I'm glad that I'm not alone regarding the more balanced S1 opinion... sure, S2 had its improvements, but the writers just didn't strive for balance as much as in S1. I think they were forced to change things for S2...and getting Arthur/Gwen in there was the best solution for them as they needed a romantic het ship in the show. After all, Arthur and Morgana were more brother/sister, even if they're not so by blood on the show, they have the legends working against them. That decrease (or practical non-existence in S2) of Arthur and Morgana interacting was unfortunate because, looking back, their interaction was almost on par and worth watching as the interaction between Arthur and Merlin.
And when Arthur/Gwen came in full force in S2...it was like Gwen was pretty much doing the same thing with Arthur that Morgana and Merlin were doing with him in S1...but with a more romantic twist. Still the twist wasn't enough to really draw me in. It's just all, "Oh, they're sticking to the legends now? *sigh*" Well, there is always Lancelot/Gwen and how in the legends, Arthur/Gwen usually married for political reasons -- it wasn't true love Disney-style or anything like that.
I agree about Gwen -- they need to develop her character more outside being a love interest. One good way would be her to find out about Merlin's magic, and maybe that'll strengthen the friendship between them...and force Gwen to debate how to handle the reveal...and it'll make her interactions with Arthur interesting if she knows about Merlin and wondering if she should tell Arthur about it (or persuade Merlin to finally tell him).
The only good thing about the bucket bit was how silly (in a good, giggly way) Merlin looked with the bucket on his head. I could just imagine the frowny/bitch face he was sporting underneath the bucket. ;) ("Arthur is SUCH a royal prat" :P) But the actual act of Arthur putting the bucket on his head -- did not like. :\
Yes, it does seem that way regarding using Merlin/Arthur as comic relief... well, at least their dramatic/emotional scenes are worth the silly moments. Boys need to blow off steam somewhere, and unfortunately, Merlin is the perfect target for Arthur since they spend a lot of time together. But we all know Merlin can and will get his "revenge" on Arthur when the situation entails it. *nods*
I'm grateful that Arthur and Morgana started off S3 with actual interaction. *gasps* :P Hopefully the writers will continue to have them interact...we will see.
Arthur/Merlin/Morgana just seems to work best...it's not exactly a warm and fuzzy trio going by the show (Merlin vs. Morgana, clueless Arthur not knowing Morgana is against Camelot), but I still like them as a trio/threesome. Even though it's doubtful we'll see the three of them working together now, at least with the same agenda...since most certainly Morgana's goal is different than Merlin and Arthur's.
I thought they did a great job with establishing the relationship between Cendred and Morgause. :)
I'm not too thrilled about the magic!fail this season...I would love to see more progression of magical skills from Merlin considering, yes what you said about the heights he achieved in S1 (with killing Nimueh). *sad sigh*
I can't wait for the next episode. :) I know you already saw it at BFI, but I hope you enjoy watching it again and getting a second impression from it...catch details you may have missed and all that...;)
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And when Arthur/Gwen came in full force in S2...it was like Gwen was pretty much doing the same thing with Arthur that Morgana and Merlin were doing with him in S1...but with a more romantic twist. Still the twist wasn't enough to really draw me in. It's just all, "Oh, they're sticking to the legends now? *sigh*" Well, there is always Lancelot/Gwen and how in the legends, Arthur/Gwen usually married for political reasons -- it wasn't true love Disney-style or anything like that.
I agree about Gwen -- they need to develop her character more outside being a love interest. One good way would be her to find out about Merlin's magic, and maybe that'll strengthen the friendship between them...and force Gwen to debate how to handle the reveal...and it'll make her interactions with Arthur interesting if she knows about Merlin and wondering if she should tell Arthur about it (or persuade Merlin to finally tell him).
The only good thing about the bucket bit was how silly (in a good, giggly way) Merlin looked with the bucket on his head. I could just imagine the frowny/bitch face he was sporting underneath the bucket. ;) ("Arthur is SUCH a royal prat" :P) But the actual act of Arthur putting the bucket on his head -- did not like. :\
Yes, it does seem that way regarding using Merlin/Arthur as comic relief... well, at least their dramatic/emotional scenes are worth the silly moments. Boys need to blow off steam somewhere, and unfortunately, Merlin is the perfect target for Arthur since they spend a lot of time together. But we all know Merlin can and will get his "revenge" on Arthur when the situation entails it. *nods*
I'm grateful that Arthur and Morgana started off S3 with actual interaction. *gasps* :P Hopefully the writers will continue to have them interact...we will see.
Arthur/Merlin/Morgana just seems to work best...it's not exactly a warm and fuzzy trio going by the show (Merlin vs. Morgana, clueless Arthur not knowing Morgana is against Camelot), but I still like them as a trio/threesome. Even though it's doubtful we'll see the three of them working together now, at least with the same agenda...since most certainly Morgana's goal is different than Merlin and Arthur's.
I thought they did a great job with establishing the relationship between Cendred and Morgause. :)
I'm not too thrilled about the magic!fail this season...I would love to see more progression of magical skills from Merlin considering, yes what you said about the heights he achieved in S1 (with killing Nimueh). *sad sigh*
I can't wait for the next episode. :) I know you already saw it at BFI, but I hope you enjoy watching it again and getting a second impression from it...catch details you may have missed and all that...;)