“It is always darkest just before the 일 dawneth.”

This phrase often ascribed to the English Theologian Fuller is so apropos for this episode thematically. We partook of said dark 시간 tonight and it was glorious. Not because of magical beasts ie hormonally imbalanced rodents of the dentally challenged variety, with strong affections for Sir Gwaine, but because it spoke to the 심장 of compassion, those who actually have it and those who don’t; those who are selfless and those who are selfless; those who have courage and those who snip and bite at wounds in a roundabout way like what they are weaklings, never to face the light, never to face themselves.

Tonight was about what sets the hero and yes, heroine apart from the norm despite fearsome odds and the incumbent challenge of being a fragile human being, but with purpose – the good of the many, 또는 in this instance the ONE and in so doing, the good of the many, triumph.
Each core character beginning with the OT3 displayed this as did, above and beyond, Sir Lancelot.

As I said before, Courage is not the absence of fear. It is having fear and surmounting it because it serves something far greater than selfish want 또는 need.

Guinevere did in addressing the council for the good of the many, despite possibly being penalized for speaking out of turn and cast. She displayed right conduct with Lord Agravaine reinforcing Arthur’s mantra about the people of Camelot being deserving of protection. Selfish that he is, all he saw was ‘watering and feeding’...well we know better his true motives, but let us suspend our disbelief for the moment and see the instance through Guinevere’s eyes. Her checkmate - do 당신 expect Prince Arthur to fail was a stroke of genius. He could not counter in the negative. It would set precedent. 질문 would be asked. No the little irritant sealed her fate 의해 his view in the moment. That is compassion.

Merlin despite being at death door, understood his fate quite well, but the Fates have humour as we all know. Most often we are tested at our word and understanding. It was not his time to leave the living, much yet to do, but he displayed infinite courage in the moment, willing to forsake his life for friend and Albion. Again for the good of the many because of his fundamental belief in Arthur and what he would bring to the unification. I think most often forget Merlin’s purpose. He does not. He is courage personified in the face of constant adversity. He too is trammelled like Gwen, forced into a caricature of being that is not ennobling in the least and yet, he surmounts, for the greater good. It would be an empty world indeed without him. That is courage.

Lancelot, oh dear Lancelot, I often make fun of him at the expense of my OTP and yet, noble is he in this episode. Actually, noble is he within this series and I find it most refreshing. A careworn 심장 of chivalrous 사랑 used for the greater good, selflessly and most honourable. I began to care about him because of how he defers to Merlin as friend. In fact, both he and Gwaine give freely and unconditionally their friendship, no cast consideration arises; no stiff upper lip to be heeded 의해 circumstance and perceived birthright. Oh we know what is in the 심장 of the Once and Future King with his most trusted ally, but never spoken; it is simply understood.
That would be too much and as an aside, I think Arthur suspects much of Merlin, but it is so much easier – not to know, don’t cha know lol? I don’t think him a fool, but I digress.

The moments shared in confidence between Merlin and Lancelot was beautifully and very natural. Even the bit of a fib 의해 him about his feelings for Guinevere, which was patently clear the episode prior.

Merlin understood this entirely, hence his “I’m sorry.” Nothing 더 많이 need be said there. Now for that which is selfless, Lancelot protected, Merlin in his greatest 시간 of need under the trusting auspices of Arthur Pendragon. This in and of itself spoke volumes of his reverence for the First Knight, since above all else he holds two beings dear, Guinevere and Merlin.

Lancelot is a man of honour. His word is his bond. He made a promise; a sacred one; a noble one; again the good of the many, 의해 choice. He found his purpose in the moment and surrendered to it. How he enters the sundered veil says it all. Not in fear, but acceptance. Do note the hands rising in the moment. That was done for a reason, arch-type of the sacrifice willingly given. THAT WAS SELFLESS.

Oh myriad bits and pieces occurred in between, Gaius getting it completely right for a change in his character studies and analogies lol. Gwaine being well, darling Gwaine; Elyan reinforcing the strength of what makes the round 표, 테이블 work; again the good of the many and apparently Percival washes regularly. See, even 더 많이 reasons to lick his biceps.

Now we come to the final scene. Hmmm, I loved it. What struck me was the reckoning in the moment, the grace shown through shared pain from divergent perspectives but still as one. The phrase that comes to mind is “I am here...”

I am exceedingly proud of Guinevere having the courage to tell Arthur her ask of Lancelot. That took bravery and it equally spoke volumes of their relationship. She held nothing back, while reinforcing, however unintentionally that he is her choice. I think this floored many of those with agendas, but they are of no concern to me. Oh it threw him. It would 당신 too. Still, rather important, note the gentility of the caress that leads to the grasp of hands, in shared pain of loss in a great being, in a valiant man, far nobler than some born to it; yes it is a great loss.

“I am here.”

Maturity.

Someone else, I rather respect said it - Maturity. This scene showed great maturity and sealed why these two balance each other perfectly as partners. She needs 우주 to grieve, to atone and he respected that. No greater gift. Many, will dismiss it and attempt to use it as fodder for their ists, its and isms, but those who have/had partners, who understand what it is to be selfless, to be compassionate with those they love, will get it. That is all that matters.
In reality, this was a superior episode to the first and combined was fantastic.
Bradley brought his A-Game to the first and 앤젤 brought hers in this episode- stellar performances.

Merlin the series has NEVER been better.