In today’s episode, MissSnowfox and Momo talk about the second episode of BBC’s Merlin, “Valiant”.
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Resources:
Statistics:
- First aired 27 Sept 2008
- 2 female characters (with lines)
- 2 main cast (Gwen, Morgana)
- 7 male characters (with lines)
- 4 main cast (Arthur, Merlin, Gaius, Uther)
- 3 supporting cast (Valiant, Merchant Devlin, Sir Ewan)
- Enemy/Monster of the Week: Valiant & his serpent shield
- Arthur kills 1 person (Valiant) and 1 creature (2 if you count each serpent individually)
- Merlin kills 1 creature (serpent)
When I was re-watching the episode recently, these were the thoughts I had:
1) I hate seeing how distressed and anxious Arthur is before the tournament. All he ever wanted was to make his father proud and it just seems like a constant uphill battle for him – losing a fight in the arena just isn’t an option for him and not just because he needs the people of Camelot to know that he can take care of them in the future. Uther doesn’t often hand out praise and when he does start praising, it tends to be backhanded and that infuriates me so much. Arthur never feels like he is good enough – not as a son and not as a prince. I hate that Uther makes Arthur strive for the faintest glimmer of his pride and affection because Arthur shouldn’t have to go to such enormous lengths to feel loved in his own home.
2) Uther should know that Arthur wouldn’t make an accusation of magic lightly, not when it came to an opponent in the arena. Arthur isn’t a coward: he wouldn’t lie or make an accusaton to save himself from having to fight an opponent that might defeat him in the arena. Arthur is far too honorable for that and Uther should know that! Uther has been around Arthur for two whole decades and he should know Arthur wouldn’t make excuses like that at this point.
3) “Baseless” accusations only matter to Uther when it comes to accusations against peasants. If a peasant is accused of sorcery, he’ll have them imprisoned and executed straight away, but he’ll sit on his ass and scoff when it comes to a Knight that is committing murder with magic just because he wants to win a tournament and doesn’t think he has enough skills to win fairly. That is just so…. ugh!!!
4) Uther doesn’t know the definition of “gallantry and honour.” Fuck Uther. I can’t wait until he dies again. I believe his character should have died a lot sooner, JFC.
5) Uther is far too quick to humiliate his own son in public. No wonder Arthur has insecurities up to his forehead. Arthur deserved so much better from his father than what he received on the show. Re-watching the show has me feeling relieved that I’ve killed Uther off in a current WIP a lot sooner than he was on the show. Like, WAY sooner.
6) I really want to know what Gwen was thinking when she watched Merlin manhandling that dog statue. Like, what could he ever need it for? LOL
7) Uther never even fucking apologises for doubting Arthur, or for humiliating him in public, and that pisses me off so much. Uther doesn’t know how to admit he is wrong, and that is one of the areas where he and Arthur differ. While Arthur does struggle when it comes to admitting, he still DOES and I appreciate that so much.
8) I loved all the cute Merthur moments in the episode. JFC. It killed me.