constant-merlin-torture

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Should I write this Merlin fic

yo I’m back after MONTHS lmao. School has been busy, but I haven’t gotten off my Merlin hours—so I had a fic idea that would basically include this in no particular order:

Jealous Arthur Pendragon

Hurt (emotionally) Merlin

Mean Arthur Pendragon (at one point but he gets better)

Flirt OOC

Groveling Arthur

Arthur forgets Merlin somewhere (like in that one episode with Dolma)

it would be like Merlin and Arthur and Arthur kind of leads Merlin on and then Merlin is hurt bc of something Arthur says or does and he gets with this other guy and then Arthur is jealous and hurt and goes and grovelssssssss and then they get together.

what do we think

Lmkkkk

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Teen Literary Journal Looking for New and Disruptive Autumn Stories!

hey there everyone! Been a bit since I’ve posted but I thought I’d come on here and show you a cool opportunity—the Kathai Literary Journal is Open for submission from teen/young writers and artists under the prompt “take a hallmark of autumn and show us a new side of it.”

if you submit your work before September 19TH, you get emailed feedback and an Instagram/tumblr work and post feature.

the general deadline is OCTOBER SECOND.

the submission link and guidelines are attached below. Comment with any questions.

We are looking for new/unpublished original work (aka, no fan fiction)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E3dHroMcUEWGij7_s92siwK4PwesbESevvoETjxxX5o/edit

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Merlin Thought

Ok so I’m rewatching a few of my favorites of Merlin and I think my Taylor Swift clowning is bleeding into my Merlin section of the brain but

The Dark Tower—in which Gwen is kidnapped and Arthur obviously goes batshit—is season 5 episode 7

you know what came first and was episode 7 in Season 4

A servant of two masters

you know what that was about

Another one of Arthur’s great loves getting kidnapped and Arthur subsequently going batshit

COINcidence? I think—Probably if im being fr

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how to comprehend what

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Also 100% a closeted Taylor swift fan

Arthur Pendragon would have been a diehard Britney Spears fan

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ahsiiwjdisicwod this is soooo cute

Arthur’s sneak-around cloak lives rent free in my mind

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Merlin Episode Rant–His Father’s Son

Wow. Wow wow wow. This show istg.

His Father’s Son is perhaps one of the most cohesive, easily understood episodes of the show. It’s complex, it’s interesting, but it lacks one thing that they always lack: Character continuity and just in general having a strong grip on their character relationships. Meaning, Arthur’s decisions, and his character literally contradict each other in this episode. He normally (character) is brave, has conviction, and above all else, loves really hard. Like really hard. Think of the formative stages of Arthur/Gwen! He literally tries to relinquish his kingship for Gwen. I actually really like that moment on its own, if the rest of the relationship didn’t have useless roadblocks or if Gwen actually still was a good character in 4 and 5. Instead, in this episode, he bends like a pipe cleaner to whatever Agravaine is saying, disregards Merlin’s counsel (which, believe it or not, he actually does listen to normally and frequently seeks out), but most importantly, he literally breaks up with Gwen. 

Now, if you’ve been following me for a bit, you’d know that I’m not the biggest fan of the Arthur/Gwen relationship mainly because it doesn’t really change either of them as characters in a good way (The show-runners remove Gwen’s personality for some reason and Arthur stays the same). But, I think this should have been a breaking point moment. Why, oh my god why, does he break up with Gwen? 

Agravaine so easily convinces him to go and cut things off with her, even after the show blares at us that they are “so in love” and that they “are each other’s forevers” but then they have him just go and break up with her because Agravaine thinks so? And not even that—because its not appropriate????????? mmEXCUSE ME???

AND THEN

He seems to believe it. This, for me, shows two things:

The writers have no idea what they’re doing with these characters

If the writers truly understand this decision, then they’re basically telling viewers that Arthur and Gwen’s relationship is so fragile that he would break up with her if his random uncle told him to. Like what the hell.

Also, I want to address what is going on between Arthur and Merlin this episode. I actually think its the most nuanced their relationship has been for a bit in this season. They are not seeing eye to eye on something, and Arthur is pushing him away, but we constantly see that Arthur comes back to Merlin, for everything, after everything, because he needs him. And this is really beautiful. I think Arthur should have made a pinnacle decision in this episode, for both of his relationships.

Here’s how I would fix it

For Arthur and Gwen moment: When Agravaine tells Arthur that his relationship with her is inappropriate, this should have been a wake up call for Arthur. If he truly loves her that much, if he needs her that much, then this relationship should be much stronger than counsel from his pushy uncle. AND, this would actually move the plot forward, as well as strengthen Arthur and Gwen’s relationship. We could have a regroup moment with Arthur and Merlin, where he realizes how much he needs Merlin (maybe not to a full extent to keep up with the pace of the show), as well as his friends and their advice. So, Arthur would decline Agravaine, he would start trusting him less, and this could still progress to that final scene with the fight and Arthur showing mercy and there would be a LOT MORE CONTINUITY in arthur’s character! 

I actually like the idea of Arthur killing the king of Caerleon mainly because it forces his character to go through something difficult like getting it wrong. Plus, it makes sense for him to bend to Agravaine in this situation since he’s genuinely new to making these sorts of decisions.

Also I’m such an advocate for apologies on tv. It seems like on Merlin especially, they really milk the idea of Merlin getting no credit or gratitude, but in this situation, there is nothing to do with his magic or anything. SO, Arthur should have sort-of (in his way) apologized for not trusting Merlin with the Caerleon thing (at least in that scene where Merlin has just gotten all the knights to come and tell him life-affirming things, I think it would have been nice if Arthur had just given some sort of indication that he recognizes that Merlin did tell him, and was trying to help)

Anyway, this is in my top ten Merlin episodes, in terms of it having some sort of weight and making sense on its own, but also, it has so many problems. Plus, there isn’t any real continiuity in Arthur’s character after, and he doesn’t really change at all. 

Also, at the end of the episode, when Arthur and Gwen have that romantic moment, I just feel awkward because it would feel cute and romantic if Arthur hadn’t just easily broken up with her because someone told him to. Like I get that he told Merlin to give her his ring, and that he’s sorry, but like, you did it so easily?? Why wouldn’t you do it again?

This show dude.

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Merlin Episode Rant--His Father's Son

Wow. Wow wow wow. This show istg.

His Father’s Son is perhaps one of the most cohesive, easily understood episodes of the show. It's complex, it's interesting, but it lacks one thing that they always lack: Character continuity and just in general having a strong grip on their character relationships. Meaning, Arthur’s decisions, and his character literally contradict each other in this episode. He normally (character) is brave, has conviction, and above all else, loves really hard. Like really hard. Think of the formative stages of Arthur/Gwen! He literally tries to relinquish his kingship for Gwen. I actually really like that moment on its own, if the rest of the relationship didn’t have useless roadblocks or if Gwen actually still was a good character in 4 and 5. Instead, in this episode, he bends like a pipe cleaner to whatever Agravaine is saying, disregards Merlin’s counsel (which, believe it or not, he actually does listen to normally and frequently seeks out), but most importantly, he literally breaks up with Gwen. 

Now, if you’ve been following me for a bit, you’d know that I’m not the biggest fan of the Arthur/Gwen relationship mainly because it doesn’t really change either of them as characters in a good way (The show-runners remove Gwen’s personality for some reason and Arthur stays the same). But, I think this should have been a breaking point moment. Why, oh my god why, does he break up with Gwen? 

Agravaine so easily convinces him to go and cut things off with her, even after the show blares at us that they are “so in love” and that they “are each other’s forevers” but then they have him just go and break up with her because Agravaine thinks so? And not even that---because its not appropriate????????? mmEXCUSE ME???

AND THEN

He seems to believe it. This, for me, shows two things:

The writers have no idea what they’re doing with these characters

If the writers truly understand this decision, then they’re basically telling viewers that Arthur and Gwen’s relationship is so fragile that he would break up with her if his random uncle told him to. Like what the hell.

Also, I want to address what is going on between Arthur and Merlin this episode. I actually think its the most nuanced their relationship has been for a bit in this season. They are not seeing eye to eye on something, and Arthur is pushing him away, but we constantly see that Arthur comes back to Merlin, for everything, after everything, because he needs him. And this is really beautiful. I think Arthur should have made a pinnacle decision in this episode, for both of his relationships.

Here’s how I would fix it

For Arthur and Gwen moment: When Agravaine tells Arthur that his relationship with her is inappropriate, this should have been a wake up call for Arthur. If he truly loves her that much, if he needs her that much, then this relationship should be much stronger than counsel from his pushy uncle. AND, this would actually move the plot forward, as well as strengthen Arthur and Gwen’s relationship. We could have a regroup moment with Arthur and Merlin, where he realizes how much he needs Merlin (maybe not to a full extent to keep up with the pace of the show), as well as his friends and their advice. So, Arthur would decline Agravaine, he would start trusting him less, and this could still progress to that final scene with the fight and Arthur showing mercy and there would be a LOT MORE CONTINUITY in arthur’s character! 

I actually like the idea of Arthur killing the king of Caerleon mainly because it forces his character to go through something difficult like getting it wrong. Plus, it makes sense for him to bend to Agravaine in this situation since he’s genuinely new to making these sorts of decisions.

Also I’m such an advocate for apologies on tv. It seems like on Merlin especially, they really milk the idea of Merlin getting no credit or gratitude, but in this situation, there is nothing to do with his magic or anything. SO, Arthur should have sort-of (in his way) apologized for not trusting Merlin with the Caerleon thing (at least in that scene where Merlin has just gotten all the knights to come and tell him life-affirming things, I think it would have been nice if Arthur had just given some sort of indication that he recognizes that Merlin did tell him, and was trying to help)

Anyway, this is in my top ten Merlin episodes, in terms of it having some sort of weight and making sense on its own, but also, it has so many problems. Plus, there isn’t any real continiuity in Arthur’s character after, and he doesn’t really change at all. 

Also, at the end of the episode, when Arthur and Gwen have that romantic moment, I just feel awkward because it would feel cute and romantic if Arthur hadn’t just easily broken up with her because someone told him to. Like I get that he told Merlin to give her his ring, and that he’s sorry, but like, you did it so easily?? Why wouldn’t you do it again?

This show dude.

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Colin Morgan omg

Quick one here but if I ever met Colin Morgan I think I would simply pass away and out. Like if I saw him in public I would just drop to the ground and quit.

it’s not even funny how much of a reality that could be lol. Like originally I had the biggest celeb crush on Bradley because he’s Bradley but now I have one on both and it’s increasingly concerning how much I would stop functioning if I met either of them.

sincerely, someone that very much so needs to get over this show so they can move on with their life (not likely)

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Quick Merlin Things Pt. 13

Arthur and Merlin on a hunting trip by themselves and are sitting down having a picnic or smth

Arthur: say Merlin have you ever thought about running away from Camelot to a farm

Merlin, not really paying attention: I mean I basically was slumming it as a small town farmer before I came here but sure yeah

Arthur, nodding: cool

Arthur: and how would you feel about living with other people? Like one other person? That you know and probably like and the other person would like hypothetically die for you

Merlin, still not paying attention but confused: I guess it’d be fine sure

Arthur, sweating: interesting

Arthur:

Arthur, probably feral: how would you feel—hypothetically of course—if that person wanted you to do all the work but then make out after and call you darling and brush your hair and kiss you and hang out with you and eat dinner with you and hug you and then love you a lot

Merlin:

Merlin:

Merlin: arthur what

Arthur: how would you feel if I proposed righ—

GIF if you need visuals or smth idk people like them on here

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Merlin thing

Merlin and Arthur walked (while staring lovingly and bickering and giving their lives for each other and almost holding hands but never hugging) so Nick and Charlie and Alex and Henry could fucking run I don’t make the rules

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*Sigh* another issue with Merlin

I swear only two things keep me truly obsessed with this show: Merthur, and the potential the show had.

So today I was watching The Poisoned Chalice, which I actually don't rewatch that much because its SO good. Like good to the point where I understand everything, the characters make sense, and Arthur and Merlin are progressing naturally. To the point where if it was the entire show, I would be over it, instead just hissing in my head about Merthur rather than being literally obsessed.

Anyway, I realized how GOOD season 1 is. Arthur and Merlin start off awful, and become really close. Their progression is natural, and if it had just been that the entire time, I honestly don't think I would ship them as much. It would just be, b r o m a n c e. Like how they show runners intended (tbh I think around season 3, they realized how gay it was and how gay it had to be and said STEP ON THE GAS).

BUT, it just shows how much potential the show failed to live up to in seasons 2-5. Merlin and Arthur backtrack for some reason, and now Arthur is a real shithead all the time and Merlin is extremely secretive. All of this is understandable if put in a context of "realistic character growth", which I would actually really enjoy IF it felt purposeful. But it didn't.

Rather, it feels as though the show runners and writers weren't able to handle the complexity of a bond like the one between Arthur and Merlin, which is a shame because there was so much untapped potential.

And, its REALLY disappointing because Merlin and Arthur are perfectly portrayed and progressed in season 1. Then, season 2 fails to live up to that.

Then! season 3 gets really homo and sets up the potential for a great place for representation and a way to have the show finally get a grip on the power of their own story. Then, season 4 just keeps dragging us on, and season 5 drags us on further, while still being really homo. And then the cliff drop of a finale---my favorite episode and least favorite at the same time lol.

It goes to show that while creators and show-runners and show-writers can come up with fantastic concepts, they should really start looking to the fandoms and the people watching their shows for direction and places the show is going naturally. As a writer, it's easy to lose sight of things you want to write vs where the story needs to go.

So all in all, Merlin is still my favorite show and probably always will be---unless Bradley and Colin come back together for another show or smth (seriously though, its confusing to me why people in film/tv aren't taking advantage of the crazy amount of on-screen chemistry Colin and Bradley have, not to mention the hordes of viewers they could easily rake in if they cast them together. smh).

However, there are about 1,000,000,000 things I would change about it so that it could actually get a grip on its own story and live up to its own potential.

In conclusion, love Merlin, love Merthur, just wish that fan-advice and fan-commentary was taken more seriously. So so many shows would be loads better if they just took a moment and listened to the general fan consensus around the plot/characters.

sigh

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Merlin and Midterms

Re-entered my “scrolling through Pinterest to feel something while simultaneously watching Merlin and thinking about fanfics that did it better” era to balance out the irrational amount of studying I’m doing

what about the rest of the unwell fandom? Do you have anything planned before it leaves Netflix? I wanted to binge it but it’s leaving today and my midterms are still happening😭😭

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Something about Arthur and Gwen

Gwen feels more like Arthur’s mom than Arthur’s wife lol

Like they look so awkward—sometimes it reminds me of when there’s like a school play, and these two people get cast for romantic interests, except they don’t know each other and neither has acting experience so they just stand there (to be clear, no hate to Bradley or Angel, their performances are SO GOOD)

more minor hate to the writers for forcing this relationship because of original legend instead of letting their story take its space and move where it needed to move and play out how BBC Merlin was going to play out, not Arthurian Legend itself.

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THIS IS EVERYTHING I NEEDED

them💗💕

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Finished the Merlin Season 6 Script

holy fuck why was that so so so heterosexual????

SPOILERS

I thought I might be up for Mergana but Jesus Christ it’s not for me lol

also Arthur was the gayest gay and him and Merlin should’ve kissed. Also there’s an outrageous scene at the end where Arthur is made King and then he makes Merlin THE LITERAL KINGMAKER? Gay

and Arthur and Gwen broke up—100% going for Lancewen in the script

all in all, this is probably what would’ve happened if there was a season 6, so with that I say, I hope to god there isn’t one. A season 6 with wasted potential would be worse than no season. Thank you. That being said, I did really enjoy reading it, and would recommend cause it has all the closure stuff (and Coldplay!)

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Merlin Season 6

so I caved and started reading the season 6 script—why is it the most heterosexual thing I’ve ever read?

Lmk your thoughts (without spoilers for the last two!) cause so far:

Merlin is fantastically characterized except he feels too straight lol

Arthur is lovely too and I have a feeling they’re just going to have him get back with Gwen in some dramatic way, but he feels gayer than Merlin in this

Gwen is so fucking annoying and kinda awful and I feel bad for her again lol—kinda a BAMF in the first couple appearances

The others are characterized almost perfectly