Days of Our Camelot
Oct. 10th, 2010 09:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
swatkatMy enjoyment of Merlin episodes is x100 more when they involve Pendragon Family Drama. Needless to say, I really enjoyed this episode, GENERAL BLINDING STUPIDITY that is now par for the course notwithstanding. You have to hand it to Capps&co., it takes real genius to make a show that makes Legend of the Seeker look like a well-crafted modern masterpiece.
+ We begin with Arthur and Merlin in a forest, running in sexy slo-mo like Baywatch Babes while being chased by a bunch ofD'Harans bandits. The real question, however, is why were they ~alone together in the forest in the first place? Were they ~hunting again, if you know what I mean? *waggles eyebrows*
+ 'Why is it that you never trust me, Merlin?' Arthur broke my heart into tiny little pieces here. Because it's true, there is SO MUCH he just does not know. His father, Gaius, Merlin, Morgana, no one sees it fit to tell him ANYTHING. He buys pretty daggers for Morgana (because he may not know how women work, but he knows what Morgana likes—pretty, sharp things) and looks ridiculously hopeful that she'll like it; he scolds Merlin and doesn't know what to do when Merlin doesn't play his part, when Merlin doesn't play along,
'You're ready? Let's go.'
'…'
'Come on, I'm missing your usual prattle.'
'I don't always say things like this, but you did a good job back there. You heard what I just said? All right, maybe I should give you some kind of a reward. What do you want?'
'Some peace and quiet.'
Just. HIS FAAAAACE. *flappy hands* I get angry at him for being a juvenile brat and throwing things at Merlin, and then he does things like this. In my head canon, the reason why Arthur keeps doing these things, like an attention-seeking child, is because a part of him knows that there's something really, really wrong with his world: with Merlin, with his father, with Morgana, everything. You know sometimes he really wants to hit Merlin, like he hit the dummy, or maybe grab him by his stupid neckerchief andkiss question him until he tells him everything, until all his suspicions are laid to rest.
+ So if Arthur and Morgana are related now, does that mean:
- Morgause is Gorlois and Vivian's daughter. The question is, why was she smuggled out of Camelot as a baby? Or is she Vivian and Uther's daughter, in which case, god help Uther Pendragon. How did she know Ygraine?Through her secret meetings with Nimueh?
- Morgana is Uther and Vivian's daughter, passed off as Gorlois' daughter, brought to Camelot after his death because Uther was guilty. This does explain the extra-special throne for her and the way Uther dotes upon her, even as he doles out tough love to Arthur. This does not explain why Uther was all but cheering Arthur and Morgana along with pom-poms when they were doing their adolescent flirty thing and all of Camelot was convinced they would marry in Season One.
- Arthur is Uther and Ygraine's son, born of magic, Morgana's half-brother.
+ I imagine Arthur/Morgana and Uther/Morgana shippers are furious right now. Well, if anything, this episode makes me want to ship Arthur/Morgana MORE (don't look at me like that, I read the legends at an impressionable age and have re-read The Mists of Avalon more times than I can count, I think I might be the only person on earth who likes Gwenhwyfur in that book). Uther/Morgana not so much, since cross-gen incest is a squick for me, but I might be open to persuasion, stranger things have happened.
+ I also would have enjoyed the episode a lot more if the Arthur&Morgana build-up wasn't clearly setting up future Arthur vs. Morgana. You've broken all the friendships I loved, show, is it too much to ask for this one to remain intact? I did not sign up for this. *weeps*
+ Gwen and Morgana had a conversation. And Gwen was sad for Morgana, even it was excuse for the cute hug (go, Arthur; a sympathetic shoulder will get you everywhere) and for Merlin to seek the cure. I'd react, but Gwen/Morgana in my head ends in 2.04 - everything after that is AU. So, you know, go on, Johnny Capps. Do what you will. I don't care.
+ How shady was Gaius in this episode? JUST. I happen to find him a fascinating character, but the way he has clearly, clearly condemned Morgana (had he condemned her the day she showed up with her nightmares?) even as he shelters Uther, whose crimes have no end, even as he keeps telling Merlin that he did the right thing, no matter what, is just… Gaius is privy to more information than perhaps anyone on the show (except the dragon), but the way he decides how to wield that power is downright disturbing. All that lecturing about altering the future – how many times have you aided Merlin to save Arthur’s life with the help of Morgana’s visions, Gaius? Wasn’t that altering the future? Wasn’t that dangerous? I have never accused him of poisoning Merlin's mind in the past (offering misguided advice, yes, poisoning the way the Dragon does, no), but I will now, in that last scene. Morgana’s target is, has always been, Uther – by invoking Arthur’s name and making it Arthur vs. Morgana even before either party involved has done the same, Gaius does the one thing that will absolutely put Merlin on Protective Guard Dog Alert. I am perhaps being unduly harsh, so if anyone has a better fanwank, I’d be happy to listen.
It does not help that in the very same episode, the Dragon tells Merlin, once again, that the Witch must die, she has evil magic in her ladyparts. I wish I could be certain that the show wasn’t telling me that Merlin is a stupid fool for being unable to see the people he loves suffer (Arthur, Gwen; why Uther is on that list I have no idea, but he was clearly affected by his pain) and therefore saving Morgana’s life, that the Dragon and Gaius are wrong, but I can’t.
+ 'In the eyes of the people I am no more than your ward. Your guest.' And there you go, once again, Morgana’s insecurity about being unwanted and an outsider. That scene was clearly Morgana offering Uther a chance, all but spelling it out to him, ’ACKNOWLEDGE ME AS YOUR DAUGHTER. SHOW ME THAT YOU LOVE ME,' and Uther failing the test miserably (he was visibly uncomfortable; fine acting from Tony Head there). Last week, in reply to a comment bybriar_pipe over at ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
camelot_fleet, I said:
I think she has decided that her personal anger is true justice, and therefore mortgaged who she could have been to this plot of revenge. I love how you put it, 'unfocused rage', which about sums it up, really. It's a lot of unfocused rage and a lot of unfocused hurt and bitterness. I'm thinking of her argument with Merlin in 3.02, where Merlin invokes women and children, and Morgana's reaction is 'good,' which is then followed up by 'Uther hates me and everyone like me, why should I feel any different about him' when Merlin asks her if she actually means what she's saying. It's such a, well, childish response, in a way, 'Daddy doesn't love me so I will break everything, including things I once loved!!1!'
One of the problems about having every bit of important character development off-screen is that we don't know how much Morgana has interacted with the magical people (though we know she's one of Morgause's knights now), or if she really does feel at home with them. It's possible tofanwank conjecture that she truly has found 'her people' amidst the magical community with Morgause, but right now, it feels more likely that she is still an outsider, playing second-fiddle to Morgause and loved only by her, which might explain the lack of focus. It's somewhat ironic that someone as consistently loved as Morgana has also always been an outsider.
To whichbriar_pipe replied: It is a childish response, you're right. And to me, that's why she's been unable to actually carry out Uther's murder to date. Like a child, she wants that last-minute reprieve, the 11th hour apology and promise to change that will make it all better. She got that in 1x12. She didn't in 2x12, but she never got a chance to decide one way or the other before Merlin poisoned her. She did have an opportunity, though. She was alone with Uther and a sword for several minutes.
I don't think Morgause hangs out with the druids any more than Alvarr did, so no, I don't think Morgana is part of the group yet. The druids likely would have taken her in and helped her make a home, but Morgause is more about blood and debts, which isn't the same thing at all.
That conversation? That was Morgana looking for that 11th hour apology, the last-minute reprieve. The reassurance. Earlier, Morgana suspected that Uther would hate her if he knew her for what she was; now she has proof – he doesn’t want her, is ashamed of her existence. I wonder now how much of her insecurity, dating back from 1.12, comes from a childhood sense of something being not quite right.
Of course, like the sensible person she is, THIS is what makes her take the final step and try and kill him. What, writing emo poetry isn’t cool enough, Morgana? *facepalm*
+ It is ironic that Uther's most redeeming feature - his love for his children - is also going to be his downfall in the end. Not that he does not deserve it, but Arthur and Morgana certainly don't.
+ Morgana: Uther is my father.
Morgause: WHY THAT IS GLORIOUSWE ARE PROBABLY NO LONGER RELATED
Morgana: You don’t get it, HE MUST DIE
Morgause: GLORIOUS!!1! Wait, what?
And then she kisses her, ahaha. <3
+ So now I’m wondering, did Uther opt for the magical baby instead of marrying again because he wanted a child with Ygraine, or because he wanted a son?
+ PS: MORGANA DOES MAGIC. FINALLY!!1!
+ We begin with Arthur and Merlin in a forest, running in sexy slo-mo like Baywatch Babes while being chased by a bunch of
+ 'Why is it that you never trust me, Merlin?' Arthur broke my heart into tiny little pieces here. Because it's true, there is SO MUCH he just does not know. His father, Gaius, Merlin, Morgana, no one sees it fit to tell him ANYTHING. He buys pretty daggers for Morgana (because he may not know how women work, but he knows what Morgana likes—pretty, sharp things) and looks ridiculously hopeful that she'll like it; he scolds Merlin and doesn't know what to do when Merlin doesn't play his part, when Merlin doesn't play along,
'You're ready? Let's go.'
'…'
'Come on, I'm missing your usual prattle.'
'I don't always say things like this, but you did a good job back there. You heard what I just said? All right, maybe I should give you some kind of a reward. What do you want?'
'Some peace and quiet.'
Just. HIS FAAAAACE. *flappy hands* I get angry at him for being a juvenile brat and throwing things at Merlin, and then he does things like this. In my head canon, the reason why Arthur keeps doing these things, like an attention-seeking child, is because a part of him knows that there's something really, really wrong with his world: with Merlin, with his father, with Morgana, everything. You know sometimes he really wants to hit Merlin, like he hit the dummy, or maybe grab him by his stupid neckerchief and
+ So if Arthur and Morgana are related now, does that mean:
- Morgause is Gorlois and Vivian's daughter. The question is, why was she smuggled out of Camelot as a baby? Or is she Vivian and Uther's daughter, in which case, god help Uther Pendragon. How did she know Ygraine?
- Morgana is Uther and Vivian's daughter, passed off as Gorlois' daughter, brought to Camelot after his death because Uther was guilty. This does explain the extra-special throne for her and the way Uther dotes upon her, even as he doles out tough love to Arthur. This does not explain why Uther was all but cheering Arthur and Morgana along with pom-poms when they were doing their adolescent flirty thing and all of Camelot was convinced they would marry in Season One.
- Arthur is Uther and Ygraine's son, born of magic, Morgana's half-brother.
+ I imagine Arthur/Morgana and Uther/Morgana shippers are furious right now. Well, if anything, this episode makes me want to ship Arthur/Morgana MORE (don't look at me like that, I read the legends at an impressionable age and have re-read The Mists of Avalon more times than I can count, I think I might be the only person on earth who likes Gwenhwyfur in that book). Uther/Morgana not so much, since cross-gen incest is a squick for me, but I might be open to persuasion, stranger things have happened.
+ I also would have enjoyed the episode a lot more if the Arthur&Morgana build-up wasn't clearly setting up future Arthur vs. Morgana. You've broken all the friendships I loved, show, is it too much to ask for this one to remain intact? I did not sign up for this. *weeps*
+ Gwen and Morgana had a conversation. And Gwen was sad for Morgana, even it was excuse for the cute hug (go, Arthur; a sympathetic shoulder will get you everywhere) and for Merlin to seek the cure. I'd react, but Gwen/Morgana in my head ends in 2.04 - everything after that is AU. So, you know, go on, Johnny Capps. Do what you will. I don't care.
+ How shady was Gaius in this episode? JUST. I happen to find him a fascinating character, but the way he has clearly, clearly condemned Morgana (had he condemned her the day she showed up with her nightmares?) even as he shelters Uther, whose crimes have no end, even as he keeps telling Merlin that he did the right thing, no matter what, is just… Gaius is privy to more information than perhaps anyone on the show (except the dragon), but the way he decides how to wield that power is downright disturbing. All that lecturing about altering the future – how many times have you aided Merlin to save Arthur’s life with the help of Morgana’s visions, Gaius? Wasn’t that altering the future? Wasn’t that dangerous? I have never accused him of poisoning Merlin's mind in the past (offering misguided advice, yes, poisoning the way the Dragon does, no), but I will now, in that last scene. Morgana’s target is, has always been, Uther – by invoking Arthur’s name and making it Arthur vs. Morgana even before either party involved has done the same, Gaius does the one thing that will absolutely put Merlin on Protective Guard Dog Alert. I am perhaps being unduly harsh, so if anyone has a better fanwank, I’d be happy to listen.
It does not help that in the very same episode, the Dragon tells Merlin, once again, that the Witch must die, she has evil magic in her ladyparts. I wish I could be certain that the show wasn’t telling me that Merlin is a stupid fool for being unable to see the people he loves suffer (Arthur, Gwen; why Uther is on that list I have no idea, but he was clearly affected by his pain) and therefore saving Morgana’s life, that the Dragon and Gaius are wrong, but I can’t.
+ 'In the eyes of the people I am no more than your ward. Your guest.' And there you go, once again, Morgana’s insecurity about being unwanted and an outsider. That scene was clearly Morgana offering Uther a chance, all but spelling it out to him, ’ACKNOWLEDGE ME AS YOUR DAUGHTER. SHOW ME THAT YOU LOVE ME,' and Uther failing the test miserably (he was visibly uncomfortable; fine acting from Tony Head there). Last week, in reply to a comment by
briar_pipe over at camelot_fleet, I said:I think she has decided that her personal anger is true justice, and therefore mortgaged who she could have been to this plot of revenge. I love how you put it, 'unfocused rage', which about sums it up, really. It's a lot of unfocused rage and a lot of unfocused hurt and bitterness. I'm thinking of her argument with Merlin in 3.02, where Merlin invokes women and children, and Morgana's reaction is 'good,' which is then followed up by 'Uther hates me and everyone like me, why should I feel any different about him' when Merlin asks her if she actually means what she's saying. It's such a, well, childish response, in a way, 'Daddy doesn't love me so I will break everything, including things I once loved!!1!'
One of the problems about having every bit of important character development off-screen is that we don't know how much Morgana has interacted with the magical people (though we know she's one of Morgause's knights now), or if she really does feel at home with them. It's possible to
To which
briar_pipe replied: It is a childish response, you're right. And to me, that's why she's been unable to actually carry out Uther's murder to date. Like a child, she wants that last-minute reprieve, the 11th hour apology and promise to change that will make it all better. She got that in 1x12. She didn't in 2x12, but she never got a chance to decide one way or the other before Merlin poisoned her. She did have an opportunity, though. She was alone with Uther and a sword for several minutes.I don't think Morgause hangs out with the druids any more than Alvarr did, so no, I don't think Morgana is part of the group yet. The druids likely would have taken her in and helped her make a home, but Morgause is more about blood and debts, which isn't the same thing at all.
That conversation? That was Morgana looking for that 11th hour apology, the last-minute reprieve. The reassurance. Earlier, Morgana suspected that Uther would hate her if he knew her for what she was; now she has proof – he doesn’t want her, is ashamed of her existence. I wonder now how much of her insecurity, dating back from 1.12, comes from a childhood sense of something being not quite right.
Of course, like the sensible person she is, THIS is what makes her take the final step and try and kill him. What, writing emo poetry isn’t cool enough, Morgana? *facepalm*
+ It is ironic that Uther's most redeeming feature - his love for his children - is also going to be his downfall in the end. Not that he does not deserve it, but Arthur and Morgana certainly don't.
+ Morgana: Uther is my father.
Morgause: WHY THAT IS GLORIOUS
Morgana: You don’t get it, HE MUST DIE
Morgause: GLORIOUS!!1! Wait, what?
And then she kisses her, ahaha. <3
+ So now I’m wondering, did Uther opt for the magical baby instead of marrying again because he wanted a child with Ygraine, or because he wanted a son?
+ PS: MORGANA DOES MAGIC. FINALLY!!1!
no subject
Date: 2010-10-10 06:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-11 04:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-10-12 04:44 pm (UTC)Also, if Morgana/Morgause is one of its potentials...no subject
Date: 2010-10-10 07:05 pm (UTC)I so agree with you about Gaius; the way he and the dragon talks about her as if she's always been evil and Arthur is(has always been) her target is just... ugh.
I liked your analysis of Morgana's motivations a lot.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-11 08:29 am (UTC)I liked your analysis of Morgana's motivations a lot.
Heh, I'm glad you do. I'm surprised to find that I find her absurd obsession with Uther really fascinating, and while I don't condone or seek to justify her actions, her way down the dark path she's chosen is pretty compelling. I only wish they would allow some more shades of grey, and stop destroying the relationships I love to shreds, but I suppose that's too much to ask on this show.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-10 08:42 pm (UTC)Man, I think you might be. I wanted to like her! But she was so one-note and displayed so very little ability to grow or develop or as a character, and it just got so very frustrating by the end of it that I mostly just wanted to scream at her a lot.
no subject
Date: 2010-10-11 08:26 am (UTC)