The episode mixes a lot of different emotions, as the attack on Camelot is quite tense and has some "The Fall of Gondolin" vibes since the castle is attacked by treachery from the inside during a feast just like it was the case with Gondolin, and the most important characters escape through a back door (though not a literal tunnel). And then there is Arthur under the influence of Merlin's spell, some gentle variety of the Imperious spell, when he does everything Merlin says and agrees with his every word, as well as uses the words "sorry," "thank you" and "please." Arthur in his role of the village simpleton is really hilarious, as well as his interactions with Merlin and Tristan and Isolde. Speaking of which, they are an interesting take on the lovers from Arthurian legends, though Tristan is much older than Isolde and looks more like her dad than boyfriend. Nevertheless, there is real affection between them, and since it seems like Isolde is not married to anyone else, she is not the adulteress from original Arthurian legends and quite a likeable character. Maybe she and Tristan would get to like Arthur and join him in Camelot once it is taken back from Morgana. Arthur seems really shocked by the fact that some of his subjects are not really great fans of him, but maybe he can win Tristan and Isolde's loyalty.
I guessed that they would find Gwen in Ealdor since this is where I would have gone had I been in Gwen's shoes as she knew that Merlin was from there and his mum lived in Ealdor so Guinevere could expect that she would get some help and succour from her. On the other hand, it seemed a bit stupid of Merlin to endanger his home village (and thus his mum) in such a way, as even if Elyan had not been tortured, it would not have been particularly difficult to guess where Merlin and Arthur could have gone since it is Merlin's home. By bringing Arthur to Ealdor, Merlin put all its inhabitants in grave danger, and he could have guessed it before he made this decision. This was definitely unwise of Merlin.
Agravaine finally completed his act of treason and had a coming-out walking to the castle with Morgana and her army. I pity him a bit since it is now obvious that he is in love with Morgana and everything he did was because he is besotted with her and wanted to live a happy life by her side as the queen of Camelot, but Morgana does not reciprocate his feelings as she is perhaps incapable of love. As at this time, she no longer needs Agravaine and plans how to get rid of him.
Review by ladysherlockianBlockedParentSpoilers2020-09-12T13:29:02Z
The episode mixes a lot of different emotions, as the attack on Camelot is quite tense and has some "The Fall of Gondolin" vibes since the castle is attacked by treachery from the inside during a feast just like it was the case with Gondolin, and the most important characters escape through a back door (though not a literal tunnel). And then there is Arthur under the influence of Merlin's spell, some gentle variety of the Imperious spell, when he does everything Merlin says and agrees with his every word, as well as uses the words "sorry," "thank you" and "please." Arthur in his role of the village simpleton is really hilarious, as well as his interactions with Merlin and Tristan and Isolde. Speaking of which, they are an interesting take on the lovers from Arthurian legends, though Tristan is much older than Isolde and looks more like her dad than boyfriend. Nevertheless, there is real affection between them, and since it seems like Isolde is not married to anyone else, she is not the adulteress from original Arthurian legends and quite a likeable character. Maybe she and Tristan would get to like Arthur and join him in Camelot once it is taken back from Morgana. Arthur seems really shocked by the fact that some of his subjects are not really great fans of him, but maybe he can win Tristan and Isolde's loyalty.
I guessed that they would find Gwen in Ealdor since this is where I would have gone had I been in Gwen's shoes as she knew that Merlin was from there and his mum lived in Ealdor so Guinevere could expect that she would get some help and succour from her. On the other hand, it seemed a bit stupid of Merlin to endanger his home village (and thus his mum) in such a way, as even if Elyan had not been tortured, it would not have been particularly difficult to guess where Merlin and Arthur could have gone since it is Merlin's home. By bringing Arthur to Ealdor, Merlin put all its inhabitants in grave danger, and he could have guessed it before he made this decision. This was definitely unwise of Merlin.
Agravaine finally completed his act of treason and had a coming-out walking to the castle with Morgana and her army. I pity him a bit since it is now obvious that he is in love with Morgana and everything he did was because he is besotted with her and wanted to live a happy life by her side as the queen of Camelot, but Morgana does not reciprocate his feelings as she is perhaps incapable of love. As at this time, she no longer needs Agravaine and plans how to get rid of him.