Merlin: Gwaine (S3E4)
Well, I finally got around to watching episode 4, so I‘ll be able to post this load of rambling before the next episode is aired.
I loved the scenes in the bar in the beginning and how Arthur and Merlin acknowledge the usual development of their conversations. I totally agree with everybody who said they wouldn‘t mind seeing more of Mary the innkeeper in future episodes. The bar fight itself was really amusing and I liked Merlin‘s confidence in Arthur‘s fighting skill (though bragging probably wasn‘t such a good idea) and that Merlin and Arthur kept an eye out for each other during the fight (though I‘m a bit sad that Arthur wasn‘t as close to noticing Merlin‘s (very obvious) magic as in previous episodes).
Something that is starting to bother me is Arthur‘s violence against Merlin. The teasing and harmless pranks are great, but I felt that the piece of metal lobbed at Merlin‘s head was totally unnecessary. I just felt it was no longer playful and fun, but painful and nasty instead.
Of course, Merlin gets revenge by finding a new boyfriend. You‘ve just got to love this show for how slashy it is. I‘m glad that Merlin got to bond with Gwaine, but I do wish he‘d confide in Arthur a bit more than in every future knight of the Round Table.
I seriously doubt that Gwen is the only attractive woman in Camelot (why don‘t they try pairing Morgana with a fiercely loyal knight? Now THAT would be interesting…) and I am pleased she didn‘t fall for Gwaine’s obnoxious flirting. Perhaps she‘s realised that having two lovers is going to be complicated enough….
Morgana is turning into the Gwen that we had in season 2 with the rare appearances, though I think I like the appearances for evil smirking more than the appearances as a love interest despite no chemistry whatsoever. I would kind of like to see how she deals with daily life in the castle after everything that has happened (okay, I admit it: I also just wouldn‘t mind more Morgana…)
I wonder if Uther realises that by banishing all those future knights from the kingdom (probably because he wants to ensure his son‘s heart won‘t be broken by them stealing Arthur‘s potential love interests), the Round Table is slowly gathering just beyond the borders of Camelot. Not to mention that Arthur is rapidly changing into the king he will be. Be afraid, Uther, be afraid. More and more people seem to be waiting for the day you die. In fact, probably everybody except Arthur and possibly Sir Leon (who somehow seems to be the only knight who is more Uther‘s knight than Arthur‘s).
The end of the episode was great this time. I like the little look at Merlin slightly taking his future role as Arthur‘s advisor and Arthur‘s jealousy (Arthur/Gwen seems to be a lot more bearable when there is a wall and several meters between them). Of course, the playful shoving as Arthur and Merlin walked off into the sunset was also great. Yes Merlin, Arthur does give you a lot of leeway… *gets green slop spat into face while Merlin is eating yellow soup*
(Too bad I failed to get a screenshot of Arthur almost kissing almost hugging turning Merlin away from Gwaine and Gwen…)
All in all, it looks as though Arthur/Merlin has found its own Lancelot and pickled eggs now seem to be the running joke instead of chickens.
Other things I hope to see in future episodes:
- a bit more family background would be interesting, the mythological versions could make for some pretty interesting constellations in the series (some more background on Morgana‘s and Morgause‘s family history would be good too)
- women with a bit of character, like Mary the innkeeper (though I have to say that I wasn‘t too unhappy with Gwen‘s story line in this episode and especially in episode 3)
- seeing the preview for the next episode, some logical character development for Morgana (and not too many evil smirks)
- plenty of slashy situations, of course. Not that the series has ever been lacking in that department...
I loved the scenes in the bar in the beginning and how Arthur and Merlin acknowledge the usual development of their conversations. I totally agree with everybody who said they wouldn‘t mind seeing more of Mary the innkeeper in future episodes. The bar fight itself was really amusing and I liked Merlin‘s confidence in Arthur‘s fighting skill (though bragging probably wasn‘t such a good idea) and that Merlin and Arthur kept an eye out for each other during the fight (though I‘m a bit sad that Arthur wasn‘t as close to noticing Merlin‘s (very obvious) magic as in previous episodes).
Something that is starting to bother me is Arthur‘s violence against Merlin. The teasing and harmless pranks are great, but I felt that the piece of metal lobbed at Merlin‘s head was totally unnecessary. I just felt it was no longer playful and fun, but painful and nasty instead.
Of course, Merlin gets revenge by finding a new boyfriend. You‘ve just got to love this show for how slashy it is. I‘m glad that Merlin got to bond with Gwaine, but I do wish he‘d confide in Arthur a bit more than in every future knight of the Round Table.
I seriously doubt that Gwen is the only attractive woman in Camelot (why don‘t they try pairing Morgana with a fiercely loyal knight? Now THAT would be interesting…) and I am pleased she didn‘t fall for Gwaine’s obnoxious flirting. Perhaps she‘s realised that having two lovers is going to be complicated enough….
Morgana is turning into the Gwen that we had in season 2 with the rare appearances, though I think I like the appearances for evil smirking more than the appearances as a love interest despite no chemistry whatsoever. I would kind of like to see how she deals with daily life in the castle after everything that has happened (okay, I admit it: I also just wouldn‘t mind more Morgana…)
I wonder if Uther realises that by banishing all those future knights from the kingdom (probably because he wants to ensure his son‘s heart won‘t be broken by them stealing Arthur‘s potential love interests), the Round Table is slowly gathering just beyond the borders of Camelot. Not to mention that Arthur is rapidly changing into the king he will be. Be afraid, Uther, be afraid. More and more people seem to be waiting for the day you die. In fact, probably everybody except Arthur and possibly Sir Leon (who somehow seems to be the only knight who is more Uther‘s knight than Arthur‘s).
The end of the episode was great this time. I like the little look at Merlin slightly taking his future role as Arthur‘s advisor and Arthur‘s jealousy (Arthur/Gwen seems to be a lot more bearable when there is a wall and several meters between them). Of course, the playful shoving as Arthur and Merlin walked off into the sunset was also great. Yes Merlin, Arthur does give you a lot of leeway… *gets green slop spat into face while Merlin is eating yellow soup*
(Too bad I failed to get a screenshot of Arthur almost kissing almost hugging turning Merlin away from Gwaine and Gwen…)
All in all, it looks as though Arthur/Merlin has found its own Lancelot and pickled eggs now seem to be the running joke instead of chickens.
Other things I hope to see in future episodes:
- a bit more family background would be interesting, the mythological versions could make for some pretty interesting constellations in the series (some more background on Morgana‘s and Morgause‘s family history would be good too)
- women with a bit of character, like Mary the innkeeper (though I have to say that I wasn‘t too unhappy with Gwen‘s story line in this episode and especially in episode 3)
- seeing the preview for the next episode, some logical character development for Morgana (and not too many evil smirks)
- plenty of slashy situations, of course. Not that the series has ever been lacking in that department...