Merlin: 5:07 A Lesson In Vengeance

[tanous]

So, another episode down and six to go till the (bitter?) end of S5 and possibly, if rumours are to be believed, the entire show. And …where are we now?

Well, actually,  we’re back in S4. Or is it S3?  Deep anyway in the Merlin producers thumb-sucking comfort zone of ‘Merlin trying singlehandedly (save Gaius - the device to enable us to know his

Comments

[thunderess]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was hoping for evil!Gwen to not be just an enchantment.

I could have totally bought her as switching to evil because of her father dying because of Uther (which Arthur did nothing about) and her brother dying from the trap meant for Arthur, if Morgana played it well... and offered to bring Lancelot back, again XD

It would have been way more interesting, at the very least...

[gatepromise]

Can I just tell you, thunderess, I am ROFLMAO over your icon. Well said!

[tanous]

Oh it would. But she is established as a person who cannot think a less than perfect thought or do a less than perfect deed. The only way they can make her interesting and give her the screen time her clamouring fans mysteriously demand, without sending the rest of the audience into a coma of boredom, is to cheat and enchant her. So - they've just done it again.

I love your idea though. :-D

[englaroma]

...so about ten minutes in, I was rooting for the Morgana/Gwen team

[merlenhiver]

Morgana can't develop because they've flattened her character into the world's most overdramatic pancake. Gwen can't develop because she's allegedly brainwashed. Arthur can't develop because he's not allowed to notice anything. Merlin can't develop as long as Arthur doesn't, and as long as he keeps hiding. The knights will certainly not get any focus, as we could see in their misuse this ep. Mordred is currently part of the castle decor, waiting for his arc to be mentioned.

This is the perfect summary. I don't know whether to laugh or weep ... *chooses something in between*

[tanous]

It was a painful episode for Arthur thats for sure. They really cut the feet from under his character, as they always do in Overcompensation eps - just like last season at the end. he couldnt just love Gwen he had to be incapable of operating as king without her- thats what I mean. They happily belittle him and diminish him to desperately push a relationship that they clearly see as incapable of standing on its own feet. Arthurs always the one who comes otu of it looking less like a king than an obedient and not very bright little boy. I thought Bradley seemed a bit subdued in it and Im not surprised if he was - what must he have thought when he saw these scripts selling his character down the river *again*?

I can hardly believe they'll drag out this arc either but they will - its shamelessly a repeat of what went before but why should they care when the audience and the critics accept anything they do?

Morgana can't develop because they've flattened her character into the world's most overdramatic pancake. Gwen can't develop

[mingaumatador]

Can I just say how refreshing it is to see someone actually saying what we're all thinking for once? I mostly keep to the tumblrland, and over there I see the casual episode hater, but mostly people are freaking out over inane stuff, and I feel like I'm a bitter old person who hates everything. Not that I care, it just makes me hesitate before lashing out my hate

[tanous]

Woah! Are you the Marina who makes those fantastic Cap Summaries - the ones Arwyn just posted? If so - Im a fan! They're brilliant

[mingaumatador]

YUP, THAT'S ME. I'm flattered, I honestly just think they're crap, but they help me cope, so

[gatepromise]

God, yes. This.

I just wanted to say I also adore your captioned recaps too, they never fail to make me chortle, and I LOVE your comments above. Truer words were never spoken.

So mostly I just want them to move on to greater things. But ugh, I'll miss it.

Yes...I have been talking with a friend lately about how nostalgic I feel for earlier seasons, (and for earlier versions of the bromance, both Merthur and Brolin) when we all had such high hopes...hell, as recently as the first part of season 4. The actors themselves (especially Bradley) seemed to absolutely embrace and were proud of what they were doing and exuded such enthusiasm and pride. Now they seem disillusioned and fed up...much like us. *cries*

[calaerel]

As usual, your review says everything TPTB need to have hammered into their heads. I'm at a loss to understand how such inept writing is allowed???

I didn't hate this episode as much as I thought I was going to. At least it wasn't the snoozefest from last week. I did enjoy evil!Gwen. I think it was around season three that I realised that I didn't care if Gwen was in an episode or not - in fact, I preferred that she wasn't, so to be spared the violins and sunbeams. But evilness suits her. Too bad it won't last.

As always, Colin's performance was fantastic . Even if TPTB want a sixth season, surely he (and Bradley) will be more than ready to move on to bigger and better things?

[tanous]

Hey :) I would imagine the writing of this season would have put the cast off doing any more. Its been shockingly bad.

I guess such inept writing is allowed because most people don't care that its inept. Sadly.

I agree Evil does suit Gwen and no it wont last. Back to the Moral Compass in no time at all. HOW we've all missed her. And I expect the violins and sunbeams will come back with her. maybe Arthur will stop listening to her again once she's good again though!

[gatepromise]

Hey T--thanks (sort of) for bullying, bribing me and cajoling back into the exquisite agony that is being a Merlin watcher

[marvelpku]

Leon's speech to Gwen is not only stupid. I think it is treason.

[tanous]

You could be right actually. Leon was made to sound in that scene as if he couldn't wait for Arthur to pop his clogs - didn't seem too bothered about it either. Arthur was already on the funeral pyre as far as Leon was concerned, and he was off his mark deciding the succession himself. Yet another character hurled to the wolves, to wave big red childish plot flags.

[tanous]

Just consider me your Gwen figure. You're Arthur. You therefore follow all my advice however bad and tell me constantly how wise I am even when Ive made you make terrible mistakes. You also dont have the excuse of being enchanted like I am. Sooo... :-P

I agree with just about everything as ever, except that I don't think Arthurs behaviour around Gwen this episode was anything like normal. What they've shown us for 6 episodes when Gwen was saintly was Arthur actually ignoring what she says alot of the time and not telling her things. This week the relationship was suddenly transformed into its polar opposite - submissive pussy-whipped Arthur and dominant, (still platitude-spouting) Gwen.

I sort of agree about Bradley - he did seem a bit subdued but like you I cant blame him. And yeah - no repercussions for Gwen - just Arthur and Merlin. And - Id forgotten about Aithusa! Actually one of the teaser lines for this week sounded like it could be talking about her but they haven't let Merlin mention her at all have they? Sigh