(no subject)
(For some reason none of the streams I tried seemed to work, so I felt particularly accomplished just watching the ep at all, ha. But onwards with the content!)
- So, last week Arthur and Merlin snuggle in a net all night, and this week they cuddle up in a cart. Uh huh.
- ... And then, to hide amongst a bunch of shirtless men, decide it would be a good idea to wear an extra shirt. Points for originality? Well, at least Merlin looked good in his shirt, so there's that.
- Speaking of, that soft lighting in the mine made everyone look particularly good... /shallow
- I really loved the shot of Morgana and Aithusa imprisoned in Morgana's dream-memory. Also, and I realise this is them doing yet another 180° turn, but I do really appreciate that they're playing Morgana as more vulnerable and tortured rather than the smirking evil, here. Even Arthur remembered that she used to be a different person, once. I thought the writers themselves had forgotten by now. As a sidenote, Morgana looks seriously gorgeous.
- The CGI on Aithusa isn't perfect, but OMG, s/he looks so bleak and hurt. :( I was prepared to roll my eyes at Aithusa's changing sides, and it still doesn't make any sense, but I'm feeling sorry for him/her regardless (I can't remember if it was definite that Aithusa was female. Was it?). Also glad to note that Merlin still has power over her - it seems like she went to Morgana by choice, not because Morgana held something over her.
Also, gah, Merlin's face when he's speaking to Aithusa. And he still tries to protect her.
- Morgana/Arthur scene! So happy they exchanged more than one sentence, and that Arthur at least remembers their connection (and a lot of Morgana's anger has always seemed to come from a sense of betrayal, anyway). I couldn't quite understand what he was saying when he was on the floor? Was he apologising for what Uther did to her or did I misunderstand? I was intrigued by his "and yet with all that, all you choose to do is hate," because it implies she has a different choice and that she could be using her powers for good. He still sees Morgana as a person first, in spite of her magic.
- I wonder if we're ever going to see Sefa again? Otherwise that was a bit of a random plotline. Also, Gwen tried to lure her father there but didn't specifically set up a trap for him? She must have unshakeable faith in Camelot's defences...
- Arthur's bane is himself? Huh. Not sure where they're going with that and not getting my hopes up because I know what that leads to, but I'm glad the answer wasn't just Mordred. Actually, although they were far from perfect, I've really liked the two past episodes, and the, I don't know, atmosphere of them? But in a wait-and-see sort of way. I'm not sure what to think of Mordred yet. Wise words from him at the end, but it doesn't really mesh with him literally stabbing Morgana in the back, plus his insistence that he knows what it's like to have to hide your magic doesn't really seem promising.
Also, lol, Arthur's just going to knight everyone who helps him out from now on? He does remember that Mordred is a druid, right?
- One thing I've been really, really loving these past two eps, though, is the A/M interaction. I like Merlin's kind of fraught state of mind. Also, I like bossy Merlin. ;) But mostly, I know a lot of people weren't happy with the way Arthur sometimes keeps poking Merlin in a not so friendly way, but it's clearer than ever in the two past eps that Arthur will let Merlin pretty much get away with anything in return. I literally can't imagine Arthur letting anyone else speak to him the way Merlin does - he couldn't even afford it if he wanted to, and I do see, in that respect, how it helps that Merlin is a servant and not someone of (openly) great importance who would have to follow the rules.
Also, how many times has Arthur tried to save/protect Merlin in these past two eps? When he claps Merlin on the chest after Merlin offers to go after the dragon, be still my heart. And then he doesn't even hesitate following Merlin, even though he's there to free his men. Their closeness emphasises how much Merlin's secret is a barrier between them, though. When it comes to Merlin, Arthur always seems to be on the outside and, well, trying to look in, but never quite managing it. I do feel like they've been laying the A/M on thick these couple of eps so, hey, let's hope they keep it that way.
- For now, waiting to see what's going to happen with Mordred and Arthur being his own bane. Looks like next week will be a bit of a horror episode? (Also, hm, Arthur's bane "stalks him like a ghost"... It probably has nothing to do with it, but who knows. *g*)