Oh, wow, I found this a really tense and at times difficult to watch episode. It's also one of the few episodes where for most of it, I didn't have a clue where they were going with it. I'm slightly disappointed that the ending seems to be more or less a return to the status quo, because it really seemed like the kind of ep where something was just waiting to happen (I had my fingers crossed for Agravaine being found out, Gwaine finding out about Merlin's magic, and to a lesser degree Morgana finding out about Merlin's magic, at various points).
But then that talk between Gaius and Arthur happened, and OK, I really didn't expect Gaius to be the one to at least cast doubts in Arthur's mind about who Dragoon is, and I really loved his speech (even though he was obviously talking about Merlin, I also loved the bigger picture he was painting for Arthur) and the way Arthur reacted to it, and that, at least, seems to have changed something, hopefully.
I liked Agravaine better when he was being more subtle, but he obviously knows Arthur very well, and knows exactly all the right things to say to manipulate Arthur. And, oh, God, that scene where he's interrogating Gaius and Arthur can't even properly look at what's happening. I wanted to look away from it; it was so difficult to watch, somehow, and then that shot when Agravaine walks out the door and Arthur's left sitting all alone at the head of the large table - I loved the symbolism of it, and the way it's been running through this series, the way it represents both Arthur's troubles and fears, and the fact that they're not quite at the round table yet.
Along those same lines, Arthur's face when he's presented with what seems irrevocable proof of Gaius' betrayal. Even as he's explicitly buying into Agravaine's theory, there's something so reluctant still in the way he acts. Also, loved his "Let him run - what's the point?" where Uther surely would have had Gaius hunted down at all cost, and how it hints at the fact that he might not be as happy to execute sorcerers as Uther was. It seems to be a good sign for Merlin's reveal, though I'm guessing the betrayal there will be a lot deeper.
And, oh, Merlin's face when Arthur believes Agravaine. Seriously adored both Bradley and Colin's acting in this ep, and how there was such utter reluctance in them at every corner. Merlin seems to almost physically be leaning away from the entire event and from Arthur in this scene, and Merlin's the only person Arthur actually looks at straight on, because he must know (or think he knows) exactly how Merlin's feeling after Morgana's betrayal - and it looks like he's trying to reach out, and Merlin's the one turning away, this time.
On the other hand, yay, Gwaine coming to help Merlin! Loved that scene, and how the dynamic between them seemed off, at first, too, how Merlin was clearly hurt by Arthur's decision and that hurt/anger apparently extended to the knights, but how it turned out OK in the end. And that Gwaine was quiet and somewhat uncertain, just this once, like he could feel how far away Merlin was.
And like I said, seriously had my fingers crossed for a moment that he'd discover Merlin's magic when they were in the caves, but alas, it was not to be.
Also, wow, OK, this scene between Morgana and Merlin was possibly even more intense than last week's. OMG, angry Merlin. I really thought he was going to strike back there and then, and damn the consequences. Really loved the way they did the knife thing, too.
I did wonder if Alator was going to change allegiance from the moment he entered the scene, but didn't really think they'd go that way until Gaius finished his admission with another little speech. On that note, I thought the "most powerful sorcerer to have ever lived" line segued nicely into the Merlin/Morgana scene later on and the threatening feeling Merlin was casting off for most of the ep. Also loved how Merlin seemed to be sitting up straighter than usual when Gaius woke up, like he's really coming into his own, and starting to become more and more like the powerful sorcerer he'll one day be. <3
There were lots of both uncomfortable and unexpected moments for me in this - for once, they didn't go out of the way of Gaius being questioned thoroughly on his stance on magic (for a second, I thought Agravaine was going to question Merlin, as well), and ultimately, he and Arthur did speak with some openness about it. Also loved that Agravaine actually caught Merlin in his chambers (when the way most Merlin eps go is that no one notices anything amiss) and might have actually gasped at that, and the way he rode out so quickly and burst into Morgana's hovel. I'm not really used to such swift action on this show, heh.
And although I think Gaius lying to Arthur about Agravaine was a bit of a disappointing, though unsurprising, cop-out, I'm glad they at least addressed the reason behind a lie. I can imagine a scenario where Agravaine would lie and plot his little heart out and really get Gaius into trouble if he was openly confronted, or at least believe that Gaius thinks that might happen, so I'm not actually feeling too strange about it.
There was a horrible moment at the end where I thought for a second they were going to go with their usual tongue-in-cheek lala nothing happened ending when Arthur started ordering Merlin around to clean his chambers, but then Bradley downplayed the end of it, and it seemed more like Arthur checking to see if he and Merlin were really all right, and if Merlin would react as expected to the teasing. I expect their relationship got a bit of a bruise there, even if Merlin is clearly letting bygones be bygones, but I really like that it was just one of those things that wasn't really anyone's fault, because you can't really blame Arthur for believing Agravaine given the circumstances, and I think Merlin does realise that, too.
The preview clip (where Merlin pulls Arthur out of bed) was the only full-on comedy moment, in hindsight, but, aww. Also, for a lousy servant, Merlin seems to be really well-organised. I love the way Arthur basically just takes it all in his stride and lets Merlin push him around and, in a sort of weird and roundabout way, take care of him. <333
All in all, I think I'm going to have to rewatch this ep to really decide whether I just liked it or loved it, but there were definitely a lot of moments I liked and was intrigued by - I spent most of the first half feeling really jittery, and by the end of it, my stomach still had a few knots in it. I'm not really used to this show drawing out that kind of reaction. *g*