sophinisba | A so-so movie and a great fic

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A so-so movie and a great fic

Tonight I went out to see the movie The International as a reward for finishing the things I meant to do today. From the preview I'd figured that the story wouldn't interest me much but that it would involve Clive Owen looking hot in various countries, with guns. So it was! I ate popcorn and drank Cherry Coke and looked into his soulful eyes while, for reasons I didn't really understand, he shot at people and got shot at.

Speaking of me being more turned on by violence than I should be, hey Claudia and S. and whoever wants to join in, can we discuss

shinetheway's Loss, and the Finding? Because, um, sldkjf;lfkj sd;ldkjfa;s.

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Now, the cup scene: it's funny, my take on this is very different from yours. To me, it is MORE impressive for Arthur to sacrifice himself this way for Merlin than in battle. Battle is easy for Arthur, where everything is about the heat of the moment and being noble. This is very different; it's a deliberate action to save Merlin, and, to be fair, to accept responsibility for the misfortunes of the kingdom. His stated purpose in drinking the poison is that the situation is his fault, and he has to take the consequences. I certainly believe that added to that is that he can't bear to be responsible for Merlin's death in particular, but I also believe that he's truly doing the noble, right thing and not letting someone else take the fall for his actions. He really would die in defense of Camelot, especially when he's at fault. So to me it wasn't contrived, but rather kind of just. Like the test was partially "you screwed Camelot, can you take the hit instead." One of the noblest things about Arthur, is that he truly believes there's no point in being king if you can't be a true steward of your people's well-being.
We know, of course, that it did also come down to him being willing to die for Merlin, even though it wasn't a heat-of-battle-I-get-the-glory type situation. In fact, when Merlin is begging the sorcerer for Arthur to have another shot at proving himself, he says "I would trust Arthur with my life," at which point the sorcerer looks thoughtful. So probably the real test with the poison was that Arthur was willing to die for Merlin. But from Arthur's perspective, I think both motivations were at play: he would've been willing to die for Camelot and he would have been willing to die for Merlin. What's to think about?

Wow, did I ever write a ton about this. I did not mean to be so over-the-top in my earnest explanation! But you made me think about stuff. I hope my thoughts are not completely lost in the length of this explanation! It sounds like one thing we can agree on: the episode where Arthur finds out, (and the angry sex that ensues), will be awesum fer shur! -- S

oooh, i'd love any good reveal recs you have! -- S

forgot to say: yes, the unicorn looked totally ridiculous! i cringed every time it was on screen. -- S

Yeah, I guess I mostly meant it emotionally, but even narratively it struck me as weird that he was acting...it seemed to me that he was acting the same as before, and in general there isn't as much continuity as I would like from one episode to the next. But I shall have to think about what you've said the next time I watch it.

See, but apart from knowing that the show needs to go on with both of its main characters and apart from knowing that England needs to have a King Arthur, I can't get over feeling that it's really irresponsible for him to *decide* to leave Camelot without an heir, probably sending the kingdom into civil war and so on. To me it strikes me as holding his personal idea of nobility above what's good for the kingdom and his people. Especially with Merlin telling him not to do this, that wasn't just Merlin wanting to be self-sacrificing, it was Merlin knowing that Camelot could take the loss of a sorcerer better than the loss of the crown prince. Of course I sound like Uther now, saying Merlin's life is worth less than Arthur's and all. :) Maybe I just felt like the scene went on for too long, or something. :D Anyway, I'd still probably put it in the top half of the episodes but it's my least favorite of the last four. (I like the last two because they have a lot of angst for Merlin in them.)

*All* their magical creatures are so cringe-worthy omg.

i prefer my thank-yous in the form of moar awesum fic recs pleez!

Do you use Delicious at all? I've been finding a lot of fics through that and have resolved to be more consistent about tagging and reccing there myself, though I haven't done a lot of that yet. http://delicious.com/sophinisba/merlin

p.s. i have been hoarding the last 3 episodes, refusing to watch them because i don't want the feeling of emptiness that will come over me when they're done! :-(

See, and I'm kind of persnickety about spoilers so I barely read any fic until I'd finished watching the series. When I got toward the last few episodes I was just a little sad to be finishing them up but also eager to get through them so I could read some fic. And also because I'd heard that the last few episodes were the best (and I agree with that) so I was more excited about it by then. I was very doubtful when I first started watching and didn't think I'd ever fall for Arthur!

have you fallen for Arthur? I am embarrassed at how attractive I find him, given that he is totally a blond pretty-boy. And yet, his shoulders are so broad, and his ASS IS SO AMAZING OMG! He has the ass of a black woman, and I mean that in a good way -- so fruity and round and the total epitome of a bubble butt. God help me, I even like the glimpses of chest hair they are always showing us. I cannot believe how cute I think he is. Also, his eyes are the most bizarre shape, almost russian in their tipped pointiness in the outer corner, and I love them. And Merlin is exactly opposite -- narrow, unbuilt body, asymmetrical funny features, double-jointed fingers (I think) that move in odd ways, and I find him totally captivating. I am a goner with these dudes.

I'll probably watch the last two episodes tonight; I've been avoiding fics that say they have spoilers past the episodes I've watched.

Thanks for the link to your recs! You can be sure I'll look at them, once I've plodded through the queue I have set up. -- S

okay, i haven't watched the last 2 yet, (got caught up reading fics instead), but i rewatched most of ep11, and I was realizing how beautiful Merlin looks this episode. there are lots of close-ups on his face in all sorts of marvelously subtle expressions; it's a pleasure to watch him like that! also, doesn't it seem that actor lost weight over the course of the season? you can tell particularly in his face, as his cheekbones are super-prominent in episdoes 10 and 11. -- S

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A so-so movie and a great fic

other part (geesh)

Re: ep. 11

Re: ep. 11

Re: ep. 11

Re: other part (geesh)

Re: ep. 11

Re: YAYYYYY!

Re: YAYYYYY!

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