MERLIN CLUB: Lamia

MERLIN CLUB: LAMIA
Or the episode Jess LOATHES and has only watched once….until now.

It is fitting that when it comes time to write this post – for the episode I loathe most – I am dying. I’m not sure what I’m dying of, because, for some reason, I’m not allowed on WebMD. The people I love tell me it’s only the flu. But I don’t think there’s any “only” about the intense agony I suffer, but whatever. Fine, it’s the flu.

So between the sickies and the holidays, I’m going to do major long-story-short on the recap and then hit the questions.

Basic gist of this episode? While off helping Gwen and Merlin with some sick people, the knights fall under the spell of a Lamia – a creature of magic, obviously, created by the high priestesses of the old religion by merging the blood of a girl and a serpent. Gwen and Merlin aren’t affected, and Lamia really, really doesn’t like Merlin. The knights fight amonst themselves over Lamia, and treat Merlin and Gwen like complete shit. Meanwhile, Arthur is concerned about his boyfriend manservant and girlfriend who should have returned by then and heads off to look for them. Eventually, the Lamia is taken care of – but of course it took Arthur swooping in the deal the fatal blow.

If I’d written this episode, I would have changed…I would have had some acknowledgement at the end from the knights on their shitty behavior. Yeah, yeah, they were under Lamia’s spell, whatever. That means nothing to me. There should have been apologies for the horrible things they said and did to Merlin. Especially Gwaine, his best friend, ffs. 

It drives me nuts that there is nothing. 

Also, Gwen is praised for her bravery in the whole situation but Merlin gets nothing. NOTHING. That should have been fixed.

Thing(s) I loved about this episode—How worried Arthur was about Merlin, Gwen and the knights not returning, how he finally found the stones to stand up to Agravaine about continuing on to look for them. And this… 

Seriously, Gaius being supportive and paying Merlin compliments and building him up? FINALLY.

Thing(s) I hated about this episode—Greasy Agravaine. Lamia, in general; her stupid voice, in particular. The knights assholery. The freaking sexist comments throughout. 

Something I never noticed about this episode before—As promised… After Gwaine potties in the woods…

Gwaine did not wash his hands. #merlinclub

— Tayci (@TayciBear) December 16, 2014

@TayciBear o.O (answers my “thing I never noticed about this ep” question this week) Ew, Gwaine. #MerlinClub

— Jessica Jarman (@jessjarman) December 16, 2014

@TayciBear Uncomfortable truths. Ugh. Let’s keep count of who he infects #merlinclub

— Tamsin (@Tamsin_Frost) December 16, 2014

Proof of some head canon I’ve created—We all know that it wasn’t Merlin’s magic that kept him from falling under Lamia’s spell. Or at least that wasn’t the only reason. It’s because he isn’t interested in her, isn’t interested in women. Becasue he has a boyfriend. And that boyfriend is the king. 

Favorite costume—Riding coat and chest shot? Yes, please, sire. 

What would Bron steal from Camelot  this episode? Gwen’s coat. 

What made Jen lose her shit (in a good or bad way) in this episode? I’d say the sexist bullshit probably pissed her off. And Greasy Agravaine….always GA.

Bron’s Merlin Club: Lamia Post
Jen’s Merlin Club: Lamia Post

NOTE: We will NOT be Merlin Clubbing next week, since it’s Christmas week. We’ll be back the following week to pick up where we left off.

So, in TWO WEEKS, on 12/29 at 8pm EST, we’ll be watching S04E09 “Lancelot du Lac”. We’ll be on Twitter with the hastag #MerlinClub