Say what you will but one of BBCM’s best narrative choices was to have “ Servant of Two Masters” be simultaneously one of the funniest and angstiest episodes in the entire series
WHERE IS THAT YEAR? THAT WHOLE ASS YEAR BETWEEN MORGANA SCREAMING THE PALACE DOWN AND THE DOROCHA BEING RELEASED? WHERE IS THAT YEAR FULL OF COUNTLESS LITTLE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN MERLIN AND THE ONE PERSON BESIDES GAIUS WHO KNOWS ABOUT HIS MAGIC LIKE THE INTERACTION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DOROCHA EPISODE? WHERE IS MY MERLIN AND LANCELOT FRIENDSHIP SCREEN TIME? TELL ME
I want everyone to remember that even though Arthur liked to play big boy and surround himself with men who can wield a sword, Merlin was the bravest man he’d ever met. Merlin did not fit the stereotypical definition of brave, but still managed to absolutely demolish everyone else in Arthur’s mind.
Merlin and women (or, maybe just Mergwen and Freylin)
So my postabout how Merlin isn’t your typical male protagonist seems to be doing quite well, lol. I thought to maybe expand it a little, since I already touched a bit on Merlin’s relationship with Freya.
Let’s look at Merlin’s relationships with women, whether romantic, almost-romantic, or purely platonic.
Merlin and Gwen
Merlin and Gwen’s relationship is absolutely fascinating. At first, just your typical teenager-y misplaced crush on Gwen’s side; then supportive friendship.
At first, the show seems to suggest that maybe Merlin could reciprocate Gwen’s feelings (as obviously s1 ships everyone with everyone lol) - but it goes about it in an… interesting way.
I already established that Merlin doesn’t fit your typical “male protagonist in an adventure story” trope. But he doesn’t fit the “rom-com male love interest” trope either.
He doesn’t give Gwen flowers. Gwen gives himflowers.
He literally looks like a blushing maiden help
He doesn’t make Big Romantic Gestures. Instead, he performs an act of love in secret. (then, granted, he tries to sacrifice himself for Gwen, but this is never discussed between the two of them as a romantic gesture)
When Merlin and Gwen’s relationship firmly moves from the crush territory, Merlin becomes The Supportive Bestie. He tells Gwen she looks gorgeous, he organizes her dates with Arthur.
In rom-coms, that role usually falls to female characters. Or to “gay best friends”.
Merlin and Freya
I already covered it here, but let’s just reiterate - Merlin makes many romantic gestures in that episode, but instead of fighting for a girl,he de-escalates a violent situation and manages to calm Freya down in her bastet form.
One thing I’d like to add - sometimes, in rom-coms, you have this stereotype of a guy who wants what’s best for a woman, but y'know, he’s a man, so he can’t possiblyknow what dress she’d like, or what type of product to buy. Cause he’s a guy, hehe.
Well, Merlin knows exactly what to gift Freya.
It’s just -as much as I love Merthur,and all other Merlin gay ships, soft masculine Merlin with women is just - *the absolute best*
