <3 Merlin stepping on Arthur's foot in the Tunnels of Andor. Then Merlin's reaction to Arthur's surprise over the gaia berries having worked. Climbing the walls to get into the castle and rescue Gwen. Arthur shoving Merlin into the room with the men he needed to distract. lmao. Then, "you still got me."
<3 Awww, Merlin, I <3 you.
BEST LINES
There are a LOT of them in this episode.
Morgana: The bandits still have Gwen.
Arthur: I believe they were Mercian. We've received reports that Hengist has crossed the border.
Uther: Hengist?
Morgana: You must send a rescue party.
Uther: If Hengist is holding her, it would take a small army to rescue your maid.
Morgana: We can't abandon her!
Uther: How many men would you have me sacrifice to save a servant?
Morgana: As many as it takes! Gwen gave herself up so that I might escape. I owe her my life.
Uther: She did so willingly, and she will be honored for it.
Morgana: I don't want her honored, I want her rescued! She is more than just my maid. She's my friend.
Uther: A servant is of no value to these bandits. I fear she's dead already.
Morgana: No! We cannot give up hope. Arthur, I'm begging you. You have to do something.
Arthur: My father's right. I'm afraid there's nothing we can do.
Morgana: How can you say that? How can you live with yourselves? All of you!
Morgana: How can you be so heartless? Gwen is the most kind, loyal person you'd ever meet and she's been more than a friend to all of us, and you would leave her at the mercy of those animals?
Arthur: Morgana.
Morgana: Have you no shame? Do you think of no one but yourself?
Arthur: Morgana.
Morgana: I knew you were many things, Arthur Pendragon, but I didn't know you were a gutless coward.
Arthur: Morgana! Perhaps if you'd stop shouting at me for one second, you'd notice that I'm packing.
Morgana: You're going after Gwen?
Arthur: Of course I'm going after her. What do you take me for? I couldn't disagree with father in public.
Morgana: Arthur? Bring her home.
Gaius: I suppose you and Arthur are going after Gwen?
Merlin: Gaius, don't even think about telling me not to go. There's nothing you can say that will stop me.
Arthur: We can save a day's riding if we cut through the Tunnels of Andor.
Merlin: Oh, no. I know that face. I'm not going to like this, am I? What's in the tunnels?
Arthur: They're infested with wildren.
Merlin: What are wildren?
Arthur: They're like giant (sees Merlin's expression) baby rats.
Merlin: Baby rats? They don't sound so bad.
Arthur: They feast on human flesh.
Merlin: Maybe we should go over the mountains?
Lancelot: I am surprised you would undertake such a rescue mission with just the two of you.
Arthur: Father would not risk the lives of his knights for a servant.
Lancelot: And yet you disobeyed him and came here anyway?
Arthur: (Hurt, hiding it) Truth is, I only came because Morgana begged me.
Gwen: (Hurt) I think I'll get some rest.
Lancelot: Is it true that Arthur came to rescue Gwen because Morgana begged him?
(Merlin looks away, doesn't answer)
Lancelot: He has feelings for her, doesn't he?
(Again, Merlin doesn't answer, though this time he meets Lancelot's eyes)
Merlin: What about you? Do you have feelings for Gwen?
Lancelot: My feelings do not matter. I will not come between them. Tell Gwen... tell Gwen that she has changed me forever... but some things cannot be.
Merlin: Look on the bright side. You've still got me.
Arthur: Is that supposed to cheer me up?
Merlin: Thought it might.
Arthur: You really are a complete idiot, aren't you, Merlin?