#border: s1e10

[taiseikido]

9ボーダー (2024) subtitles by Furritsubs

[tansyuduri]

Merlin Loregasm Rewatch S1E10

Hi Everyone! Welcome to my rewatch of Merlin focusing on the lore. I am a giant nerd so pretty excited about this. We’re on THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

LETS GO! This one doesnt have the most lore so I am finding little things to cover too. So goosekeeping. In Roman Britain keeping goose domestically was not a big thing. However, by early medieval times, it had very much increased. Merlin stands between these. So keeping geese makes sense. Geese also naturally fatten themselves for winter if left to do so. So are a good choice for a village that doesn't have much to spare in the way of cultivated food.

Now in Feudalism one of the things that was a lord's responsability was basically making sure raiders did not come and do this. Of course, this was done with various degrees of success. Ealdor is a border region and from what we learn. While it is in Cenred's kingdom it does not seem to have a lesser noble of the kingdom ruling over it. It also must be far from Cenred's court. This would leave it far from any protection. Cenred would have more of an interest protecting villages that actually provided him food. (Thus kept up their side of the feudalism deal.) This is later reinforced when it is said they appealed to Cenred (And that their safety is his responsibility) but he cares little for the outlying regions.

Merlin doesn't actually show any lesser nobility that does not live in capital cities. It does however imply they exist. (See Lancelot for more on this) What I find interesting is that Ealdor was not raided before in recent memory. Or at least that it's not mentioned. I wonder if Merlin had anything to do with this.

Funfact "gealdor" in old English means spell or charm or incantation while Ealdor itself means chief, leader, head of family. Prince or king, or Orgin or source. (The last one seems most likely as it is Merlin's place of origin. I cannot find anything about Aecitir Also while Uther is right sending an army over the border would be an act of war. He could VERY likely get away with sending some men as Arthur suggests. ESPECIALLY since there is little likelihood of any of Cenred's soldiers being in the area to know. Its possible if this audience was granted in private he might have risked doing so. And he could have said no and then sent soldiors secretly later BUT this is Uther we are talking about sooooo.

*Screams in not as poor as most commoners Gwen family theory* I feel like I'm kicking a dead horse here but BEING ABLE TO GIVE PEOPLE WEAPONS AND ARMOR IS A BIG DEAL

Morgana: Bring back memories of when I used to beat you

Arthur: That never happened.

So Morgana lost her father at age 10 I have no idea what age Arthur would have been but I'm inclined to believe Morgana and that Arthur made excuses or something. NOW Morgana knows how to fight so I think we need to ask how she was trained? Did Arthur practice with her? Or was she actually trained? From what we see in the show most noblewomen do not know how to fight with swords. So it is not a traditional part of their training in the Merlin world. (The only other noble woman we see using a weapon is Mithian with a crossbow on the hunt and her loving hunting is a rarity by Arthur's reaction.) Medieval woman often used bows on the hunt so this is "normal" There are examples of medieval woman warriors but they are fairly rare. I think Morgana got actual lessons in sword craft from knights and that is was an indulgence of her wanting to learn it by Uther.

OKAY! So they keep chickens too! I'm guessing that they mostly keep them for eggs and perhaps meat very occasionally. Eggs would be a HUGELY valuable source of protein, Along with milk (Merlin mentions there being cows even if we do not see them in this episode) So from what we see, Merlin's diet growing up would have been milk, grains, eggs, and likely some fruits and vegetables as we saw those taken earlier. Perhaps every once in a while some meat.

Confirmation most of the village did not know about Merlin's Secret. I gotta wonder what they thought when Hunith up and sent him seemingly defenseless on the same road we see so many bandits on. Actually Hunith makes her way to Camalot twice on her own though. So Bandaits just ignore peasants if they don't look like they have anything of value on them but if knights and rich people are around attack? I think that's the only explanation for how safe roads in Merlin seem to be for peasants without valuables and how dangerous for LITTERALY everyone else.

Will: why did you Leave?

Merlin: It wasn't what I wanted. My mother was worried. When she found out you knew she was so angry.

Will: I wouldn't have told anyone.

We also know Hunnith said Merlin was at odds with people and Merlin later says you cannot always trust people. (There is also nearly dropping a tree on old man simons with magic.) This entire thing is interesting because Cenred does not hate magic like Uther does. He was fine with Morgouse. So it's quite possible magic is not illegal, or if those rules were in place once Cenred ignored him. Personally I think Hunith was afraid of Cenred taking Merlin and using him as a weapon. Perhaps there would have been a large reward for anyone who discovered a powerful magic user and brought the news to Cenred. This is just a theory of course. She also might have been afraid of someone putting together him being Balinor's son and that information getting out.

Let's take a moment to look at the status of women in the Merlin world. Casual sexism is a thing ("You are such a girl's pedicoat , losing to a girl being bad, Arthur not wanting the woman to fight. ETC) but we sometimes see common women owning land and businesses (Mary's tavern that appears in the Gwaine episode. Alice being a healer.) And the old religion VERY much revered women. However, Female Knights don't seem to be a thing. In fact, As we addressed earlier girls being skilled in battle seems unusual (Though we it in a magic outlaw group once and Isolde. As well as Morgana and Morgouse) and killing them in battle is seen as particularly bad. However, like real medieval woman, they can participate in hunting ETC. They also CAN rule (Gwen, Morgana, Annis) Chastity does not seem as big a deal. Woman can be alone with men without bad comments. And they go where they want without escort. Olaf's behavior toward Vivian is viewed as excessive as well. However, I don't think most noble women have sex before marriage. (Talking about Arthurs's intentions being honorable Uther not trying to bed Katrina until their wedding knight.) While perhaps doing it is not such a big deal (Vivian talking about previous men being chased with knives, Uther urging Arthur to have fun while he can with Sofia) Unsure about commoners. Also I would guess Men inheriting before women is not a thing based on how Morgana is seen as a viable heir to the throne. Also by the size of families we see birth control is readily available. SO A huge improvement on the real middle ages. But casual sexism is still a thing.

[godsimge]

– quick content warning for huge moral orel spoilers, and an essay ahead!

i’d just like to quickly bring everyone’s attention to the fact that orel post-s1e10 (the best christmas ever episode) literally begun to go through ego crucifixion, very evidently displaying signs of it. the christmas episode was where it evidently branched from, seeing as the very last thing on orel’s mind during the ‘praying’ episode was bloberta’s words and the effect they had on him. all the way up until the ‘nature’ episode, where the process finally came to finality. here is an actual definition of what ego death is ;

“the border between one's self and the external world dissolving”

in plainer terms, ego death is the absence of the self, a "complete loss of subjective self-identity” and the concept revolves around leaving behind a lot of emotional baggage, i think if moral orel had continued on into seasons 4 & 5, we would’ve seen orel mature through to adolescence a lot more clearly, and a more in-depth course of growth from the innocent kid he used to be

as you can see by the comparison–he is sadly much more convoluted than he was before the chronological chain of terrible events that came after s1e10. i personally believe it would’ve been really cool to have an episode revolving around the subject of ego crucifixion in general, as it is such a prevalent topic throughout the show, especially with its heavy ties to psychedelics (s1e3, an episode on the basis of the abuse of drugs, although ego death itself isn’t exactly explicit in the episode) as well as traumatic experiences

it is very much so a coping mechanism for the mind!

it is a process of maturing, as well as healing, spiritually, and in orel’s case, maturing too fast. it summarises the process of death and rebirth in the hero’s journey, and comparing season 1 orel to season 3 orel, it is very clear! i may have to make a separate post regarding orel’s journey (in regards to the ‘hero’s journey’) as well, because i think that would be pretty neat

here’s a quick little timeline of orel’s process of ego death, in fact most of it happens during the nature episode, in part 2 predominantly!

leaving behind attachment (attachment towards the idea he once had of his father, the way he idolised clay and looked up to him)

leaving behind ignorance (surrounding the hope that, if orel continued to play the part of a good, worthy son who followed his fathers teachings as much as possibly achievable, his father would change for the better. at a certain point in ‘nature’, he realises that a leopard cannot change its spots, despite how much he prays for it, and clay’s redemption is too far-fetched at that point. this is seen when he lies to clay about not shooting the bear, he is giving up on that hope)

leaving behind anger (anger towards clay’s lack of sympathy to orel after shooting him in the leg during their hunting trip, and his awful habits when drunk, his ‘true nature’. he grows almost apathetic, even towards clay’s threats. orel, in my opinion, wasn’t as angry about the actually shooting, as he was angry at clay’s careless behaviour towards it)

[talesofloreandlegend]

The Hart & The Hind

SERIES · I  EPISODE · X

Storyteller: Sebastian Odell Host: Rick Scott

Thomas now reached the end of his last tale. When it was done, all his listeners were breathless. Other skies and suns, the Fortunate isle, a gift from the Queen of Elfland herself…  they could hardly believe that it was all true, except that it had tumbled from the lips of True Thomas, he who was never heard to speak a lie...

​As  Thomas the Rhymer regales the gathered throng at the feast in his Tower  at Ercildoune, the eyes of the hidden folk are watching…

Seb and Rick close the series by discussing the fate of Thomas the Rhymer, the landscape and geopolitics of Elf-Land, and what they've learned from the experience of creating Lore & Legend season one. Stay tuned for our next Lore Talk, our monthly guest episodes, our holiday specials, and Season 2, out in 2020.

FOLK SONGS INSPIRED BY THIS SEASON OF LORE AND LEGEND

We've curated a list of folk songs on Spotify which are versions of tales from series one, or closely related to their ideas and themes.  We round out the collection with the famous Steel Eye Span version of the Thomas the Rhymer ballad.

Be sure to follow the playlist on Spotify, and watch out for future playlists from the Lore & Legend team!

​

SOURCE MATERIAL

Medieval Romance Thomas, the Rhymer, 1220?-1297?; Murray, James Augustus Henry, Sir, 1837-1915 The romance and prophecies of Thomas of Erceldoune : printed from five manuscripts, with illustrations from the prophetic literature of the 15th and 16th centuries, Published 1875

Songs & Ballads "Thomas Rymer, no. 37", Child's Collected Ballads by Francis James Child

"Thomas the Rhymer and the Queen of Elfland" in Jamieson, Robert, 1780?-1844, Popular ballads and songs, from tradition, manuscripts, and scarce editions; with translations of similar pieces from the ancient Danish language, and a few originals by the editor, Volume 2,  Published 1806 "Thomas the Rhymer" in Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832, Minstrelsy of the Scottish border; consisting of historical and romantic ballads, Volume 2, Published 1802 "Thomas the Rhymer/True Thomas" on Mainly Norfolk: English Folk and Other Good Music

Research Sources

"Thomas the Rhymer." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 30 May. 2019. Web. 28 Jun. 2019.

[ganymedesclock]

With Lance comforting Keith in the trailer and the writers confirming that he takes care of his nephews and neices I hope that the fandom stops calling Lance a jackass, obnoxious, fuckboy or an asshole in their fics. He might be loud and flirtatious, bordering on annoying occasionally, but I never saw him as any of the above. I see those exact words used for lance time and time again in parts of the fandom, tho. I hope season 3 changes that. Lance seems to be the most polarizing of the cast.

I mean, in general, I’ve always found it very peculiar that people accuse Lance specifically of not respecting women.

What Lance does, is flirt with people. His chosen method of flirting with the exception of one lewd-sounding joke Shiro immediately called him on (which he never did again) is pretty much “hey. you’re pretty. do you know I’m also pretty. I think this is very interesting.”

And Allura rolls her eyes. It’s up to you if you think she’s genuinely uncomfortable, but, considering Allura made it very clear in her first canon appearance, and has made good on ever since that she is pretty dang clear about what she decides isn’t okay- I feel like a really uncomfortable Allura would do a lot more than roll her eyes. It feels like a kind of lighthearted interpersonal teasing at this point- Lance jokingly asks Allura for a kiss for luck, Coran makes Lance kiss Platt, our next shot of Lance is him, disappointed but already having withdrawn without obvious compliant and gone back to his Lion.

Lance takes orders from Allura. All the time. The one time Shiro even seemed like he was bossing Allura around in s1e10 and Allura snapped her “I do not need your permission,” Lance was right there with the rest of the team giving Shiro an incredulous look like- seriously? She’s the princess, she’s in charge dude.

The way Lance talks about his mother suggests that she’s someone who means the world to him, that he highly respects. His whole family means a lot to him but his mom is specifically the one he mentions and suggests he has a good relationship with her he’s not remotely ashamed of or thinks shouldn’t be mentioned with. He is completely comfortable telling his friends and peers, including Keith, who’s kind of a rival, that yes, Lance really misses his mom right now.

Lance’s commanding officer at present is Allura and flirting entirely aside he takes her seriously. Outside of the first episode where he had some cases of bad timing, Lance pretty clearly cuts the flirting and focuses when it’s serious. In s1e2 when Allura was pretty clearly bossing them around and specifically driving them to be uncomfortable and turn against her, Lance stuck with it. He didn’t blow Allura off until the food goo fight with the entire team turned on both her and Coran and they did so equally.

The mermaids were led by a queen, who Lance met respectfully as a leader, and the mermaid rebels were 2/3rds female and Lance made an effort to remember their names and take their concerns seriously. If anything, Lance at least in part saved the day in that episode because he refused to write Luxia off and heard her out. Literally, Lance’s success in an episode hinged at least partially on the fact that when a woman in a position of power was trying to tell him something, Lance listened.

And Plaxum? Plaxum turned out to be a pretty girl! Do you know what I noticed in that episode? It’s that unlike many other shows I’ve seen pull that twist- surprise, the ugly girl you were working with turned out to be pretty- Lance never belittles or dismisses Plaxum because of how he thinks she looks. Again, he specifically remembers her name and clarifies to Hunk, “That’s Plaxum.” The one possible thing is Lance didn’t really like having a jellyfish rubbed on his face when Plaxum kissed him but he didn’t act like. Grossed out or anything of ‘oh, this not-pretty girl touched me, eww’. It sounds awful, but- like I said, I have seen a lot of shows have their male character throw someone like Plaxum under the bus only to get “comeuppance” in the form of Well, Too Bad, She Turned Out To Be Hot, implying it’d be totally fine to treat her like that if she wasn’t Secretly Pretty.

Remember when Pidge turned out to be a girl and Lance’s literally only issue with it was he was the last one to know? Remember how in the long term it very obviously and observably changed absolutely nothing about Lance’s relationship with Pidge and he continued to treat her fondly as a kind of younger sibling figure and not pass any judgments on her interests or hobbies?

Also, like… in practice, even when around girls who actually seem into him (Nyma while she was manipulating him, Plaxum, those two girls at the space mall) Lance is not… pushy? People treat him like a sex fiend but his general prerogative reads way more to me as “hope this isn’t too NSFW for you guys but I’d kinda like to hold hands.”

The most intimate thing he did with Nyma was sit on her lap or her hanging onto him during the zipline. Yes, his mind seemed to have gone questionable places when she handcuffed him to the tree but his reaction was also uncertain. He didn’t immediately go “OHH, you’re into THIS, well, I can be ;)” it was “this is… kinda…”

Plaxum, he literally didn’t ask Plaxum to kiss him. If she hadn’t, I really doubt he would have ever brought it up. He was fantasizing briefly about being a hero and later, didn’t even reference his earlier fantasy which basically just boils down to ‘if this all works out I’d like someone to kiss me’ and Plaxum, unprompted, took it upon herself to thank him in a way that she thought he would appreciate given his earlier comment. Anybody who took that scene as Lance going “all right I just saved your civilization, Where’s My Gratitude, I’m not leaving until a mermaid kisses me” fundamentally misunderstands Lance.

Speaking of fantasies:

This is Lance’s fantasy- Zarkon’s down, he wins, everybody likes him. Notice Allura, fully and modestly dressed, who is… looking up to him and has one (1) hand on his belt thing. This is it- this is Lance’s wildest dreams, and it’s: Allura thinks he’s cool and looks up to him. It is like… mildly more suggestive than the thumbs up the rest of the team is giving him.

And I mean, I’m a little uncomfortable with the insinuation that Lance is the Raunchy Sex Guy bereft of canon evidence, especially when in fanfic or certain bad RPs I’ve had there is a lot of “ooh, Mr. Lance, say dirty things to me in spanish”. Sure, canon’s very unlikely to place those insinuations given it’s a PG show but I would not take Lance as someone with a wild sex life just on the One Slightly Lewd Joke he made, once, and then looked mortified as soon as someone called him on it.

Literally being alone with Nyma the first idea out of his mouth was “do you wanna see me climb this tree”

I mean, I think maybe some of the backlash at Lance is kind of reactionary- there’s also a core of people who think of Lance as a Pure Angel Baby who’s the most special and important and why do we need Shiro anyway this should just be the Lance Show, All About Lance- but the solution to people excessively sanitizing Lance is not to excessively demonize him. It’s totally fair to have a problem with what Lance does, but… take issue with traits Lance actually has.

I mean, considering season 3 is apparently bringing in a majority-female antagonist group, I really doubt Lance is even gonna pull a Sokka and go “I can’t believe we got our butts kicked by a bunch of girls” like he hasn’t spent two seasons now taking orders from Allura and counting on Pidge as an effective and knowledgeable ally.