Merlin thoughts

[marguerite_26]

So... MERLIN....



I've been trying to get my head around this episode for a couple days now. And honestly it's still just a crazy mountain of feels. D: I definitely have a lot of mixed emotions about it, but I'm not ready to go into the negative bits. I think it's easiest for me to just spew out a bunch of happy thoughts and maybe post tomorrow a few more thoughts on where some disappointments lie.

but for now, I have so so many good things to say.

I went in pretty spoiled and expecting to be disappointed. All the bits I was expecting happened, but not in the way I expect. Not at all.

I'm really pleased that Merlin's end game pairings were:
Merlin/Arthur - honestly, without question this is canon. Even if we only talk platonic love between two men, there is no greater love story in this show. It is a thing of beauty that goes so far beyond sexual attraction I can't even think of their love without teary up rn.
Gwaine/Percival - wow. unexpected canon there. Also Gwaine/Merlin unrequited love. <3
Gwen/Leon - without question, it's totally gonna happen in my mind. I was left feeling very hopeful for their future together. Also I was so pleased Gwen got to fight a wee bit! and that she figured out Merlin on her own, therefore her lifting the ban on magic is a possibly next step.

More importantly, I am so grateful that they gave us M/A for almost the entire episode. That was such a surprise and it worked brilliantly to allow the reveal to happen (and it happened beautifully) and then the gradual acceptance of Arthur. It was like watching Arthur move through the seven stages of grief (like the friend he thought he had had died) and slowly accepting that Merlin still was that same man, even if there were parts of him Arthur hadn't known. That Arthur actually loved him all the more for who he truly was because understanding Merlin FULLY, Arthur had no choice but to love him more. Merlin was more clever, more resourceful, more humble, more loyal than Arthur had ever imagined. How could he do anything else but love and accept 'the real' Merlin once he understood. That they writer actually managed to walk us through that process (no matter how rushed) was simply shocking. That they even attempted it was impressive. That they were successful --- well I can hardly process that.

There were moment I felt like I was watching the best fanfic reveal. Not in a terribly cheesy way that some M/A scenes read like fanservice, but this was like how people (ie: usually FANS) really, really 'got' both Merlin and Arthur and understood their relationship at a deep level would write a reveal. And THAT's what the merlin writers gave us. Colour me fucking shocked. For that, I will forgive A LOT. (but I'll save that for a different post)

I loved Morgana's death. IDEK. It worked for me. It was simple, efficient and full of pity more than revenge. I love that it was merlin who struck the final blow, and that Arthur watched. And that he was basically like: fuck you. I have my own dragon's breath sword. Had it FIRST.

Love the hand in the lake (yes, in my head it's totally Arthur's hand - not believing anything else) grabbing the sword. I love what that meant. A starting over of sorts, preparing for the next time.

I hate that I was spoiled for weeks for the present day ending. :/ It would have been a great surprise, if a bit corny. Still. It would have had more impact. Instead it was a bit more a punch in the gut that Merlin wanders alone for a thousand years for Arthur. La! not going to cry. fuck.

Basically, I can't function on tumblr due to all the amazing gifs... Just so many emotions. I can't. (also being ill and fevered totally doesn't help my emotional state!)

I've also got a to read list of every post-finale fic getting posted but I can't handle actually reading those words right now so I am saving them all for another day when I am stronger.



so... I was wondering if anyone has decided to run a fix-it/reincarnation fest? If it would encourage ppl to write, I might be interested in hosting. BUT if people are already writing and drawing and inspired then a fest is not necessary. If I were to do one it would be prompt based (with an option to write your own prompt) and self-posting (ie: not anon). SUPER CASUAL. Any thoughts?

Yay. Covered. Check out fuckyeah`s merlin_redux!

Also, if you happen to read/write see/draw fic or art inspired by the merlin finale, let drop me a note here and i,ll start a masterlist for those of us (me) who need a few days to process it all before we dive in.

Comments

[marguerite-26.livejournal.com]

Oh! Isn,t she fabulous. <3