Julia: Okay, it was really insanely stupid for Merlin to decide to do a big old display of magic, but did you see his happy little face when he did? Poor guy, keeping such a big part of himself squashed away for so long — no wonder it came out. I just… oh, I still want to hug him to me and tell him it’s all going to be okay.
Ruby: I know it’s probably not the safest thing for him, but I want so badly for him to reveal his magic to someone — Arthur or Morgana. I think since Morgana is struggling with her gift, it would be such a fascinating new dynamic to see Merlin and Morgana share that secret and relate to each other in a completely new way. And Arthur — well, obviously, I want more than anything for Merlin to reveal his magic to Arthur. At the end of every episode, I’m left desperately hoping that maybe it will happen sometime soon. Oh well … I suppose tonight was not the right time, what with the witch hunt and the mobs and the pitchforks.
Julia: There are like ten billion different historical metaphors I could make for this whole Witchfinder fellow, but you know what, I’m very lazy. Maybe I’ll go with the easy one — the Salem Witch trials! There. Hell, they even dressed Charles Dance up in something vaguely pilgrim-esque.
Ruby: I’m honestly not a fan of “witch hunt” episodes (which have been done on any number of TV shows), because they’re so obvious. Ouch, what just hit me over the head?! Oh — it was a huge metaphor.
While I didn’t like the premise, I did enjoy Charles Dance’s performance. As we’ve noted before, this show brings on great guest actors. The U.K.’s bursting with classically trained thespians, and what better way to elevate a potentially ludicrous role than to stick a Shakespearean actor in it. This is so true, especially in sci-fi and fantasy. (For example, only an actor of Patrick Stewart‘s caliber could bring dignity to a role that involved wearing a skin-tight, red and black jumpsuit.) Charles Dance‘s gravitas as Aredian really helped me like this episode.
Julia: But of all the imposing and creepy things Aredian could have said to make his grand entrance, he settled on “Can you smell it?” Can you smell it? Didn’t the Rock already use that? I’m pretty sure it was lame when he did it too.
Ruby: Haha — that’s my point exactly. A great actor can elevate ridiculous material. Speaking of great acting, how about Colin Morgan in this episode?
Julia: When he cries, I cry. When those big, beautiful eyes well up and his chin goes wobbly and he takes those shaky breaths and flared nostrils of pain and his shaky shoulders and … oh, I can’t handle it.
Ruby: There, there.
Julia: This was a totally inappropriate episode to notice once again how ridiculous attractive Colin Morgan is. And yet … And yet….
Ruby: It can’t be helped. I think part of what makes Merlin so attractive is how tender-hearted he is. His genuine, innocent, unshakable love for his friends just compels you love him back. And his friends kind of see him that way — as an “innocent” (in the less polite sense of the word) who is completely guileless and incapable of hurting a fly. That’s why the thought of Merlin having magic is utterly ridiculous to them.
Julia: Arthur and Gwen’s faces when Merlin was accused were hi-larious. And only make me want the magic reveal more than ever.
Ruby: Yeah. And in a way, he is that innocent heart that just breaks at the thought of Gaius suffering.
Julia: Well, there are a few things you don’t hurt in this world : kittens, puppies, and Richard Wilson. Don’t do it. Ever.
Ruby: When someone does try to hurt one of the people Merlin loves, there’s nothing he won’t do to stop them. That’s why he’s not the “innocent” that his friends imagine him to be. They have no idea how lethal he can be when he’s trying to protect them.
Julia: Seriously, how has no one figured out that you don’t mess with Merlin’s loved ones? Can’t evil people have a convention and put a big “do not disturb” order over people Merlin likes? Because he has a habit of ruthlessly getting rid of them by making them fall out of windows, or get blown up by lightning, or really, die in a number of gruesome ways. You do not want to be on that dude’s bad side.
Ruby: But you know who is the one who really deserves to be thrown out a window? Uther. He’s the one who instigated all this idiocy. And as we saw last week, he’s the one with an unwitting penchant for magical glowing jewelry.
Julia: Yeah, how do you know that bracelet is an “instrument of sorcery”? It could be an heirloom. Or an instrument of cross-dressing.
Ruby: At least Gaius finally got to give King Utter Pinhead a piece of his mind.
Julia: I think that was the greatest exchange in this episode. Anthony Head and Richard Wilson are such amazing actors, and that scene said so much about their characters. It was great to see Gaius stand up for himself and be all “You know what, homeslice, you keep knocking me for trying to keep you safe from witchfinders and trolls, you keep telling me to keep your secrets, and frankly, dawg, that don’t fly” and Uther’s all “oh, snap!” (Dialogue slightly altered.)
Good for him! It almost feels like as much as Gaius is teaching Merlin, Merlin’s teaching Gaius how to stand up for himself. I’m a fan. I feel sort of like Gaius and Uther are a cautionary tale for Merlin and Arthur. Fellas, listen up (especially you, Merlin!). Don’t hide stuff from each other. Be honest, especially when one of you is being a prat. Don’t forget how important it is to cuddle, once in a while. You know in a manly bonding sort of way.
Oh god, I just go this image of Gaius and Uther cuddling which … is really my own fault.
Ruby: Ugh! Quick, say something else so I can get that out of my head!
Julia: Okay, uh … hey, so remember when in season one Gwen and Merlin were BFF and it was awesome? And then how they sort of came together and played Hardy Boys this episode and it was even awesomer? I say we continue on this vein. Merlin and Gwen, magic detectives! It’ll be like Veronica Mars or Psych, but in medieval times! Come on, that would actually be the greatest spin-off of all time.
Ruby: I like it … but only if Bradley James gets to play the self-important cop who always gets everything wrong and ends up needing to be rescued by them. Because, you know, he’s quite good at that.
Julia: Aww, but between Merlin and Gwen, Arthur really doesn’t have any choice but to grow up, does he? I mean, they both have those giant, puppy eyes and speeches about being a good man and doing the right thing. And all their little smirky faces when they accuse Aredian! What a cute little group of besties. I want them to have cuddly sleepovers and toast marshmallows and bond with each other and let Arthur talk about his feelings while they nod and make soothing noises.
Ruby: Not without me! Let me get my sleeping bag. Be right back.
Julia: I’ll fire up the hibachi and start the s’mores.
Clacked by Ruby T.
on May 14, 2010 @ 23:00 EST5EDT
I was glad that Gwen finally gave Arthur a piece of her mind. I can potentially see their future marriage: ‘What, you won’t take me out tonight? Remember when you stood by while your father executed my father? Yea, I thought so.’ I wonder how long she saved that for and it makes me happy both Gs had their say considering how frequently Arthur/Gaius imprison/torture/ignore them while blaming someone else. Side note: could we actually have an episode where someone doesn’t have to guilt Arthur into doing the right thing? Side, side note: Gwen taking over the role of guilter from Merlin, shows a progression in the G-A relationship -
You’re right, such a huge injustice was done to Gwen, and it’s amazing that she doesn’t hold more of a grudge against the Pendragons. I’m glad that scene shows that she hasn’t forgotten it.
Oh, I think this episode was my second favorite of the second series, topped only by the next one, Sins of the Father. I freely admit that Charles Dance managed to scare the crap out of me as Aredian. I mean, this is a guy who will casually condemn someone to death, offer them a deal to save people in exchange for something, only to double-cross them. Granted, Uther kills people on a regular basis, but he’s an over-the-top douche bag about it. Aredian just does it like he’s doing his laundry (and stealing Indiana Jones’ hat, the bastard). That was just creepy!
And oh, I loved the scene featuring Gaius breaking up with Uther. “DUDE! You tried to have me killed! See if I ever save your ungrateful royal ass again!” And Uther stood there and took it, which was just as amazing! Granted, he tried to whine a little about Aredian deceiving him, but when Gaius threw the excuse back in his face, Uther stood there and took his whipping! Seriously, that was just a remarkable scene to me. Richard Wilson and Anthony Head continue to rock my world.
Gwen and Merlin returning to their BFF roots and solving the case before Aredian could whack Gaius was also a big treat. That was just great. And speaking of this, I love that Merlin had to be the one to puzzle everything out. All too often, Gaius is the one who does this and sends Merlin off to use his magic to save the day. Now Merlin had to do everything himself, with Gwen as his partner of course, but the point is — Gaius wasn’t able to be a crutch for Merlin this time. And given that Merlin was able to save the day, I think it bodes well for the future. It shows that Merlin is becoming more independent, more confident.
One thing, I admit, that I didn’t care for was Gwen’s guilting Arthur into intervening. In this case, I really think that it should have been Merlin, since Gaius is Merlin’s family and all. Gwen’s guilt-trip would have been better used at a different time, I think.
Great discussion! :)
Loved that Merlin was the one to figure it out. It really shows where the advisor to the king comes from. Loved the smackdown with Gaius telling Uther off. Go, Gaius! This was a great episode.