The Coming of Arthur

Merlin ends its fantastic third season with a two-part finale in which Morgana finally comes out of the proverbial closet and let’s everyone know that she is EVIL.

The episode begins with the death of Sir Leon the Brave during a battle against Cendred’s army. A shell-shocked Arthur has to deliver the news to his father, who despite sending so many of his knights to slaughter over the years for personal vendettas and ill advised crusades, seems upset. Sadness quickly turns to joy, however, when Leon appears alive and well and informs them that a tribe of Druids found him and restored him to life.

Uther deduces that they must have used the mythical Cup of Life to do the deed, and instead of leaving it with the Druids, who you know, have managed to keep The Cup safe for hundreds of years, Uther in his great wisdom, decides to send Arthur too retrieve The Cup so that he can throw it in his Vault of Magical Trinkets. Arthur is all too happy to follow his father’s orders and he sets off with Merlin. The two are immediately kidnapped by a slave trader who has also somehow managed to capture Gwaine of The Luscious Hair. After much fighting and magical intervention, the trio escape, and Gwaine joins Arthur and Merlin for the latest adventure.

It doesn’t take long for the trio to find the Druids who are protecting The Cup. Arthur demands that they hand it over, but the Druids warn him that he is messing with powers he doesn’t understand. The Once and Future Princeling isn’t trying to hear that, though, and threatens to kill a druid BOY, unless they hand The Cup over. The Druids quickly comply and a satisfied Arthur leaves the cave, walking right into an ambush.

Cendred now has The Cup and creates an immortal army that marches straight into Camelot and seems to capture the kingdom with little resistance. Morgana is thrilled that at last one of her EVIL plans have worked and she crowns herself queen as a distraught Uther looks on. Uther doesn’t understand what is going on with his loving ward, so Morgana breaks it down to him that (a) she knows he is her father and she doesn’t appreciate him never acknowledging her, (b) she has been plotting against him and Camelot for nearly a year and he was too blind to see it (c) she has magic and (d) she hates his guts for everything, especially making her hate herself.

Morgana is thrilled that her coup has seemingly pushed Uther to the brink of madness, and now that she no longer has to hide her EVILNESS, she begins her glorious reign as Camelot’s Sovereign. But instead of legalizing magic, freeing the people from Uther’s oppressive practices, and showing the people why she is a better ruler than Uther could ever be, she decides that it would be much more fun to play dress up and be an even bigger tyrant then Uther was! She makes killing innocents the new national pastime and gleefully plots the murderers of former friends Leon and Gwen for their “betrayals.”  

Meanwhile, outside of Camelot, a depressed Arthur finds hope when Lancelot, and his friend Percival, show up to help after being summoned by Merlin. Now, Arthur has the makings of a knighthood that he can take into battle against Morgana and her EVIL friends, but will it be enough to beat back an immortal army and restore Camelot to the light?  

Merlin really found itself this season and I hope that the writers continue to build on the mythology that they have built. This season was really helped by the darker shift in tone and I look forward to seeing the show get even darker and more adult next season.

Being able to watch the beginnings of The Knights of the Roundtable is real treat from anyone who is a fan of the legend and watching Arthur knight men based on merit and not birth lays the cornerstone for what his kingdom is to become.

I have a few quibbles with Arthur’s characterization. I know this show is called Merlin, but Arthur is the King of Legend. We don’t need to see Merlin saving the day all the time. We need to see why Arthur will be the greatest king of all time. Also, enough with this blind loyalty to Uther. I know he is his father, but Arthur is a big boy now, he can see all the wrong that Uther has done and he needs to acknowledge it.

My only major complaint about this season was Morgana. While I liked that she went from spoiled princess to villain, I did not like that she was turned into such a one note character. I can understand that she hates Uther, I hate Uther, but to feel nothing but hatred for Gwen and Arthur, the two people she has been closets too her entire life was baffling. She could have still done bad things without being totally EVIL. This would have been a much better story if we saw her conflict about what she was doing and saw that she was motivated by something besides personal power. What happened to the Morgana of Season One and Two whose hatred of Uther was rooted in his tyranny? That’s the Morgana we should have seen this season, teetering on the brink of EVIL not totally lost to it.

All in all an excellent season and I can’t wait to see what Season 4 brings.

 Questions/Comments

So…um… Arthur is into killing kids in order to get what he wants?  I’m all for seeing Arthur’s dark side explored, but this seemed really out of character for him. Still, it would be interesting if the show plays with this a little. Arthur has no qualms about killing and let’s face it, you don’t become High King of all Albion by being a nice guy. Some of Uther had to rub off on him and it would be interesting to see how Gwen and Merlin would react to him doing some less than noble things to secure his kingdom.

How great was it seeing Uther on his knees being forced to watch Morgana crowned as Queen? Anthony Head played Uther’s anguish to perfection and I loved every minute of it.

Loved that the first thing Arthur did when he returned to Camelot was look for Gwen, but why is Elyan hiding in Gwen’s house? Had he already left his sister for dead?

Why did Morgana keep Gwen as her personal servant? Was she just too lazy to train another one? Did she get off on the idea “knowing” that she thwarted her own rise to the throne, or does she really still care for her?

Speaking of Gwen not only did she mention her dead father again (something I don’t want the writers to ever stop doing) but she also mentions that her mother was a Lady’s maid who worked for Leon’s family and that she and Leon grew up together. This was interesting and I hope it ties into something next season.

It was great watching Gwen use her detective skills to break Leon out of jail. Too bad that Morgana was on to her in a hot second, but hey, at least she tried.

Speaking of Gwen/Morgana, how much more interesting would this dynamic have been to watch if you had two friends who did not want to betray each other , but because of their views of what is right and wrong ultimately do. Was Morgana really hurt that Gwen chose Arthur over her, or just mad that Gwen lied to her? One of the strengths of this new interpretation is that Morgana/Arthur/Gwen/Merlin really loved each other. Why not play on that to add conflict.

Arthur and Gwen are clearly committed to each other at the end of this arc, and Lancelot, while accepting of this new dynamic, is still very much in love with Gwen. It will be interesting to see where this goes.

Seeing the roundtable and seeing and hearing Arthur act like King Arthur gave me chills.  

Cendred, I barely knew yea, all that potential wasted.  Too bad.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Santiago as Lancelot and I think his friendship with Merlin is one of the most enjoyable aspects of this show. If I had one wish is would be that he could be a series regular.

It was nice to see Morgana show some emotion when her sister fell, it’s nice to know that she is still capable of feeling something for someone, but may I suggest that she take a page out of Morgan Pendragon’s book. Showtime’s Camelot may not get much love from me, but Eva Green’s Morgan is FANTASTIC and makes Merlin’s Morgana Pendragan look like she is just playing at being EVIL.

Gaius magic? Was I the only one surprised by that revelation or did I miss something in the earlier seasons? And am I to understand that he watched thousands of fellow witches and warlocks burn at the stack and continued to be Uther’s loyal friend and physician? What a guy!

And So I Waited Sneak Peek --- Turn of the Di

Yes, I write fan fiction. My current story is in the Merlinverse. Surprise! Surprise!

Please enjoy this sneak peek at the next chapter of And So I Waited, a look at the infamous triangle from Lancelot's point of view.  You can read the first few chapters here.

I knocked on her door when she opened it the breath got caught in my throat. She was so beautiful in her pink dress, her hair wild and full of flowers. I looked inside.

“I couldn’t help but notice that you are alone.”

She smiles. “Actually, I was expecting a guest.”

“Anyone I know?”

“I don’t know. “

“What does he look like?”

“He is old, very thin, his hair almost too thin.”

“Doesn’t sound familiar.”

‘Well. I don’t think he is coming.”

“And you made him dinner? That is not very gentlemen like.”

 “Well he is no gentlemen.”

“Since I am already here, maybe I can be his replacement.”

She looks me up and down. “I don’t see why not.”

She lets me in. She has decorated her table with flowers and I see two plates full of chicken.

“How can you afford this.”

“It is complements of The Lady Morgana. She likes you.”

“I am glad that she approves.”

I sit down and she puts a cup in front of me.

“It is really odd. You are all she can talk about lately and what a wonderful couple we would make. My Lady and I have always been close, but she is My Lady and we have never been too personal.”

Gwen was right, there was something about The Lady Morgana’s interest in them that he found unsettling.

 “And to say all the things she said about you in front of Arthur.”

I look up. “Why would it bother you that she is talking about me in front of Arthur?”

I wait with baited breath, wondering if her memories have begun to return.

“I just think it is inappropriate to talk about servant matters in front of the Prince, although…

“Although what?”

“I see a change in him. He is not the arrogant prat that I remember. There is softness and a caring. Do you know that he stood up for a peasant who could not pay his taxes and forced King Uther to back down. I was impressed and proud.

“Proud?”

“Yes, that he is Milord.”

I picked up my fork. I was tired of talking about Arthur.

“This food is delicious.”

“Thank you. I remembered from last time how much you loved my chicken, at least I can remember that. It is so good to see you. I can tell just by looking at you that the time way has been good for you.”

“In some ways it has been very good for me and in others….”

She put a piece of chicken in her mouth. “But you must have met people who you liked.”

“Yes, I did.” Elaine’s face flashed quickly before my eyes. “But no one who could ever make me forget about my time in Camelot.”

“Oh come on Lancelot. Are you telling me that you have not met somebody.”

I laughed. Can she be this blind? “As a matter of fact I have.”

“Oh.”

Her disappointment was evident and it warmed me. It made me feel that she was finally letting her guard down. I leaned forward. “You,” I said. “You are the one I met and the only one I ever want to meet.”

She blushed. “Lance.”

“Next time we will have deer.”

She laughed. “Deer?”

“Have you ever had it?”

“Not really. Once I did sneak a bit off of Morgana’s plate when I was in the kitchens.”

“And did you like it?”

“It was heavenly.”

“Well that settles it. We will have deer. I will catch it myself.”

“And how many paces does it take for you to kill a deer?”

“I am not sure but I will make it a point to count so that I can tell you.”

She reached for my cheek and stopped, a puzzled look was now on her face.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know, it’s just, there is something very familiar about all this.”

She looks back at the chicken and throws her fork down in disgust. “Why can’t I remember?”

I take her hand. “When the time is right you will remember. She squeezed my hand. I lean in for a kiss and I see the expectation in her eyes. She wants this moment, this intimacy, with me, as much as I do. The loud noise outside makes us both jump apart.

I see the swish of the blue cloak and I know exactly who are uninvited guest was.

“Do you see anyone?” she asks. I can hear the concern in her voice.

“No one.”

I close the door, aware that I had just told her another lie.

The Other Worlds Spotlight --- BBC Merlin's Gwen, The Once and Future Queen

I have a confession to make. I'm currently obsessed with Merlin, BBC's take on the Arthurian Legend. In this version, the creators have taken a page from Smallville's book, going back to a time before Arthur his legendary self. Merlin takes many liberties with the myth, most notably the fact that Merlin is a young contemporary hiding his magic ,and that Arthur is more prat then prince sometimes, and spends most of his time trying to navigate a relationship with a father who he conveniently never knew or had to deal with in most the legends. But what makes Merlin downright revolutionary is the fact that their Guinevere is Black.

Played to perfection by British actress Angel Coulby, Guinevere, or Gwen, is nobody's sidekick. When we first meet her she is a shy servant girl who is awkward around men and crushes on anyone she sees as the opposite of Camelot's Prince --- an arrogant bully who she can't imagine anyone would want to marry. Gwen hopes that Arthur will marry her Lady, the fiery Morgana, who unbeknownst to them is his sister, but that's another story. In any other tale, Gwen would be regulated to the best friend role as the "traditionally" beautiful Morgana got all the men and all the stories, but in Merlin we get to see Gwen’s journey's to becoming queen.

I'm not sure if the BBC even thought about this, but to see a woman of color in a legendary role is amazing. She is a woman of substance who matters to the story, a woman who anybody would want to be. Gwen has been given Arthur's traditional background in this version. She is the commoner in touch with the people, while Arthur is the spoiled Noble with a selfish streak. It will be Gwen's common roots that connect Arthur to the people

Some of the criticism of Gwen's character is that she's too nice, to plain, to fickle, but I disagree. Gwen is a servant in a time when it paid to be invisible. The moment she is noticed by Arthur and King Uther is the moment she is arrested for witchcraft and almost burned at the stake. Many may prefer the emotional Morgana, but Morgana is Uther's beloved ward and has the luxury of being outspoken and dramatic; she has liberties that Gwen does not. Gwen has leaned to use her quiet dignity to make her point. Her inner strength is admirable. She thinks before she acts and she cares about how her actions will affect others.  She is also smart, using her deductive reasoning to help Merlin at times, and spying on Morgana to help Arthur.

Gwen also gets the guy --- or The Prince in this instance. Gwen and Arthur's romance is portrayed as epic and legendary and most importantly essential to the king he will become. While the Merlin/Arthur friendship is the heart of the show, and should be as this version of the legend is seen through Merlin's eyes, it is Gwen who brings out his soft side, keeps him steady, and help gives him purpose. You really see that it is the triangle of Merlin-Arthur-Guinevere that will help lead Camelot into its fabled Golden Age.

Speaking of triangle's, Gwen doesn't just get Arthur's attention; she gets ALL the guys attention. When Lancelot saunters in to town smoldering and full of earnest desire, he is instantly smitten with the sweet Gwen, falling for her before Arthur even realizes that she is alive. Sexy future knight Gwaine is next and of all the women in all of Camelot Gwen catches his eye. How often do you see a Black woman portrayed as everyone's heart desire?

In fact, men just don't want Gwen, they care about her, they treasure her.  When she is in danger it’s both Lancelot and Arthur to the rescue, risking their lives in the name of love. While a lot has been made of Gwen's feelings for Lance to me it makes sense that she would see him as a viable option. This Lancelot is a commoner, he is attainable.  Gwen is a realist who at the time of Lancelot’s appearance doesn’t believe she has a chance with Prince Arthur and she has no desire to be a martyr for love, especially when the handsome, brave Lancelot is a man that she can love and be happy with. To me that shows her to be a woman with a good head on her shoulders. What is wrong with her trying to find some happiness for herself given her circumstances?  Should she have taken a vow of celibacy and resolved to watch Arthur marry and have children while she died an old maid? Gwen clearly loves Arthur but she is terrified that Arthur is going to break her heart and she spends much of Season 2 and some of Season 3 protecting it. But when she does allow herself to believe in Arthur's love she gives herself to him completely, promising to wait for him and showing her loyalty to him by fleeing Camelot to join him on the run when Morgana takes over Camelot. How this triangle plays out in this version is anybody's guess, but one thing’s for sure, it will be interesting to watch and Gwen isn’t just going to be a victim to her fate whatever that maybe.

 

All in all Gwen's specialness lies in her ordinariness. Her race is not a factor; she is allowed to be your typical romantic heroine. She is allowed to just be an ordinary girl with an extraordinary future, and by watching her we see that anyone, no matter what color, can be a Queen.

Notable Gwen Episodes
Season One
The Dragon’s Call
Guinevere is introduced as a shy servant girl who admires bravery and would never want to marry the arrogant Prince Arthur in a million years.

The Moment of Truth
Gwen travels with Merlin, Arthur and Morgana to his childhood village and helps the villagers beat back greedy warlords. Gwen gets some face time with Arthur, scolding him for his arrogance but telling him they believe he will help them be victorious when he begins doubting himself.

Lancelot
Lancelot rides into Camelot and falls for Gwen.

To Kill a King
Gwen's father is unjustly executed by Uther. Arthur later visits her and apologizes, promising that he has secured her job and her house. This episode loses points when it ignores the repercussions on Gwen and turns into another episode of Morgana Hates Uther.

Le Morte d'Arthur
Arthur almost dies and it is Gwen's faith in him that helps him pull through. This episode is the beginning of the Gwen/Arthur romance.


Season Two
The Once and Future Queen
Arthur stays at Gwen's house so that he can secretly compete in a tournament. The two are drawn to each other

Lancelot and Guinevere
Gwen impersonates Morgana and is kidnapped in her place. Both Lancelot and Arthur come to her rescue and triangular complications ensue.

Sweet Dreams
Arthur is enchanted to think he loves a visiting princess just when Gwen is ready to give them a chance. Gwen's true love kiss breaks the spell.


Season Three

The Tears of Uther Pendragon Part 2
Gwen gives Arthur sound advice when he needs it most. She also helps take care of the wounded when Camelot is under siege.

Gwaine
Gwen is the lucky girl in Gwaine's sight. Just funny to see how much everyone likes her milkshake.

The Changeling
Arthur is forced into an arrange marriage and Gwen must find a way to cope.

Castle of Fryien
Gwen gets a brother and story of her own.

The Eye of the Phoenix
Gwen uses her detective skills to deduce that Morgana has turned to the Dark Side.

The Queen of Hearts
Gwen and Arthur are discovered by Uther. Gwen keeps her wits and her dignity as she tries to hold onto Arthur and her life.

The Coming of Arthur Part 2
Gwen acts as a mole in Morgana's court, helping Sir Leon escape and joining Arthur and his knights in their bid to retake Camelot.