This episode was much more interesting in comparison to the first one, the characters seem to grow and develop. Kay seems to be much more likeable and sympathetic character than Arthur, who is still a bit of the "reluctant king" trope. However, under the advice of Merlin, steering and controlling the young king, he gets the sword of the stone in quite a dramatic manner which almost costs him his life as the sword is embedded in the waterfall and taking it out of the stone causes Arthur to fall down from the cliff. But he gets some more self-confidence thanks to this. The whole sequence with the sword emphasises the differences between this Merlin, who cares more about the realm as a whole rather than personally about Arthur, and the portrayal of the wizard in BBC's Merlin, who would never have risked Arthur's life in such a way. The accident also allows Arthur to bond a bit with his biological mother Igraine. He meets another iconic character, Guinevere, though in this case she is bethrothed to another man, Leontes who earlier saved Arthur's life. Though it is obvious that Arthur is so in love with her. I wonder if he would take her from Leontes as because he is the king he can do whatever he wants. We also see Morgana do magic for the first time, and seemingly betraying Lot after he had her tied to a post all day and night. She does warn Arthur about Lot's attack but it does not mean that she decided to join his cause, as she is only looking for another way to get the crown. Lot and Ector have a mutual kill which is a bit of a pity, since Ector turned out to be a likeable character who cares for Arthur as for his son and not because of the prophecy like Merlin does. But he had to die to force Arthur to grow.
Review by ladysherlockianBlockedParentSpoilers2020-09-26T16:39:35Z
This episode was much more interesting in comparison to the first one, the characters seem to grow and develop. Kay seems to be much more likeable and sympathetic character than Arthur, who is still a bit of the "reluctant king" trope. However, under the advice of Merlin, steering and controlling the young king, he gets the sword of the stone in quite a dramatic manner which almost costs him his life as the sword is embedded in the waterfall and taking it out of the stone causes Arthur to fall down from the cliff. But he gets some more self-confidence thanks to this. The whole sequence with the sword emphasises the differences between this Merlin, who cares more about the realm as a whole rather than personally about Arthur, and the portrayal of the wizard in BBC's Merlin, who would never have risked Arthur's life in such a way. The accident also allows Arthur to bond a bit with his biological mother Igraine. He meets another iconic character, Guinevere, though in this case she is bethrothed to another man, Leontes who earlier saved Arthur's life. Though it is obvious that Arthur is so in love with her. I wonder if he would take her from Leontes as because he is the king he can do whatever he wants. We also see Morgana do magic for the first time, and seemingly betraying Lot after he had her tied to a post all day and night. She does warn Arthur about Lot's attack but it does not mean that she decided to join his cause, as she is only looking for another way to get the crown. Lot and Ector have a mutual kill which is a bit of a pity, since Ector turned out to be a likeable character who cares for Arthur as for his son and not because of the prophecy like Merlin does. But he had to die to force Arthur to grow.