Ah, season two, episode two. I can say with great honesty that this is my least favorite episode of Merlin (which is like me choosing my least favorite puppy out of all the puppies — it doesn’t really mean much). Ruby likes it quite a bit. I think the whole Arthur/Gwen romance is done poorly. Ruby loves it. I think Colin Morgan is magically delicious, and Ruby would prefer to, ahem, joust with Bradley James.
This is why they invented dialogue. Also, different flavors of ice cream.
Ruby: Last week, Uther didn’t want to believe that a jewel belonging to the world’s most powerful sorcerer was cursed. Then this week, Arthur tells him, “Hey, there’s this magical creature with the face of a bear, the fangs of a tiger, and the butt of a wildebeest,” and Uther goes, “Dear God! It must be sorcery!” Why is that? Is he a skeptic or not?
Julia: I think partially he’s just more willing to believe anything Arthur says, and partially, it was a pure comedy moment. Also, Uther tends, in my experience, to believe that things that are evil and mauling are magic much faster than things that are so shiny and pretty! Like jewels. Or … oh, wait, that spoils a lot of the second half of the season. Let’s just say he’s conveniently paranoid when it suits him as a plot point and leave it at that for now.
Ruby: It’s obvious to me how Myror became the most ruthless, feared assassin around. He kills his targets while they are still staring in amazement at the only black man in medieval Britain.
Julia: It’s true! There are quite a few black people milling about Camelot (Gwen, her father in the first season, a lot of extras I’ve noticed in jousting scenes and such), but they’re usually very light-skinned, oddly enough. My history nerd friends who also watch this show have told me that there were black people in England at that time due to Roman influences, but since “Camelot” is a fourteenth century castle and the weaponry is clearly anachronistic, as is the fact that potatoes and tomatoes appear everywhere like they magically migrated from the Americas. And Merlin dresses like a midevial hipster. God bless the production on this and their color-blind, only vaguely anachronistic casting. I’m quite fond of it.
Though it makes me wonder how there isn’t some sort of warning throughout Albion, because he’s just so much darker than every other black person hanging about. How are there not signposts going “Have you seen a creepy man who wears a cloak in broad daylight that is way darker skinned than everyone else? Does he appear ominous? Is he skulking around jousts? If so, he’s probably there to kill someone!”
Ruby: During the jousting scenes, I expected the crowd to start stomping and clapping to “We Will Rock You.” The set reminded me so much of A Knight’s Tale (which I love).
Julia: I’ve never seen that movie. Instead I was thinking about this amazing fan-made video. God bless YouTube.
Ruby: But to get to the elephant in the room – I love how Gwen and Arthur sometimes act like an old married couple in this episode. “Hey, Gwen, my shirt needs mending.” “Mend it yourself, you lazy bum!” And when Arthur offered to cook dinner for her…. Well, let’s just put it this way – whenever my dad offered to “make” dinner for my mom, we ate burritos from Taco Bell. So I can totally see Arthur and Gwen growing old together. And their first kiss was pure magic with that swelling music and sunlit window in the background.
Julia: I won’ t argue that the scene was filmed beautifully, and I adore both Arthur and Gwen as separate characters, but Arthur/Gwen sits wrong with me. For a lot of reasons.
First of all, I always, always, always object to what I like to refer to as the “bro-ification” of a relationship between two male characters, like when they get a little too close to reading as more than just friends and everyone starts commenting on it, suddenly the powers that be flip out and put a girl in between the two of them, or call it a “bromance” and make it into a big joke, or something. Like the world isn’t ready to handle two guys on television doing it. I’ve ranted about it before, though this rant was also before I saw the second season of Merlin, so some of my thoughts have changed a little.
I don’t expect Merlin and Arthur to get together on the show, and honestly, that’s okay with me. All I want is to have Merlin and Arthur’s “bromance,” for lack of a better word, continue. I’m completely okay with them having relationships with girls in the meantime. In theory, I really think that Arthur and Gwen could be cute together, but the way they chose to do it just rubs me the wrong way.
Basically, the episode trajectory goes; Arthur’s a giant spoiled brat and invades Gwen’s home, and then decides he’s totally in love with her, but she won’t have anything to do with him because, as we’ve said before, he’s acting like a total spoiled brat. So then Arthur has Merlin make him look like he’s not a total spoiled brat by doing all the work for him (yeah, because romantic comedies have taught us having someone else do your romancing for you never backfires), then Gwen and Arthur kiss because she thinks he’s matured so much, except he hasn’t, and then after all of this Arthur decides just kidding! He and Gwen can never be. And no one thanks Merlin. For, you know, setting it up so Arthur can have his bratty way in the first place (didn’t he grow past this in the first season?), or for doing all his romantic work for him, or for saving his life, again. Since when does Arthur conveniently forget Merlin’s his friend? And why for Arthur to have a relationship does he have to be a total tool to Merlin?
Ruby: It’s funny how kind, gentle Gaius is the one whose nagging finally pushes Merlin over the edge. I would love to see Merlin go into one of those rants in front of Arthur. Princey-boy thinks he’s under-appreciated! If only he knew….
Julia: Exactly! For this episode, at least, Arthur totally regressed as a character, and even though I normally find him charming (even in the very first episode, when he wasn’t charming at all), in this one I was just mostly furious with him. It’s probably because I’m so utterly defensive of Merlin, who always seems like he just needs a big old hug and maybe some cookies. It’s a good thing Arthur’s so cute as well. I’ll probably forgive him in about an hour.
Ruby: I think we can agree, though, that the best moment was Arthur peering clueless between the legs of that chicken.
Julia: Absolutely. God bless Bradley James and his comedic acting.
Thoughts? Comments? Things you’d like to add to our dialogue? Hit us up in the comments and let us know!
Clacked by Julia Hass 
on Apr 09, 2010 @ 23:00 EST5EDT
You will not believe this, Julia. I drove home tonight to keep my dad company while my mom is out of town. He tells me dinner is prepared. I come into the kitchen, and there on the table is a bag of burritos from Taco Bell.
Some things never change.
In terms of Arthur and Gwen I actually quite enjoy their interactions and this episode fits well when you take in the arc of their “relationship” from the end of last season. By this point, Gwen has realized that Arthur isn’t a total prat all the time. I won’t deny that he starts out acting like a jerk in this episode (I disagree that he’s regressed from last season though. If any episode showed him to have regressed it was last week’s “Curse of Cornelias Sigan”.) but that is how he’s been raised. He’s never learned how to do anything for himself without the help of servants. Of course, Gwen realizes he’s being a hypocrite and finally works up the courage to tell him that and for the first time in the episode someone is not telling Arthur what they think he wants to hear. He tries to make an effort (despite the fact that he’d likely be the worst cook in the world) not just with the dinner but in his entire change in demeanour. I think that Gwen realizes this and, as an attempt at thanking him for trying to be less of a jerk, she gives him the token. He kisses her (so I don’t think it’s her kissing him because she thinks he’s matured) rather on impulse from the way the scene is done, shocking both of them. I’ll admit that when I first saw this episode I wasn’t expecting the writers to have progressed this story so quickly but after watching it I wasn’t against their way of doing it. Nowhere does it state that people have to slowly go from not knowing each other to becoming friends to becoming more than that.
What also really helps to sell their relationship is the acting from Bradley James and Angel Coulby in this episode.
I also don’t think Arthur behaves any worse towards Merlin than he does typically. He obviously never finds out when Merlin saves his life so he won’t be thanking him for that but in general Arthur treated Merlin much worse last week than he did here. As for the bromance, after having seen the entire 2nd season of Merlin, I can assure you that there will be plenty of episodes to devote to that. It’s nice, for once, to get an episode focusing somewhat on Gwen (seeing as she was the most underused character in the 1st season).
Yeah, there definitely wouldn’t have been any black people in England during the Dark Ages. Back then England would have been populated by a bunch of white devils biding their time until they could colonize the Americas, Africa and Asia.
As I’m ABD and conveniently focus on 18th Britain, my research incorporated the Anglo-African in 15th-19th century England. I’ve noticed that recent BBC productions i.e. Robin Hood, Dr. Who, and now Merlin have increasingly reflected an Anglo-African presence, yet, most American bloggers typically express surprise and slight disbelief. For the most part, we like to view England as a bastion of Anglo-culture untouched by Others despite rampant exploration. Your friend is correct.
– In the 15th-16th century, a minority Anglo-African population included Lucy Negro, a Black courtesan favored by Shakespeare,and a black actress in a traveling theatre who played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
-In the European continent, Queen Charlotte Sophia, the German-born consort of King George III; the Duchess of Alafoes in the court of John VI; the daughter of Louis XIV’s wife, Queen Marie-Theresa,as well as Queen Victoria’s goddaughter, Sarah Boretta all represent nobles containing African blood.
-The courts of Louis XIV-XVI and Francis I all included black mistresses (Scobie 206). Even Louis XIV’s wife, Queen Marie-Theresa, had a black paramour, Nabo, whose daughter almost married the king’s nephew, but was placed in a nunnery instead.
-Plays such as the White Devil by Jon Webster, The Tragedy of Miriam by Elizabeth Cary, and, heck, even Othello all reflected the Anglo-African presence. 15th century paintings of the magi, outside of the obvious king, all reflect black pages and knights in European settings.
-Additionally, due to the Moorish invasion of Spain in 711 and their expulsion around 1412, a few also landed in England.
And, yes, there were ‘mulattos’ whose multi-raciality manifested in their lighter skin i.e. Guinevere (which is why I suspect her mother is nobility). I wish I could provide more, specifically for the 14th century, but for more information, check out texts by contemporary historians such as A. Boime, Scobie, Duffield, Walvin, etc. Or, I could potentially post my entire dissertation, but I think you might prefer reading the people above instead –
I love your knowledge. I, too, am surprised at other people’s surprise of blacks in “merry old England”. I am not nearly as well versed as you on the history, but am somewhat familiar. I very much appreciate your explanation. Thanks.
Now that my history lesson is done, onto my actual comments :) I agree that Arthur continuously walks 2 steps backwards. Last season constituted Arthur taking Merlin for granted then apologizing. I felt the repetition tiresome and wondered if any of the lessons would stick. Clearly, they won’t. Now the pattern repeats with Gwen. Although Arthur apologizes (and shows a glimpse of his legendary self), he doesn’t fully change considering he forces Merlin to make the food or find a mattress.
This sets a possible pattern for their future relationship. Arthur tries to show his best self to Guinevere, but his true self to Merlin, without actually changing underneath. That doesn’t speak to the best of marriages and, despite chemistry, if her husband never changes, it leaves space for the someone like Lancelot, the ultimate, ideal male, in Guinevere’s heart.
Side comments:
– I loved Merlin in the pilot. He seems too obsequious now and I’d love to see more of his old self.
-I also loved the assassin. Seriously, he crawls on walls, hangs off of drawbridges, and despite the prince’s absence still hangs around? That’s badass. But, I’m patently glad that Camelot police didn’t take to racial profiling to set him aside –
-Isn’t that Gwen’s house that she shared with her father? Didn’t they have two bedrooms? Did she turn her father’s bedroom into a dressing room and get rid of his bed?
Yes, I meant to make the same observation about Gwen’s house – if she lived there with her father, how is it that there is only one bed? She must have got rid of one of the beds after his death.
Thanks for the historical information, An (it’s very interesting! I love history). I’m sure you know that my crack about “the only black man in medieval England” was not meant to be historically accurate but simply facetious. :-D
no it is a new house! Angel sais it in the commantary of that episode
I like the Gwen/Arthur relationship. I hope Merlin never gets in a relationship- it would ruin my dreams completely!Although, since I’m 12 years younger than Colin, I have no chance. Never mind. I agree- I just want to hug him and bake him cookies! If you look on Google (or anywhere else for that matter) you will very rarely find a picture of Merlin smiling! Why is this?
I personally really enjoyed this episode and LOVE Merlin’s rant to Gaius. It makes sense that he would release all his pent up anger and frustrations at Gaius, because they are (in a sense) closer and Merlin doesn’t have to hide anything around Gaius.
As for the pictures of Merlin smiling…if you go to Merlin or Colin Morgan fansites you can find plenty of pictures of him smiling…especially if you look through the screen captures. :)
And I totally agree about Merlin/Colin Morgan, I just want to hug him! He is so adorable (and luckily I’m only 2 years younger than him ;p lol)
And on a completely random note…I totally want Merlin’s boots, they are freakishly amazing! :D
*POST AUTHOR*
(The line for Colin Morgan starts behind me. I accept bribes.)
Bradley’s mentioned a few times in commentaries that Colin’s boots are Vivienne Westwood – usually to complain good-naturedly. Apparently Bradley’s Arthur boots are half a size too small and very painful, and yet Colin got designer boots. Bradley, as you can imagine, found this ironic and not in the best of ways. (He is, after all, the once and future king!)
Yeah I’m in both Colin Morgan and Merlin fanclubs, and still lots of the ‘filming series three’ pictures show them looking miserable, bored or tired! LOL I’m sure they’re all very happy in real life. I agree- the boots are amazing!!! :) I agree also that Gaius and Melrin’s relationship is great.
I consider myself a bit of a multishipper, in that I happily ship both Merlin/Arthur and Gwen/Arthur. The First Kiss was pure gorgeous, and watching Gwen verbally bitchslap Arthur around was gold.
I think what I disliked about these early episodes (namely the first two) was that Merlin was, for the most part, regulated to comedic relief. Getting drugged into falling into the horse poo was hilarious, yes, watching him dive after Cedric to kill him for making a move on Arthur was great, yes, and then watching him run around trying to keep Arthur, Gwen, and Gaius happy was amusing, but having it all in the space of two episodes was a bit much. I don’t mind Merlin being comedic relief at times, but having it all thrown together like that while everyone else shines at his expense didn’t sit well with me.
As for Arthur’s reversion to brat!Arthur1.0, I think the producers explained that to people who’ve asked about it at conventions and interviews — they wanted to make it easier for new fans to join in at the second season and not to have missed too much from the first season. It worked and the numbers went up for the season, but the returning fans had to suffer watching a favorite character regress.
Though, I will admit, the reveal of Bradley James’ chest and abs was a nice attempt to make up for the returning fans to have to deal with brat!Arthur1.0. I have many icons on m livejournal that feature those attempts at nakedness. *swoons*
Loved Merlin’s rant. I actually liked Arthur in this for most of it. It was quite a wakeup call for him to find out the knights had been throwing the matches and lying to him about it. I thought the kiss was wonderful, so spontaneous and confusing to them both. The look Arthur gave her when he walked away that last scene was wonderful.
Love Bradley’s comedy face. He’s awesome.