Valiant

RECAP AND THOUGHTS

Valiant

Season 1 Episode 2

I will admit right away that this is not my favorite episode of Merlin. I think I just feel bad for Merlin in it. The poor boy does so much, and they make it very clear right away just how unappreciated he is. Right when Arthur is good, and trusts Merlin...well let's just get into the recap shall we?

So this episode of Merlin starts off with a super shady guy going into a super shady place and asks for a super shady shield. One thing all of these shady dealers need to learn in this series is that once they give them the magic object...they're going to die...so maybe you shouldn't give them the magical object. Seriously! It happens too often that these shady dealers are killed off by the magical object they just sold. A little predictable...also maybe why this is not my favorite episode.

Knight Valiant himself is a pretty decent actor. He looks evil, which I guess is the point. He is a knight who comes to camelot to fight in their tournament.

Merlin and Arthor practice a little bit for the tournament. It's quite comical, but you feel bad for Merlin. He's obviously not real practice for Arthur so I'm not sure why Arthur actually wants to practice that way. Probably just to pick on Merlin. It's entertaining anyway...and definitely just makes you go awww...merlin. 

Merlin uses some of the cool magic he learned to open a book later. I know. Hardcore. I mock, but I would love that talent. 

Gwen teaches Merlin about armer, as he apparently doesn't know this stuff. Guess he didn't need to know it in his old village. They really are oddly cute when they flirt.

Merlin takes forever putting on Arthur's armor, which is funny, especially when he's so proud of himself, but forgot his sword. Cute moment.

The tournament begins. We see Uther being a jackass of a father by pressuring Arthur. Morgana is taken with Valiant. As stated in my last blog post, Morgana is Uther's ward. She is, currently, a good person. She conflicts with Uther's views, but in the same way that we, the viewer, do. Katie McGrath plays Morgana well. At first something about Katie's mouth bugged me. I don't know. Just one of those things that annoys me randomly. But I have gotten over it, probably because Katie is a very talented actress.

So when Valiant wins, he offers his congratulations to Arthur for his win (with another opponent). Arthur clearly does not feel friendly towards Valiant, but as a noble Prince, he offers his congratulations as well. As Valiant walks away, Merlin mutters "creep". Arthur laughs, Merlin laughs, but then Arthur realizes it and stops and gives Merlin a list of chores to do. The moment where they both laugh is an iconic moment. I think it's the first time they genuinely connected. It was a brief moment, but still valid. 

Merlin does Arthur's chores, while sitting on his bed reading his magic book. A bit of light comedy is thrown into the mix as all the chores are being done on their own (boots are polishing themselves, sword is being sharpened etc). Gaius comes in, and is outraged by Merlin using magic. Come on! You give a kid a magic book, and then expect him NOT to use it? Please. It's like giving a kid a bag of candy and say don't EVER eat it! But worse! This first season definitely lacks some common sense, TRUST me viewers, it gets a better.

We find out soon that not only is Morgana taken with Valiant, but Valiant is taken with Morgana, much to the dislike of Arthur. Who totally has a crush on his...nevermind.

Merlin's in the armory and guess what? The snake's on Valiant's shield starts hissing. He goes over and looks at it, and it starts blinking. Hmmm...odd. Then a sword is pointed at his chest. Uh oh Merlin. He gets out of trouble, don't worry viewer.

Merlin learns to put together Arthur's armor/gear quickly, and Arthur finally looks somewhat impressed, but then states, "Not that it could get any worse." The two still seem jovial and content, and it really shows an improvement on both their characters. Even Gaius recognizes a difference, when he says to Merlin, "Is it just me, or are you beginning to enjoy yourself?" Merlin concedes, "It isn't totally horrible all the time." :) Then he starts cheering for Arthur. Aww.

Then Valiant  nearly kills a man with his damn shield. MotherF'er. Gaius notices the snake bites. Hmmm wonder where those came from...it's not like Valiant has SNAKES on his SHIELD. Hmm.

Well Merlin is able to make the connection so he goes and tries to get another little sneak peak at the shield. He notices Valiant feeding mice to the snakes now protruding out of the shield. Uh oh, Valiant notices him spying and chases after him. But Merlin is clever, and knows how to hide behind a pillar. lol, seriously, love this show.

Merlin wants to tell on Valiant to Arthur, but Gaius explains that the King will never take Merlin's word over Valiant's so he has to have some concrete evidence. 

Then a lot of fighting happens. The fight coordinator does a wonderful job, and so do the actors. I've always just been more interested in dialogue, in both viewing and in my own writing. It's something I have to work on.

Oh Valiant used the shield again. Merlin's pissed. Uther likes Valiant, which annoys Arthur. Merlin goes to find the shield, as they are all at a banquet. Uses his magic to unlock a door (awesome, definitely a necessary piece of magic. Has anyone, other than me though ever asked why the hell these witches and wizards are abled to be locked up in Uther's dungeon? I mean...you can't REALLY lock them up right?)

Merlin cuts of the head of one of the snakes. He gets the venom out to save the knight that was bitten. So Merlin takes the head of the snake and tries to convince Arthur that Valiant is cheating. Arthur admits he doesn't like Valiant, and seems to appreciate that Merlin is trying to tarnish his name, but at the same time, he doesn't believe he's cheating. After explaining that the Knight will be conscious soon and getting Arthur to look at the head of a snake (which apparently there aren't any like that in Camelot), he gets Arthur to believe he's telling the truth. Arthur puts his faith in Merlin, and it's heartwarming. Yay.

So they call everyone together, and Arthur proclaims these accusations. Of course Valiant says No, he show's Uther the snake head but that is not enough to convince him. Arthur tells Merlin they need the Knight that was injured. Just then Gaius walks in with some horrible news. The Knight died. That evil shield of Valiant's! The snake JUMPED out of the shield, because yes, apparently the snakes could do that, and it killed the poor Knight! Bloody things.

So Valiant is let off the hook. And Arthur is PISSED at Merlin!!! Poor Merlin! Arthur shouts at him and FIRES him! I hate that part more than anything.

So Merlin goes and whines to the dragon, but that doesn't get him anywhere. 

Great Dragon: "The half cannot truly hate that which makes it whole. Very soon, you shall learn that."
Merlin: "Oh, great. Just what I needed. Another riddle."
Great Dragon: "That your and Arthur's path lies together is but the truth. "
Merlin: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Great Dragon: "You know, young warlock, this is not the end. It is the beginning."
Merlin: "Just give me a straight answer!"


Then Gwen talks to Merlin. She is definitely concerned. 

Gwen: "Is it true what you said about Valiant using magic?" (Merlin nods) "What are you going to do?"
Merlin: "Why does everyone seem to think it's down to me to do something about it?"--Good point Merlin!
Gwen: "Because it is! Isn't it? You have to show everyone that you were right and they were wrong."

Of course, though, he figures it out. He pulls up a statue of a dog and takes it to his room. Hmmm. 

He practices a spell, all night. Can't get it to work, it seems, as nothing happens. 

Meanwhile Morgana has more bad dreams, which seem to be futuristic in nature. Hmmm. Probably not good.

Merlin, not able to work the spell, goes back to Arthur and begs him not to compete. Arthur seems to still honestly believe Merlin, but can't withdraw. He would look like a coward. And then his horrible father wouldn't love him anymore. Also, of course, to his people. He needs to prove he can lead them into battle. Merlin says that he will die, and Arthur says he knows. Merlin asks how he can go out there knowing that, and Arthur says it's his duty. For the first time Merlin is able to empathize with Arthur and realize that maybe the Prince's life isn't always easy.

Merlin continues to practice the spell, unwilling to give up.

Finally as the battle commences the next morning, Merlin gets the spell to work, and the dog statue turns into a real dog. Quite funny as the dog nearly bites off Merlin's head. Merlin tells Gaius to stay out of there, but Gaius of course looks and is shocked to find the dog. Also funny.

Merlin comes out to save Arthur, yet again. When it is clear view and Arthur has no weapons, Merlin releases the snakes. Everyone sees Valiant using magic. Morgana throws Arthur a sword. He kills the snakes and then Valiant, himself. YAY ARTHUR!

Arthur escorts Morgana to the feast (seriously ew), but they fight when Morgana says she saved Arthur, and he denies it. 

Arthur goes and tells this to Merlin, as if they were buddies. Funny. Then Arthur actually does apologize to Merlin. Aww. Then he rehires Merlin. Yay! Until he gives Merlin a new list of chores. Too funny.

That's it for this episode! Hope you enjoyed, and weren't too put off by my....abundant use of sarcasm.

<3

LJ

References:

Some of the quotes I used are from here:
http://www.merlintvshow.com/page/EP02+Valiant

Some of the pictures I have originated from here:
http://merlin.wikia.com/wiki/Valiant_(episode)

Thank you!