Merlin: The Moment of Truth

[janne_d]

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.

Comments

[pyrae.livejournal.com]

I am sitting on merlin_eps refreshing every five minutes, even though I know it'll be ages yet. And failing quite spectacularly to use the time for studying, because there is still fic out there I haven't read.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Well, really. Who could study when there was fic to be read and episodes to watch? Expecting studying as well is just plain unreasonable!

Eee, I'm still excited. And still going "aww" over Gaius' mothering.

[pyrae.livejournal.com]

I've got it now and I cannot stop grinning, laughing, and rewinding little bits. Oh my god. So much LOVE.

I think what I love most about it so far is that there's no convoluted plot, so there's plenty of time for most of the characters to talk and interact and basically be AWESOME. (Arthur with his breakfast going 'Mmm' and then quickly rushing it to Gwen was fantastic. As was Morgana's dig about dressing oneself, Merlin's 'No offense taken,' and also 'Bring back memories of when I used to beat you?' 'That never happened!') Uh basically I love all the characterization and hints of backstory they are cramming into this so delightfully.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Yes, all those bits were beautiful - I loved how Merlin just ignores Arthur's more insulting comments and doesn't get offended because it's just automatic on Arthur's part and isn't actually anything to do with what he thinks of Merlin.

Oh, oh, and when Arthur does up the strap on Merlin's gauntlet! I nearly fell off the sofa with happiness. And Arthur pokes him with his foot during the sleepover because he knows something is up and wants Merlin to confide in him!

[pyrae.livejournal.com]

YES! Yes! So full of little things like that! Oh, I wish they'd do this more often. They don't need a weirdly complex murder plot, just an opportunity for all the characters to show who they are and how they're changing.

But oh Arthur at the end. D: Why you gotta crush Merlin's dreams of being honest with you? He just wants to be the other side of your coin.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

*nods* More character bits, that's what we want.

And Arthur at the end was definitely worrying - I do think he is not going to react well at all when he finally finds out. Which makes sense - there isn't much drama there if he just goes "oh, okay, cool".

[pyrae.livejournal.com]

At this point I can still read fic going either way, where Arthur is pissed that Merlin didn't tell him about Will or where Arthur is pissed that Merlin didn't own up himself. But I'm pretty sure the show will go the way of Arthur not knowing, and yeah, it won't be pretty when it comes out. (Though Merlin could easily use a noble argument of "I didn't want to make you choose between your father and me," and frankly it would be kinder not to take Arthur out of the position of plausible deniality. I'm sure Arthur won't see it that way. Fun times ahead!)

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

I think there is an awful lot of fic going to be jossed one way or another when it finally happens in canon. At the moment I can read a wide variety of reactions on Arthur's part too, but I agree about where the show will likely take it.

The plausible deniability argument is an interesting one and I've seen it used. I nearly had Merlin say something like that in my flashfic, but it didn't fit in - and the Arthur in that definitely wouldn't have appreciated it. I think people in general very rarely react well to being lied to for their own good. It might be kinder, but it is still a betrayal.