Merlin 4.12-13 -- Sword in the Stone

[corilannam]

Okay, I finally got to watch the two-part season finale of Merlin. Anyone still interested in talking about it?



So that was enjoyable to watch, but... kind of empty? But it had a lot of great moments that were a lot of fun if you didn't look at them too closely or tie them to the larger context of the episode or, you know, think. So I feel kind of like I just ate a big bag of my favorite potato chips -- yummy, but I'm still craving something of more substance.

Some random thoughts about both episodes:

* The opening belt scene is just perfection. Not a single complaint there. Perfect encapsulation of their relationship. And Percy, you have no business laughing at Arthur's waistline considering that they had to put extender belts on your chainmail.

* Seriously, the mind control spell was Gaius's idea? That seems so unlikely somehow. Also kind of unlikely that Merlin would know that spell off the top of his head, but whatever, I like the idea that Merlin can just make shit up as he goes now. Derpy enchanted Arthur is just adorable -- yeah, there were some pretty big consent issues there, but I'm just going to read it as acceptable as part of the unquestioning trust between them. I can't really blame Merlin for also enjoying a few moments at Arthur's expense. I also don't blame him for putting Arthur into a tight little belly dancing outfit. Gratuitous abs! I love that this show has finally figured out its core audience.

* Merlin is surprisingly effective with a crossbow, given previous evidence to the contrary. Love them fighting side by side!

* Tristan and Isolde certainly weren't what I was expecting, but it's kind of cool to see some of citizenry of Camelot who don't think Arthur is the bee's knees. And they're not even magic users! Adds a nice touch of complexity to this rendering of Camelot. And I do love Ben Daniels (he's my favorite thing about L&O UK, even over Jamie Bamber). But overall, although I liked them, I didn't feel like they added much to the story -- certainly nothing necessary -- and in fact took up time I would have rather spent in Ealdor with Hunith (and yes, even Gwen).

* "It's as good a place as any." Really, Gwen? Can't give Merlin a little bit of credit for finding you someone to take you in? And Hunith doesn't get a thank you? Or any acknowledgement from the king?

* One thing I really, really liked? Merlin's confrontation with Agravaine. It's like Merlin has just had enough -- he's had enough of Agravaine's shenanigans, he's had enough of people hurting Arthur, and he's had enough of not getting any damn respect. He's just like, nope, sorry, done with you now. I loved how grim and almost... disassociated he was. I can't decide if it would have been more satisfying for Arthur to have been the one to kill him. Hmm. Probably not, but I'll enjoy thinking about it.

* Half naked knight combat -- completely pointless, but I appreciate the eye candy. So... what knight pairings are we ending with? I think I'm seeing Elyan/Percy and Gwaine/Leon. Although I could still be happily convinced of Percy/Gwaine or Percy/Leon. Apparently Hopper really hops.

* I'm kind of bored with Arthur's angst now, and as a diehard Arthur girl, that's an odd statement. But although his Gwen issues are tiresome, the kingly self-esteem issues are even more so. I get that Agravaine's betrayal hurts, but how many times does Merlin have to bolster Arthur's self-esteem in one season?

* That being said, I AM SO HAPPY that it was Merlin (the REAL Merlin) who led Arthur to the sword in the stone and made up told him the significance of it. I had convinced myself it was going to be Dragoon. SO HAPPY, OMG. All the people of Camelot watching! OH ARTHUR'S FACE. MERLIN'S VOICE IN HIS EAR. THE WAY MERLIN COULD TELL WHEN ARTHUR FINALLY BELIEVED. YAY HE FINALLY HAS EXCALIBUR. Okay, the self-esteem issues were worth retreading just one more time. "I believe in you. I always have." *happiness*

* Isolde killing Helios to save Arthur was nice -- but that should have been Gwen, dammit. But as we see a few seconds later, Gwen is still pretty useless. I would have loved it if she got to kill Morgana. *sigh* Just let her do one damn thing, for crying out loud! At least she got to hit a guy in the nose with her sword?

* And seriously, it's Isolde's death that convinces Arthur to forgive Gwen at last? Not anything Gwen did? The hell? But she looked very pretty. And she got a very pretty crown. And Merlin got to wear a very pretty new jacket.

* So I'm happy enough to see Gwen as Queen of Camelot. Just wish they'd let her do a damn thing to deserve it.

* AITHUSA BABY WHAT ARE YOU DOING??

* I cannot believe I forgot to squee about "You're my only friend and I couldn't bear to lose you"!!! SQUEEEEEE. How great was that? Arthur pretended to be all sarcastic, but he totally meant it and Merlin totally knew that he meant it.



Okay, bring on the hiatus fic, bitches. What's the speculation for S5?

Comments

[wolfangeldeath.livejournal.com]

That's really how I felt about the episode too. It wasn't... filling. I'm trying to ignore all the things that bug me because I know they'll just make me angry with how arrogant the producers have become (What we're just supposed to be bowing at your feet because you brought Hunith back for us? She disappeared for no good reason! Like Merlin wasn't even going to make sure his mother was safe! And the A/G! You build up to this wedding for HOW LONG and it gets exactly 7 seconds on screen?! I'm not even an A/G fan and that was pathetic!)

Anyway, I have to learn not to get invested in this show, they're just going to disappoint me. I watch for Colin/Merlin and that's it (even if they can't even be consistent on who the show is about oh look! Let's have a show about Merlin but really it'll be about Arthur and his knights! HAHA FOOLED YA!) I think you've just started my opinion post....

[corilannam.livejournal.com]

I was really disappointed that the wedding was so brief. I felt the same way about the coronation earlier in the season. I love pageantry and I would have loved to see a bit more of it. Plus, there was so much potential for adorable wedding comedy, but we got nothing, because Gwen is not allowed to be a character for more than 7 seconds at a time.

I think the main source of dissatisfaction for me in this episode is the feeling that they just tried to cram too much into two hours, so nothing felt completely satisfying to me.

[wolfangeldeath.livejournal.com]

They didn't have too much for any good writer. They had too much for them to handle because they won't go into good depth for anything. They assumed the A/G wedding would be enough payoff for the season, it wasn't, not even for the A/G fans because it was cheated so badly, so they rushed that at the end. They created a problem (an awful problem that a dumb thirteen year old could have written there way out of better) they couldn't fix so they ignored it. Watching this show is like reading a charming but poorly written fanfic. You like where they started and where they were headed but they got lost along the way.

There were a thousand better ways to handle the finale.

*sigh* Why do I watch this show?