Merlin Stuff? Now?

Yes, Merlin stuff now. I'll put up the usual spoiler line and then go crazy, all right? I just rewatched Series 2, Episode 8 and I have some new running theories...








SPOILER LINE






All right, so going back to my earlier notes on this episode and adding stuff...23 November 2009:

So, here's my thought. Morgause showed Arthur his mother, something that he desperately wanted. Igraine, whether a vision created by Morgause or real, told him that Uther had betrayed her and went behind her back to make a deal with Nimueh, despite knowing that in creating Arthur, he would sacrifice a life to do so.

We know that most of what Morgause showed Arthur (if it was just a vision) is true. Uther knew the consequences of his actions (since Gaius told him that making a deal like he was making was a bad idea), and that Igraine did die. The only part we question is whether Igraine knew what Uther had done and was complicit.

NOTE FROM TODAY: There was another person in the room when Uther did most of this stuff-two people in fact. There was Nimueh, who has since died BUT could have been the source of Morgause's information on the subject. And there was Gaius.

When Merlin directly, pointedly called him on it on the castle steps, Gaius DID NOT deny anything he said. AT ALL. Merlin covered every bit of information, first the born of magic bit and then the Uther sacrificing Igraine bit. Gaius didn't say "We'll discuss it later." He didn't say, "No, Merlin, let me explain." He stood there and nodded. Gaius wouldn't lie to Merlin about something so vitally important-the whole series hinges on that scene and the two surrounding it. They are so incredibly important that I don't believe the scriptwriters would lie to the audience there, of all the places. That tells me even if it was a vision, Morgause had every ounce of information accounted for. She knew EVERYTHING.

Note another thing-she didn't seem the least bit fazed when she heard Igraine telling Arthur Uther had done something naughty. She knew exactly what was coming.


We have no idea how Morgause got her information (if indeed it wasn't real), save that she could have been watching her spying crystal for quite some time and could have overheard Uther and Gaius discussing it last year, the only two who know exactly what went on.

NOTE FROM TODAY: She may have had contact with Nimueh at some given point along the line, and may have gotten her information from the other sorceress. She may even be carrying on Nimueh's work, albeit in a different sort of direction (less kill Arthur, more get rid of Uther)


I think it was some damn powerful magic (have to be if it called up the dead so faithfully that Arthur could HUG her and not go THROUGH her. Or called up the dead anyway. That's powerful stuff.) and that what Igraine said was the truth, otherwise why would Uther react by telling Merlin that he would be hanged if he ever told Arthur the truth? Morgause had probably called her up beforehand just to make sure her information was correct.

So we assume that what Igraine said is true. Uther desperately wanted an heir, and was advised by Gaius that doing it with magic could only backfire. Creating Arthur would mean that the balance would need restoring and someone would have to die. Despite Gaius' protests, Arthur was created by Nimueh, a priestess of the Old Religion and a woman formerly a friend of Uther's. When Igraine gave birth to Arthur, she died to restore the balance to nature. Nimueh was tossed out of favor and Uther began his reign of terror against all forms of magic.

What if Morgause's plan was to restore magic to Camelot by taking out Uther, no matter the consequences to Arthur? What if she knew that showing Arthur his mother would cause him to become so enraged that he would go after Uther? What if she's in cahoots with other magical beings/or the dragon (druids are peaceful but even they've got to hate him by this point?) Morgause's plan was to get Arthur to take out Uther and have magic restored to the land, thereby freeing her kind to take the kingdom back?

NOTE FROM TODAY: Sorry, folks. Morgause IS NOT a druid. She's a priestess of the Old Religion, like Nimueh.


However, Merlin got in the way of that plan, because his interests are purely for protecting Arthur even if it means keeping Uther alive a little longer. He knew that Arthur killing his father would most definitely destroy him.

I believe Morgause's interests are to get magic back in Camelot regardless of the consequences. The Old Religion must survive, and the little people on the chessboard don't matter.

NOTE FROM TODAY: Does Arthur truly believe the words coming out of his mouth near the end of this episode? It's hard to fathom such a fast turnaround from the scene at Morgause's Rundown Magic Hut, where he steps up and finally says magic might be okay, not always evil.

I think Arthur was merely paying lip service to the fact that Merlin stopped him from doing something (infernally stupid) that would have destroyed his mortal soul-killing his father in a fit of rage. I think we really heard what Arthur believed magic to be. Note when Arthur refers to sorcery, he usually says, "My father says...blah blah blah magic deadly blah." We never hear what Arthur believes on the subject-we never get his opinion at all. We always hear what his dad thinks.

Arthur wasn't confused (although if he was, he was finally confused in the right direction, if there is such a thing.) Arthur was showing his OWN thoughts on the subject for once, standing away from his dad's thoughts on the topic and doing his own deal for a change. Arthur was showing a hint of the man who will bring magic back to Camelot. Unfortunately, it's not quite time for that sort of opinion, not with Uther still alive and magic still persecuted and banned.

I'm starting to think Arthur may find himself between his father and Merlin next year. Does he go with the comfortable way of things and stick with Dad's opinions and ways, or does he go with the new old-fashioned way, defy his sovereign's orders and go with his best friend? Does he become Uther, or does he become a traitor? What a dilemma that would be...


As always, feel free to give me an opinion!

Ta,
Bec