Merlin: S2|E6: "Beauty and the Beast Part 2"

[dk323]

...or the episode of some of the best Merlin/Arthur moments this season.

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...

Comments

[oxymoronics.livejournal.com]

"I got distracted by the lovely scenes between them" Didn't we all? Hehe.
I was so disappointed when they didn't hug! Maybe it's a hint of what may possibly come? *is optimistic* :D

x

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_esmeralda_/]

maybe Arthur isn't as oblivious as we think he is

Was that banter, or is Arthur possibly beginning to do things like wonder? On the heels of next week's ep, where it looks like Merlin will at least be accused, perhaps Arthur's going to allow a few slow cogs to turn in his head!

(Although I've just realised Arthur's probably going to think Merlin's big secret is that he's protecting Gaius, a la Will. Damn.)

I will die happy if we get a full-on hug in the finale. Or maybe even in Emilia's ep, seeing as how Arthur looks so upset about it all! Aw, all that eyesex and lovefest from the final 30s and further poison drinking; how are they so in love?

And re: A/G, I think they're at a place where they've just decided to be friends and act normally around each other. Which mayn't work because their insides go funny every time they see other, but they're going to try very hard all the same!

[foxie-trot.livejournal.com]

I too, was very happy with the Gwen/Merlin moment of this episode. I just finished reading Poisoned Chalice, the book version, and the whole time it goes ON AND ON about how Merlin is such a good friend of Gwen's (lol, despite her totally liking him), and I was really glad to see it resurfacing in this episode. :D

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

[aiturnizzle.livejournal.com]

Hay there. I'm totally journal jumping because i'm not tired enough to go to bed and i ended up here.

Just want to mention that i'm glad i wasn't the only one who noticed Merlin randomly stashing Arthur's belongings in a corner. I thought that was hilarious... yanno, along with the rest of the episode lol

[otterfudge.livejournal.com]

Ahahah, I just finished this episode, which took longer than usual because I kept rewinding that LAST SCENE OMG *<3s forever*

The looong paaauuse as they stare at each other and lower their jazz hands. And then Arthur's FACE. It made me think Arthur is beginning to indeed suspect Merlin: not of being a sorceror, but of being kind of gay for him. What with the hugging and the hiding under his bed. (Which made me LOL so hard. "You've been under there...the whole time?" Arthur, thank you for prompting us to daydream about the things you get up to in your bedchamber you'd rather keep private.)

I must also express love for the way Merlin cradled Arthur's head and laid it gently to the floor after he collasped from the potion. And for how that moment puts Arthur's fate in Merlin's hands entirely, and how Arthur knows that, and does it with little hesitation because he loves Camelot and he trusts Merlin to see him through.

Not enough of the gals, these episodes. :( But I did enjoy Morgana's "stinking!" and the Arthur/Gwen scene. It seems like they are putting Lancelot behind them for the moment. I love when Gwen sees the compassion in Arthur and reassures him that quality doesn't make him unmanly--it makes him noble. You keep on tellin' him, Gwen.

So much delightful Uther in these episodes. Anthony Steward Head in this role is hot. His forehead scar is hot. His crying over his not!dead son is hot. Him bedding trolls is even hot. I will hear no argument.

Can't wait for next episode, wow, looks like things are HEATING UP! (Geddit, geddit? 'Cause, the, the fire, at the stake...?..ahem.) I really do hope we get a real hug by the end of the season. Lol at the similar wait for a Winchester hug. :) By jove we shall get one some day! Actually, I think we definitely will at some point, after this episode set it up that it is clearly Merlin's dearest wish. :D

Also, LOL at the Dragon laughing his ass off at Uther. XD