Episode II.X – Sweet Dreams
This episode is 90% crack and 10% #DestinyAndChicken
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11th May 2020 @ 11:08 pm
Again listening while I’m sewing but I must say that I adore this episode. Bradley’s acting and his facial expressions are just beyond hilarious. Crack, indeed, but it makes me laugh. It’s one of my go-to Merlin episodes. It’s not epic, it’s just ridiculous fun.
20th April 2020 @ 6:32 pm
Firstly: Best surprise podcast opening! Might have listened to that bit about 10 times now. 😊
I think that this episode is the best for finally giving us a chance to appreciate the entire range of Bradley James’ facial expressions! I honestly can’t think of an emotion – or even any genre of film – that he didn’t act out in these 45ish minutes! Also, I think the absolute funniest line delivery in the entire episode is when Arthur turns around to Merlin, tone sexy, resonant yet also somehow slightly slurred, one eyebrow raised provocatively and declares his intention ‘to woo’. LOL!
I actually think it is incredible how silly this episode is and yet how much it simultaneously has added to the world of Merlin. Look in pretty much any Merlin fanfic and there is reference to ‘The 5 kingdoms’ or Olaf or Alined. So, great episode for world-building if very vague and contradictory to kings introduced later on.
I think it is a real shame that Morgana wasn’t more involved in this episode – as Uther’s ward and the first lady of Camelot, we surely should have been given a scene between her and Vivien to add a helpful, secondary perspective of a courtly lady ‘in the know’ and flesh out both of their characters? Olaf wouldn’t object to another princess talking to his daughter, surely? Maybe she could greet Vivien and offer her Gwen’s assistance during her stay as a way to welcome her and show her hospitality (since this is pretty much the only reason I can come up with to explain why Gwen has to suddenly be a maid to Vivien and abandon Morgana). Also, in that scene where Morgana updates Gwen on Arthur’s feelings for Vivien, she sounds really bitter (drinking alcohol in the morning!), wondering why he couldn’t control his feelings and for ‘Lady Vivien at that’. This begs the question what has caused Morgana to become so judgemental of Vivien and bitter about romantic love. Did she ever experience disappointment in love and if so, why didn’t we get an episode about this? Or is she perhaps a person for whom this concept is truly incomprehensible? Maybe she herself has never experienced those kinds of feelings and finds them baffling – again, an episode about that would be great!
There is such a beautiful tableau of the three ladies (Vivien, Morgana, Gwen slightly in the back) when they watch Trickler perform at the banquet. It speaks of so much potential for female characters that I don’t think the show ever fully taps into, not in this episode and, as far as I can remember, not in the past or future either. I don’t want to sound judgemental either but might there be a correlation between this and the majority of the producers, writers and directors of this show being men? Is it insignificant to notice that this ‘fun, fluff and nonsense’ episode was the one given to the first female writer and female director instead of, say, a weightier, more seminal one?
You have mentioned this in previous episodes, such as the downplaying of the torture aspect of the stocks in S1 E7, but re-watching the show now, I am frankly disturbed by the numerous times the show plays abuse for laughs, such as King Alined and his treatment of Trickler. I want to hate it and call it out yet the show makes me laugh about it and you see Merlin, Uther and Arthur SMILING! as Trickler is dragged away in chains at the end of the episode, even though, as a servant (or is he a slave?), he can’t be held responsible for any of the foul plans and acts in this episode, can he?
I know Merlin is based on the Arthurian legends and, as such, it isn’t surprising that literary references abound, but I was really struck with the Shakespearean parallels in this episode: As Rez already pointed out, there is the climbing up to Vivien’s chamber like Romeo scaling Juliet’s balcony; there are very overt allusions to Midsummer Night’s Dream, of course: the love potion that has to be trickled on the person’s eye, Alined and Trickler that show similar scheming and characteristics to Oberon and Puck; there is the true love story between Arthur and Gwen that is temporarily lost and regained at the end and like Demetrius, Vivien remains enchanted when the episode ends. And of course, we have the Shakespearean trope of misdelivered letters. I really enjoy these references but I am wondering how consciously these were used and whether the writers/ producers were simply borrowing the established entertainment value of these elements or whether they were perhaps staking a claim that this episode was their own version of a Shakespearean love comedy or could even rival one of his. Very interesting question: is there a Merlin episode that could compete/ rival a Shakespeare play, comedy, tragedy, history?
Lesson:
Perhaps I’m very late in realising this but I have learned that Gaius has the worst sense of good timing and his priorities are harmful and completely wrong. If we consider his behaviour in this episode, the only explanation for his unhelpfulness is that he might have wanted to teach Merlin a lesson in autonomy. We’ve had a similar occurrence in S1 E3, when Gaius asks Merlin what is different about a new victim of the plague brought into his lab. Gaius, clearly, already knew that the water supply must carry the disease but he chooses THIS moment to let Merlin figure this out by himself even if people are literally dying in the streets. Equally, in this episode, Gaius seems to have known love potions are tricky things but reveals this only after Merlin has literally spent nights researching the exact counter-spell to the precise love potion (which somehow doesn’t work – and that’s not sufficiently explained because it really, really should work if Merlin is as powerful as we are led to believe…). Then Merlin fails to un-enchant Arthur and Vivien and is almost discovered as a sorcerer by the kings walking into Vivien’s bedroom – I mean, no dire consequences or anything, only an immediate death sentence, right Gaius?
Gaius also seems to know that eventually Merlin will have to ‘find someone who does’ know how to break the spell, i.e. the dragon yet he only reveals this when it is almost too late and there is peril to himself (Arthur taking his face in his hands must have been an unacceptable breach of boundaries to Gaius). Until then, he just tells Merlin that it’s his responsibility to sort this out!
So, while everything is on the line (peace between the 5 kingdoms, Arthur’s life, Merlin’s destiny, Camelot’s future etc.), Gaius displays his utter lack of perspective and good timing by teaching Merlin independent thinking now?! Also, since he didn’t know of Arthur’s love for Gwen, it seems Gaius was prepared to have Merlin ultimately fail to prevent all hell raining down on Camelot. I can picture sitting satisfied in his chair at the end of the day, congratulating himself that at least Merlin has learned his lesson! (Spoiler: I can actually picture him doing exactly the same after the very final episode of Merlin! Urgh! What a disgusting, terrible, selfish, inconsiderate person!)
20th April 2020 @ 12:36 pm
I absolutely love this episode for its humour, watching it reminds me of watching the show years ago when it was airing, and I thought it was the funniest thing ever, so it’s super sentimental for me.
On that note, it is equally frustrating, as one would have thought from all previous episodes if there was one thing any of the characters had learnt, it was that Arthur would put anything, even (and especially) his own life and happiness aside for the good of the kingdom and it’s people. However, this episode indicates that everyone completely believes Arthur would through away all of this for a girl he has literally just met – you’re right, this episode is 90% crack 😅. But hey at least it makes us laugh.
LESSON
One lesson that I really hope Merlin has finally learned is that Arthur really does care for him as a friend, even if he cannot always show it. Although there has definitely been examples of this before (Arthur risking his life for Merlin’s when they have been in peril numerous times), this is the first really mundane instance of Arthur’s platonic love for Merlin. It is not driven by an impending doom or big threat. Arthur simply noticed Merlin has been a bit off and absent lately, and he takes to both talk to Merkin about it, and refuses to leave until he sees Merlin smile again. This is so lovely and heartfelt, and I think it’s important especially after the previous episode, where Merlin was shown what life outside of his great destiny could be, and he really yearned for it. This compassion from Arthur reminds Merlin that he is doing all this not only because it is his destiny, but because he cares for Arthur, and really believes Arthur is the future king that the world needs. (Spoiler: also from memory Merlin does not really waver from his destiny again after this, and stops sulking about it like he did especially in early s1)
I think this scene really marks a new tone and focus of the show. As stakes become higher, it is all the more important to show Merlin and Arthur being truly committed to one another, as well as to the prosperity of their kingdom in the future.
20th April 2020 @ 6:35 pm
Hi Sarah – could you possibly point me to the exact scene that inspired your lesson for this week? Do you mean the one at the end, when they walk up the stairs?
21st April 2020 @ 12:06 am
Hey Mary!! Sorry I was getting my scenes a bit muddled – forgot to write in for the previous week so my lesson more related to the final scene in the previous episode, whereas my commentary of for this episode of that makes sense!
21st April 2020 @ 7:31 am
Ah yes. That makes sense. Still a great lesson for last week though. I think Arthur cares about Merlin a great deal and whatever he says, he does pay attention and tries to remedy the situation when something feels off or his friend is not as cheerful as usual. I think Merlin definitely learns that Arthur, when he wants to, can be extremely observant and perceptive of people’s moods. Strange that he is never that perceptive about the use of magic though… 🙂
21st April 2020 @ 10:33 am
Ahahah so true! Also found your comment about female directors getting the fluffier-plot episodes super interesting- it’s not something I’ve paid attention to before so I’ll be keeping my eye on it and would love to continue that conversation as we (hopefully) see more female directors!
21st April 2020 @ 1:13 pm
Definitely keen to continue this conversation as well, especially since sadly Alice Troughton will remain the only female director and Lucy Watkins the only female writer to ever work on Merlin. They’ll direct/ write future episodes of course so there is more of their work coming up.
19th April 2020 @ 9:48 pm
Lessons: Hopefully Merlin learned that when Arthur starts spewing love confessions for women who have been in the castle for less than two days, it means he’s under a love spell. Gaius learned that if he tells Merlin to just figure it out, he will. Merlin and we as an audience learned that Arthur is truly in love with Gwen (or else the spell wouldn’t have broken).
Comments: The humor in this episode is excellent, I love pretty much everything Arthur does under the spell, but my favourite part of this episode is Gwen’s background story.
It makes complete sense to me that Gwen pulled back at the end of the episode because at this point she knows that none of what happened was real. This means that Arthur did not intend to send her flowers or a note, and as far as she knows he still firmly believes that their relationship wouldn’t work. Her line where she says “I know it as much as you do” really brings this point home for me. We as viewers can sense the hurt that she is feeling when she says that, because for 3/4 of the episode her actions reflected the complete opposite sentiment. It was fairly obvious that she would have been up for a secret relationship, so when she says this, it’s because she knows that pre-spell Arthur firmly believed that their relationship couldn’t happen, and not necessarily because she believes it herself. Therefore, she takes on the responsibility of returning them to their prince/servant/friends status in order to protect them both.
She’s just so good and it hurts! Poor Arthur. Poor Gwen.
19th April 2020 @ 7:37 am
LESSON:
The lesson I took away is the contrast between genuine love and love that is shallow or false. False love is ostentatious, like Arthur in red, climbing Romeo-like to Vivienne’s chamber. Real love is quiet, simple in gesture but more affecting. Like Arthur at the end in white, representing honesty and coming clean.
Comments:
I find it a bit problematic that Gwen compares her hurting Arthur (with Lancelot I’m guessing) with this situation. It makes it sound like Gwen betrayed Arthur back then even though she was officially single and could choose Lancelot. As for Arthur, the Vivienne thing was entirely non-consensual and doesn’t compare!
17th April 2020 @ 4:56 pm
my lesson for this episode is the same for Gwen and Arthur. although it was a good episode it’s not one of my favorites. everyone in this episode seemed a bit like Uther around magic, a lot of things were assumed and it leads to a lot of misunderstandings. for Gwen and Arthur, they do seem to learn this lesson as in future episodes they talk more openly and learn not to assume, but the lesson they both learnt is that open communication is a key part in any relationship and (even with merlin at the beginning with the flowers) they all need to be more specific. Uther doesn’t really learn anything as per usual, he could have but he ignores most things, but I think because he is king he has already made those mistakes. but overall I liked this episode and would probably put it around the same as Lancelot on the list of destiny. I hope this answer made sense but I was trying to watch shadowhunters at the same time so sorry if it sounds like a four-year-olds answer
17th April 2020 @ 8:08 am
I love this episode. Its fairly clear that Bradley James just had so much fun in this episode, especially his scenes with Georgia Moffett (who is just delightful). Angel Coulby is just so cute. When she steals herself before going into the tent is just the sweetest thing.
One of the main criticism I have of Merlin in general is the lack of development of Merlin’s relationship with Gwen. I just think they are the cutest besties. I wish there was more scenes with Colin and Angel.
Ultimate this episode is really about Arthur and Gwen getting past the whole thing with Lancelot. Arthur was just crushed when he set out to make this grand gesture and save the woman he loves only to out done by another dude who has come out of nowhere. Its tragic in a way that only youth and inexperience can really feel.
And just when we think all is lost, Gwen comes into the tent and their bond is sealed with the most romantic kiss they ever get.
* Lesson * Arthur learns the difference between love and infatuation. Everything with Vivienne is lustful and passionate but nothing else. However, with Gwen they have fun and friendship with attraction. Our boy is growing up. We will see what happens . . .
20th April 2020 @ 6:47 pm
I agree that this episode can be seen as Gwen and Arthur working past her feelings for Lancelot and Arthur’s disappointment. However, I have never picked up on this before simply because these two episodes are so far apart in the order of episodes in this season and also with all that has happened inbetween. It would have been great if ‘Sweet Dreams’ could have made this mending of their relationship/ moving forward more overt; maybe just a small reference to the previous events would have helped!
16th April 2020 @ 4:03 pm
Ok, Uther seems so unconcerned when Arthur gets challenged – which kind of makes me wonder, given that no one ever got the whole story at the end of the episode last time Arthur was enchanted, if Uther just thinks Arthur is a bit of a player and this will all blow over in a day or two the way it must have seemed it did last time? It supports Morgana finding it funny, I guess – I just imagine the two of them have this idea of Arthur based on his teenage behaviour and so “Arthur’s fallen in love with another pretty lady and is being ridiculous over it” is like… normal? and not concerning? It makes no sense but the idea makes me laugh.
Gaius is the Worst. Like I get why he wouldn’t want to accuse one of the kings, that would endanger the peace treaty – but why not say that SOMEONE has enchanted Arthur and it must be someone other than the five kings trying to ruin the peace?! Urgh.
I feel like the episode was written with the youngest viewers in mind – the same info being repeated multiple times just to make sure the 8 year olds understand. The “true love’s kiss” thing felt childish and cheap and I don’t understand why there couldn’t be something more interesting behind it. I mean, for a start, what would happen if someone used the same spell on someone who wasn’t already in love with someone else?! …which is what happens with Vivian. That’s concerning.
I love the contrast between Bradley’s performance in the “this is no way to achieve peace” line and the rest – like there’s this sort of subtle build up of ridiculousness that I didn’t consciously notice, until suddenly he’s back in his more usual responsible personality.
*~*LESSONS*~* I feel like Gwen didn’t so much learn as was reminded that for her a relationship won’t work if it has to be secret; the show obviously plays a lot with secrecy and how that effects people, and I feel like Gwen is someone who does best when things are out in the open – she and Arthur in theory could have a relationship, but it would involve a lot of sneaking around and stolen moments, and she isn’t comfortable with that, and so this episode has resolved her more firmly on that point, that unless she and Arthur can be together openly she has to be the one to say no. Given that Uther once again doesn’t know that his son was enchated, he presumably must have learnt that his son gets weirdly obsessed with girls very quickly and drops them just as fast :/
20th April 2020 @ 6:42 pm
I think what you have said about Gwen refusing to live their relationship in secret is very perceptive: I hadn’t thought about it but it rings very true for Gwen’s character in general. She is very frank and open and honest and I think it is really important to establish her, in that aspect, as a moral counterpoint to Merlin who keeps so much of his life and identity as a secret from his friends and often suffers for it. Of course, he doesn’t believe he has a choice, not yet when Uther is king anyway, so I understand why he does it. But Gwen’s attitude and behaviour make a case for honesty no matter what else she may have to sacrifice. This is just another reminder to me of why I think she and Lancelot would be so well suited to each other: he also gave up his life-long dream to be a knight in Camelot because he couldn’t accept his position on the basis of the lie that he has killed the griffin!