Thoughts on Merlin, Episodes 2x11-13

[brigdh]

The Witch's Quickening
* Why are the druids evil now, when they have consistently been represented as pretty peaceful, oppressed people? And yes, I realize that it makes total sense for there to be variety among the druids, and some who resort to different methods to overthrow Uther, but the show is not telling me that. I am bringing that to the show. I suspect the real reason is because otherwise the druids are way too sympathetic, and so Morgana deciding to ally with them doesn't actually seem villainous. And so: abruptly evil druids!
* I feel like there were totally easier ways for Mordred and the other dude to talk to Morgana than sneaking into her room in the middle of night.
* Why is the dragon concerned that Morgana/Modred/the druids are fighting Uther? Shouldn't he be on their side?
* "His supporters follow him unthinkingly, blinded by his charisma." HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh show. I am laughing at you, not with you.
* Was Morgana really quickened in this episode? I feel like she did not actually do that much, and certainly nothing that required being a, you know, witch. She yelled at Uther slightly more than a normal episode? She is slightly more likely to get caught for helping the druids than any of the other times she did so? Whatevs.

The Fires of Idirsholas
* First of all: don't have titles that require me to go to wikipedia to look up the spelling. It is annoying.
* Wow, way to completely rip off Lord of the Rings, and yet somehow end up even more misogynistic, what with the whole "seduced by a sorceress" thing.
* Uther's character is completely determined by the needs of each episode's plot, rather than having any consistency. Sometimes he refuses to believe the Monster of the Week is magic, even though it clearly is. Sometimes he insists things are magical which aren't. Sometimes he refuses to let Arthur go into danger. Sometimes he forces him to do so. Yay for good writing! Oh, wait, no.
* Wouldn't it make more sense if Morgause was the source of the magic, and not Morgana? What did Morgana actually do?
* Wow, Merlin, way to be a total coward and try to kill Morgana in the least direct and most painful way possible. That totally makes you a sympathetic character.
* The show clearly wants me think Morgana is now a dark character for participating in the possible downfall of Camelot. However, I am not convinced that having her vaguely acknowledge, hey, theoretically things might improve if Uther wasn't king is really all that morally equivalent to murdering a city.
* If I had had mystical visions indicating that the freed dragon was going to destroy Camelot, I might try ever so slightly harder to do something about that. Just saying. Merlin seemed remarkably unconcerned.

The Last Dragonlord
* Is it really that effective to use flaming arrows against something that breathes fire?
* Also, dragons are nocturnal now? I guess?
* You know, I was sure this was going to be the episode where Merlin was forced to use magic in front of Arthur. Instead, we get convenient unconsciousness and the end of a season where absolutely nothing has changed. They even set it up so Merlin can continue to get advice from the dragon!


So, in general, I'm kind of annoyed at the whole show. I never thought of Merlin as great entertainment, but now it's not even amusingly bad. It's just bad. Although I have been re-watching Buffy (my girlfriend has never seen it!) and in comparison it makes most things on TV right now look pretty fucking bad. We just finished the first season, and oh, you guys, I forgot how much I loved this show. It is so good.

Comments

[p-zeitgeist.livejournal.com]

You make me glad I never got around to watching any of this season. Maybe I can continue to pretend it doesn't exist? Maybe this entire season actually took place in Arthur's fevered dreams, while he was not-quite-dying in the season 1 finale? It certainly sounds nightmarish enough.

[ravenbell.livejournal.com]

I never expected very much out of Merlin because it's so clearly aimed at younger viewers, and played so fast and loose with the material from the beginning. Plus, it's like the Smallville version of Superman - once you break the status quo and let the plot move forward to its natural conclusion, the original premise is done. I don't think the Merlin creative types are willing to let go of the training wheels yet, especially as the show is so successful.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Is it bad that I want you to watch season 3 with me because I enjoy your pop-culture rage?

[zahrawithaz.livejournal.com]

OK, this made me laugh until I cried. You win. Plus, it might actually inspire me to post my extremely belated reviews of the last 2 episodes. Especially the bits about Uther's consistency and Alvarr's charisma.

(Although I'm pretty positive that Alvarr and co aren't druids; he's just a random power-hungry sorcerer who found Mordred after Arthur slaughtered his people.)

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Your explanations are so much better than the canon. I am probably not going to bother watching another season myself, unless I happen to be in the room while rm (who is not as annoyed by it as I am) watches it.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Maybe I did have too high hopes. And using a well-known story like the Arthurian legends does end up hurting some shows more than it helps, since they end up trapped or unable to make certain changes. I just like the idea of retellings so much I always want to give them a chance.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Hee. I'm glad you liked it.

(Ah, that would make more sense. I somehow totally missed noticing that detail while watching.)