Merlin 4.01 - The Darkest Hour

[corilannam]

Please, please, can the rest of the series be just like this?? I enjoyed this so very much. My whole brain is just a constant stream of merlinmerlinmerlinmerlinmerlin right now.

New opener! A YOUNG MAN! Yes! Merlin has finally been allowed to exit puberty! New clothes next series? Let's put our requests in early.

Also, they sure weren't kidding about what a difference the switch to 35mm film made. Wow, everything is gorgeous and cinematic. It finally really feels traditionally Arthurian.

So once again, it's a year later. I'm kind of happy about that -- so much room for new canon stories!

Uther is slowly fading out, which I ought to be sad about, I suppose. It's hard to have much empathy for him at this point, but I do miss him as a character. Gwen has given herself the role of full time caregiver, an arduous and thankless task even when you're caring for a king. You can see the strain wearing on her; nice job by Angel Coulby there. Hopefully they'll keep letting her act!

Nice to see that the knights have all settled in so well. So many lines for Sir Leon! So much cuteness (kitchen raid!! *hearts*). So much Elyan! I swooned appropriately when he and Percival saved the wee children -- Percival carrying all three at once, at the expense of his torch, was even better than the trailer promised. These are definitely the brave knights of the Round Table I've been waiting for.

Still, Percival should at least get some sleeves when there are chilling ice demons roaming around.

It was also nice to have Lancelot back just so Merlin has someone else to talk to. My only knightly disappointment was the very small role of Gwaine. We've spent the hiatus building up Gwaine into such a major character in fic and discussion, it was kind of weird not to have him involved in much of the episode.

The plot is pretty cool -- love the use of Samhain and the sacrifice of Morgause. I love that Morgana knows the name Emrys now. When she saw old!Merlin in the vision, I really, really wanted her to recognize him, but alas, it was not to be. I like the goth queen look, but I do wish she weren't so unrelievedly evil. Every time she rejoices in the deaths of the common people, I feel sad for S1 Morgana (though it's less smirky this year, thank goodness). But I love her increased powers; that opening scene was badass.

I am very curious about her relationship with Agravaine and how that alliance came into being. Actually, I'm just curious in general about Agravaine and his history and motivations. He's meant to be another of Ygraine's brothers, yes? Poor Arthur. Family just never works out for him (and how sad was it when he said he hoped Uther would be proud of him "this time"? even now, he still doesn't believe he ever had his father's approval).

Okay! Let's get on to the important part, which is obviously the Merlin/Arthur!

SQUEEEEEEEE: Okay, so how much do I love the journey when Merlin doesn't say anything, isn't even in Arthur's line of sight, and yet Arthur is still so aware of him that it bugs him that Merlin's on edge? SO MUCH. One of my favorite things has always been the way they can totally abuse each other in front of Arthur's knights and nobody even blinks an eye. LOVE LOVE LOVE that Merlin wrote Arthur's speech for him -- and LOVED EVEN MORE that little smile Arthur had as he sent Merlin off to polish it. He totally let his shirt ride up ON PURPOSE. I KNOW HE DID.

The moments of shared terror and vulnerability were wonderful, both in Arthur's chambers and in the moments right before Merlin sacrificed himself to save Arthur (you know, again).

NOT QUITE AS SQUEEFUL: I was a little disappointed that Arthur just rolled his eyes when Merlin collapsed in the feast. HOWEVER, I am choosing to interpret that as meaning that Merlin frequently falls over during feasts, probably from "whiffing the barmaid's apron," if you know what I mean. Lancelot was certainly the only one who seemed to think it was unusual, presumably recognizing the signs of magic.

I also wasn't completely thrilled with the "if things were different, we could have been good friends" conversation. They've had this conversation before. And they've been together for so long now. I just wish they could get past that barrier. Or at least stop talking about it. I dunno. It was my only down moment in the whole episode, though.

So, anyone else have a terrible feeling that Lancelot is not long for this world? I sincerely hope I'm wrong, but I get the feeling that he's going to end up being the one to sacrifice himself to keep his promise to Gwen and save Merlin. (No spoilers, please, if you know for sure!)

Comments

[lolafeist.livejournal.com]

This is a much more well constructed reaction that basically got across everything I thought about this episode! So YES to every single thing!

Showwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

I hope people are writing WE ARE SCARED OF GHOSTS LETS MAKE LOVE NEXT TO THESE TORCHES fic too.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

YES YES YES. I was like, SHARE YOUR BODY HEAT, YOU IDIOTS. HUDDLE FOR WARMTH. HUDDLE HARD.

[srin.livejournal.com]

When Arthur said he was cold and Merlin was just kind of 'yeah whatever' about it, I totally wanted to smack him upside the head explain to him using small words that that was Arthur's Very Tough And Manly way of indicating that they needed to cuddle up to share body heat. Come on, Merlin, get with the picture, you know what Arthur's like.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

It's the only way he knows how to ask for a hug! Surely Merlin must know that by now.

Or maybe he does, and he just knows better by now because Arthur's armor is always freezing cold and he's tired of getting his tongue stuck to it.

[srin.livejournal.com]

Haha, it's true, that armour doesn't look at all fun to cozy up to.

Really, they just need to hurry up and do the reveal; then Merlin can make magical armour that appears and disappears as needed, they can snuggle at the drop of the hat, and everyone'll be happier.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

That's going to be awesome when it happens. Only they will probably have an awkward adjustment period when Merlin starts just magically dropping Arthur into an armored box for safe keeping whenever a battle breaks out. "It's just more efficient that way!"

[echoing-seas.livejournal.com]

Here's to hoping the writers keep Merlin and Arthur, and thanks for sharing!!! I can't actually watch the ep yet (I blame the cold weather...long story) but I love the info you've shared!!! I'm also slightly jealous now, but you included the good parts, so it's okay ;)

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh, there's so much more good stuff that I forgot! I hope you get to see it soon!

[ella-bane.livejournal.com]

Yes! Merlin has finally been allowed to exit puberty!

I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything when I read this!

Lancelot was very much into Merlin's well-being throughout this ep!

I agree that Lancelot is not long for this world, and exactly for your reasons. WOE. (I don't know, btw!)

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

WOE for Lancelot. Maybe if we pre-mourn him, we can avert it?

Merlin needs someone to look out for him!

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

i'll answer ella knowing corilannam will see it, too

i cannot believe they would stray so far off the legend as to kill lancelot. they made an obvious scene to set up the triangle (when did gwen get so cold?), so though i believe lance totally would, i seriously doubt they'd be willing to loose the character.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Oh, I can totally believe that they'd stray off legend that far, though you're right that they probably want to keep the triangle.

Still, I just can't shake the feeling that *something* bad is going to happen to Lancelot.

[rotrude.livejournal.com]

Allowed to exit puberty, rotfl, but yes it seems he's made it to adulthood.

Emrys is Morgana's doom, sworn enemies, me likey.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I love the epic enmity. Now I just really want her to realize that it's MERLIN who's her doom!

[chicaintcheap.livejournal.com]

Oh no, I hadn't thought that about Lancelot! D: NOOOOOO.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

I really hope that I'm wrong! I do not want to lose Lancelot--he's the only one Merlin can talk to. :-(

[flammablehat.livejournal.com]

Dude wat? We're entertaining the possibility that Lancelot could be taken out of the picture?? That never even occurred to me! And I don't hate Lancelot but I would actually probs be pleasantly shocked if they went that route because that would be a damn twist right thurr, yes it would.

Nothing but a litany of 'gangbanggangbanggangbang' going on in the back of my mind this whole episode. Not even gonna play.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

I like Lancelot and I don't want him to go anywhere (for Merlin's sake at the very least), but yeah, that would sure be quite a twist on the legend to lose the First Knight so early. That would definitely leave the future wide open.

I counted at least six perfectly logical opportunities for gangbangs in the episode. And there's a whole missing year! I bet it was chock full o' gangbangs. *nods*

[kerryblaze.livejournal.com]

This season looks promising! I didn't want to throw anything at the screen. Not once!

I'm really loving Morgana's visions and the Emrys connection.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

I know! I only had a couple of minor twitches! It was exciting and relaxing at the same time!

The Emrys thing is so interesting; I can't wait to see where they're taking it.

[wolfangeldeath.livejournal.com]

This was so much more well constructed than my review but got across everything I thought about the episode!

And YOUNG MAN!!!! FINALLY!!!!!!!

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

I think that was my favorite part! That young boy thing bothered me every. single. episode from S2 on. *g*

[wolfangeldeath.livejournal.com]

Same, from the moment I jumped into ship in Season 3 it bugged me so much that they were calling him a boy. He is most definitely not a boy. *eyes Merlin* Sorry, he's distracting, even especially in my imagination.

[planejane.livejournal.com]

Yes! You got it all. The friends comment seemed out of place--it really seemed like in this episode they have been written as friends, regardless of their respective roles.

The M/A h/c was the bestest thing for me and all the knights.

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

It did seem really out of place, but I rolled it around in my head all weekend and decided that it's probably just become their habitual way of saying "I love you and I'm glad you're my best friend EVEN THOUGH SUCH A THING IS CLEARLY NOT POSSIBLE."

H/C is always the bestest. Always.

[mistressd1971.livejournal.com]

Wow. You guys got so much more out of it than I did. Off to watch again, and hope I don't fall asleep halfway through this time. I'm pretty sure that was me, not them. And yes, I did manage to squee at "Young Man" before I passed out. :D

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

LOL! I hope you enjoyed it more (or were at least conscious for more) the second time! I pass out during everything these days, so I guess it's good that I had coffee for Merlin. *g*

[sithdragn.livejournal.com]

I'm also very curious about the origin of the Morgana and Agravaine pact. What is he getting from the deal? I'm sure the plan must be to off Uther and then Arthur for succession to the throne, but he's deluded if he doesn't realize he'd only be a pawn in Morgana's plan to use him to that end and then be rid of him. Of course, it would hardly be Arthurian if he were wise enough to consider that and/or not hungry enough for power to care. *g*

The part that bugged me was Merlin's line, "Like you know how to gather firewood" with a shared laugh with all of the knights at Arthur's expense. *squirm* Certainly a joke with good intentions on Merlin's part, but just not going to happen, for the same reason the ongoing "we coulda been bffs" conversations continue to occur.

[mistressd1971.livejournal.com]

I think Agravaine wants into Morgana's panties. Or whatever it was they wore then. And if the man who killed his sister and their ill-begotten son die in the process, swell.

Lancelot dead?? No. Just no. He's integral to the whole legend! I'm all for thinking out of the box, but jumping out of the box altogether and then throwing it into a pile of burning horse manure is just suicidal, IMHO.