Of course, I should have known they'd press the damn reset button. This time at least, Arthur wasn't enchanted - so his actions against his father were based on the information he received from his mother and his feelings on the matter.

I don't know whether to shake Merlin or just accept why he persuaded Arthur to stop him from killing his father (Merlin knew that Arthur would regret it afterwards, so Merlin was saving him from dealing with the fallout...when Arthur's head was clearer and not blinded by rage that his father condemned so many for practicing magic while his own son was born of magic).

BUT STILL, Arthur was finally coming around (the closest he has been so far during this series) to accepting magic...and it all culminated with his mother telling him that he himself was born of magic, which of course, caused Arthur to really rethink his father's stance against magic.

SO CLOSE. And then Merlin had to come in and say it was all a lie, an illusion, a trick - so Arthur would not kill his father. I imagine it was *so hard* for Merlin to go ahead with that - knowing what it would cost him when the time comes when Arthur would find out about Merlin's magic. Because, really, Merlin - did you hear Arthur? He's back to his old stance - following in his father's footsteps - about magic being evil and dangerous.

URGH. IT BUGS ME SO MUCH. So, I'm sorry, but the ending of the episode where Merlin and Gaius have a moment - and Merlin is all pleased that Arthur, the king, and Gaius are thanking him and proud of him for what he did - it just doesn't work for me.

I don't know - it's jarring and doesn't fit. I'm sure Merlin realized the gravity of what he did, of this lost chance. If Merlin had revealed his magic to Arthur after Arthur found out what he did from Igraine, then I would think Arthur would have taken the reveal *much better* than after Merlin persuaded him that Morgause had tricked him.

*sigh*

STOP PRESSING THE RESET BUTTON, DAMNIT. IT'S NOT A TOY. AND LIKE A PROFESSOR OF MINE TOLD THE CLASS - JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN, DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD.

~ * ~

On the upside, some positives:

++++ I *loved* Morgause. Of course, of course she'd be Morgana's half-sister! I should have realized that by how much she was kicking arse and was totally in charge. Looks like awesome sword-fighting runs in the family. So...Morgause was presumed dead, but really she was given to the High Priestesses of the Old Religion and was raised by them.

++++ I liked how Morgause wanted to help Morgana with her nightmares - and left her the healing bracelet. So frustrating that Morgana didn't find out who Morgause really was - Morgana has the right to know! CAN EVERYONE PLEASE STOP KEEPING THINGS FROM HER? DAMNIT! FOR THE LOVE OF ...

No wonder she goes evil and turns against Camelot. Don't anyone dare wonder why she would do that - THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU KEEP SOMEONE IN THE DARK. JEEZ. WHAT THE HELL, Gaius (and Uther, too).

Now I expect Morgana to ally herself with Morgause... and so it begins...

It appears that my positives of this episode are turning a bit negative...whoops. ;)

I'm glad at least Merlin had the guts to help Morgana out in 2x03 and persuaded her to seek out the Druids to learn more about her powers. At least that's something... (still didn't muster up enough courage to tell her about his own powers, but whatever... all in good time).

++++ I liked when Morgause told Morgana that she hoped Morgana "would remember her fondly." I just really liked how Morgause said it - with that emotion inherent in her words. You could tell then that there was a close connection between them (and then it turned out to be familial).

++++ I also liked how Merlin and Arthur bonded a bit over their shared parent issues. Cheers for a mention of Merlin's father... and connecting that with Arthur's lacking knowledge of his own mother. I found it interesting when Merlin said he had a vague memory of his father...wish there had been a bit more to it, but I'll take it. Merlin's father has to be alive - I bet he's hiding out somewhere. Or maybe it's better if he's dead... though it's still uncertain how the show will take the legend about who Merlin's father really was (cambion, a god, powerful sorcerer, etc.). Still, I liked how it gave Merlin and Arthur a common bond...an understanding of what it's like to have a parent who's not there...

++++ Small bit: Arthur saving Merlin from being attacked by one of Odin's men. Aww, how sweet. ;)

It's a good thing, I suppose, that Merlin isn't using his magic as much (he used it only once in the fight against Odin's men) because it shows that he learned his lesson from "The Witchfinder" episode.

Still, massive, massive fail at the reset button. Whatever, show.

Next episode: The one with Freya - the girl Merlin saves and tries to get the bounty hunter off of her back. I expect a bittersweet ending here. Already thinking, "Poor Merlin." :(