Fanvid: Don't Say (Arthur/Gwen)

[hmsharmony]

Song: Don't Say
Artist: St. Lola in the Fields
Fandom(s): Merlin
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Arthur/Gwen
Spoilers: Includes footage through 4x09
Length: 1:22
A/N: The final events of 4x09 from Gwen's PoV. If you're of the opinion that Arthur treated Gwen fairly in the latest episode, then this probably isn't the vid for you.

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Comments

[crazy4dw]

Its a beautiful video bb!

But it is getting me all riled up again. UGH!!! Arthur pisses me off!!!!! :|

I still love your vid though! <33333

[hmsharmony]

Thank you so much, V! And ugh, I know. I know. ARTHUR FUCKING PENDRAGON. YOU AND YOUR HORRIBLE LIFE CHOICES.

*hugs* We'll get through this. Somehow.

I think. D=

[kanarazu]

I've been trying to find good A/G fics and vids to console myself after the heartbreak of the last episode. Although I will admit that most of my heartbreak really was over the bad writing and the way the characters were mutilated. It's a very hard place to be in because I genuinely love Arthur and want to understand that he's a young king and has so much to learn, but his characterization suffered so much in this episode. I don't know how fics will be able to repair the damage done by Lucy Watkins' writing, because even the spec fics where Gwen becomes the hand of justice against everyone who wronged her hasn't soothed my pain.

I have to hand it to Bradley and Angel for their acting, but most especially Angel. She's probably the most under-appreciated member of the cast, and still gets so much flak from other parts of the fandom, but she blew me away with her acting in this episode.

The song you used just really made my heart ache again. *claps*

[hmsharmony]

As have I! It's been really difficult. D= Yeah, the writers are DEFINITELY at the top of my "YOU ARE THE WORST PEOPLE EVER LIST," because at the end of the day THEY created these effed up storylines. But as you said, Arthur suffered drastically because of their decisions, and there are only so many times that I can go, "It's just the writing," before my view of his character is tarnished. Which really, really sucks, for lack of a better word, because he was my second favorite from the second episode. D

[kanarazu]

This is very true. I speak from experience because I worked in TV before (back when I was in the Philippines) and it never sat well with me the way some of the writers I'd worked with would fuck up storylines and still get paid. Granted our pay sucked and we were overworked, I don't think that was an excuse to come up with bullshit (and there is so much of it in Filipino soap operas and Filipino TV, in general). You're in it because you love to write, not because it's a chore

[hmsharmony]

Oh, no, not at all! Truthfully I'm worried that, despite how angry I am with Arthur, even if he fails to take the proper responsibility during the reconciliation I will still go forward shipping these two idiots and let it go because I'm just so invested, and I don't know how to stop -- and then I worry about being hypocritical and self respect.... I agree that it's Gwen's decision and we should respect that, but my main concern is the way the writer's constantly ignore her as a character. They have her forgive and forgive without giving her a chance to sort out her feelings -- it's always about the other character. So if she easily forgives Arthur, is it because that's who she is, or is it because the writers are too lazy/sexist to explore her reservations/fears/the extent to which she was hurt by the past events? (By the way, have you met rubber_glue? I rarely rec friends to other people, but you two seem to be on EXACTLY the same wavelength, Smallville and all

[hmsharmony]

NGL, when I wasn't overwhelmed with the desire to curl up into a ball and weep, I wanted nothing more than to reach into my computer and beat certain characters to a pulp. Lots of rage. LOTS OF IT. D=

Thanks so much! <3

[hmsharmony]

Aw, I really appreciate that! *smishes*

Hopefully one day it won't hurt so much. =\ This effing show.

[jammeke]

Loved the video. But I have to speak up for Arthur here.

He caught the love of his life cheating on him the night before their wedding. With one of his best friends.

Can we just take a step back to process this? The hurt? The betrayal? Gwen's inability to come up with a plausible explanation because she, too, was shocked she'd cheated on Arthur. Both these characters had no idea what was going on. They both thought Gwen's old feelings had resurfaced. Which would have been fine (painful but fine) if Gwen had talked to Arthur about it. Instead, she kissed Lancelot behind his back

[hmsharmony]

I recognize that Arthur was hurt, and I felt almost as horribly for him as I did for Gwen until the council chambers scene. It's fine to still like Arthur after what happened -- as many have argued, his actions were in character considering the increasingly selfish and short-sighted decisions he's made since 4x03 -- but as much as I would have preferred for him to have banished her because it was either that or execution, nothing in the text suggests that. He says, "I don't want to see you dead, Guinevere, but I don't want to see you. I cannot look on you everyday." Not, "But you can't stay in Camelot because [insert argument about the laws of Camelot or hands being tied]." It's because he doesn't want to see her. And this is reiterated when Merlin asks Arthur to reverse his decision and Arthur says his decision is for the best because he can't trust her. Nothing about Camelot. Nothing about the laws. Everything is about his feelings. He took an extremely personal matter and used his power as king to deal with it, which was highly

[jammeke]

I'm just going to let the increasingly selfish and shirt-sighted decisions comment slide, because while I don't agree with it in the slightest, that's not the point here. Yes, his reasons for banning her were personal, but then, Arthur is a person. With feelings and emotions and a heart that keeps getting broken by everyone he holds dear. And he didn't want to be seen as a King by Gwen; the moment he entered the room, he told her to get off her knees. He asked her if he was just that -- her King, because he'd intended for them to be husband and wife. Equals. But she betrayed him. She <>betrayed him. Indeed, he spent years convincing Gwen his status didn't matter if they wanted to be together. But when they finally were going to be together, she went behind his back and kissed one of his closest friends. Had she become his Queen, they'd have become equals in status as well as in their thoughts , but she threw everything he offered her back in his face. So he acted like a King would towards his servant

[jammeke]

Yes, it was a result of his feelings being hurt, but that doesn't excuse his actions.

I think it very much does, actually. He couldn't face the thought of killing her. He also couldn't face the thought of looking at her every day. So he sent her away. I still see his actions as merciful, and I can't bring myself to hold him to a modern standard.

He took everything from her. How is that at all fair and just? How does that indicate a balanced relationship?

Except there was no relationship anymore, was there? She destroyed that when she cheated on him the night before their wedding. We know they're going to get back together eventually, but they don't. Arthur is still her King. He's everyone's King, and he can't make exceptions for the people closest to him. Being King of Camelot must be a lonely position -- especially when your loved ones keep double-crossing you.