Quick Merlin thoughts

[gateslacker]

Overall, I enjoyed this episode but not as much as I expected. It is like, separately, I liked all of the various character moments and scenes but, as a whole, the episode felt disjointed. For me, there was a distinct lack of cohesiveness between the comedy and the drama. There were times when it even felt too OTT, and that is saying alot for this show.

The comic gold that was simpleton Arthur was overshadowed by him just deserting the city, even if it wasn't his choice to do so. Why are the folks of Camelot so loyal again? This makes two separate finales where Arthur has had to sneak out of the city and, while there is a part of me that thinks it is the best, expected, and most logical plan, the peasant in me would wonder WTH. I guess I can concede that they know Arthur will come back for them all glorious and shiny.

Could Morgana be any more OTT as a villain? At this point, the smarmy Agravaine is the more interesting character because I still wonder at his motives and I mostly think her utterly ridiculous. She looks fantastic but that is about as far as my positive thoughts about her go.

First, Helios, and now Tristan and Isolde and her ridiculous outfit. Have I been dropped into an episode of Zena, Warrior Princess? I kept waiting for Zena and Gabrielle to leap out of a tree to help Merlin and Arthur! Don't get me wrong. I Loved Zena back in the day and I am not a complete Arhurian purist or anything but these costumes are all. over. the. place.

I am tired of Morgana doing more badass magic than Merlin. Okay. I just am.

I am both excited and anxious about the finale. That preview with Merlin and Agravaine in the cave with the magic. Should I dare to hope to see Merlin doing some actual, powerful, kick butt magic as, heaven forbid, himself????

I do NOT want to see Dragoon! If I do, especially if I see him in proximity to Arthur and a certain sword in a stone, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!

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Comments

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Then I expect there to be weeping and gnashing of teeth. I'm not hopeful that they won't go the Dragoon route, sadly.

I agree. The pieces were great but it felt uneven. Plus I also agree that I'm tired that Morgana is doing more magic than Merlin, never mind the badass part. She's just doing more. He's supposed to be the best but I'm not seeing it.

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

Yeah, as much as I have really enjoyed this series, there has been a distinct decrease in the Merlin magic overall. Admittedly, I'd like to see a little more in the way of Merlin exploration. (Yes, I am biased but Merlin is the reason I fell for the series. love the Merlin/Arthur dynamic but it is mostly about Merlin in relation to Arthur. We never see Merlin for Merlin; see him advancing his magical knowledge. I wouldn't mind seeing it the other way around for a bit, too. I'd like to see Arthur in relation to Merlin. Thus far, the "coin" is one sided. But, yeah, that can' t really happen until Arthur knows Merlin for who he really is. We have spent the series exploring Arthur moving toward the king of legend. It is time to do the same for Merlin.

The optimistic side of me is hoping that TPTB can see that for real and all this "redirecting" of my expectations is designed to make it a surprise

Yeah, I know. A girl can dream, right

[sabriel75.livejournal.com]

Second everything you and arch_d's opinioned.

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know! I waffle between cautiously hopeful and partially pessimistic. Also, see my comment to archaeologist_d where I go on and on some more. LOL!

[sugah66.livejournal.com]

I've lost a lot of faith in the writers, to be honest. I expect so much and get so little. I feel like they should be fired, because whatever they think they're doing right, they aren't.

And, I mean, I really dislike Arthur/Gwen, but I thought their reunion was...um...lame? "I missed you." "I missed you, too." Hug. ALL IS FORGIVEN. Whatever.

Morgana as a villain has been irking me since they flipped the switch and made her evil. We have no idea of her motivations at all, and I could understand why she wanted to get rid of Uther, but what has Arthur ever done to her to warrant such hatred?

[gateslacker.livejournal.com]

Well, I have satisfied, overall, with the series. I do want more magic. Show me that Merlin really is the most powerful of all. You can't keep saying one thing and demonstrating the opposite with regard to the magic. It is more than time for a reveal but, honestly, the stories still manage to capture my interest and I still care about these characters (with the exception of Morgana). Every once in a while, I will see something in her or her story that intrigues me but it is over before you know it and the caricature villain is back. Of course, for all that I like all of the actors and the writing for her is spotty, she is also the weakest actor in my opinion.

But I also find myself becoming more frustrated about the reveal. There just cannot be any forward momentum without it.

I am neither anti Arthur/Gwen nor pro Arthur/Gwen. Probs because I have read takes on the legend that had them in love, that had them marrying for political reasons, that had a one sided love where Arthur felt more for her than she did him, where she loved him but loved Lancelot more, where she was a strong minded person, where she was vapid and ignorant, where she was manipulative, where he is merely making a political decision but grows to love her and so on and so forth. So, the Arthur/Gwen relationship has always been a hit or miss thing for me. Mostly miss except that my heart always breaks for Arthur for all the betrayal. I have to admit that the events this season have at least made A/G interesting to me because things are no longer sunshine and violins...LOL. Their interactions have struck me as more "real". IDK, maybe even the actors need something, too, and their performances didn't shine when it was all hearts in eyes. I bought the scene because sometimes time and distance temper the anger and hurt. I thought they played the " you have hurt me deeply but I love and miss you" pretty well for such a tiny scene.