Merlin and Dexter thoughts
-I was glad that the Camelot falling bit was over so quickly-taking up any more time on it would have felt like a repeat of last season. What we did get, however, was effective for all its brevity. The slow-mo shots of Morganna and her allies advancing somehow escaped being cheesy and went straight into awesome, the knights were appropriately heroic and self-sacrificing, and the moment of Arthur seing Agravaine's true colours for the first time was extremely satisfying. And I always get a little thrill when Merlin refers to Arthur as “sire” in the moments that really count.
-Merlin was enjoying sublimating Arthur's will a bit too much. I wasn't exactly surprised, since the show has never shied away from having him make morally dubious choices in his attempts to protect Arthur. Having the sketchiness of those choices actually awknowleged on the show is an entirely different matter, and I wasn't exactly comfortable with having Arthur's blankness and OOC servitude played for laughs.
-LOL, Tristan and Isolde! Handwaving the very thin connection to the actual myth (which should be, like, a motto when watching this show), I enjoyed them a lot as characters. Christian won me over by being so utterly unimpressed by Arthur and not shy about expressing it, and it was nice to get the first non-evil competent female fighter since...oh, early Morganna.
-I want to draw hearts around the entire fireside Arthur/Merlin conversation scene. Having Arthur refer to the the fact that Merlin knew about Agravaine beforehand (and was ignored) was awesome enough by itself, but him actually expressing his feelings on Agravaine and Morganna's betrayals...I loved that he blamed himself, because if there's one thing that's been consistent in his characterisation since the beginning, it's that he's never shied away from shouldering responsibility, regardless of whether it's something for which he is to blame (like killing the unicorn in S1, or most recently the deaths of the druids) or isn't (like anything that's a result of Uther's actions). Him telling Merlin all of that and the latter's complete support and encouragement were a nice reminder of why the Arthur/Merlin friendship will always be the emotional cornerstone of the series.
-My misgiving for Katie McGrath's acting skills aside, she's clearly at her best when she's aiming for straight (and delightfully over the top) villainy rather than any attempts at stealth. As usual, evil!Morganna seemed to have wondered in from the plot of some NC-17 darkfic (with gratuitous orgies) and was genuinely menacing throughout, whether it was torturing my poor Elyan or having Gwaine perform mortal combat for the amusement of her and her minions. Really, the only way to improve those scenes would be some gratuitous shirtlessness. As it is, I'm randomly shipping Morganna/Elyan and Morganna/Gwaine (I guess somebody's got to fill the gap zombie!Lancelot left).
-Speaking of random shipping...so much Knight Slashiness. From Percy and Elyan practically pouncing on each other (where IS Percy anyway? Or Leon, for that matter?) to the epic Elyan/Gwaine fic waiting to be written ruined only by Gaius' inconvenient presence (I don't think anybody in Merlin fandom is out there enough to write smutty prison H/C fic with voyeur!Gaius. This isn't the HP fandom).
-If there was any doubt about Agravaine being complete head over hills for Morganna, it's certainly dispelled now. I did like his visible discomfort at Morganna's methods and that he seemed to be harbouring second thoughts-going by what next week's trailer showed, it's bound to play out in some important way.
-HUNITH!!!!!!!!!! I squeed loudly from the moment Merlin suggested going to Ealdor, and it was as good as I expected. I'm even more thrilled by the fact my headcanon of Gwen heading there after last week's episode is now true, and doubly so because Merlin appeared to be aware of the fact.
-Arthur and Gwen's reunion was everything I could have hoped for. On a shallow note, I was suspecting it was coming due to the many scenes that showed how much Arthur missed her througout the episode, and I was wishing really hard that the reunion would not happen with Arthur wearing his ridiculous simpleton disguise-so thumbs up for Arthur being shirtless (not that it's ever something I object to).
-....how the fuck am I supposed to wait a year after this? In terms of evil cliffhangers, that one takes the cake. I would have thought they'd keep Deb finding out for the end of the last season, though this certainly opens up some interesting storytelling possibilities. I honestly have no idea what the show will look like next year.
-While I wasn't exactly unhappy about the random incest, I have to agree with![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sistermagpie: framing Deb finding out in terms of her sudden romantic feelings for Dexter is the WORST idea, and does nothing but dilute the impact of what should have been the emotional pay-off of the entire series. More than that, it is offensive: it's like television can't think of a reason to focus on a female character's emotional reality without making it about romance (or some other shows, motherhood).
-I loved Dexter getting randomly rescued by what I assume is a boat of illegal emmigrants from Cuba, and I barely even blinked at him skewering the guy threatening the pregnant woman-such deviations from the Code have practically become a standard.
-Misgivings about the handling of the storyline aside, I enjoyed Deb hugging a shirtless Dexter more than I probably should have, as I did Deb's awkwardness around him throughout the ep. And I liked the little detail about Dexter never having outright said he loved her before-it makes complete sense, but at the same time is miles away from the way he used to, or more accurately didn't, express his feelings, such as they were (though I maintain that Dexter's “Not Debra. I am very...fond of her” in the S1 finale was more emotionally effective than any declaration of love I've ever seen onscreen).
-And with his spot-on Yoda impression, my fangirling of Masuka has reached new heights. I adore that little troll.
-Seriously, about fucking time some suggested Quinn getting transferred. But apparently you can't fire a cop for being a drunk? Are they for real? Since when are intoxication and guns a good mix?
-Yay, after a whole season of her acting like a caricature, I like Laguerta again. I do believe that, in her own way, she felt like she was acting in the department's interest, and I liked that she saw the potential in Deb. I would be speculating on what this might mean on their future dynamic as reluctant allies/frenemies, but I suspect Deb will have other stuff on her mind.
-Worst. Psychiatrist. Ever. /Simpsons Comic Book Guy>
-I never cared for Travis as a villain, so it was especially satisfying to see Dexter finally pown his boring ass-especially the bit where Dexter pointed out that God had nothing to do with Travis ending up on his table. Mind you, given what happened two seconds later, God might have had the last laugh, though I'm amusing myself by the thought of Brother Sam orchestrating this beyond the grave (I loved the oblique reference to him during Dexter's speech. And of course the random sacrilege of Dexter delivering the kill speech like a sermon).
-I guess we'll have to wait until next year to find out about: Louis' deal, whether New Cop will get a story beyond “looking pretty”, whatever happened to Astor and Cody, and....actually, screw all of that, DEB KNOWS, JESUS FUCK!
-Merlin was enjoying sublimating Arthur's will a bit too much. I wasn't exactly surprised, since the show has never shied away from having him make morally dubious choices in his attempts to protect Arthur. Having the sketchiness of those choices actually awknowleged on the show is an entirely different matter, and I wasn't exactly comfortable with having Arthur's blankness and OOC servitude played for laughs.
-LOL, Tristan and Isolde! Handwaving the very thin connection to the actual myth (which should be, like, a motto when watching this show), I enjoyed them a lot as characters. Christian won me over by being so utterly unimpressed by Arthur and not shy about expressing it, and it was nice to get the first non-evil competent female fighter since...oh, early Morganna.
-I want to draw hearts around the entire fireside Arthur/Merlin conversation scene. Having Arthur refer to the the fact that Merlin knew about Agravaine beforehand (and was ignored) was awesome enough by itself, but him actually expressing his feelings on Agravaine and Morganna's betrayals...I loved that he blamed himself, because if there's one thing that's been consistent in his characterisation since the beginning, it's that he's never shied away from shouldering responsibility, regardless of whether it's something for which he is to blame (like killing the unicorn in S1, or most recently the deaths of the druids) or isn't (like anything that's a result of Uther's actions). Him telling Merlin all of that and the latter's complete support and encouragement were a nice reminder of why the Arthur/Merlin friendship will always be the emotional cornerstone of the series.
-My misgiving for Katie McGrath's acting skills aside, she's clearly at her best when she's aiming for straight (and delightfully over the top) villainy rather than any attempts at stealth. As usual, evil!Morganna seemed to have wondered in from the plot of some NC-17 darkfic (with gratuitous orgies) and was genuinely menacing throughout, whether it was torturing my poor Elyan or having Gwaine perform mortal combat for the amusement of her and her minions. Really, the only way to improve those scenes would be some gratuitous shirtlessness. As it is, I'm randomly shipping Morganna/Elyan and Morganna/Gwaine (I guess somebody's got to fill the gap zombie!Lancelot left).
-Speaking of random shipping...so much Knight Slashiness. From Percy and Elyan practically pouncing on each other (where IS Percy anyway? Or Leon, for that matter?) to the epic Elyan/Gwaine fic waiting to be written ruined only by Gaius' inconvenient presence (I don't think anybody in Merlin fandom is out there enough to write smutty prison H/C fic with voyeur!Gaius. This isn't the HP fandom).
-If there was any doubt about Agravaine being complete head over hills for Morganna, it's certainly dispelled now. I did like his visible discomfort at Morganna's methods and that he seemed to be harbouring second thoughts-going by what next week's trailer showed, it's bound to play out in some important way.
-HUNITH!!!!!!!!!! I squeed loudly from the moment Merlin suggested going to Ealdor, and it was as good as I expected. I'm even more thrilled by the fact my headcanon of Gwen heading there after last week's episode is now true, and doubly so because Merlin appeared to be aware of the fact.
-Arthur and Gwen's reunion was everything I could have hoped for. On a shallow note, I was suspecting it was coming due to the many scenes that showed how much Arthur missed her througout the episode, and I was wishing really hard that the reunion would not happen with Arthur wearing his ridiculous simpleton disguise-so thumbs up for Arthur being shirtless (not that it's ever something I object to).
-....how the fuck am I supposed to wait a year after this? In terms of evil cliffhangers, that one takes the cake. I would have thought they'd keep Deb finding out for the end of the last season, though this certainly opens up some interesting storytelling possibilities. I honestly have no idea what the show will look like next year.
-While I wasn't exactly unhappy about the random incest, I have to agree with
sistermagpie: framing Deb finding out in terms of her sudden romantic feelings for Dexter is the WORST idea, and does nothing but dilute the impact of what should have been the emotional pay-off of the entire series. More than that, it is offensive: it's like television can't think of a reason to focus on a female character's emotional reality without making it about romance (or some other shows, motherhood). -I loved Dexter getting randomly rescued by what I assume is a boat of illegal emmigrants from Cuba, and I barely even blinked at him skewering the guy threatening the pregnant woman-such deviations from the Code have practically become a standard.
-Misgivings about the handling of the storyline aside, I enjoyed Deb hugging a shirtless Dexter more than I probably should have, as I did Deb's awkwardness around him throughout the ep. And I liked the little detail about Dexter never having outright said he loved her before-it makes complete sense, but at the same time is miles away from the way he used to, or more accurately didn't, express his feelings, such as they were (though I maintain that Dexter's “Not Debra. I am very...fond of her” in the S1 finale was more emotionally effective than any declaration of love I've ever seen onscreen).
-And with his spot-on Yoda impression, my fangirling of Masuka has reached new heights. I adore that little troll.
-Seriously, about fucking time some suggested Quinn getting transferred. But apparently you can't fire a cop for being a drunk? Are they for real? Since when are intoxication and guns a good mix?
-Yay, after a whole season of her acting like a caricature, I like Laguerta again. I do believe that, in her own way, she felt like she was acting in the department's interest, and I liked that she saw the potential in Deb. I would be speculating on what this might mean on their future dynamic as reluctant allies/frenemies, but I suspect Deb will have other stuff on her mind.
-Worst. Psychiatrist. Ever. /Simpsons Comic Book Guy>
-I never cared for Travis as a villain, so it was especially satisfying to see Dexter finally pown his boring ass-especially the bit where Dexter pointed out that God had nothing to do with Travis ending up on his table. Mind you, given what happened two seconds later, God might have had the last laugh, though I'm amusing myself by the thought of Brother Sam orchestrating this beyond the grave (I loved the oblique reference to him during Dexter's speech. And of course the random sacrilege of Dexter delivering the kill speech like a sermon).
-I guess we'll have to wait until next year to find out about: Louis' deal, whether New Cop will get a story beyond “looking pretty”, whatever happened to Astor and Cody, and....actually, screw all of that, DEB KNOWS, JESUS FUCK!
no subject
I did, however, squee a bit on your behalf when Gwen turned out to be in Ealdor :-D And HUNITH!!!! I also really like Isolde. Yay for kick-ass warrior lady!
I like Morgana like this - outright evil. She's taken a leaf out of every evil overlord book ever, but I'm totally fine with it.
Loved Arthur seeing Agravaine there! Great moment :-)
Bit iffy on the Gwen reunion… the later eps have soured them for me again, which is sad because the first half of the season was so good that I was fine with them again. But making her too Disney and making it all twu wuw foewar is just not working for me - not when it's like this. She's not allowed to have any flaws at all, which would make me like her more. (Like, say, actually kissing Lancelot because she had doubts about marrying Arthur and wanted to be sure she was doing the right thing, rather than because she was magically forced to it.)
I don't think anybody in Merlin fandom is out there enough to write smutty prison H/C fic with voyeur!Gaius.
This makes me want to do that *G* Not that I'm sure I could, but it was a fab scene.
no subject
I did, however, squee a bit on your behalf when Gwen turned out to be in Ealdor :-D And HUNITH!!!! I also really like Isolde. Yay for kick-ass warrior lady!
ITA on all. It was a good episode for female characters.
Evil Overlord!Morganna is awesome (and looks AMAZING. How come villains are always more stylish?).
Bit iffy on the Gwen reunion… the later eps have soured them for me again, which is sad because the first half of the season was so good that I was fine with them again. But making her too Disney and making it all twu wuw foewar is just not working for me - not when it's like this. She's not allowed to have any flaws at all, which would make me like her more. (Like, say, actually kissing Lancelot because she had doubts about marrying Arthur and wanted to be sure she was doing the right thing, rather than because she was magically forced to it.)
I wouldn't mind the show giving Gwen more flaws, but I admit my watching experience is coloured by my expectations of fannish reactions. Gwen gets enough bashing and random misogynistic insults as it is, I kind of cringe at the idea of how fans would react to even a hint of infidelity (which is a big no-no in fandom anyway).
This makes me want to do that *G* Not that I'm sure I could, but it was a fab scene.
Heh. But you've got the HP background, so I should just clarify somebody in Merlin fandom who didn't come from a fandom where we routinely write stuff like Filch smut. :P
no subject
The women got to rock, yeah :-) And somehow evil just always looks better… odd that.
I hear you on the misogyny. I mostly agree too. My only counter is that I see a lot of A/G-shipper hatred towards slashers *sigh* Which is just silly too. (And runs the risk of being homophobic in expression, just as the anti-A/G often ends up being terribly misogynist.) Live and let ships live! I WANT to like Gwen more than I do. I WANT to like her with Arthur as well! I'm a little sad they seem to have chucked Lancelot out so we'll be getting a total Disney marriage for A/G from now on. I always liked that tension going on that leads to the whole mess - it's something I enjoy in reading myth retellings, so I will miss it here. (Even if it sometimes gets too angsty for me.) Ack. I'm bad at expressing this. I read a good rant that expressed some of my frustrations - even if the poster went further with it than I completely agree with. I can try and find it again if you're interested?
no subject
Mostly I'm just bitching about the rarity of Merlin/Arthur/Gwen fics. Threesomes solve everything!
no subject
Link found: http://tanous.livejournal.com/737.html
Also, I very much agree that threesomes can solve a lot! :-D
no subject
I was reading some other peoples' thoughts who were wondering why they didn't give Deb a good therapist that might have unwittingly uncovered her suspicions about Dexter. That would have made Dexter's "I love you" much more meaningful. I mean, I agree that Dexter's "I'm very fond of Debra" was much more meaningful emotionally, but it was sweet to have Deb herself surprised by Dexter saying the words he's never said before given his secret (Lumen) and not so secret (Harrison) emotional development. That could have made it all the more tragic when Deb finds out he's a killer. But no, Deb instead has to take the "I love you" and run off to crazy shrink to ask what it means. As if it could mean that he's totes in love with her too--squee!!!
no subject
God, yes, the "I love you too" line could have been touching and monumental as opposed to unintentionally hilarious and the catalyst to make Debra go off and compare crazy theories with the shrink. Actually, I'm choosing to think that all of Deb's emotional trauma has caught up with her at once and she's having a complete mental breakdown, exacerbated by having that whackjob of a shrink. Because the only other explanation is "har har, look how CRAZY love makes chicks, AMIRITE?".
no subject
no subject
OMG! I saw it coming the second Deb told her terrible shrink (that shrink should lose her license!) that she needed to make Dexter understand: I immediately thought 'OMG Deb is going to the church and she'll find the kill room!'.
So now we have to wait a year? Will it be the final year? Will Deb talk herself out of this (like thinking that this is the first time Dexter has done anything like this) or will she recognize the set up of the Bay Area Butcher?
Jesus Fuck is right! I cannot wait for the next season!
no subject
I just checked wikipedia, and apparently Dexter is renewed for TWO more seasons. I can't even begin to guess how the show will work for two more years with Deb knowing, unless they go for a complete game changer, like Dexter on the run (or killing in prison).
GAH. Next season is too far! At least I'll have Mad Men and Game of Thrones to get me through the interim.
no subject
her trying to live in denial but feeling more and more that he is a killer.
And of course I expect she'll never see him romantically again! I mean Harry knew that what he witnessed was Dexter's first time, and it lead to his suicide!
I'm guessing the final season will be Dexter on the run/tried for multiple murder/killing people in jail/death penalty....
no subject
I'm guessing the final season will be Dexter on the run/tried for multiple murder/killing people in jail/death penalty....
Unfortunately, that's my guess too. Though I'd totally go for a twisted "riding off into the sunset, getting away with it all" subversive happy ending.
no subject
yes, I would want Dexter to escape too! Although really, losing Deb and Harrison would mean that his escape would be to total isolation and loneliness....
I do hope for all kinds of unexpected plot twists, we'll see how well they do it.
So when does GoT return? I'm looking forward to that too.
no subject
no subject
So in April I'll be ready for GoT
but also looking forward to seeing Cabin in the Woods, Avengers, and (hopefully!) Much Ado About Nothing!
no subject
And depending on what will happen with Dexter, how Deb will react and whether everyone learns about Dexter or not, it could add a whole other level of interesting to Deb and Laguerta's dynamic.
***
The slow-mo shots of Morganna and her allies advancing
Yes, that was an awesome scene and I absolutely loved the slow-motion shots of sword-fighting Arthur before that as well. (As usual, we've talked about everything else already!)
no subject
no subject
no subject
http://www.sfx.co.uk/2011/12/22/dear-nathan-fillion-i-am-your-number-one-fan-love-katie-mcgrath/
no subject