#edwin Muirden

[ohmerricat]

continuing with merlin. just watched a remedy to cure all ills. the politics of this show are nigh indecipherable at the moment… is it or is it not reactionary? “the only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun magic spell is a good guy with a gun magic spell”

are we supposed to sympathise with uther, a fascistic despot who in this case brutally executed this kid’s parents for living openly, leaving him scarred and traumatised?? are we supposed not to cheer on edwin as he prepares to end the king’s reign of terror once and for all?

^this man did nothing wrong. his motives were completely logical, his desire to finally overthrow uther, ushering in an age of liberation for sorcerers, was 100% justified, not only given his past, but simply based on the concept of “human rights”, “freedom of expression” and the like — ideas foreign to a medieval mind, yes, but surely not to the script writers… surely the narrative should be condemning gaius for being the epitome of a complicit so-called liberal, a man who betrayed his former friends and colleagues in exchange for a cushy position at court, hypocritical and self-serving…

but no. we’re meant to be glad that the menace of edwin was defeated, and that the status quo (hurrah) oppressive to our protagonist has been preserved. i don’t know, it probably gets better later, i’m probably complaining too early on, i’ve only seen 5 episodes. but jesus fuck, people, get it together!

[the-king-and-the-druidess]

Sophia x Edwin • They met in the woods of Albion, on their way to Camelot. Two exiles wearing a mask, keeping their revenge, longing to return home. The Alchemist and the Fae. She was not afraid of his deformity, it distinguished him from other mortals and made his brilliant mind stand out brighter. He was not afraid of where she came from, of the wildness that lived in her. The remedy to cure all ills, just a shadow compared to the immortality that Fae possess, but a great gift for a wandering physician. Uther's black soul bottled was his promise for her. Sophia and Edwin agreed to meet at midnight on the Solstice eve if their wishes come true. But this wasn't destined to happen • “Timeless is the creature who is wise, and timeless is the prisoner in disguise” [Stevie Nicks, Beauty and the Beast] • F I C

[maliefizz]

Yes, Merlin and Arthur are destined to be together. But Edwin Muirden was definitely Merlin's side chick.

[myddrinmob]

Coeden Onnen

The room, when he enters, is filled with flame. At its source stands Edwin, face twisted with anger. At its burning centre is Gaius. Merlin has come upon an execution. “What are you doing?” He yells, bile rising as he glares at the man he thought so clever. Gaius shouts, sounding desperate. “He was trying to kill the King! I couldn’t let him.” Oh. Of course he was. For a moment, Merlin is overwhelmed with that same sympathetic understanding he found with Mary Collins, so long ago: who did Edwin lose, the last time he was so close to such a flame?

My writing might be a bit like buses - none for ages, and then several turn up all at once...

Anway - riding this wave of motivation, here's Chapter 6!

First off, I want to give credit where it's due: the bulk of inspiration for the changes in this episode come from this excellent post by @tyrannuspitch.

^here's a boquet of flowers for you - promise there's nothing wrong with them

It's this meta - and our own household's howling indignation every time Uther lives and a magic user dies - that prompted the change in the last few scenes of this episode.

“Release him,” he says to Edwin, arms spread wide, palms facing down in an expression of peace. “Please.”

For starters, some more angst about yet another sorcerer Merlin kills in service of Camelot: specifically this time, for Gaius, who, for better or worse, has chosen to stand against Edwin.

EDWIN You didn't know he was a sorcerer? Ah. I wonder what Uther will do. Probably have him burnt. GAIUS You would betray another sorcerer? EDWIN You did.

Like, Edwin's not wrong here. We know, canonically, that Gaius turned people over to the Camelot inquisition - it's not come up before now, not explicity, but Uther doesn't call folks 'allies against magic' for nothing. We'll hear later on that he helped some people escape too, though we're never given enough information either way to say whether Gaius was acting as a double agent on the side of magic, or whether he just thought to spare a few people that he cared about.

Is Gaius a true believer in the Utherian doctrine? Hard to say. He's certainly absorbed an ethos of caution and, argubly, corruption: Merlin is constantly told that magic is dangerous, a tool of last restort. Not wrong, per sey, but when it's the only food you're fed, you're going to grow in a certain way.

And we get our first ethical contrasts, the first real assaults on the system of ethics that Gaius is imparting to Merlin. One, from Edwin, who speaks of magic with such freedom and love, but who also sees it at least somewhat as a means to power (not unlike our unfavourite king...). The second, and the one to which Merlin is much more likely to pay attention, is of course from Gwen.

Merlin knows what she's going to request of him before the words have reached her lips. “You want to know if I could help her instead.” “Is it selfish of me to ask? I know it would be dangerous for you, I just -” She covers her mouth with a shaking hand, looks away to hide herself, even slightly, from his well-meaning look. “It’s not selfish. Not at all. But…” Gwen snaps her gaze back to him, and now it is his turn to hide. “Gaius said I shouldn’t.”

That's gonna be important, these two constrating sets of ideals. Imagine if she'd been in the King's chambers at the end.

[xviruserrorx]

MerlinRewatch2023 -> "A Remedy To Cure All Ills" Paradise Lost ~ Masterlist [Prev <- • -> Next]

[cannondisabledcharacters]

Today’s disabled character of the day is Edwin Muirden from Merlin, who has facial scarring

Requested by Anon

[Image Description: Photo of Julian Rhind-Tutt playing Edwin. He has burn scars along the right side of his face and neck. He has short blond hair and blue eyes. He is wearing faded blue robs with striped endings of his sleeves, a red undershirt, black pants, and silver circular necklace.]

[sneakyboymerlin]

Why's Edwin kinda 😳

How did I miss this ask. Glad he clicks for you anon. Love the dude as a character. Mega interesting guy. Would’ve loved to see more of he

[tiodolma]

Merlin Characters as Animated Villain Songs! Part 9

Lady Helen/Mary Collins - Yodel-Adle-Eedle-Idle-Oo (Alameda Slim, Home on the Range)

They call me mean, boys! Depraved and nasty, too And they ain't seen, boys The cruelest thing I do!

You see, I…

Yodel-adle-eedle-idle-odel-oo!

The sweetest way of rustlin' yet devised! 'Cause when I yodel-adle-eedle-idle-odel Why, looky how them cows get hypnotized!

He don't prod He don't yell Still he drives them dogies well, Which ain't easy when your chaps are labeled XXXXL!

Yes, if you're lookin' from a bovine point of view I sure can yodel-adle-eedle-idle Odel-adle-eedle-idle Yodel-adle-eedle-idle-oo!

Edwin Muirden feat. Merlin - Love is an Open Door (Prince Hans, Frozen)

[Merlin:] All my life has been a series of doors in my face And then suddenly I bump into you [Edwin:] I was thinking the same thing! 'Cause like I've been searching my whole life to find my own place And maybe it's the party talking or the chocolate fondue [Merlin:] But with you... [Edwin:] But with you [Edwin:] I found my place... [Merlin:] I see your face... [Both:] And it's nothing like I've ever known before! Love is an open door!

[Merlin:] I've never met someone- [Both:] Who thinks so much like me! Jinx! Jinx again! Our mental synchronization Can have but one explanation [Edwin:] You- [Merlin:] And I- [Edwin:] Were- [Merlin:] Just- [Both:] Meant to be! [Merlin:] Say goodbye... [Edwin:] Say goodbye... [Both:] To the pain of the past We don't have to feel it anymore! Love is an open door! Love is an open door! Life can be so much more! [Merlin:] With you! [Edwin:] With you! [Both:] Love is an open door...

[tyrannuspitch]

[vampyreblogger]

devlin:

ebor:

edwin muirden:

eldred:

elyan:

eoghan:

ethan:

evan:

evoric:

ewan:

[the-king-and-the-druidess]

Deora Ar Mo Chroí • Edwin/Sophia • SI • scar revealing

The young wizard feared he got lost in the woods when he noticed the fire among the trees. "Good night, friends. Please, let me share a place at your fire."

"Make yourself comfortable, good wayfarer." A regal old man welcomed him.

Edwin sat down and carefully peeked out from under his big grey hood. These travelers, father and daughter, were not poor beggars as he first thought. They were noble wanderers, dressed in velvet and silk, equipped with sophisticated staffs. Edwin forgot how to breathe when his gaze fell on the girl. Her fair locks were gemmed with dewdrop diamonds, her eyes were the colour of evening mists, the smile on her full lips was mysterious and omniscient. Edwin immediately realised she and her father were sorcerers like him.

"Who are you?" She asked with a little smirk when she noticed his gaze.

Poor Edwin hurried to lower his head so that she would not be offended by his deformity. "I'm Edwin Muirden, a physician. I'm going to Camelot."

Father and Daughter traded meaningful glances. "I'm Sophia. And this is my father, sir Aulfric."

"Honoured to meet you, my Lady, my Lord."

They talked till midnight. He told them everything. They told almost nothing. When sir Aulfric fell asleep, Edwin found that Sophia moved closer to him. He was infatuated with her. She lifted her hands, slowly drew his hood off, and looked at the scars that deformed his face. He met her gaze defiantly, but found no horror or hatred in her soft eyes.

"You know, my dear brave Edwin, I can remove all this faster than a butterfly flaps its wing. I can make you more beautiful than any prince." Her cool fingers caressed his sick cheek. This otherwordly beauty looked fascinated by the mortal ugliness.

"Thank you, my lady Sophia, but no. These marks are my memory, the price for who I and my family are. The pledge of my revenge." Edwin swallowed a lump in his throat.

Sophia sighed and nodded. "I think I understand you." She moved even closer, and kissed him on the lips. His first and last kiss, for who else but a forest sorceress could love a disfigured monster like him?.. Edwin closed his eyes at the tantalizing touch of her lips, at the sweet embrace of her arms...

He woke up at noon. The sun was high, the woods merry. There was no trace of the lady Sophia and her noble Father. Edwin sat up and palpated his face with a mixture of horror and hope. The scars were still there. Sophia respected his choice. She will always remain in his heart. He stood up, somehow feeling stronger and more determined to do what he had to do than ever.

[justaz]

like i’ve said time and time again, i haven’t watched bbc merlin in years but i was just wondering when the first time merlin called arthur by his name to his face and im scrolling thru the transcripts on the fandom wiki (supposedly it was s1ep4 btw) and im skimming the script for all these episodes and getting angrier and angrier. gaius was wrong for all that. morgana deserved so much better. edwin muirden was valid as hell (for targeting uther AND gaius. yeah. i said it.). also kilgharrah ate with that one lil line “then turn a blind eye. that is, after all, your talent” okay lizard brain pop offff.

[punkxcalibur]

When i first started watching Merlin, I always thought the 'villainous magic-user of the week' was gonna become Merlin's friend. Seriously, it was like this with Valiant, Nimueh, Edwin, etc etc. But he almost always ends up killing them. And if he DOES get a friend, they die lol.

Anyways, over the seasons my view on this kind of shifted. When a new character was introduced, my immediate thought was "evil". Especially with Sefa and Agravaine. However, I think this becomes a lot less prevalent in the later seasons because it's not really "Monster of the week" anymore, it's more like "Morgana's evil scheme of the week".

[tansyuduri]

Merlin Loregasm Rewatch S1E1

Hi Everyone! Welcome to my rewatch of Merlin focusing on the lore. I am a giant nerd so pretty excited about this. Time for THE DRAGON'S CALL

Okay so by the looks of it Merlin walked all the way to Camalot. Every other person we ever see walking on the roads and many who ride get ambushed by bandits. So it seems Merlin either managed to remarkably avoid trouble once in his life. Or he took down a lot of enemies. Unless he just killed them all you would think someone would have noticed Magic unless he hid it. So it is possible Merlin already had a good deal of practice using sneaky magic in fights BEFORE arriving in Camalot.

It could also just be that the Road from Ealdor to Camalot is VERY safe because later in the season Merlin, Arthur, Gwen, And Morgana get there without incident, AND Gwen gets there fine in season 4. OF course, she might have had the skill to just fight off enemies. Another thing to think about that is funny is the possibility they were safe later partly because Merlin just managed to atract every possible danger and totally destroy it on his way to camalot in Merlin fashion. (And it kept happening if he ever visited home the times we do not see.) I could just be overthinking everything too. That will be a common theme.

OKAY! this is interesting, This is pretty much one of almost no one we see with a last name let alone a middle one. At this time in history last names were HIGHLY uncommon and usually belong to nobles. SO this brings up a question I find really interesting. Is it possible that the Collins family were once nobles? What happened to magic-practicing nobles when Uther took charge? Were they killed and then had their family stripped of their titles? If so it would explain the random last name (And how his mom knows how to move in a fancy dress perfectly later) HOWEVER in To Cure All Ills, Edwin Muirden has a last name. And one would think Uther would recognize it if THEY were a noble family. So this could just be a random fluke thing.

Full line from Uther here is: " When I came to this Land, this kingdom was mired in Chaos. But with the People's help Magic was driven from the realm, So I declare a festival to celebrate 20 years since the great dragon was captured. And camalot freed from the evil of Sorcery."

THIS tells us a ton. First of all, Uther did not grow up in Camalot. It's possible he was either a ward of some other person if he was from an ancient bloodline of Kings of Camalot. OR he became king purely by Right of Conquest! A magic mention just after 'mired in chaos' is interesting because it could imply there was more bad magic than just the death of his wife going on. This is supported by the mention that the people helped! It is also possible it is independent of magic if so WHAT CHAOS? I NEED TO KNOW. But either way, it becomes clear that the people supported enforcing the magic ban big time. Let's move onto 20 years. If the popular headcannon that Arthur turns 21 on his birthday in the first season is true, it means Arthur was born and then Magic was purged in about a year. Or at least the great dragon was captured about a year into the purge. The first seems more possible because of the "And Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery."

Does this look like an OH SHIT I knew this woman. She was a noble! face or not? He also lets her monoluge a while before the "Seize her" and looks kinda haunted.

Okay, Seriously what does it take to do this teleport spell. We only see her and Morgouse do it. MERLIN WHY DID YOU NOT LEARN THIS?

Gaius is very big on Magic must be studied and learned in this episode but later will mention Uther "drowned children for magic they were born with" We also see other people born with magic (Mordred, Morgana) So my thought is that people can be born with magic and sometimes do some random things and have random outbursts. BUT they need to study to learn any big spells or use it purposely. There are also people NOT born with magic who study it and learn. (Gaius seems to hint at this.) (or perhaps they have to be born with the ability too in which case Gaius was born with the ability but had to study a LOT) I'm a strong believer in "Magic is an Allegory for things you are born with that makes you fundamentally different from most people." So I prefer the later version) This hints that like MANY things magic ability is part talent and part study.

This just in! There is an estimated time to get from Ealdor to Camalot by walking. Perhaps Merlin did NOT clean out every possible threat along the way? ALSO RANDOM THOUGHT was Merlin's room once Alices? Or just a bed he let patients lay on? Like Merlin tends to do?

OKAY first mention of religion. The word "God" is used. I will be keeping track of these since its one of the things I wanna figure out with this rewatch.

Morgana: To whom! He practiced some magic. he didn't Hurt Anyone Uther: You were not around 20 years ago. You have no Idea what it was like.

Morgana: How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then? Uther: Until they realize there is no room for magic in my kingdom OKAY interesting this seems to possibly hint that once again more than Ygraines's death went on. It also seems to show that the magic ban is not universal "MY Kingdom" Yet Uther doesn't seem like the type to ally with magic-using kingdoms. We'll keep an eye on this

This starts the reflective surfaces reveal Ilusion magic rule. We will be keeping an eye for exceptions to see if I can find any but the rule seems pretty universal (Except for cups at the dinner scene. so puddles and mirrors.)

Okay those are for sure Tomatos which TOTALLY were only in the new world. I love this because it implies some great sorcerer like Sigan was like "you know what we need more crops. I want a more varied breakfast *summons crops from half a world away* PLANT THESE PEASANTS."

Funfact! Gwen's family/ancestor most likely came to Albion with the Romans during their invasion! This is one a reason it's ridiculous when people try to say there were not black people in Britain at this time.

Gaius: The likes of which I've never seen before

Merlin: What do you mean?"

Gaius: Well magic requires incantations, spells; it takes years to study. What I saw you do what elemental Instinctive

EXEPT is does not always require incantations, and we know for a fact that gaius talks about children born with magic later. So I think he means controled magic here.

Gaius: Uther banned all such wrk 20 Years Ago.

Merlin: Why?

Gaius: "People used magic for the wrong end at that time. It threw the natural Order into Chaos. Uther made it his mission to destroy everything from back then, even the dragons. Ok this seems much more likely to just refer to Ygraine. We also get a mention of Uther destroying Dragons. A freind of mine on a discord brought up that they think the dragon lords must have actually helped Uther because HOW ELSE DID HE KILL DRAGONS (let alone get a chain to hold one!)

GAH! No spell was recited here! WHY Merlin WHY! Was this done on accident?

We've got another God Used!

[quotidian-oblivion]

for the Melrin ask - Worst thing you think Merlin ever did. im so curious about this one

I had to think so much about this one too.

I don't know. I love Merlin, he's my favorite character. I justify everything he does, even if it's bad. That's what happens with any favorite fictional characters.

I don't want to say "Not telling Arthur sooner" or "Mistrusting Mordred" or "Poisoning Morgana" or anything of the like because, to be fair, that's a given. It's something a lot of us will lament about. Mainly because the writers did not do their job properly (imo).

I'd say, the worst thing he did, to me, is be passive.

I'm bringing up my own values and morals here because I believe that Merlin ruined himself and all of Albion by being passive. By listening to the dragon and not doing his own research. By being whatever Arthur needed him to be. By taking things upon himself. By not trusting others because that's what he was told.

If Merlin had been a little more assertive and a little more sure of himself and what he wanted, then the show would have gone on in an entirely different direction. But he's passive. For the majority of the show. The biggest time where he's not is in the first scene where he challenges Arthur because he wanted to stay true to his ideals and values which was to stand up against bullies who prey on the ones who can't defend themselves against them.

If he had been more assertive, he would have told Arthur earlier, he wouldn't have poisoned Morgana, he would have trusted Mordred or even Gwaine and the others more.

But he let himself be led by Destiny and Kilgharrah and Gaius and whoever else advised him rather than take some time to think things through first. Like Arthur does.

The thing about Merlin and Arthur here is that Arthur really is bolder than Merlin, but in a different way. He is bold in a way Merlin lacks, which is with practical and tactical matters. He questions Merlin's judgement, questions his father's judgement, Gaius's judgement. Agravaine was a main villain for season 4 because of his perfect ways of manipulation and deceit in a way that it got past Arthur's critical thinking and assertiveness. Arthur doesn't take things at face value and is willing to consider different ways things can go and the show mostly shows that when it comes to questioning Merlin's judgement (like about Agravaine and the siege tunnels and about Gwen at first etc). But in the first few seasons, he questioned his father's judgement a lot too but the fandom mainly focuses on Merlin's opinions vs Arthur's even though he and Uther had met head-on-head multiple times.

Arthur doesn't take things at face value which is why it's possible for so many magic reveal fics to look and be accurate.

But Merlin does. Merlin takes a lot of things at face value. He took Kilgharrah's sayings at face value, he took Gaius's (good-hearted but misguided) warnings at face value. He took what the druids said, what Edwin Muirden said, what Julius Borden said, what that druid seer in the Diamere episode said, and so many others at face value. Just accepted it without thinking much about it and went forward.

Don't get me wrong, Merlin has a very strong moral compass and moral thinking. But he lacks critical thinking. Something which Arthur doesn't lack. They complete each other in this way.

But if we're not looking at all that then I'd say the worst thing I believe Merlin ever did was poison Morgana because- WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK MERLIN, DID YOU NOT THINK OF ANY OTHER FUCKING SOLUTION???? HOW ABOUT GETTING MORGANA OUT OF THE CASTLE? HUH? WHAT THEN? WHAT ABOUT TELLING HER THAT HEY, I'M GONNA POISON YOU BUT DW I HAVE THE ANTIDOTE SO THAT I CAN REVIVE YOU AGAIN WHEN MORGAUSE COMES AND LIFTS THE SPELL BC I KNOW THAT YOU DONT WANT THIS EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK UTHER SUCKS. I MEAN, THE USED THAT PLAN SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES ALREADY, WHY COULDN'T THEY USE IT THIS ONCE???????