Episode 14: Character Study: Mordred

cover art in which Merlin wears a headset with microphone and holds up a finger to his lips as if to tell you to be quiet

In today’s episode, MissSnowFox and momo, along with a returning guest,  take a closer look at the show’s problematic fave, Mordred, and how his character developed over the seasons. The legendary Mordred is introduced as well, and of course we also take a look at fanworks.

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News:

COiNELOT 6 months reminder
After Camlann Big Bang sign ups
Merlin writers’ & artists’ telephone game
Camelot Drabble
Merlin Stills

Resources

Merlin Finders
Archaeologist_D’s comment on Episode 8
tumblr post on Finna and Merlin in Kindness of Strangers
Queen Esther
TV Tropes
Trope: Women in Refrigerators
#MordredDidNothingWrong2k17 on Momo’s tumblr

Statistics

AO3 stats on 24 Mar, 2018:

  • 1,404 works tagged with “Mordred (Merlin)”

Top 5 pairings:

  • Merlin/Mordred – 265 works
  • Mordred/Morgana – 55 works
  • Merlin/Mordred/Arthur – 55 works
  • Mordred/Arthur – 43 works
  • Kara/Mordred – 33 works

Further combinations*

  • 22 Mordred/Percival
  • 16 Gwaine/Mordred
  • 9 Leon/Mordred
  • 6 Freya/Mordred
  • 5 Merlin/Mordred/Morgana
  • 4 Mordred/Will
  • 3 Gwen/Mordred
  • 2 Elyan/Mordred
  • 2 Gwen/Mprdred/Morgana
  • 2 Leon/Mordred/Percival
  • 2 Mordred/Nimueh
  • 2 Mordred/Morgause

*Disclaimer: Momo didn’t check all the combinations of Gwen with every single minor character.

Recs & Mentioned Fanworks

Arcane Asylum by new_kate, Podfic by sophinisba
Arthur & Mordred | S h a t t e r e d. by Noraintherain_
Arthur & Mordred | Death [Reupload] by Nayuki911
Defenders of the Realm by lamardeuse, Podfic by FayJay
Mr Emrys and the Prat / Mr Emrys and the Brat, written & read by beccaleelee
Snap Point by raspberry_pop, Podfic by EosRose
Last Night by aconite

7 thoughts on “Episode 14: Character Study: Mordred

  1. Thanks for that. I always love hearing what you have to say about the characters.
    I found Mordred an interesting character but I pretty much blame Merlin for season 5. Merlin was way too focused on Arthur and not on magic or magic users. He should have been a force for good and instead he was a force for keeping Arthur alive and screwed that up. I think if Merlin had only tried to befriend Mordred instead of being so hateful to him, things *might* have ended differently. But then maybe not. I blame the writers in either case!

    I will say that I tried to find Mr Emrys and the Prat and could only find the audio. I think the author took down the written story. 🙁

  2. I have no insightful comments to add, but I’m definitely part of the “Mordred is a cute kitten and should be protected at all costs” group. And Merlin/Arthur/Mordred is my OT3. 🙂

  3. One of my favorite Asa Butterfield Mordred scenes/character chocies is when Merlin comes to help Arthur and Mordred escape from the cellar after trying to ignore Mordred (Beginning of the End?). Merlin says something like “Oh it took a long time to get here” and Mordred gives him a look of “I don’t believe you” that says so much without a word. I think the people doing the episode commentary also said they liked this scene.

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