Merlin Episode 10: The Practical Exam

[crabby_lioness]

Confession time:  I've always hated teen shows that revolve around sex and/or high school.  One of the reasons I enjoy Merlin is because it breaks that mold.  But just because there's no school doesn't mean there are no tests.
 

We've had nine episodes of the Camelot Four learning about themselves and flexing their muscles.  The writers thought it was time to give the kids an evaluation.  To make it a good evaluation, it was set somewhere else to make them stretch themselves a bit.  And who better to evaluate the title character than the people of his own village.  The results were -- promising, but highlighted just how much more they still need to learn and get their act together.

It was refreshing to get away from Gaius, Uther, Camelot and the Dragon.  I love them, but they've provided the framework for all the stories so far, and it's time to see how our Team work outside that framework.

That said, my Inner Tactician did not like this episode.  Normally it hasn't had a single problem with the fight scenes, but this time I kept getting distracted with thinking, "Why don't they...." although I suppose that's part and parcel with a practical exam.  For instance, the central problem involved repeat thieves stealing backcountry farmers' food.  My husband's grandfather and his neighbors were backcountry farmers and they had a solution to that.  They'd figure out what food was going to be the thieves' next target and poison it heavily.  Problem solved. 

It's Merlin's home village and his mother comes to him for aid.  He gets Arthur to finagle her an audience with Uther.  (This is why the position of manservant to the Prince is an honor.  It's about the access.)  Uther is genuinely sympathetic but can't risk officially sending Knights into the other kingdom.  That's a problem with a well known solution.  You take a party that just happens to have a lot of off-duty Knights in it and they just happen to be going to visit buddies on the other side of the region and on the way they just happen to be set upon by a well-known band of brigands who just happen to get wiped out in the process.  Oh, well.  Seriously, the modern equivalent was so prevalent under Reagan with CIA "advisers" that it got to be an international joke.  (Not that I approved of Reagan's targets 99% of the time, but....) 

Prince Arthur expresses a wish to protect people regardless of where they live.  It's a noble sentiment that King Arthur will act on, one that will bring him fame in the short term and his downfall in the long term.  The Camelot Four take up the challenge.

In the village I kept thinking "Why don't they..." because by the Elizabethan era English villages will have gotten extremely good at defending themselves from attack, but that is almost 1000 years in the future.  I must resist deducting points from them and Arthur for not knowing tactics that haven't been invented yet.

Production crew, the final melee was less than convincing.  Maybe I just need to rewatch it, but....

How well do the Camelot Four do?  They all score points for Woody Allen's "80% of life is showing up", and for being well provisioned, but they lose points for not bringing more manpower with them.  Let's break down the individual scores.

Gwen:  You are not stumbling over your words as much, and you are speaking up for yourself and others in public and in private.  Very good.  Keep up the good work.

But I hope someone did take the children out of the village at dawn.  It's to save them from starving that the village went for help in the first place, and they've no place on a battlefield.

Morgana:  Next time, carry a live coal in a firepot.

The rule for going off to fight brigands is the same as the rule for walking down Bourbon Street at Mardi Gras -- leave your jewelry at home.   It's a good idea to have a reserve cash stash like that segmented silver necklace, but keep it out of sight under your clothes.

And don't pick on your adopted brother in public while on trips.  It hinders other people's willingness to take either of you seriously.

Other than that, high marks for everything, including observation.

Arthur:  Your first known independent command away from your father's troops and in an unfamiliar environment.  Not bad.  There were many things that you didn't understand when you got there, and many things that you had to improvise on the fly, but you had a steep learning curve and on the whole you handled it well.  There's a world of difference between working with free farmers and working with soldiers, and while you made mistakes in expectations early on, you grasped the essential differences in the end.  You did an especially good job of winning the trust and leading people who had no reason to trust or follow you.  But next time, bring more manpower.  You got lucky this time.

Don't respond to Morgana taunting you in public while on trips.  It erodes your image of maturity.

You need to work on your diplomacy, both with your hostess and in other areas.  Yes, as the military commander you had every right to be furious that someone there was capable of high-level magic and neglected to tell you about it.  Had you known, you could have worked it into your battle plan and doubtless suffered fewer casualties.  I understand your anger.  But showing that anger around suspected magic-users who fear what you would do if you found out isn't going to make them trust you any quicker.  That's another time and place where it pays to keep your cool.

I understand why you don't press Merlin to tell you the truth about his gift.  If you knew, you would have to do something about it, and with the situation with your father such as it is there's nothing positive you can do about it other than urge him to hold on and wait it out.  You might not believe it, but that's a problem common with many teens with -- difficult parents, not just princes.  But you need to let him know you'll be there for him when he's ready.  He's not your first magic-user,not with your contacts with the Druids.  Find a way to remind him of that.

And eat your porridge.  It's good for you.

Merlin -- Writers, what are you doing in my husband's classroom?  Every year he sees the same pair of boys come through the door of one of his high school classes.  The names will be different, but there will always be one boy who's not quite mature enough to stay out of trouble, and his buddy who is too good-natured ("will do anything for anybody") not to go along with him on whatever ill-thought-out scheme the first boy has dreamt up this time.  You have to keep them separated until one of them, usually the good-natured one, grows up enough to say "no" or they'll constantly be in trouble.  I completely understand Hunrith sending Merlin away now.  My husband has to do the same thing by juggling schedules every year.  Despite my other complaints about the show's writing, it usually does a very good job of portraying believable teens.

As for you young man, we need to talk.

I'm glad I got to see you being tested like this.  Previously I thought you had a problem with figuring out if you could trust someone with your secret, but that's not really the case, is it?  You have a broader problem with risk assessment in general.  Your refusal to believe that the odds were as bleak as they were in spite of the evidence in front of you and the considered opinion of people with more experience than you kept you from coming up with a better plan to use your magic that could have resulted in fewer casualties.  Let me be blunt:  people you grew up with were hurt and probably killed because you refused to accept how bad conditions truly were and come up with a better plan.

This denial has to stop.  There's a difference between turning a blind eye to an individual transgression and turning a blind eye to the reality in front of you.  You can't figure out the best way to deal with a problem as long as your are blinded by a unrealistic assessment of it.  And you can't know when, under what circumstances, and to whom to reveal your magic to unless you take an honest look at the situation unhampered by either hope or fear.

That said, you did a good job of using your magic to save the day in the nick of time in a combat situation, and of handling yourself in a combat situation in general.  You might want to invest in a good pair of boots.  I have a feeling you are going to be seeing more field experience from now on.  The Pendragons are Roman Britons, and everyone knows the Roman reward for a job well done is a harder job.

Episodes 1 - 3

Episode 4 Review: Innocence at Camelot

Episode 5: (The Once and Future) Lancelot

Episode 6: (Death Is) A Remedy to Cure All Ills.

Episode 7:  Deception for Dummies

Episode 8:  Deception for Non-Dummies 

Episode 9:  What Color is Your Fairy Tale?

Episode 11:  Today is a Good Day to Die
 

Comments

[lovelyhera.livejournal.com]

I love your analysis(es)? of the episodes. I actually check the community to see when the next one will be up.

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[oconel]

Very interesting analysis of the episode. I completely agree that Merlin could have stopped the bandits even before the fight started and kept wondering why he waited so much to do something.

Interesting that you haven't mentioned the subtext :)

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

Merlin is very naive and inexperienced.

Interesting that you haven't mentioned the subtext :)

I know, but I was trained very Old School. Text is for analysis, subtext is for "fan fiction". In this case the subtext is blatantly there, it's not something merely imposed by the fans, but I'm still wary of reading more into it than it will support.

[oconel]

Merlin is very naive and inexperienced.

Yes, and I think I'll miss that somewhere along the way because he's destined to loose that along the way.

I said it was interesting because most of the analysis I've read so far are focused on it and forget about other things.

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

"Always bring something different to the party." :)

[ink-n-imp.livejournal.com]

I've read all of your reviews, and have loved each of them. Spot on with this episode, of the many "why don't they's..." and the grades ^_^ I couldn't help but feel that this episode suffered from the Samurai Seven/Magnificent Seven curse (i.e. writers sitting around thinking about who AWESOME both/either of those movies were and badly wanting to do their own version).

And hear hear about Merlin. Boy, there MUST have been SOMETHING you could have thought up on your own (underneath everyone's noses if you must have). Someone's *looking at YOU merlin* got a little too much trust in his prince's prowess, even though he's only had to save his life how many times at this point? Remember boys; teamwork! It makes thing easier and saves countless lives from UNNECESSARY DEATH!

And looking forward to your review of ep. 11 with bated breathe. (...it's kinda my favorite episode ^_^ )

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

I actually thought they did a good job of showing Arthur and Morgana underestimating what was needed and struggling to cope.

Merlin has absolutely no fear of physical danger. Discovery yes, because that's been hammered into him, but not danger. He acts like the biggest fool in the village OR the biggest predator in the food chain.

[mossylawn.livejournal.com]

*claps* I absolutely adored reading this.

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

*bows* Thank you.

[tranquil-eyes.livejournal.com]

I agree, there are lot of instances in Merlin where there are plotholes in service of furthering the ~drama~ but I tend to try and suspend my disbelief and enjoy the characters instead.

I do wonder about the writers though... Do they think they can take shortcuts just because this is more of 'teen' show? Anyway, great analysis, spot on!

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

I gather the writers specialize in teen drama. That's why they're so good at that and so -- lacking at everything else. But they are learning. Slowly.

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Wow, first time I've disagreed with you on so many points.

Okay, let's go over this step by step.

Uther cannot send a fighting force, even a covert one into another kingdom. Yes, Reagen got away with it but Camelot's is a time of honor and treaties that, if broken, lead to war (unlike modern times when they lead to more military spending). Plus it would seem that Camelot and the other kingdom are more or less on equal footing. The US is a huge bully when it comes to international treaties and at the moment has no other country to tell it no. So it made absolute sense that Uther wouldn't send in troops, even covert ones. In fact, he might be pissed at Arthur when he returned for doing something so stupid as to jeapodize treaties for one village. I did like that Arthur didn't take any indication that he was a Pendragon with him (and I did wonder how the bad guy knew who he was near the end).

The poisoned grain idea is a good one. I certainly would never have thought of it since I have no family history of having to deal with this. I guess the villagers didn't think of it either. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one.

Gwen did a good job of telling Arthur off. Kudos for speaking up.

Morgana might not have known about keeping a coal in a container since she's royal. If the villagers hadn't thought of it, I would have thought that they would have had someone else do the flint into straw thing since they'd have more experience than she would. LOL on the jewelry. But maybe royals don't go anywhere without jewels? :P

I actually thought Arthur was brilliant in this. He assessed the situation very quickly, started training the men, spied that Matthew would be terrible at swordfighting and sent him away, organized a trap and had the villagers assigned to tasks in order to accomplish that and most beautifully gave them a peptalk that sent chills down my spine. At that moment, I could see that he would be a great king. Before he was always fighting but not really inspiring anything. Here, I could see people following him to the death because he was so inspiring. Plus I loved the talk about equals in a circle - Round Table anyone?

As for getting angry about the magic, he'd just come down from a battle high and was seriously pissed off about what had just happened. I completely understand that he blew up (and got Will killed because of it). His last words to Merlin in the episode gives us a hint that he would not be pleased to learn of Merlin's gifts and might actually do something about it. It really emphasized that Merlin needs to keep it secret a while longer.

As for Merlin, his mother has nattered away at him all his life to keep his powers secret. His mother sent him away when she found out Will knew about it (and apparently is the only one in the village to know besides Hunith). No wonder he's fearful of anyone knowing. Plus he's seen enough beheadings to be wary. Obviously, while the kingdom Ealdor is in isn't persecuting wizards to the same degree as Camelot, they must be doing something or else Hunith wouldn't have been so worried.

I really like your analysis but diagreement is good on occasion. :D

Oh, and the subtext was so great. Left me breathless! Loved when Arthur asked Merlin if he'd found a place yet and when Merlin said that he wasn't sure, Arthur looked upset.

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

Morgana's segmented necklace was actual a good travel cash stash. You could untie a link as needed for money. But it still should have been worn under her clothes.

Merlin loves Arthur so much. And Arthur feels more strongly for Merlin than he really knows what to do with.

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Completely agree about the necklace. Actually I had to laugh at her outfit all together. No way she could have gotten away with it. LOL.

I also agree about Merlin. I don't think he even knows how much he loves Arthur but the emotion just pours out of him. Arthur is more reticent but the bond is clearly there.

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

Merlin is set in the Pre-Raphaelite period. That explains everything. ;)

[burntcopper.livejournal.com]

re: the poisoned grain thing - seriously, I don't ever remember poison being talked about much in UK history, noble or commoner, unless done by criminals. even when it came to noble assassination (spike up the jacksie, defenestration, no problem). You just don't poison food. Not to mention? these people are near starving, they're not going to poison any of their precious stores on the off-chance that they might get back at them.

And I think Morgana and Arthur are never going to not pick on each other - they're not in front of the court, so what do they care?

agreeing with a lot of archaeologist_d's rebuttals. *especially* trying to apply the USA's actions to medieval world. Uther's knights in another kingdom? That'd be entirely legitimate cause for reprisal and since it looks like the peace is pretty fragile anyway (see the mercia ep).

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

These kingdoms are only the size of counties. People have to cross them all the time.

[burntcopper.livejournal.com]

...depends on your definition of 'county'. the kingdoms of the time were - essentially, you pretty much divide England and cornwall up in 5-6 parts, not including wales (scotland isn't normally counted). Each of those is at least a good hundred or so miles across, and pretty decently populated, especially along the roads and habitable land parts, which you *have* to cross. So, you've definitely been spotted. The fact that you're carrying armour and are obviously fighters/knights, and your horses are bigger than everyone else's (and therefore well fed) means everyone remembers you, since 'everyone else' comes down to peasants or merchants. People didn't make big journeys (and yes, from one kingdom to another is a big journey) unless they were merchants, so a bunch of fighters stick out even more. Which means the local lords will hear about you *very quickly*.

To bring up stats of how long it would take to cross said kingdoms :

horses, in good conditions (road and weather, all of which are pretty unreliable in Britain as it is) can do 5 miles an hour on average. All the hard riding you hear about people getting from one end of the country (UK, that is) to the other in a couple of days, they were changing horses every hour at massive cost, and with no luggage. Knights would be wearing armour, or at least carrying said armour, and their horses aren't built for long distance speed like post horses.

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

Which time is "the time"? There was, at one time, 5 Saxon Kingdoms in the Midlands alone. Heck, before then you had kingdoms the size of farms, like the Kingdom of Cheddar.

[shinetheway.livejournal.com]

But next time, bring more manpower. You got lucky this time.

I think one of the funniest bits is Arthur's face when Merlin tells him that there may be as many as 40 bad guys. You can almost see the thought bubble saying "40?!"

I agree with some of the comments here about the implausibility of Uther sending a fighting force, off-duty or not (did knights go off-duty? It wasn't really a job, it was more a status/rank, could they be considered "off-duty" without being stripped of their position?) into another kingdom. Something tells me that Uther would not be able to convince many people that they all just happened to be going that direction by coincidence. [grins] And if the "bandits" happened to be slumming noblemen, as I first thought when I watched this episode, then it could have been a major diplomatic incident.

I'm always intrigued by your analysis of Merlin and his psychologial growth over the course of the show, and I think you're spot on here. Merlin got in WAY too deep and proceeded to bludgeon his way out of it in a panic, which worked but in the worst possible way (ie now everyone and their goat KNOWS that there is a sorcerer somewhere).

I was actually okay with Arthur yelling at him over the magic, though, because really, like you said, these are in some sense teenagers. Arthur's just had his first independant battle, which almost went disasterously wrong (and he knows that it only got saved by that conveniently magicked windstorm), he almost got shot in the back by an opponant he thought he'd defeated, he suspects and/or knows that Merlin is lying to him regarding magic, and this guy who didn't like him very much has now just a) saved his life, and b) done it in such a way as to make him feel massive guilt (which I don't think is an emotion Arthur's used to handling). No wonder he got a little tetchy. [grin]

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

I think if it weren't for his mother's influence, Merlin would have actually grown up more arrogant than Arthur. Nothing frightens him personally save being found out.

[shinetheway.livejournal.com]

Heh. I think he may be *more* arrogant than Arthur, in some ways. But yes, Hunith definitely did him a service there. There's got to be *something* to check him--if it was't for the "you'll get caught" argument, Gaius would have no control over him whatsoever.

[sistermu.livejournal.com]

At the end of review 9 you say between the end of Episode 4 and the end of Episode 9 we never see Arthur acknowledge his special bond with Merlin in any positive way. He doesn't acknowledge it at all in Episodes 5 and 6. In Episodes 7 - 9 he acknowledges it in negative ways, through manipulation and domestic violence, literally use and abuse. In the light of this, I was surprised you didn't say more in this episode about the Arthur's behaviour to Merlin in this episode. It seems quite a change from 5-9 and I don't think it can be solely explained by Arthur and Uther having one, albeit important, bonding moment at the end of 9.

The end of this episode makes me wonder if the writers aren't hedging their bets in the Arthur-knowing-about-Merlin stakes. The way he looks and the things he says could still be interpreted either way; I think it is equivocal here at best.

Also, in terms of class and status, would Gwen really have called Arthur by his first name to his face? I can't remember her doing it before. It just jars me slightly here.

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. I kinda overloaded on the fact that the Merlin/Arthur relationship was all any other reviewer talked about and decided to wait until Episode 11 to cover it.

Also, in terms of class and status, would Gwen really have called Arthur by his first name to his face?

In private? Perhaps. We don't know how long she's been Morgana's companion. If she was brought in as a playmate for Morgana as a child, she might have grown up with them.

Gwen is in many ways the most politically savvy of the four. Now that she isn't stumbling over her words so much, she is using them very effectively.

[tavella.livejournal.com]

Excellent review, and I *loved* this take on Will-Merlin:

Every year he sees the same pair of boys come through the door of one of his high school classes. The names will be different, but there will always be one boy who's not quite mature enough to stay out of trouble, and his buddy who is too good-natured ("will do anything for anybody") not to go along with him on whatever ill-thought-out scheme the first boy has dreamt up this time. You have to keep them separated until one of them, usually the good-natured one, grows up enough to say "no" or they'll constantly be in trouble. I completely understand Hunrith sending Merlin away now.

Did you ever review the finale?

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

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