Weekly TV Show Reaction: Merlin - S01 E08
Added 2025-06-28 06:00:05 +0000 UTC
Comments
I would have loved for this show to have been given the higher rating/Darker edge, because they could've done so much more with everyone. That being said, what they do with them in this is also incredible, because they do twist them from their original mythological counterparts into their own beings. Arthur, Morgana and Mordred in particular have been given a fresh introduction to each other that is unique to this show alone. Speaking as the Lore/Mythology nerd being nodded to with that name drop at the end... Mordred/Merdraunt/Medraut in traditional mythology/lore is actually the son of either Arthur and Morgana/Morgan Le Fey or the son of Arthur and Morgause/Margawse. He is destined to kill Arthur in Legend because his birth is the sin of incest, as Morgana and Morgause are Arthur's half sisters. 98% when they are coupled together they have no idea that they are actually related, but in some of the darker retellings Morgause chooses Arthur as a partner knowing they're related as a way to punish Arthur for taking away her right as Queen by existing, and she then raises Mordred to hate Arthur and plot his downfall. In other versions Merlin and Vivianne (The Lady of the Lake) plan for Arthur and Morgana to have a child in the hopes that a child born from people belonging to both worlds: Arthur (Who is of the new Christian faith in the general realm) and Morgana (a priestess of the Old Religion from Avalon), will be the link between the realms to unite the land of Albion, they simply choose to hide the parentage and familial heritage to all parts so that no hatred or sin or guilt could fester and disrupt things. So knowing the above, it makes Morgana's and Arthur's protectiveness of Mordred in this show stand out, because even though they've never met him (and clearly have never been together in anyway) they are both drawn to him and wish to protect him as there is an unusual bond they all feel, almost like he's the son they never had. Now that I've dropped all of that I'll shut up and scurry away.
gailee12
2025-06-29 20:17:45 +0000 UTCWhen this season was airing Colin and Bradley (Merlin & Arthur) did a talk show about this episode. And I always remember Bradley's reaction so vividly. [Cute picture of Asa Butterfield playing Mordred flashes on screen, and the audience 'awws'] Bradley: 'Aww, aww' He's gonna kill me! Audience Laughs at his reaction. Bradley: They don't care, they just don't care [Colin pats arm in sympathy] Emrys is a Welsh name/spelling/term for Merlin, so that was a nice nod to some of the older legends and roots :)
gailee12
2025-06-29 19:55:58 +0000 UTC
