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Merlin: S2|E6: "Beauty and the Beast Part 2"
OMG. Seriously. I'm late posting a reaction to this episode because I got distracted by the lovely scenes between them. Not to mention - I'm so going to make a vid with some of their scenes in 2x06. My vid! muse is inspired, so that's always good. ;) I just couldn't help thinking the "Arthur sending Merlin away to avoid arrest" (so heartbreaking, for real!) scene along with the "Arthur drinking poison, er, POTION and only Merlin has an antidote, but then the vial smashes, oh no!" scene would be great put to a dramatic type song...
BUT REALLY, I was surprised more than once during this episode. I was not expecting Arthur's rush to get Merlin to safety to happen within like the first five minutes. That was intense and so emotional. Even after seeing the preview clip a couple of times, it still didn't get old when I finally saw the scene during the episode. Oh, Arthur! That was really heartwrenching and emotional (the "I don't care" from Arthur was just sooo...you felt it, the emotion was just THERE).
...and seriously you two, WHY DIDN'T YOU HUG AT THE END? You both wanted it -- don't deny it!
Anyone else really want to know why it bothered Arthur that he thought Merlin was hiding under his bed the whole time -- What have you got to hide Arthur? This is something that must be revealed, darnit!
Oh, and this: http://community.livejournal.com/merlinxarthur/1677668.html dead link :( -- harmonicsong brought this point up about Arthur wearing a shirt to bed in this episode (after not doing so in previous S2 eps). I can't believe I didn't realize it before. See, Arthur assumed that Merlin wasn't around anymore... so you know, with our trusty slash goggles on -- does that mean Arthur doesn't wear a shirt to bed when he knows Merlin's around...not to mention he was sleeping underneath the covers versus rolling around on top of the covers like in the previous episode?
CONCLUSION: Arthur puts out -- like, you know, in case Merlin sneaks (*cough*) into his room late at night...Arthur has no qualms over giving Merlin something to look/ogle at. But when he believes Merlin is away from the castle, he puts on a shirt...
Oh yes, we're on to you, Arthur... see, it's NOT just blatant fanservice. :P
The potion/poison scene --
Oh, I loved this. I want Arthur to find out about Merlin's magic like right now. I just love the two of them working together like this. :) Awww at Merlin trying to avoid telling Arthur about the seriousness of the situation - that if the antidote isn't administered in time, then Arthur will really be dead. Merlin was only protecting him! *hugs Merlin*
LOL at Merlin's shoddy job of doing chores in Arthur's room...(hmmm, I'll just make the bed...and oh, look at all this random junk -- here's a nice, empty corner - let me just throw it there! All right, all done! ... *Arthur's reaction: oO*).
The almost-hug!
I definitely wasn't expecting the almost-hug...and the jazz hands (LOL) as they get all awkward with each other. Aww, c'mon, Arthur - Merlin wants a hug - just be nice and give him one! :(
It reminds me of Supernatural and how in the first few seasons -- it was always about finally getting a real hug between Sam and Dean. There were half-hugs and then the evil...you could almost see the hug but the camera doesn't focus in on it....
No other show does hug-teasing better than Supernatural - I tell you!
Still, the Arthur/Merlin almost-hug was cute... so them.
And in lieu of the angst party sure to come in next week's "Witchfinder" episode -- it was nice to see a scene of relative closeness between them. :) Coz I'm sure Merlin will really need a hug by the end of the "Witchfinder" ep.
Shifty look about you
Huh - so maybe Arthur isn't as oblivious as we think he is? So he thinks Merlin has a shifty, suspicious look about him. Like he's GOT SOMETHING TO HIDE. Arthur is on to you, Merlin. Watch out... and really, Merlin saying he's "an open book"? We all know how true that is. *eye* I'm pretty sure Arthur telling this to Merlin - is in anticipation of next week's episode. Arthur could not have said that without good reason -- writer's attempt at foreshadowing? Quite possibly. I'm looking forward to seeing how this all plays out...
Morgana and Gwen:
...had actual scenes other than standing around looking pretty. Wow. Not that they're not awesome at looking all pretty, but still...
Morgana and Arthur's mutual insulting of the troll FTW - loved that. "Stinking" - ha! Morgana's contribution trumps all. :P Can you tell I'm just glad the girls were a little bit more involved in the 2nd part?
The Arthur/Gwen scene in Arthur's room ... was a little odd coming on the tail of 2x04 when Lancelot's reappearance made Arthur/Gwen's already shaky relationship (if it's even there in the first place) even more shakier...
But they just talked normally...like nothing happened. Maybe they just decided to put the Lancelot thing behind them and to continue going slow with whatever they have between them.
Seriously, Gwen is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Poor Gwen. :(
I liked the scene where Gwen shows obvious concern for Merlin's safety because that was a nice reminder of S1!Gwen. It's not just Arthur and Lancelot - she does care for Merlin too - the two are good friends after all. Thank you very much. :)
I'm looking forward to the next episode BIG TIME. Goodbye, troll - hello, witchfinder -- and I *really* want to find out what has Arthur manhandling Merlin out of the room...preview clip is such a tease...
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Also: I nearly fell out of bed when they had Arthur warning Merlin to run in the first five minutes. I really did not expect it to happen that quickly. I think we should have taken it as a sign for what was to come! :D
OMGOMGOMG AND YES, TOTALLY AGREE ON THE NAKED!SLEEPING ARTHUR VS SHIRT!ARTHUR. Did you notice that Merlin took the time to watch Bradley roll over all enticing like, before going back to his task in Part1?? WE'RE ONTO YOU SHOW, OH YES WE ARE.
And to finish: The weird non-romantic vibes from Arthur/Gwen in that scene convince me even more so that the writer of this episode doesn't ship them. XD; He also wrote it out of Ep3, just putting a few subtle hints in now and then. ILU BEN, SFM. PLEASE WRITE ALL THE EPISODES. :D
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Oh, cool. I definitely want to check out that book now. I've been hearing good things about the tie-in novels. It really is nice when the show remembers that Merlin and Gwen are good friends (which was clearly established in S1). I hope there will be more friendship moments between them in S2. :)
Also: I nearly fell out of bed when they had Arthur warning Merlin to run in the first five minutes. I really did not expect it to happen that quickly.
I know, right? I was definitely surprised. It would be interesting if this were foreshadowing as to how the magic reveal would go, but I don't think the writers will do a scene repeat. We'll see...
Did you notice that Merlin took the time to watch Bradley roll over all enticing like, before going back to his task in Part1?? WE'RE ONTO YOU SHOW, OH YES WE ARE.
I don't think I did - thanks for pointing that out. :) Oh, Merlin - it's so obvious. Don't deny it, lol!
And to finish: The weird non-romantic vibes from Arthur/Gwen in that scene convince me even more so that the writer of this episode doesn't ship them. XD; He also wrote it out of Ep3, just putting a few subtle hints in now and then. ILU BEN, SFM. PLEASE WRITE ALL THE EPISODES. :D
Hmm...good to know. I could tell the writer wasn't much for Arthur/Gwen other than friendship vibes... I definitely didn't mind that if it led to some great Merlin/Arthur moments. :)
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THAT BOOK IS THE GAYEST THING YOU WILL EVER READ IN YOUR LIFE. EVER. Oh my god, I was trying to read it on the plane, and I was constantly in hysterics because THEIR LOVE WAS JUST BLATANT. If you read anything with slash goggles, it has to be that book. God, it is just fantastic.
I hope there will be more friendship moments between them in S2
I find it interesting that they were trying to squash a lot of the other pairing in the beginning, even though everyone KNEW what they had done in season 1 with Gwen/Merlin and Arthur/Morgana - even the actors were under the impression that they were meant to play it like that! Remember, they went around in interviews talking about it all the time, and clearly thats the direction they'd been given by the director/writers. So why the sudden change? *grr*
but I don't think the writers will do a scene repeat. We'll see...
I dunno, I don't think it will be a 'scene repeat', but they have been known to recycle the scenes a bit - EG Arthur saving Merlin (a servant) in season1 and then Arthur rescuring Gwen (a servant) in season2. They have recurring themes, and they'll probably just play it out another way. Here's to hoping!
I don't think I did - thanks for pointing that out. :)
LOL it's my pleasure. I never turn down an opportunity to show off the canon for my pairing. XD;
I could tell the writer wasn't much for Arthur/Gwen other than friendship vibes... I definitely didn't mind that if it led to some great Merlin/Arthur moments. :)
IKR. Squee, happy thoughts. I'm much more for Arthur/Gwen friendship (at least until season3 or 4 or something), which I think is a sentiment shared by our favourite writer. Besides, it's not as if this sort of thing can't develop slowly! Patience writers, and you might actually convince us of the pairing!