Merlin: The Sword in the Stone Part 2

[keep_counting]

So, can we talk about the fact that finally this series looks badass and amazing?? I mean, it always has to some degree, but these episode, OMG!!

Can we also talk  about the fact that I actually sort of liked how Agravaine ended his run? I mean, I would've loved for Nathaniel Parker to stay around for more, but I adore his interaction with Merlin before his death and the fact that it was Merlin who killed him - it puts our favorite warlock in a very dark place, and I'm loving it.

Add that to the fact that they put an original, and excuse me AMAZING twist to the whole 'sword pulled out of the stone' scene. I was very satisfied that they already had the bit from the legend where it was originally in the lake. I mean, think about this sword and how important it has been to all of the series: Gwen's father makes it, the dragon gives it magic, Uther wields it to destroy the Wraith (right??), and then Merlin has to get rid of it: then there's Freya, and in time of need, Merlin wields the sword and puts it in a stone: a place where this time, no one will ever get it out and misuse it again.

It didn't feel forced. Tristan's mistrust and disgust at Arthur felt genuine and with reason, as did his final decision to fight for him: he'd seen Arthur being selfless and brave in those few days he'd been with him. And that Arthur should really lose faith in himself was beautifully done: we in the fandom joke so much about how oblivious Arthur is: first Morgana and then Agravaine. And these are both his family, his flesh and blood, which makes it even worse. He finally realizes how bad everything's been and how harsh it really is being king.

It's up to Merlin to put that faith back in Arthur. This is what it means when everyone says that Merlin will help Arthur unite all of Albion and be the greatest ruler the world has ever seen. This moment. Because without Merlin, Arthur would have never believed in himself after all of this. And yes, you can be upset about the fact that it was a trick, but you know what? I choose to compare this to Harry putting the Felix-potion in Ron's drink before Quidditch. It worked and it was amazing and Arthur has faith in himself. It's like when you or I take a lucky-charm with us into a test: we know the object doesn't have mystical, magical powers but it creates a comfort and strength that is not so easily managed on it's own. Arthur pulling the sword out of the stone was the most beautiful moment of this entire series IMO.

Also, Gaius didn't die OMG I AM SO HAPPY I REALLY THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO KILL HIM I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FUNCTION IF THEY HAD!!

Now for my dissapointments:
- I was told beforehand that this would have a cliffhanger ending and my mind came up with all of these crazy and amazing scenarios: when Morgana is lying in the forest, I thought she would either die and Nimueh from S1 would somehow take over her body, Mordred would show up, Morgause would show up... something. I don't know. As it stands, what the thing with the white dragon means (and I know a lot of you think it's cute... I actually don't xD) is still completely unanswered, so I'm not really dissapointed, I'm just hoping it is going to be properly explained

- I am SO SAD that Isolde died, but it's not really a dissapointment, because it was so very unexpected. It annoys me a little though, because I would have loved for once to have seen the man die and the woman going on and being all: 'I will fight on in his memory!'. That would be cool and nice for a change.

- Speaking of Tristan and Isolde: the parallel to Arthur and Gwen was beautiful. I had said to myself that if we didn't get a reveal of Gwen's enchantment, I would be soooo angry, but in a way... yeah, this is good. Because Arthur's grown up a lot and realized who he just cannot loose, who he needs to keep close. Also, can we talk about how absolutely fucking gorgeous Angel looked in the crowning-scene?? You are beautiful and need to stop right now *dies*

- A little miffed we didn't get a wedding scene though

- No magic reveal. How can they not.... that is not... I want to kill something. Seriously.

Comments

[ginevra17.livejournal.com]

My opinion just for you :P

The episode was AMAZING, maybe it lacked of action a little. I mean, after all that happened in the previous episode, you kind of expect an epic battle or something, but instead we saw just a few fightings and that's it. I loved the dialogues between Arthur and Merlin, the whole story about the sword, the declaration of love faith that Merlin does to Arthur and so on.
I LOOOVED the loss of self "confidence" of Arthur, it was so greatly done! It was totally normal from him to think that he was not good enough to be king, because he had trusted the wrong people twice, and good kings should be able to choose their friends more carefully. So it was absolutely wonderful how he was so sad and how Merlin, who has always believed in him so much, has managed to make him believe in himself once again.

Gwen. MEH. I don't like her and I don't like her and Arthur together, but what can I say? They decided to go this way so I just have to accept it :S
The Aithusa thing was brillian imo. He's a dragon after all and he senses magic, so when he saw a creature of magic - Morgana - in pain, he just helped her, like the great dragon had helped Merlin when he needed it.
No magic reveal :S I hope it'll be in the next season, hopefully BEFORE the end of it, because I need at least half a season of Arthur dealing with it!

Generally the season was really good, it had funny moments and intense ones, I loved the knights (Ser Leon ♥♥♥) and they're relationship with Merlin, which is very similar to the one between Arthur and Merlin, so it's very nice.
I didn't really like how they killed poor Lancelot in the second episode though. If they wanted to get rid of him they at least could have waited a few more episodes! I loved his relationship with Merlin and how he was the only one Merlin could talk to about magic, except for Gaius. But I think Gaius is more like a father to him, while Merlin needs a FRIEND to talk to, and that was Lancelot. I would have loved to see them acting together once more, but nope, they just had to kill him. Meh.
If anyone now has to know about Merlin I would like it to be Gwen. I think she's the only one who could replace Lancelot in this "situation", because she's Merlin's friend after all and she would understand him.

How long do we have to wait for season 5? :

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

I am seeing so much hate for this episode, so I'm glad there someone out there who likes it ;) I would have liked it if they, instead of taking the castle back by brute force - which btw, how did they do that? - there had been some kind of sneaky plan, ala 'the Trojan Horse' or some disguises or something. I am also going to miss Isolde, a LOT :/ her and Tristan were so sweet together.

I think a lot of it is about expectations. To be honest, my expectations for Merlin aren't very high as compared to other shows, so when they finally do some things I like, I tend to be suitably impressed. As you've probably guessed I am a huge Gwen/Arthur shipper - but as a lot in this fandom, it all hangs on the actors who I think do an amazing job. The writing isn't that good IMO, but with a stretch of the imagination, I am able to put it as one of my favorite shows ;)

Btw, Sir Leon and Percival ARE LOVERS. YES THEY ARE ;)

I'm with you on the Gwen as the new friend who knows and everything you said about the magic reveal. I thought it would be amazing if they surprised us like they did with the start of S4, were in the very start, episode 3 already Uther dies: if they did that with the magic reveal (and did it properly) that would be absolutely amazing :)

In the old legends, Camelot was built on top of two battling dragons: a red dragon to symbolize England (Albion) and a White to symbolize the Saxons (Scandinavia). So maybe Aithusa will turn out to be evil? She's at least supported an evil character, if intentionally or not. I'm still hoping for a return of Mordred!

[ginevra17.livejournal.com]

I know, me too! Why is that?! I've read awful comments about the whole season, which I think was actually very good, almost as good as the first season (which is the best one so far IMO ♥).
I like the trojan horse thing, meybe they'll use it in the next season XD
I'm sad about Isolde too, she and Tristan were so cute :( but maybe he will stay in Camelot so he'll be a regular in the next season *fingers crossed*

I have to say that I had lost all my hopes after S2, which I fould terribly boring. I only liked the episode with Freya, but the rest of the season was an epic fail. That's why I didn't watch S3 until it was over, and I liked it very much, and the S4 was just WOW! So I don't have huge expectation for this show, I just watch it and enjoy it :P I agree with you about the actors (Bradley and Angel) who make the relationship between Gwen and Arthur work well enough, especially in this last season - in S2 it was very VERY badly done, so that's why I didn't like it at all. Now I'm just getting used to it :S

Leon? No no no, Percival is in love with Elyan, everyone knows that! Have you seen the looks between them? It's love! XD

I think making Gwen know about Merlin would be a great way to make me like her more XD well, it's not that I don't like her at all, because actually I do, she was great in S4, I just don't like how they built her relationship with Arthur :P BUT I love her friendship with Merlin and she's the one I'd reveal Merlin's secret to. A magic reveal in 5.03 sounds great XD

I don't know the legend very well *is ashamed*
But why not? I mean, Merlin (the Good) has a dragon - sort of - so Morgana (the Bad) could have a dragon too. It would be a nice fighting to see, the confrontation between the two magicians and their dragons.

I've read that an evil character will return in the next season, that's what one of the producers said in an interview not long ago - I don't remember which one, all of them have a name that starts with the letter J so it's confusing XD it could be Mordred, who knows :P

[keep-counting.livejournal.com]

I actually liked S2 a lot: but I do see your point, even if I am an Arwen-shipper I felt their storyline was rushed way too much. As I mentioned before, Merlin really doesn't have a really great plot, it all hangs on the actors really, and fortunately the actors are really talented.

All the knights just have sexy-times when the camera isn't focusing on them. That's actually why they're not there as much as we had hoped, they're in the stables having sex ;D