Merlin – A very special Princess Bride episode? As Du wish….

Von Julia Hass


Most people would consider this episode to be foreshadowing the Liebe dreieck that will eventually lead to the destruction of Camelot. Unless you're Ruby and I, in which case it's an excuse to bring out our collection of 'Princess Bride' trivia.


Merlin
- Season 2, Episode 4 - "Lancelot and Guinevere"

If Du engage me in a conversation on any topic for long enough, you’re going to figure out pretty fast that one of my Favorit books/movies in the universe is The Princess Bride. (It’s applicable to so many situations! Really, Du never should start a land war in Asia. It never goes well!) So naturally Merlin decided this week would be a really good week to totally pay tribute to this work of staggering genius. I mean, I don’t think they did it intentionally (I think it was supposed to foreshadow future Liebe affairs oder something? Whatever), but both Ruby and I noticed it independently, so clearly it was a shout-out to us. Right? Of course right.

Julia: So, let’s discuss the elefant — wait, that’s not an appropriate metaphor — the dragon in the room. The first thing I thought when I watched this was “Hey, it’s a Princess Bride spoof!”

Ruby: Well, the wildren are basically R.O.U.S.’s.

Julia: Maybe it’s just my insane Liebe of rodents, but when the wildren went vorwärts-, nach vorn and sniffed Merlin, I wasn’t afraid at all. Actually, I sort of thought he was going to, like, lick him, and then Merlin would keep him as a pet. oder they’d take him out of the caves and Merlin would be like, “Can I keep him, Arthur? I promise to feed him and take him for walks! Oh please oh please oh please!” And Arthur would roll his eyes and be like, “Okay, fine.” And then Merlin would name him George and sic him on all of Camelot’s enemies. Du know, in my Fantasy world.

Ruby: This episode has a a couple other things in common with that illustrious movie — Gwen was kidnapped Von a band of outlaws (just like Buttercup), and Arthur rescues her while being jealous of her feelings for Lancelot (like Westley rescuing Buttercup but being jealous because she’s engaged to Prince Humperdinck). What do Du think … is that a stretch?

Julia: I personally think Lancelot was way Mehr Westley-esque. Which would … make Arthur Humperdink? And Merlin the six-fingered man? It seems Mehr like Arthur would be Fezzick and Merlin would be Inigo. I don’t know. I think at this point our metaphor falls apart a little. Though we’ve had past nods to The Princess Bride — remember the scene in the first season where Merlin and Arthur are trying to figure out who has the poisoned goblet with the unicorn guy? Totally struck me as a nod to the battle of wits. (Australia is populated Von criminals, Arthur! And yes, I can recite pretty much that entire monologue. Please inquire within if Du want to hire me for cocktail parties.) Though speaking season flashbacks, Hey there Santiago Cabrera! Du pretty, pretty man you. (Really, he’s terribly pretty. Not handsome. Not attractive, just pretty. Like, the kind of person who Du feel like should be bronzed because they’re a work of art.)

Ruby: After Lancelot rode off into the sunset last season, I didn’t expect to see him back so soon. Not that I mind seeing Mehr of the hotness that is Santiago Cabrera — but how Zufällig that he shows up as a cage fighter in Hengist’s court.

Julia: Yeah, all sweaty and noble. Gee, it’s really difficult to see why Gwen likes him so much. Really. I’m straining. Can Du see the strain?

Ruby: He and Gwen have some sweet moments together. Like when he touches her hand through the bars of her cell, smiles that charming smile, and says, “I have thought of Du often. Have Du thought of me at all?”

Julia: “Oh, Lancelot, every night! When I’m alone in my… I mean, er, sometimes. That is. Um. Gosh, have I mentioned you’re pretty?”

Ruby: At first, Gwen’s feelings seem confusing, because it’s like — last week Du were in Liebe with Arthur; this week you’re in Liebe with Lancelot? Which is it? But her feelings are actually quite believable. I totally get how she could have a major crush on Lance. With him, she can just feel like an attractive woman, while with Arthur she’s conscious of being a servant. Lance is accessible — he’s possible — while Arthur is seemingly unreachable for someone of her station. She has this brave, noble, dark-eyed stud who is totally into her and who could realistically be with her. That’s attractive. On the other hand, she also has the golden prince in Liebe with her but unwilling to Zeigen it for fear of his father. And in the end, Lance, the accessible one — the one who could have been with her — is the one who leaves. I think that’s why she’s so crushed when he says through Merlin that “some things cannot be.” Cruel irony. (But it’s okay since we know that Arthur will ultimately find a way to be with her.)

Julia: Ugh, this is just, I mean, maybe because I’ve been in Gwen’s situation (though never with two dudes of Arthur and Lancelot caliber fighting over me — sigh! I wish) where a guy decides he’s just going to make a decision for Du — it sucks. And Lancelot’s was particularly stupid. Gwen has totally ignored Arthur even if he did come to save her, pretty clearly favored Lancelot over him, and just because Arthur has a crush on her Lancelot decides that he must nobly flee and allow their Liebe to flourish? Which ironically is totally going to flourish because Gwen feels abandoned Von him (I would argue that until Lancelot leaves her and Arthur doesn’t, she doesn’t have any particular feelings for him at all, but it’s the juxtaposition of the two that creates them), so of course she’s going to turn to the guy who sticks around, even if he just moons over her from afar. It’s dick moves like this that are the reason Du don’t get the girl, Lance! It’s these shenanigans exactly. And Arthur! Oh my god, Du spend one weekend in this chick’s house, KISS her, and decide you’re in Liebe with her, then tell her, “Just kidding, we can never be, but don’t mind if I follow Du around the schloss pouting after Du while Du try to do your job,” and not only decide that clearly she’s the Liebe of your life and Du should get married and have babies, but instead of doing something about it Du just make sure Du hang out where she is and mope after her? See, this is why there needs to be Camelot High, so Arthur can take Gwen to the prom and then get over her. Maybe Weiter they should have a Camelot version of a John Hughes movie? They can play “Don’t Du Forget About Me” and Arthur can get catharsis. Future Liebe dreieck averted! You’re welcome, everyone.

Ruby: I loved the welpe eyes Arthur made at Gwen while Morgana was hugging her. Oh my God, Du silly lovesick infant — go Zeigen her how Du feel!

Julia: But he doesn’t know how to do that because Uther didn’t hug him enough as a child, remember? Seriously. Now that we’ve done the Princess Bride on this show, I think Uther needs to lock Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot, Gwen, and Morgana all in a dungeon and go Breakfast Club on this situation and work stuff out. It’s the only way.