Episode 33: Review 1×12 To Kill the King

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 talk about the twelfth episode of BBC’s Merlin, “To Kill the King”.

To get in touch with us, send an email, an ask on tumblr, or tweet at us on twitter. You can also join our discord and find our podacst on iTunes!

Find more stream or download options for this episode below the cut.

Download here [Right click, save as] || Listen/subscribe on iTunes here


News:

Winterknights
Camelot Drabble
Merlin Holidays
10 Years of MA Celebration

Statistics:

  • First aired 06 Dec 2008
  • 2 female characters (with lines)
    • 2 main cast (Gwen, Morgana)
  • 6 male characters (with lines)
    • 4 main cast (Arthur, Merlin, Gaius, Uther)
    • 2 supporting cast (Tom, Tauren)
  • Enemy/Monster of the Week: Tauren, (Morgana, Uther)
  • Uther has 1 person executed: Tom
  • Morgana kills 1 person: Tauren

Resources

Amphighoury’s comment on the balance of the sword on discord
Amphighoury’s addition that it’s their post re: Freya and Merlin’s bracelet on discord
Saturne’s comment about Gwaine and writing that fic on discord
ueberdemnebelmeer’s comment on the Sidhe staff on discord
To Kill the King on the Merlin Wiki

Credits

Merlisten theme music composed by side_steppings
News music by Mansardian on freesound.org
Intermission music: “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” by Kevin McLeod

4 thoughts on “Episode 33: Review 1×12 To Kill the King

  1. I always assumed that Merlin feels magic pretty much all the time. Like another sense. Which would make him so used to it that he doesn’t really think about it. The sacred places are more saturated with magic, so it probably just makes him more aware of the magic around him. It’s kinda like with breathing. We don’t really think about breathing. But when something changes (less air, fresher air), it brings our attention to it.

    It also fits with his reactions to the sudden magic spikes. Kinda like Yoda reacting to a “disturbance in the force”. In this episode it drags him awake. In 3×02 he reacts as if being hit when Morgana uses the staff to raise the dead (and Morgause is shown to feel it too). And the opening of the veil straight out decks him (and it decks Morgana too).

  2. I would say that one of the great aspects of this episode is the lack of neckerchief on Merlin’s neck in several of his scenes. 😀

    I think that while the dragon was still trapped in the cave, he only ever said what he thought would help him get out of there. He cared less about destiny and golden age of Albion and more about his own backside.

    When it comes to Merlin killing Morgana in 2×12, I think he never meant to kill her. He took a huge risk that could have resulted in him killing her, but I think he hoped for Morgause to show up and save her right from the start.

    I liked the tiny little moment when Merlin steps over the brook and climbs the grassy slope and his leg slips. I’m betting that was not intentional, but it’s nice that they didn’t do another take and just used it.

    Also, regarding the “where did she get the dagger from,” I’d say Morgana just carries one of those around just because she’s Morgana

  3. I love that Momo looks at the scenes differently now that she’s been to Pierrefonds. 🙂

    LOL about the Dragon and his cryptic advice. The dragon was just after his own freedom at this point. I agree that we didn’t need Kilgharrah in this one.

    I love Uther as the villain. He makes it so much easier to write him.

    Gaius sweetie. LOL.

    I loved the idea of social media in Camelot.

  4. Hey, I was thinking about Morgana being Uther’s daughter, maybe instead of her being biologically related maybe have Uther at some point name her as an heir after Arthur should he not have children or he were to die young. I don’t know if this would actually work but maybe it’d make lines like “your the daughter i never had” make a little more sense?

Leave a Reply to elirwen Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.