Links and Ramblings (mostly Merlin related)

[magog_83]

Just a quick update on a few things! (If anyone is thinking that I am blatantly procrastinating, THEN YOU WOULD BE RIGHT)

First of all, lunchy_munchy has done another fantastic job podficcing my Love and Menswear Extra, which you can find here. I didn’t even expect it because it was only a short little piece, but she did and it was a brilliant surprise so thank you!

Also, vensre has done a stunning piece of artwork here. It’s NSFW and features crossdressing and a lack of clothing (just in case anyone is peering over your shoulder), but it’s absolutely beautiful, the lines, the colour, everything!

In more Merlin related ramblings, I bought that one-off Merlin magazine last week (with free spellbook and pen! Yay!) and was much amused by their probably-more-revealing-than-they-intended profile for Gwen’s ‘friendships,’ namely...

“Even though Gwen spends a lot of close time with Morgana, she is probably closest to Merlin as the pair discuss Arthur.”

I must say it’s very lucky Arthur exists, what on earth would Gwen base her friendships on otherwise? I keep forgetting women don’t exist outside of their menfolk. They need to let Angel Coulby develop some scripts.

“I’d have her become a brave warrior Queen and an excellent swordswoman. She’d marry both Arthur and Lancelot because she’s the Queen so she makes the rules.”

(Disclaimer: I support this FULLY as long as Merlin somehow gets in on the act. Specifically on the Arthur side of things.)

Which reminds me... I got the new Radio Times today and I am intrigued by the write-up for this week’s episode... BEWARE SPOILERS.

“Wedding bells are in the air for Arthur this week... but sadly he’s not marrying the enchanting Gwen. His overbearing dad Uther has advised a ‘strategic’ union with Princess Elena, the gawky daughter of Uther’s old mucker Lord Godwyn. Elena’s uncouth habits prove she can’t have gone to Roedean, or the medieval equivalent... but it’s not her fault. She’s a changeling, you see, in the power of her nanny Grunhilda. It’s a cute mix of tangled love story and spiky, Shrek-like fairy tale. Georgia King steals every scene she’s in as the snorting, pratfalling Elena. In one lovely moment during her courtship of Arthur she clasps him awkwardly around the chest. “I’m not the perfect Princess am I?” she sighs at one point. Well no, but she still manages to be rather adorable.”

After reading that I feel torn!! I haven’t even watched the trailer for this week because I was dreading the A/G element which was sure to be there, and it sounded like it might be a rehash of past episodes with an unlikeable Princess versus a Perfect Gwen (I don’t actually dislike Gwen at all, but I cannot stand the A/G storyline and just change channels whenever they have a scene together). But now I am intrigued! Elena actually DOES sound adorable here, I hope they’re not going to give her an ending as bad as poor Vivian’s :( I’m not sure whether it’s partly because the idea of a gawky, awkward, pratfalling girl sounds a little like some of the girl!merlin fics I have read and loved (I really do think that if Merlin were played by a girl, the ship would be canon already). Perfect romances, where everyone acts sweet and noble to each other and spout cheesy Disney nonsense does nothing for me at all (except for The Slipper and the Rose, but I blame being brainwashed by it as a child and I can’t undo the conditioning now), which is probably the reason A/G seems so forced and unrealistic to me - with the sole exception being the moment Gwen finished telling Arthur off in Once and Future Queen and then said “Sire” really aggressively, that was hilarious.

Hmmm, I think I will do what I was going to anyway, skip it on the night and then read the recaps and watch a download of it. That way I’m prepared for anything! Maybe I’ll be shipping Arthur/Elena by Sunday, you never know, at least that pairing will introduce a welcome new letter of the alphabet into the shipping mix.

On the whole though, I'm enjoying this series a lot (bar a few goblet throwing moments), and the ratings have been really good too, over six million for all the episodes so far, after adjustment for the timeshift.

Radio Times also informs me that Pillars of the Earth, based on the Ken Follett’s novel, starts this Saturday. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY. That is a rough approximation of how much I’m looking forward to finally watching that :D

Lastly lastly, I am getting round to answering all comments I’ve had over the past couple of months when I didn’t have regular internet access! So if you’ve commented, I’m not ignoring you, I’m just getting there slooooowly.

Comments

[giecast.livejournal.com]

Yeah I'm not very sure about this ep either. Though I'm kinda anticipating all the potential Merlin snark. The ep I'm really looking forward to is the roadtrip/quest/adventure one with Gawain.

Whoa you actually switch channels when there's an A/G scene. I just sort of zone out whenever they're on screen together. This pairing has no natural progression at all.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Haha yes! I take it to a whole other level of Denial :D I actually find the scenes embarrassing to watch (all that soulful gazing and unnatural looking pouting on Bradley's part), and I have a real embarrassment squick so if I didn't change channels I would have to mute the telly and dive behind a cushion. So the channel changing just seems easier ;) Unless you're watching with other people, then everyone just thinks I'm weird. Luckily my mum understands as she's read all my fic and can't get her head around the fact Merlin and Arthur aren't a couple in the show.

Also... GWAINE IS COMING BACK?????????? I have not heard this!!!! When is he back??

[giecast.livejournal.com]

Yeeeess Gawaine is coming back. Ep 8, see here:

http://gealach-ros.livejournal.com/430807.html

Really excited for this ep. Although when I read Golden Trident, I thought "Huh? Izzat you, Poseidon?" haha.

Your mum really sounds awesome. I think it's cool that she's read your stuff. Which reminds me that last night, my boyfriend was asking me if Arthur and Merlin are gay. Apparently he poked around my LJ and saw a fanart of A/M kissing. I flailed around trying to explain that it's actually a family show. Ok that is one conversation I never want to have again. Ever.

[solanyxe.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the podfics!

"She’d marry both Arthur and Lancelot because she’s the Queen so she makes the rules."

LOL!
Why do I hear Uther's voice, saying with all his kingly seriousness that this is why servants don't become rulers? XD

I dread the A/G too. (I just don't understand WHY they are in love in first place.)

"I really do think that if Merlin were played by a girl, the ship would be canon already"
QFT, that's all I can say.

I think Elena seems adorable as well. :D (I suspect she is the kind of princess I'd decide to be... If I were a princess, of course. I'm not going to ship her with Arthur, because if she is as cute as she appears from the teaser, I'm going to keep her for myself. ;) Yes, Arthur, you go on and marry whomever you want, you don't have the balls to admit it's your manservant you think of. *spouts venom* *cleans the venom up* It's all right now, isn't it?)

"Radio Times also informs me that Pillars of the Earth, based on the Ken Follett’s novel, starts this Saturday."

What do you mean?
Is it a rerun? (OR WTH are the episodes on my disk?)
No spoilers, I think...
It's interesting to watch; they simplified (exaggerated a bit?) many twists for the TV. (I'm still disappointed with how they portrayed William's mother. Oh, look, I remembered his name!) They did some inspired changes here and then, though. The scenography is great, at least according my poor practical knowledge of the time, and I love the opening/ending theme. I think you'll like it. :)

"Lastly lastly, I am getting round to answering all comments I’ve had over the past couple of months when I didn’t have regular internet access!"
You're a saint for even trying. XD

[marvelpku.livejournal.com]

Haha, I laugh out loud when you mention your BF. But does he watch Merlin with you? I always do interested that what straight man will think of A/M's relationship when they watch it.

[giecast.livejournal.com]

I really don't know how I got out of that conversation. *shudders* I tried to make him watch, but he's the blood-and-gore kind of guy so Merlin wouldn't suit him at all. And even if he does watch it, he's already convinced they're gay because of that drawing (w/c I have to hunt down sometime), so we won't be getting much insight from him.

[marvelpku.livejournal.com]

Haha, you do make me grin a lot. That's very cute of your boyfriend. Anyway, Let me try with my straight friend. But I am afraid I already convince them Arthur/Merlin are gay couple according to my introduction. Haha.

[overtsock.livejournal.com]

I feel like I am going to watch this weekend's ep and keep thinking that Professor Sprout is taking a vacation in Camelot. I know the actress has been in a ton of things, some of which I have seen her in, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about the Harry Potter movies when she makes an appearance :P

I like that the princess is a bit goofy...the only hesitation I have is that this episode seems like it might be a bit light on actual Merlin, and seeing as it is his show that could be problematic. I try to just roll with whatever they throw at us, although I don't always succeed :P

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Is it a rerun? (OR WTH are the episodes on my disk?)

It's not been on telly here yet :( :( I've been waiting for it for ages! I loved the book, and we don't get nearly enough medieval drama on tv these days (COME BACK BROTHER CADFAEL!). It will be interesting to see the changes then, as long as it's not TOO different. Does the chicken still die? I felt sad for that chicken :(

I dread the A/G too. (I just don't understand WHY they are in love in first place.

That is the lament of all of us. Well, except the A/G shippers who presumably are seeing something we aren't. Everytime I imagine their future life together I draw a blank. We haven't even seen them as friends yet, marriage and eternal bliss seems a bit of a leap. And I can't help it, Merlin will ALWAYS seem like Arthur's perfect match to me! At least in the show we get to see Arthur opening up to Merlin more than he does to anyone else, that's something I guess. I do love how Merlin knows Arthur better than anyone :)

Have you ever read the Shardlake novels(Tudor crime novels)?? I wish they would film those, they're wonderful!

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

To be fair, I can only think of Harry Potter and Romeo & Juliet (because I saw that film about a million times), so she's pretty much Professor Sprout to me too!! And after all, why shouldn't she take a vacation in Camelot? It's probably every witch and wizard's dream to go back and meet the great Merlin before he was famous :D If she finds an excuse to get him to sign a bit of parchment for her then we'll know it's really Prof. Sprout in disguise ;)

the only hesitation I have is that this episode seems like it might be a bit light on actual Merlin

I know exactly what you mean. I will admit that my main interest is Merlin and his adventures, and I would love to see more episodes about him and his development, rather than him just using his magic to sort out messes for the other characters. I would love to know more about the Emrys side of things, for example, and what is it exactly that makes him so different and special (especially since in the last 2 series, he doesn't seem particularly special or super-powerful and unique anymore :( )

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Oh wow!!!!! I hadn't seen that. That looks like it's going to be brilliant :D I hope we get some good M/A moments, especially if Merlin is riding off to rescue his boyfriend Prince. Nice to see Gawain back too - I wonder if he'll be another Knight who learns Merlin's secret before Arthur?? It wouldn't surprise me.

When I read Golden Trident I thought toothpaste, for some reason :/

:D I bet that took some explaining to your boyfriend!! It took me a while to explain to my dad that they weren't 'meant' to be gay on the show (although I feel that's rather debatable), while a friend of mine thought Richard Wilson played Merlin and that I'd been slashing him with Bradley James all this time!

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

i just listened to that audio!fic while i did the dishes :D

Lastly lastly, I am getting round to answering all comments I’ve had over the past couple of months when I didn’t have regular internet access!

does this mean you now have regular internet access? [*looks hopeful*]

the preview made this week's episode look like a rehash of the sophia episode [*shrugs*] it seems we are sort of redoing s1, but with more shirtlessness. first lancelot gwaine and now sophia elena, but as long as colin and bradley continue to look gorgeous i'm so there [*is shallow*]

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going to be shallow with you :) So long as they're present and correct, looking gorgeous, and sharing adorable slashy moments, I'm in.

I am living at home again now so I have WIRELESS EVERYWHERE. YAY. It's wonderful to have instant access everywhere I go, even when I'm curled up in bed :D Obviously I am mainly using it for when I'm revising all my thesis chapters, but I would be lying if I said I didn't sneak onto LJ all the time occasionally.

I've just finished a new kmm prompt fic actually, since being at home has got me writing again in the evening. It's a 2009 prompt though, so I'm hoping the OP is still about. It always seems a shame to think of someone not knowing their prompt actually has been done (however random the fill).

It's so odd, but lovely, to think of people listening to something I've written. As odd as it is to imagine lunchy, all the way over in Australia, recording them in the first place! I hope it was suitably entertaining while you were washing up :D :D

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I really didn't like the Pillars of the Earth tv series. They bored me to death and I stopped watching after a couple of episodes. I think if I'd read the book it might have been different. I'm interested to see what your take is on it.

Have to LOL about you turning away with every A/G scene. The one in the Crystal Cave when Merlin see them together just made me so sad for Merlin. Really, outside of Gaius, he has no one to talk to. :((( At least Arthur and Gwen can comfort each other but Merlin.... :(

The episode coming up sounds like fun.

[giecast.livejournal.com]

If Gawain finds out first I will be DDDDD: I want Arthur to find out first, or better yet, figure it out for himself.

I don't think he bought it haha. It's pretty hard to explain the appeal of slash to a non-slash fan. The conversation went something like this:

Me: NONONO IT'S A FAMILY SHOW. SWEAR.
Bf: Well why are they kissing. *sort of acts out drawing with his hands*
Me: Pffft. It's fanart! Fans pair them together.
Bf: oooookay... *obviously doesn't believe me*

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Oops - sorry for the long delay!

I have read that fic!! And I believe my comment was something along the lines of WHERE IS THE FIC WHERE THIS HAPPENS??? I can't tell you how much I would like to read a really good length girl!merlin fic, I'm really hoping that prompt on the new kmm for a story of Merlin's rise from maidservant to sorceress and Queen will be filled :D

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I've only seen two episides of Pillars of the Earth so far so I'm hoping I will stay interested :) I expect I will simply because I get unreasonably excited by any medieval/early modern drama on television, there just aren't enough of them!!! It will be interesting to see how much they change the book.

Have to LOL about you turning away with every A/G scene. The one in the Crystal Cave when Merlin see them together just made me so sad for Merlin. Really, outside of Gaius, he has no one to talk to. :((( At least Arthur and Gwen can comfort each other but Merlin.... :(

My commitment to A/G avoidance runs deep ;) But now you've made me feel really sad for Merlin!!! I hadn't even thought of it like that but you're right :(( Even in that episode, Arthur comforted Gwen but then Merlin comforted Arthur - but no-one comforted poor Merlin. They were so wrong to lose the Merlin/Gwen friendship. I love Merlin and Gwen as friends as Gwen used to be someone Merlin would go to and vice versa, but now all is sacrificed for the Epic Romance, which is sad.

Now I need to read/write Merlin getting comforted fic :(

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I thought it was very sad for Merlin. There he was terrified of the future, trying desperately to do the right thing with Gwen crying and Arthur beating stuff up and there was poor Merlin with no one to give him a hug. Even Gaius was useless, telling him to ignore the situation. The poor guy. It's a wonder he's not gone insane.

I do miss Merlin and Gwen's old relationship. I'm hoping this week's episode will have some of that.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I felt SO BAD for Merlin that I wrote comment fic to comfort myself :((((

It was dim in the corridor outside Morgana’s room. Merlin didn’t even know what he was doing there, only that he couldn’t stand to be in Arthur’s chambers any longer, watching Arthur get steadily drunker. His footsteps sounded loud in the silence and he stopped, his eyes fixed on the small sliver of firelight that he could see beneath the closed door. Uther was probably in there, and Gwen – not that he would be welcome anyway, after all that had happened. Merlin crossed to one of the narrow windows and leaned against the stone, staring out over Camelot, only indistinct shapes now, blurred by the rain that had been falling steadily for hours. His eyes hurt and his head ached, it had been too long since he had slept, properly slept, and he could feel the familiar grittiness in his eyes, the exhaustion in his bones. But it was no good, he would not sleep tonight.

He shifted forward until his forehead was pressed against the cool glass, a sharp contrast to the hot guilt that coiled in his stomach, threatening to break the thin composure he had held onto all day as Gwen cried and Arthur’s sword bit into the listing practice dummy again and again. But it was no good, a gasp escaped him, then a sob, shockingly loud and ugly in the silence. He screwed his eyes shut, pressing his head against the glass until it hurt, feeling wrong and so lonely it was like desperation clawing at him. In that moment he wanted his mother more than anything in the world, someone that cared only for him and could take away the weight he was carrying, if he was only brave enough to tell her of it.

The sound of the door opening behind him made him start violently, his heart thumping wildly as he tried to sink into the shadows, wiping at his face with shaking hands, but it was no good.

“Merlin?”

It was Gwen, Gwen who had hardly left her lady’s side since this had started.

“Gwen,” Merlin said, too brightly. It sounded forced, his voice shredded. “Sorry, I was just— I was walking.”

Gwen was frowning at him, and he could see her eyes were red with crying, even in the dim light. “Merlin... God, you look—“ She came forwards and Merlin tried to turn his head away, because as much as he wanted someone, anyone, when it came to it he couldn’t bear for Gwen to see him like this. “Is it Morgana?” Gwen whispered when she was close enough to touch.

Merlin blinked furiously, taking a few moments to speak and when he did his voice was too tight. “Of course, I just wanted to see— I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
He might have said more, might have talked on so Gwen wouldn’t see that he was falling apart right there in the corridor, but with a small, inarticulate sound Gwen’s arms were suddenly around his neck, warm and soft and smelling of laundry soup and the bitter herbs Gaius burned at Morgana’s bedside. “Shhhh,” she whispered, like Hunith so often had and Merlin half laughed, half sobbed into her shoulder at the comparison. At the first sign of his tears, Gwen’s arms tightened around him, pulling Merlin down to match her smaller height, but he didn’t care. He wrapped his arms around her and clung on, stifling his sobs as best he could as Gwen said, “It’s okay, it’s okay,” over and over, and “I’m here, Merlin, don’t worry, it’ll be alright.” He realised then that it had been too long since he had talked to Gwen, properly talked to her when it wasn’t about Arthur or saving someone they loved. Holding onto her now, he remembered evenings sat on the castle steps, or talking quietly in his room or the kitchens or the gardens, when he was new to Camelot and Gwen was his best friend. “I miss you,” he mumbled ridiculously, before his mouth could catch up with his brain and remind him that he hasn’t lost her, not really, however it felt sometimes.

“I haven’t gone anywhere,” said Gwen, muffled – her sensible tones making something warm and comforting swell in Merlin’s chest. “And you’ll never lose me, whatever happens.” Whatever, Merlin knew, meant Arthur, meant Morgana and all the changes he could feel coming. “Us servants need to stick together.” Merlin smiled at that, though it felt wobbly.

“And what about when we’re not servants?”

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

He realised belatedly that he should not have said ‘we’, but if Gwen thought it was strange she didn’t show it. Her arms loosened just enough to rub comfortingly at the flushed skin on the back of his neck. “Then we’ll still be Merlin and Gwen, that won’t ever change.”

Merlin pulled back, just enough to see her face. She looked at him, brow creased in concern, and then moved her hand to wipe the tear tracks from his face. “I’m sorry,” Merlin said, and he meant for everything, though Gwen couldn’t know it.

Gwen smiled, just slightly, and Merlin felt like someone was finally looking at him, finally seeing him for what seemed like the first time in months. Then Gwen’s stomach gurgled, loudly, and the tension abruptly broke. “Hungry?” said Merlin, quirking an eyebrow.

Gwen rolled her eyes, stepping back a little, “I haven’t eaten since breakfast. It’s been... a long day.” For a moment the unspoken subject of Morgana hung between them, and Merlin felt the guilt beginning to creep back, tightening his stomach.

“I should let you go then,” he said awkwardly, and Gwen was frowning at him again, like Merlin had all his feelings writ large upon his face.

“Come on, you’re coming with me. You look as though you could eat as much as me, if not more.”

“No, I can’t, I have to—”

“Nonsense,” said Gwen stoutly, sounding eerily like Morgana in that moment. “You can accompany me to the kitchens, I can’t possibly go there on my own at night.” She gave Merlin a look, as though daring him to contradict her. Merlin narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but after a moment he sighed and offered his arm with an exaggerated bow, because in truth he needed Gwen and her kindness, even if it was only for a few hours.

“Very well, my lady.”

Gwen shook her head at his foolishness and took his arm, but not before she rose quickly on tiptoes, pressing a swift kiss to Merlin’s cheek as she said, low and fierce, “You’ll always have me, Merlin.”

And in that moment, Merlin felt just a little less alone.

*****

Now excuse me while I go cry for poor sad alone Merlin :(

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Oh, that was so sweet. I loved how Gwen said that he'd always have her. Poor Merlin.

That was great!

[sabriel75.livejournal.com]

Waaah... see... see... yes!

Someone else who thinks Merlin is pityingly alone and desperate and someone needs to give that boy a hug and assurance that he's precious and takes on too much, hurts for it and that everything will be alright, even if it's not. And it's not, but he doesn't need the harsh reality Gaius is always forcing upon him. Sometimes it's okay to just let people have a moment!

Uhm... yeah... you can see this part of the plot works me up.

But thank you for this lovely snippet of what might have been. Merlin needs love, hugs and encouragement!

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

You are absolutely right!

It's actually starting to bug me now, thinking back on it, how everyone else's pain is Terrible and Super Serious and needs maximum sympathy. But Merlin... not so much. Even when he nearly gets killed by a serket, no-one shows the least bit of interest in where he's been and what might have happened to him. It makes me angry on his behalf because he does so much to try and protect everyone else, and never gets any recognition :( I don't want Merlin to be quite an angsty figure to us, but a comedy character to most everyone else on the show.

::puts away soapbox::

Anyway, thank you for reading! I just wish we could have had SOMETHING similar, anything, just a hug for Merlin and a bit of someone noticing his difficulties.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)) For all that I can't stand A/G, and everything connected with it, I do like Gwen and I really miss her having more of a role than just the love interest. I really enjoyed her and Merlin's friendship in series 1, and would love to see that back. There have been a few great Merlin and Gwen moments this series, but nowhere near enough! I think she would be an ideal person to pick up on Merlin's inner angst :)

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I do think they need more Gwen and Merlin friendship moments. Unfortunately, I can't see it happening too much (although last night's episode had some) any more with them pushing the A/G.

Poor Merlin. He needs hugs every day!