Merlin 4.10
I don't usually make a habit to post reflections on episodes, especially not right after they air, but in this case, I'm wondering if anyone else felt like I did, or if I'm totally off base here:
To be fair, I did find the scene at the end with Arthur and the spirit to be a high point in his characterization. It painted him as very human, flawed, subject to the same faults as any inexperienced commander would be--it was a good, solid character moment where we got to see a little of his vulnerability. But just about the rest of the episode? Um, what? I'm with Merlin: what an absolute jerk. I get that Arthur doesn't know all that Merlin has done for him, but he's aware of at least some of it. He's seen Merlin almost die for him/be willing to die for him on multiple occasions. Where does he get off acting like he did in this episode to someone who has proven themselves over and over again to be the best friend he's got? Honestly, tonight may have showed that Arthur is a good man, but if I were just judging his relationship with Merlin based off this episode, I'd say he's a lousy friend. Yes, he was frustrated and stressed out over what he knew he'd done, but I thought it was pretty appalling how much he took it out on Merlin. Treating Merlin like he's better than dirt only when it's a dire situation doesn't cut it.
To be fair, I did find the scene at the end with Arthur and the spirit to be a high point in his characterization. It painted him as very human, flawed, subject to the same faults as any inexperienced commander would be--it was a good, solid character moment where we got to see a little of his vulnerability. But just about the rest of the episode? Um, what? I'm with Merlin: what an absolute jerk. I get that Arthur doesn't know all that Merlin has done for him, but he's aware of at least some of it. He's seen Merlin almost die for him/be willing to die for him on multiple occasions. Where does he get off acting like he did in this episode to someone who has proven themselves over and over again to be the best friend he's got? Honestly, tonight may have showed that Arthur is a good man, but if I were just judging his relationship with Merlin based off this episode, I'd say he's a lousy friend. Yes, he was frustrated and stressed out over what he knew he'd done, but I thought it was pretty appalling how much he took it out on Merlin. Treating Merlin like he's better than dirt only when it's a dire situation doesn't cut it.