REVIEW: Merlin – “Gwaine”

This article may contain spoilers.

This week’s episode of Merlin brought back an era when men fought for honor, fought for each other, and fought for the love of a beautiful woman. When Arthur (Bradley James) came to the aid of a bar owner being shaken down by a local hoodlum, it was a simple commoner Gwaine (Eoin Macken) that came to Arthur’s aid in the subsequent bar fight — taking a knife wound in Arthur’s place. Thus, in a grand gesture of gratitude, Arthur took Gwaine to be treated by Gaius (Richard Wilson).

Alas, more misadventures followed and Merlin (Colin Morgan) discovered Gwaine’s secret: Gwaine was not a mere commoner, but born of noble blood — he was just refusing to acknowledge it. Gwaine is perhaps a better man for his desire to be recognized for who he is rather than based on his birth right. He also never hesitated to come to a fellow man’s aid, as he did not know Arthur was a prince when he jumped in to help him the first time; and Gwaine risked Uther’s (Anthony Head) threat of execution to come to Arthur’s aid the second time. For, in Gwaine’s mind, a man is measured by the intent in his heart and his actions towards others; not by the crown he wears or the titled bestowed upon him.

It was this strength of character that drew Arthur’s attention and caused him to vigorously defend Gwaine to Uther — obtaining two stays of execution for him each time Gwaine came to his aid.

As Arthur is learning, rules are meant to be broken when those rules no longer protect anyone. Once again, the rules of birth and lineage have cast a stranglehold on the kingdom of Camelot: Uther’s precious rules are preventing Merlin from being able to openly protect Arthur; preventing Gwaine from being a knight no matter what his birth right; and preventing Gwen and Arthur from their destined love affair. All these ludicrous rules are not helping Camelot, but instead are weakening it. Arthur chafes under the unreasonable restrictions and will one day work to unshackle the restraints of law that hobble Camelot. For when a law no longer serves to protect, it must be struck down.

What Worked

Leave it to Gwen (Angel Coulby) to steal all the better moments in an episode when yet another dashing young man makes an appearance. Arthur is obviously not the only one who has noticed Gwen’s beauty and charms and, for the second time, Arthur is on the verge of losing her to a man worthy of her station if Arthur does not declare his feelings and stake a claim in Gwen’s future.

It was absolutely delightful watching how visibly struck Gwaine was just walking by her in the market and how each time she was near, he felt compelled to be near her and capture her attention. He was the epitome of love struck, but in the most graceful of fashion. He did not pin his hopes on her and did not make a claim on her that she was not willing to return. Instead, he paid her the highest compliment of openly admiring her for the entire world to see. Not even Arthur may be so bold. Imagine to be heir to an entire kingdom, and yet the one thing you desire the most is out of your grasp. Gwaine is just smart enough to know when he sees a woman worthy of his affections and not taking the chance of letting the moment slip by. But Gwen’s heart belongs to another; and she is faithful to Arthur even though she knows it is an impossible love. Love does not stop loving simply because it is forbidden or impossible. Gwen is already a queen by her grace in the midst of certain defeat.

Like Gwen, Gwaine is destined for greatness. He may not know he will one day be a Knight of the Roundtable, but he dares to live the life he chooses and he chose to be a better man. As Gwaine insightfully told Merlin, “If there is one thing I learned from my father is that titles don’t matter — it’s what’s inside that counts.”

Thus, while Gwaine may rescues princes, he also tries to steal the heart of princesses, such as when he presented Gwen with a flower for her hair in the market, declaring, “You look like a princess to me.” To which Gwen amusedly replied, “Unfortunately, I’m not a princess.” Charmingly trying again Gwaine responded, “Ah, but see, you are to me,” and seeing Gwen’s broad grin, he then ruefully said, “This isn’t working, is it?” Prompting her to impishly reply, “No, but I like that you tried.” It had been an impertinent attempt to woo her, but it provided a moment of levity for both — an open acknowledgement of a brave declaration of feelings. It was also an acknowledgement that Gwaine was at least willing to pursue what he wants out his life. He will slay dragons, rescue princes and woo princesses — and yet gracefully admit defeat.

Later as Arthur and Merlin watched Gwaine leave, Arthur sadly to Merlin, “It’s a shame, [Gwaine] would have been a great knight.” To which Merlin wisely replied, “Maybe one day he still will.” But it was not just the frustration of being unable to lift the unfair banishment or bestow knighthood which bothered Arthur, it was the ease with which Gwaine could openly show his affection for Gwen. Watching Gwaine say goodbye to Gwen, Arthur was discomforted not so much by Gwen’s open flirtation, but by the fact that Gwen and Gwaine could flirt, whereas Arthur’s position and the rules he lives under forbid him the same pleasure.

Thus, when Arthur jealously noted, “[Gwaine and Gwen] seem very friendly,” Merlin innocently asked, “Why should you care?” To which Arthur hastily replied, “I don’t. But she could do better than that!” And Merlin teasingly reminded Arthur, “She should be setting her sights higher? Oh, but I forget, she can’t. A girl with Gwen’s standing, she can never consort with a nobleman. That’s the rules.”

Those blasted rules. Arthur is going to have to do something about those rules one day — and hopefully soon!

What Didn’t Work

With all the sorcery constantly going on in and around Camelot, you would think that Uther would have instituted a “safe word” between his knights and noblemen so that rogues and ruffians could not keep impersonating royalty and sneaky into his personal court. It is time for Uther to step up his game in protecting himself, his family and his kingdom.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

‘Gwaine’ was written by Julian Jones and directed by David Moore. Merlin stars Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Richard Wilson and Anthony Head. Merlin airs Fridays at 10 pm on Syfy.