heather11483 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
heathershaped) wrote2010-09-18 05:38 pm
heathershaped) wrote2010-09-18 05:38 pm
Entry tags:
the tears of uther pendragon have finally stopped falling
Merls 3x02! Well, that was better.
+ The Dragon ride was awesome in a cracky way. The new chumminess between him and Merlin is just weird, though. You don't really owe him anything kid, a) last time you spoke he'd just finished torching Camelot and b) we've established that he has no choice but to help you when you ask him to.
Also I will never stop LOLing at the idea of the Dragon, or Gaius, as moral arbiters and I don't see why the show keeps trying to present them as such.
+ The whole thing felt less heavy-handed. Less smirking, toned-down music, all of it.
+ Morgana felt a lot more nuanced to me this week; I don't know if it was better acting, better dialogue, or what - but even though I'm not really on Team Evil, her feelings were more clear. I love the parallels between her and Uther. They're both prone to doing horrible things out of a sense of personal hurt, and of feeling like there's no other choice. Morgana's speech to Merlin really made it clear where she's coming from and I think it's consistent with who she's always been. Doesn't make it better that she'd willingly put innocents in danger, but in that scene she sounded a lot like Uther does with all his "I had no choice" stuff, and totally personalizing the situation. Not once did Morgana appeal to general principle, not even for magic users at large - just herself and her own pain. It's nothing but true to character.
It was clear earlier in the episode when she was torturing Uther, as well. She's NOT in it for the same reasons Morgause is. For Morgause it's war and power (her other reasons, if they're there, are still a mystery) and for Morgana, it's personal.
+ AUGH I FREAKING LOVE HER ARMOR, SHE LOOKS RIDICULOUSLY HOT. The whole scene with Merlin was fantastic. Katie always does best in scenes with Colin.
+ Speaking of her scenes with Colin, I loved when she dragged him into the alcove. I got some season 1 flashbacks - 1x13, I think it was, when she was trying to appeal to him about her visions and he treated her like a crazy person. Now, she's all threats. Interesting that she feels so threatened by Uther, but is still so sure that she can manipulate him against Merlin (against servants). She's right about that, and so was Merlin when he said she might be able to change his mind about magic users when no one else can.
+ She still wears white in her throne room scenes with Uther even though she's not as weak as she used to be.
+ I knew she was going to take the credit for everything. Can't wait to see this all come to a head.
+ Interesting that Cenred backed off, and the contrast it painted between him and Morgause. Because his forces still outnumber Camelot's and he might've had a chance.
+ Merlin might be coming into his own a bit as far as wisdom goes - again, I liked what he ws saying to Morgana in the crypt - but it's still a little muddled in my mind because he's so morally compromised himself. *2x12 flashbacks* IDK, IDK how to make sense of it. He IS getting smarter and more confident in his ability to handle things, but he's not really becoming a more righteous person. At the same time he doesn't seem to be AS self-deluding as Uther and Morgana are about their perceived righteousness. Maybe that's because everything in the plot is set up to excuse him either way, even when he does bad things. The narrative gives him that cushion. Not entirely a good thing.
+ Arthur, however, thinks he's wiser. I liked the scene they had with the armor dressing, it was kind of interesting. Much better than the (truly annoying and repetitive) bullying scenes. I get that their dynamic is a teasing one, that they'll still be taking the piss when they're 80 years old, that Merlin's much more able to throw insults back at Arthur. But I hope to see more maturity in Arthur as the season goes. There was a bit of it in the armor scene - that's what I like.
SO ANYWAY, ANYWAY, LOOK WHAT JUST HAPPENED:
Merlin to Arthur: "I trust in your destiny."
Gwen to Arthur: "I trust you."
SEE WHUT THEY DID THAR. I love my OT3 y'all. I kind of like the distinct roles Merlin and Gwen both play in Camelot's future and as Arthur's support. For Merlin there's the security of knowing about a prophecy and a destiny, and his surety that he can help make it happen. For Gwen there's just faith, based purely on what she's seen Arthur do and be. And a desire to nurture that wherever she can, even in her powerless state. I love the moment in their scene today where she watches him and there's still a little distance between them, and you can see on her face when she decides to close that distance, and give him a little push that he needs.
If I've got a ~Team~ this season it's them.
AND THENNN
HOW ARE THEY SO. SO. HOW. What is this new ...idk, maturity that I am sensing between them? I can't even. Comparing it to 2x06, a very similar scene, there's something different in the way they carry themselves around each other. They stand closer to each other, they talk easily with each other. I feel that year between then and now, I can't explain it. And nothing's really even changed between them romantically!
So we now know that Arthur and Gwen talk about things. Have probably been talking about things all this time. About srs bsns stuff, about kingdom stuff. She has his ear when it comes to talking about the regular people. He asked her what they were saying and she wasn't surprised he did. I really love when they have non-dramatic conversations and just relate to each other along their common ideals. I LOVE that Gwen asked him how his father is (because she obvs wouldn't give a crap but knows Uther's important to HIM anyway), Arthur was all "I wish dad was here", but then instead of indulging him in that, she's immediately following up with "no actually, you don't need him" (and she's right).
(Also, that "worry is not a wise counsel" line gave me FEELINGS. How are you even doing that Angel, that line was ridiculous and it should have sounded ridiculous, and then it did decidedly did NOT. NNNNGH)
but can we just talk about this moment
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peopleareshapes
DEAD. DEAD. KEEEERIST.
Compare once again to last season's similar scene.
There's more intensity in Arthur's gaze where last time he just looked kind of adorably dazed by her, and this time Gwen answers it with her own intensity, whereas last time she was more focused on getting through to Arthur. He fell before she did, but now, for her, it's there too.
THERE IS MUTUAL AWARENESS AND IT IS HOT, FOLKS. They're closer to the same page now than they've ever been, EXCEPT.
"There's no need to call me that."
"There's every need. Sire."
LOL jk, I really liked that actually. It's an incredibly privileged thing for Arthur to say, because actually, yes, she does still need to call him that, everywhere that anyone can see them. Every day of her life reminds her of that. And it reestablishes what we know from 2x10, that Gwen's still trying to keep some distance between them, probably for her own emotional protection from what's she's still thinking is impossible.
BUT THEY STILL TOOK A MOMENT IN ALL THE CRAZINESS OF BATTLE PREP TO FIND EACH OTHER ACROSS THE ROOM. OHHHH, WELCOME BACK KIDS. I MISSED YE.
don't look at me like that, first Pendragons of the season deserves a little fanfare okay
+ While we're on the subject of Gwen. Much as I loved everything I just finished rambling about, I don't love the use of Gwen in this two-parter as pretty much only when Arthur needed her. She's clearly doing a lot of her own thing in the episode, and it should've been shown. More than just cursory interaction with Merlin, too. I NEED IT. The scene in the hospital was especially frustrating - she was there, she was active, she was getting shit done... but she was just barely in-frame the whole time. I had a hell of a time getting clean screencaps of her. When the scene was about Morgana, and when it was about Arthur. That's... ridic. A lot has been said about Gwen being used for Arthur's character, but she's been used just as much for Morgana's. NOT COOL EITHER WAY. Not when it's ALL we get.
That said, I see she's still suspicious of Morgana.
+ I kind of wanted to see the moment where Arthur decides to step up and rule, because last week he was all "NO I JUST CAN'T". I also need to see Arthur learn who Uther is and see him with clear eyes. It's frustrating that he's still on team Uther even knowing he doesn't know better. That's got to change, and I wonder how it'll happen.
+ Speaking of Uther: LOOOOL, HIS LIFE. He is so useless and clueless. Can someone just declare him unfit or something, please.
+ I'm pretty sure I had other points but I forgot, haha. I THINK THIS IS ENOUGH DON'T YOU.
byakscully
+ The Dragon ride was awesome in a cracky way. The new chumminess between him and Merlin is just weird, though. You don't really owe him anything kid, a) last time you spoke he'd just finished torching Camelot and b) we've established that he has no choice but to help you when you ask him to.
Also I will never stop LOLing at the idea of the Dragon, or Gaius, as moral arbiters and I don't see why the show keeps trying to present them as such.
+ The whole thing felt less heavy-handed. Less smirking, toned-down music, all of it.
+ Morgana felt a lot more nuanced to me this week; I don't know if it was better acting, better dialogue, or what - but even though I'm not really on Team Evil, her feelings were more clear. I love the parallels between her and Uther. They're both prone to doing horrible things out of a sense of personal hurt, and of feeling like there's no other choice. Morgana's speech to Merlin really made it clear where she's coming from and I think it's consistent with who she's always been. Doesn't make it better that she'd willingly put innocents in danger, but in that scene she sounded a lot like Uther does with all his "I had no choice" stuff, and totally personalizing the situation. Not once did Morgana appeal to general principle, not even for magic users at large - just herself and her own pain. It's nothing but true to character.
It was clear earlier in the episode when she was torturing Uther, as well. She's NOT in it for the same reasons Morgause is. For Morgause it's war and power (her other reasons, if they're there, are still a mystery) and for Morgana, it's personal.
+ AUGH I FREAKING LOVE HER ARMOR, SHE LOOKS RIDICULOUSLY HOT. The whole scene with Merlin was fantastic. Katie always does best in scenes with Colin.
+ Speaking of her scenes with Colin, I loved when she dragged him into the alcove. I got some season 1 flashbacks - 1x13, I think it was, when she was trying to appeal to him about her visions and he treated her like a crazy person. Now, she's all threats. Interesting that she feels so threatened by Uther, but is still so sure that she can manipulate him against Merlin (against servants). She's right about that, and so was Merlin when he said she might be able to change his mind about magic users when no one else can.
+ She still wears white in her throne room scenes with Uther even though she's not as weak as she used to be.
+ I knew she was going to take the credit for everything. Can't wait to see this all come to a head.
+ Interesting that Cenred backed off, and the contrast it painted between him and Morgause. Because his forces still outnumber Camelot's and he might've had a chance.
+ Merlin might be coming into his own a bit as far as wisdom goes - again, I liked what he ws saying to Morgana in the crypt - but it's still a little muddled in my mind because he's so morally compromised himself. *2x12 flashbacks* IDK, IDK how to make sense of it. He IS getting smarter and more confident in his ability to handle things, but he's not really becoming a more righteous person. At the same time he doesn't seem to be AS self-deluding as Uther and Morgana are about their perceived righteousness. Maybe that's because everything in the plot is set up to excuse him either way, even when he does bad things. The narrative gives him that cushion. Not entirely a good thing.
+ Arthur, however, thinks he's wiser. I liked the scene they had with the armor dressing, it was kind of interesting. Much better than the (truly annoying and repetitive) bullying scenes. I get that their dynamic is a teasing one, that they'll still be taking the piss when they're 80 years old, that Merlin's much more able to throw insults back at Arthur. But I hope to see more maturity in Arthur as the season goes. There was a bit of it in the armor scene - that's what I like.
SO ANYWAY, ANYWAY, LOOK WHAT JUST HAPPENED:
Merlin to Arthur: "I trust in your destiny."
Gwen to Arthur: "I trust you."
SEE WHUT THEY DID THAR. I love my OT3 y'all. I kind of like the distinct roles Merlin and Gwen both play in Camelot's future and as Arthur's support. For Merlin there's the security of knowing about a prophecy and a destiny, and his surety that he can help make it happen. For Gwen there's just faith, based purely on what she's seen Arthur do and be. And a desire to nurture that wherever she can, even in her powerless state. I love the moment in their scene today where she watches him and there's still a little distance between them, and you can see on her face when she decides to close that distance, and give him a little push that he needs.
If I've got a ~Team~ this season it's them.
AND THENNN
HOW ARE THEY SO. SO. HOW. What is this new ...idk, maturity that I am sensing between them? I can't even. Comparing it to 2x06, a very similar scene, there's something different in the way they carry themselves around each other. They stand closer to each other, they talk easily with each other. I feel that year between then and now, I can't explain it. And nothing's really even changed between them romantically!
So we now know that Arthur and Gwen talk about things. Have probably been talking about things all this time. About srs bsns stuff, about kingdom stuff. She has his ear when it comes to talking about the regular people. He asked her what they were saying and she wasn't surprised he did. I really love when they have non-dramatic conversations and just relate to each other along their common ideals. I LOVE that Gwen asked him how his father is (because she obvs wouldn't give a crap but knows Uther's important to HIM anyway), Arthur was all "I wish dad was here", but then instead of indulging him in that, she's immediately following up with "no actually, you don't need him" (and she's right).
(Also, that "worry is not a wise counsel" line gave me FEELINGS. How are you even doing that Angel, that line was ridiculous and it should have sounded ridiculous, and then it did decidedly did NOT. NNNNGH)
but can we just talk about this moment
by
peopleareshapesDEAD. DEAD. KEEEERIST.
Compare once again to last season's similar scene.
There's more intensity in Arthur's gaze where last time he just looked kind of adorably dazed by her, and this time Gwen answers it with her own intensity, whereas last time she was more focused on getting through to Arthur. He fell before she did, but now, for her, it's there too.
THERE IS MUTUAL AWARENESS AND IT IS HOT, FOLKS. They're closer to the same page now than they've ever been, EXCEPT.
"There's no need to call me that."
"There's every need. Sire."
LOL jk, I really liked that actually. It's an incredibly privileged thing for Arthur to say, because actually, yes, she does still need to call him that, everywhere that anyone can see them. Every day of her life reminds her of that. And it reestablishes what we know from 2x10, that Gwen's still trying to keep some distance between them, probably for her own emotional protection from what's she's still thinking is impossible.
BUT THEY STILL TOOK A MOMENT IN ALL THE CRAZINESS OF BATTLE PREP TO FIND EACH OTHER ACROSS THE ROOM. OHHHH, WELCOME BACK KIDS. I MISSED YE.
don't look at me like that, first Pendragons of the season deserves a little fanfare okay
+ While we're on the subject of Gwen. Much as I loved everything I just finished rambling about, I don't love the use of Gwen in this two-parter as pretty much only when Arthur needed her. She's clearly doing a lot of her own thing in the episode, and it should've been shown. More than just cursory interaction with Merlin, too. I NEED IT. The scene in the hospital was especially frustrating - she was there, she was active, she was getting shit done... but she was just barely in-frame the whole time. I had a hell of a time getting clean screencaps of her. When the scene was about Morgana, and when it was about Arthur. That's... ridic. A lot has been said about Gwen being used for Arthur's character, but she's been used just as much for Morgana's. NOT COOL EITHER WAY. Not when it's ALL we get.
That said, I see she's still suspicious of Morgana.
+ I kind of wanted to see the moment where Arthur decides to step up and rule, because last week he was all "NO I JUST CAN'T". I also need to see Arthur learn who Uther is and see him with clear eyes. It's frustrating that he's still on team Uther even knowing he doesn't know better. That's got to change, and I wonder how it'll happen.
+ Speaking of Uther: LOOOOL, HIS LIFE. He is so useless and clueless. Can someone just declare him unfit or something, please.
+ I'm pretty sure I had other points but I forgot, haha. I THINK THIS IS ENOUGH DON'T YOU.
by
akscully
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Also, shrugging skeletons are always funny.
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I KNOW! The show has this verbal text which is completely refuted by the actual action text.
first Pendragons of the season deserves a little fanfare okay
More than anything. <3
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ESPECIALLY THE SPARKLY ONES.
I do think Katie does a hell of a lot better with Colin, maybe because in those scenes she didn't have to act like she was acting? Hmm.
ZOMG BAMF Arthur taking charge of things and being in the front of the line whereas Cenred (who did have the numerical advantage and thus an actual chance) stayed on his horse really far away from shit, and Uther was royally useless. Go Future King. I would so follow this dude (when he's not being a prat to Merlin just for the heck of it).
And Gwen. NEEDS MOAR GWEN BEING AWESOME AND NOT JUST SOMEONE ELSE'S EMOTIONAL PROP-UP. Just sayin', because she clearly has awesomeness in spades and I do appreciate, adore even, how caring and supporting she is, how ever hopeful, but she is also fiercely useful and generally fearless, so WHY CAN WE NOT GET THIS IN STEAD OF EXTRA SCENES OF SWEATY DUDES HAULING STUFF AND SHARPENING THEIR WEAPONS?
Ahem. In conclusion, I am so glad I read this, because now I can stop feeling vaguely guilty that I'm not more sad in the face over the split in the OT4, I mean, I honestly think it works better as this OT3 ::le sigh:: seems more balanced, somehow. Don't ask why, tho, haven't sat down to think that one properly through.
I will go now and just stare at the first gif, with the hands and the intensity and the pulling back because this is a kiddie show and we cannot let loose all the pent-up longing rightthissecond. Sire.
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WHY CAN WE NOT GET THIS IN STEAD OF EXTRA SCENES OF SWEATY DUDES HAULING STUFF AND SHARPENING THEIR WEAPONS?
HAHAHA, exactly. How many montages WERE there? Jeeeez. And I used to be sad about the split in the OT4, but it was always coming, and it's neither surprising nor out of character, plus Arthur/Gwen/Merlin is unbelievably epic and inspiring, so... I'm down.
with the hands and the intensity and the pulling back because this is a kiddie show and we cannot let loose all the pent-up longing rightthissecond. Sire.
UNF, exactly, exactly, and that's just what was on her face, hehe. It's ridiculously hot how restrained they are making themselves be.
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*jumping up and down with giddiness*
Angel continues to have leave the entire audience in love with her, I mean really! She was magnificent in her scenes, few as they were. A Gwen episode, I want it.
THAT GIF.
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I don't get how everyone is not in love with Angel! I hope we get at least one Gwen-centered ep this season.
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*runs away with thoughts*
LOL, my grammar in my previous comment. I blame Angel for distracting me with her awesomesauce.