janne_d | Merlin: The Moment of Truth (Reply)

Damn you, BBC, and your teasing ways! I knew it was too bloody early for Arthur to find out, but you still sucked me in and got me all tense thinking that it would happen anyway!

Ahem.

Was it just me, or could this episode also have been entitled "People try to convince Merlin that Arthur ~~loves~~ likes him"? And Merlin's mother was nearly as into the matchmaking as the Dragon! "I can see how much he needs you and how much you need him" indeed.

And was that Doctor Bashir from DS9 as the bad guy? I think it was - he's much hotter now that he is older, I reckon.

I love Arthur's conversation with Merlin on the battlements. "You were terrible. The worst servant ever" and Merlin says thank you! He knows what Arthur's insults really mean *grins* And then there was that lovely moment before the battle when Arthur actually did say something meaningful and tell Merlin that it was an honour, which made me squee mightily. They really upped the adorableness factor with those two this week - there were even cute sleepover conversations about whether Merlin had found somewhere to fit in yet (that could be straight out of a slash fic, seriously) and poking with feet. And Merlin got to defend how wonderful his ~~boyfriend~~ master was to Will. Who I have to say got Arthur's character completely wrong - there is nothing Arthur hates more then sending someone else into battle before him, and given a chance he'll be first one in.

There was a nice moment with Gwen and Arthur too. I liked her pulling him up on disdaining the food - and I bet that Arthur wouldn't have told her she was right to do it before Merlin arrived and got him used to servants telling him off.

I could see where the plot was heading as soon as Arthur asked whether it was Will or Merlin who had done the magic. But I think I called it right in my flashfic as well - when Arthur finds out it Merlin has magic, he is going to be really pissed off. He wasn't exactly happy about Merlin keeping a secret from him on his friend's behalf and I'm guessing he's going to be very unhappy about Merlin flat-out lying to him.

Oh, and I have to mention Gaius being such an adorable motherhen. Does Merlin have enough food, is he sure he doesn't need another blanket? And that line about "one sniff of a barmaid's apron" and Merlin would be as drunk as a sailor was priceless. I guess now we know that Merlin is definitely a lightweight! And the hug was really sweet.

So. All in all, good and exciting, even if they did cop out on the magic reveal (rotters).

ETA I cannot believe I forgot to mention my very favourite moment - Arthur being squire for a moment to Merlin with the gauntlet. My little heart went all melty.