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IMHO "Merlin" (1.3-1.4): “Honey, don’t you think Arthur and Merlin are spending a little too much time together?”
Another Sunday night, another two episodes of Merlin (although next week, the show – if it survives, which is questionable given its disastrous ratings – is back to a single episode per night). Okay, all you U.K. Merlin viewers who have already seen all thirteen episodes and have been saying how terrific it is? You win. You’re right. This is a great show. Last night’s episodes, “The Mark of Nimueh” and “The Poisoned Chalice,” were the one-two punch that proved to me that this is potentially a great series. In the first episode, the evil sorceress Nimueh creates a magical plague in the kingdom of Camelot. The evil tyrant Uther (Anthony Stewart Head, who played Giles on Buffy) and Merlin’s kind mentor Gaius, who both agree that magic is bad, have different strategies for what must be done: Uther says kill the witch who cast the spell, and Gaius says use science to cure the disease. Merlin, of course, has a third idea: he wants to use his own magic to stop the plague.
(Granted, Merlin is turning out to be a little like Samantha on Bewitched in that he’s doing magic all the time – he just can’t ever let Darrin Gaius, Arthur, and Uther knows he’s doing it!) Anyway, Merlin’s plan runs into trouble when his use of magic to save Gwen’s (pictured below left) father gets her arrested for witchcraft. Meanwhile, I must resign myself to the fact that – in a major break from Camelot lore – Merlin loves Guinevere (or “Gwen,” as she called here), and she loves him back. I wonder what this bodes for Lancelot, who shows up next week.
(Later, there’s also a nice “Lois Lane” moment when Morgana says she knows Merlin’s “secret” and she’s okay with it, and Merlin, flustered, assumes she is talking about his ability to do magic — when, in fact, she’s simply referring to his love for Gwen.) In the second episode of the night – and this was my favorite – Nimueh is back, cleverly tricking Merlin into drinking from a poisoned chalice (and hopefully starting a war in the process). Fortunately, it’s one of TV “slow-acting” poisons, giving Arthur a chance to head off in search of the antidote (a rare flower that grows in one cave on the underside of some roots). And I can I just say? Yes, it kind of sucks that the only powerful/interesting female character on the show is an evil sorceress, but I really appreciate that Nimueh is so smart. I love that her plans are complicated. This is also the episode where the show’s much-discussed “ho-yay” – homoerotic subtext – really kicks in.
Or – can I just say? Maybe it doesn’t. Yes, we learn about the very special bond that Merlin and Arthur share – in the words of the dragon, they’re two sides of the same coin. At the start of “The Poisoned Chalice,” Arthur heads off on a quest to save Merlin’s life (defying the command of his father Uther, natch). But by the end of the episode, it’s Merlin who ends up saving his life. In short, one can’t get an itch without the other scratching it. They literally need each other to exist. Now I know I might be knocking myself out of IMHO-ing job here on AfterElton.com, but I’m not sure I see this as anything sexual. First, Merlin is clearly heterosexual, hitting on every female who walks in the room. The bond Merlin and Arthur share seems to me (so far) like that of brothers – and not the incestuous brothers I wrote about in today’s edition of Ask the Flying Monkey. It just doesn’t seem sexual in any way. That said, I’m loving where the show is going with this, how Merlin is slowly starting to understand how it’s his destiny to protect Arthur. Meanwhile, it’s also dawning on Arthur that he and Merlin are connected as well – and, in a way, this is more interesting than what’s happening to Merlin, because Arthur doesn’t understand why he feels the way he does. He just … does. Then there’s King Uther, who is also sensing the bond that is growing between Merlin and Arthur, and he’s obviously very threatened by it. Okay, as I’m writing this, I’m sort of talking myself into seeing the whole “ho-yay” thing. But I still don’t see it as anything particularly sexual. Still, last night’s episodes won me over. This is a terrific show! Submitted by on Mon, 2009-06-29 17:12. |
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I particularly liked the scene in this episode when, in order to save Gwen, Merlin admits outright that he is a sorcerer … and no one believes him. This is a little like when Clark Kent declares he is Superman, and everyone just laughs at how completely preposterous the idea is.
I haven't watched this
I haven't watched this yet, though I know I should because I love arthurian legend, fantasy, cute boys and possible gay subtext, I just don't watch TV that much.
That being said, I don't think there is any actual gay subtext, from what I've heard, but it sure is fun to imagine :P
You too can be saved by the blog! www.savedbytheblog14.blogspot.com
I may be straight, but I'm not narrow.
subtext
I don't think there is anything sexual, more of a very close brotherly type friendship like Michael said. But yes, it is nice to imagine.
My tonuge would catch your tongue...were the world mine :-)
Glad you think so
Im so glad you hung in there. I definately loved this show and can't wait for season 2. In fact I think you're article on it has convinced me to watch it again. I mean theres not much else on til autumn.
My tonuge would catch your tongue...were the world mine :-)
There is a subtext here...
Merlin who must hide he can do magic = gay kid who must hide who he is
Arthur, who hits on every female in the room = the quarterback that the kid has an unrequited crush on...
A friend of mine describes this show as "CAMELOT 90210', which I think is pretty hysterical
I do agree that this is a pretty terrific show, despite some of the "ScyFy" level CGI effects
Don't get too attached to Merlin/Gwen.
Next week someone finally asks Merlin about it, and the answer isn't what everyone in Camelot seems to assume.
Merlin
I enjoyed the show once I let go of the idea it would have any similarities to the actual legends.
I do hope it's not going to be a weekly threat from Nimueh.
More than you might think.
maybe, maybe not
He's not always old.
I so agree
I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who completely missed the homoerotic subtext. The fact you don't see it either leads me to believe that it's not actually there.
By the way, Gaius is played by Richard Wilson, an openly gay actor who is something of a comedy legend in the UK following his stint on One Foot in the Grave (which, if you've not seen it, I highly recommend), so there's a clear gay interest in the show (OK, he's not hunky and tight-bodied [although he used to do a lot of nude scenes back in the 70s and he has nothing to be ashamed of] in the way we're taught to think of gay actors, but I like to think that's a bonus rather than a negative).
Oh, and keep an eye on the Nimueh storyline - it's not as clear cut as you might think. The finale of this show is simply great - and I'm so glad the BBC has commissioned another series.
I HAVE Seen All The Episodes
Merlin's HoYay
Producers and actors have admitted that they're deliberately inserting and playing with Smallville-like HoYay, so it's definitely there.
I think the difference may be in what people are looking for. The producers think the characters are straight, they're just deliberately including elements that let people pretend they're a couple. So if you're wanting them to actually hook up, you're not going to find evidence of that. But if you're used to slashing characters who aren't meant to be gay, you'll find the producers actively helping you. Paul Gross did the same thing during the third season of Due South.
Paul Gross did the same
Paul Gross did the same thing during the third season of Due South.
So true. When I first saw Eclipse (the episode where Ray asks Fraser if he was attractive) I really thought Ray was going to be Fraser's love interest. You know your sub-text is blatant when a 12 year old can pick up on it. And let's not forget buddy-breathing.
Active Subtext
Or the fact that they rode off into the sunset together at the end of the show. Oh, Fraser/RayK...I still love them.
I agree that it could be
I agree that it could be read as brotherly love, but I think the relationship between Arthur and Merlin has a LOT of hoyay, if you want to percieve it as such. It all depends on what you want certain things to mean. I tend to watch things with the ho-yay goggles firmly on.
Also, you're only up to episode 4. Juuuuust wait. Try watching 1x10 and then say there isn't any real ho-yay :)
Oh, and while Gwen obviously likes Merlin as more than friends, I really don't think Merlin does like Gwen in that way. This becomes more apparent as the series goes on.
It's a totally British thing
Ummm... this is a difficult thing to explain because it seems to be outside American experience. The writers and producers and directors totally understand about putting two good-looking guys in the kind of relationship that Arthur and Merlin have. They accept the homo-erotic possibilities and then totally ignore them to explore the relationship between men. It's an established aspect of British drama that stretches back to cop shows like The Sweeny and The Professionals in the 1980s.
The Merlin/Arthur relationship isn't being played on for dramatic effect, it's being played on for comedy. It's not about sexual attraction, it's about emotional attraction and two young men butting horns against each other. In the UK we've had at least two decades of comedians taking the piss out of homoerotic subtexts. Merlin is a Saturday night, family-friendly, prime-time programme. The homo-erotic thing - as far as it exists - is a joke. The producers expect the viewers to understand this. And from the reviews in the UK, most people do.
In the UK, the hoyay (which I don't understand and would be grateful to anyone who explains what it means) is an in-joke about our culture rather than anything else.
HoYay
Hoyay is short of "Homoeroticism, Yay!" and is pretty much what it says on the tin: people getting excited by homoerotic elements. It seems to be especially directed to non-explicitly gay characters, liek Clark and Lex on Smallville.
And that's about it, really.
Thank you
Subtext isn't Text-text
Slash and Hoyay
I don't think the two are really the same thing, although they're very closely related. Slash is the long-standing tradition of reading a subtextual level into a work in which the two characters are in a same-sex romantic (or sometimes just sexual) relationship.
Hoyay, on the other hand, doesn't have to involve creating an extended subtext or reading against the intent of the main text. It can just be thinking two actors are hot together when they interact. I think it's much more visceral, while slash tends to be a more intellectual exercise, often involving thinking through all the other elements of the show.
Hoyay, for example, would settle for drooling when Merlin and Arthur are together. Slash would involve speculating on how Arthur's father would react, and how the middle ages (or the bizarre Merlin variation) would react to homosexuality.
Re: Slash
Merlin as a show is really susceptible to both in my opinion. It's very slashable and has a huge slash following. If you choose to see it as hoyay, or as slash, whichever, the show has a lot of opportunities to be read that way. I agree with Cameo that it's obviously not canon, but it's very enjoyable if you choose to see it that way : )
And to the OP, you'll find that Nimueh is not the only strong female character. Morgana becomes a lot more interesting, stronger and more developed as the show continues. And Merlin/Arthur isn't the only homoerotic pairing, Morgana/Gwen get pretty close to each other and have their moments as well.
Glad I stuck with it
Glad I stuck with it and kept on watching. Thanks to all of you who recommended staying with it after episode 2.
I believe there is a gay subtext going on, just not a very highly sexual charged subtext (if thats possible).
However I do want to disagree with Michael on one point : quote "Yes, it kind of sucks that the only powerful/interesting female character on the show is an evil sorceress, but I really appreciate that Nimueh is so smart. I love that her plans are complicated."
Really ? Yes Nimueh is an interesting and powerful character but I'm very much intrigued by Morgana. What is the back story of how she came to Camelot and under Uther's protection ? What, she's his ward of something, right ? What are her plans as she moves Arthur to act against his father wishes (there is the obvious dislike / hatred between Uther and Morgana but it goes far beyond the fact that he is an evil tyrant / jackass King ---why does Uther keep her around if she causes so much trouble / disobeys him so much ?)
OK, the Arthur and Morgana hate each other and verbally spar with each other to hide the true affection they have for each other but won't admit to is a little ho hum / we've all seen this before. Still there is power there and she is one of the reasons I want to kept watching.
Your questions will be answered.
In one of the best episodes of S1.
Ah, very cool! Thanks
Ah, very cool! Thanks Crabby Lioness.
Care to give us an episode number or are you going to tease us ? ;)
Lessee, I'll have to check
Lessee, I'll have to check my own reviews. 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 are the biggest Morgana episodes, with 12 having the most bakstory.
My mostly hoyay-free Merlin reviews and fic can be found here http://crabby-lioness.livejournal.com/tag/merlin
Is there any chance y'all
Is there any chance y'all are going to IMHO the last episodes of Kings?
I never saw that much homoeroticism in Merlin, beyond what the slashers pointed out, but they'll see it anywhere. Do you not have many non-related male platonic friendships over there? (Outside of sitcoms, at least.)
You're absolutely right....AE dropped the ball on this
Thanks for the recap
Merlin
I've seen all episodes of the show, and I love it. (To be fair, I'm not looking for them to follow legend faithfully or to avoid giant gaping plot holes. It's solely entertainment for me, so it works.)
I am torn on the slash possibilities, however. I definitely think their relationship could be read either way. However, in the 4th episode, I think it's undeniable. Arthur defies his father and risks his life to find the cure? Sweaty, groaning Merlin on bed, calling out Arthur's name, making supernatural contact with him even in a delirious state? Slash "OTPs" have been based on significantly less.
I also don't see any real interest or feelings in the Merlin/Gwen relationship, at least not on Merlin's part. In fact, in many ways, she seems to be playing the role of best friend with an unrequited crush and nothing more. I imagine it might also be a way of suggesting a possible triangle if they do eventually develop Arthur/Gwen. That said, even if Merlin does show interest or attraction for several of the females, that doesn't make him "clearly heterosexual." There is such a thing as bisexual. Or even, simply, horny teenager.
"Triangle"?
Hojay?
When I watched this before (UK) I noticed no hojay at all, only destiny.
The only gay thing about this show is the fitness of Bradley James, whose Mum runs my local post office, here in Torquay. I have yet to see bradley here though, even though he's supposed to come from here... :'(
Just enjoy the show and stop looking so hard for hojay, this is a good show you can watch with your parents that has lots of goodies for everyone, nimueh/morgana for those who like ladies, Arthur/Merlin for those who like men, and Uther for those who liked buffy.
Sorted.
Hoyay
Whether it's there intentionally or not, why should people stop looking for it? Even if they're inventing it, if they enjoy seeing it, why not?
I'm spending a disturbing amount of time tonight discussing a show I wasn't even terribly impressed with. :) I finished the entire season, unsure if I actually liked the show or not. I've been putting off a decision about whether I want to watch a second season until it actually starts.
Just because it isn't
.....
(Removed cos I double posted!)
Nimue.
She is by far my favourite character in the whole tale of King Arthur. Not in the show, sincei have never seen it, but rather in general mythology. She is sometimes the lady of the lake. Though, my favourite tale about her is how she is a regular girl who ends up failing in love with Merlin, who is a travling bard who can sometimes see into the future. She moves with Merlin to Camelot, where she is miserable. Parted from her family, she sits all day yarning. Merlin begins to become to obessed with the King & his new kid Arthur, despite him & Nimue having a child too.
Then the day comes where Merlin tells Nimue they have to leave in secret. They leave, & when they are far away from the castle, they turn to see it on fire with screams peiring the air as a raid occured. Nimue takes the cloak off her child, only to Arthur was there. Pissed, she looks at Merlin who explained he saw that Arhtur would hav died in the fire & that it was more important the Arhtur live then his own son. Even more pissed, she dashes off in anger. Years pass, & Merlin has grown old serving Arthur. While inside his house, Nimue steps in from the shadows with a dagger in hand. Merlin smiles, predicting that he would die & it accpeted. She killed him, then went back to village where she eventually died of old age.
Such a lovely tale. ^-^. & has nothing really to do with the show. Oh wells.
<3
Merlin
Just watched the episodes on Hulu. I'm finding the show very entertaining
It's up to you....
Merlin's been a hit in the UK, hope it runs and runs over the pond :)
The Hoyay (finally I find out what that term means!) is a mixed bag, some of it's clearly intentional, some not but you can read it that way if you want. I (and from what they've been saying, the cast and production team) pretty much agree with what Dave Doty and others have said-- textually Merlin and Arthur are straight, but there's a variety of stuff there that fans can have fun with if they want to (and Gwen/Morgana gets material too)
I'm also a big Morgana fan, she's one of the main reasons the show really gets its act together with episodes 7 to 9 :)
The only point where the Merlin Hoyay Love gets a bit unfortunate is with arguments like.....
......
....where things are claimed as proof of gayness and the whole "you're stupid/blind etc not to see" thing is rolled out. This is very unfair, because nothing on-screen in the show so far (in its first season) is proof of our boys being gay, or even hugely suggestive of it unless you're keeping any eye out. It's down to the viewers to have fun reading certain scenes differently, if they want to.
There is love, but is there lust?
Yep, you're right