chibirhm: (I suppose you find this amusing.)
chibirhm ([personal profile] chibirhm) wrote2010-10-04 07:14 pm

ROUND TABLE MANAGER

THINGS WE ARE NOT DISCUSSING FROM THIS SATURDAY'S MERLIN EPISODE. WHY ARE WE NOT DISCUSSING THESE THINGS?!



It's been mentioned I noticed this in a few locked entries because the second I saw it I found everyone online and went "ASKLFJLSAKDFJ JAWBONE!!!!!", but the very first thing I noticed about this guy was his jawbone necklace (ie: The Recycled Necklace That Denotes Evil). I'm pretty sure this indicates that I need to find something other than Merlin episode commentaries to listen to when I need background noise. I mean, it's not like I'm halfway to memorizing them, or anything.

Nope.



[livejournal.com profile] ninja_orange did some very scientific research on Eoin Macken, concluding that in fact the necklaces Gwaine (ugh, I will never not internally flinch every time I am forced to spell his name like that)is wearing are his, not part of his costume, but I'm choosing to go with my first instinct in believing that this is a sign that Gwaine attended Ye Olde Starfleete Academy. Maybe, just maybe, he was the first Kirk to go to Starfleet! Captain Gwaine Kirk! Think about it. This is almost as awesome a fandom discovery as my long-held belief that Sherlock Holmes is a Vulcan.

Why all my great fandom discoveries have to do with Star Trek, I don't know, since I'm not even that much a fan. It just gives me ideas, okay.



PLEASE TELL ME I WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO LAUGHED AT THE SWORD PLACEMENT DURING THIS SCENE. PLEASE. I AM NOT THE ONLY TWELVE YEAR OLD IN FANDOM, RIGHT?!

APPARENTLY IT IS REALLY, REALLY COLD IN THAT CASTLE.



Guys, it is time to discuss Merlin/Gwaine. Or, why I just can't ship it.

Oh, I want to. They're hot, Gwaine's clearly interested, and did I mention super hot? But I just can't. I left a comment on [livejournal.com profile] hermette's journal which a lot of people responded to, so clearly I worded it well, which means I'm just going to copy-paste it instead of trying to re-make a good thing (so good I GOT FIC WRITTEN ABOUT IT, ASKLJDFLKSDJF!):

I was personally a fan of how Gwaine kept trying to hit on Merlin. First he tried the poor-injured-puppy thing, then the shirtless thing, the the pliant drunk do-me-now thing, then he tried bringing up his Tragic Past because Merlin is clearly a sucker for a tragic past, and all along Merlin was just all like SIGH, ARTHUR ARTHUR OH I LOVE ARTHUR ARTHUR IS THE BEST AND WILL BE THE BEST KING EVER AND I LOVE ARTHUR!!! And Gwaine was all MERLIN! I HAVE A TRAGIC PAST, DIMPLES, AND RIDICULOUS WASHBOARD ABS! And Merlin was all ARTHUR IS MY DESTINY. I THINK I WILL GO DOODLE ON MY TRAPPER-KEEPER.

I think that's the real reason Gwaine left Camelot. TIRED OF PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE TO ARTHUR.


Which, yes, this is all true. And pretty much why I can't ship Merlin/Gwaine. Because while Gwaine was clearly interested in fucking the bajesus out of Merlin (because clearly he has excellent taste), Merlin was totally like LOL YOU. Every time Gwaine attempted to bond, Merlin brought up Arthur. Arthur, Arthur, Arthur. Clearly they're friends and Merlin gets along with him, but Merlin admits it himself - the real reason he wants Gwaine around, besides because he likes having friends, is because of how good a fighter he is, and how he wants him to fight for/defend Arthur. Zing! MERLIN: CONTINUING TO BE TOTALLY OBLIVIOUS TO WHEN PEOPLE HAVE CRUSHES ON HIM BECAUSE HE IS TOO BUSY DROOLING AFTER ARTHUR AND NAMING THEIR FUTURE CHILDREN.

Also, I'm really not a fan of the anti-Arthur sentiment that seems to be behind shipping Merlin/Gwaine. Like, oh, Gwaine would treat Merlin so much better than Arthur! Gwaine would never leave Merlin for some girl! Gwaine wouldn't throw things! Well, he probably would leave Merlin for some girl, actually. (THE SAME GIRL.) Though he wouldn't throw things. He'd probably get drunk instead.

Look, Arthur is jerk, yes, and he needs to learn how to express his feelings for Merlin in a way that doesn't involve lobbing things at Merlin's head. But in his defense, he probably has emotional hemrhoids from how constipated he is when it comes to his feelings, and he was raised as a warrior. Beating each other up is kind of what you do. In a modern context, is it awful and terrible and Arthur how could you do that? Yes. But Gaius (shockingly) made a good point - Arthur, for the standards of his time, treats Merlin ridiculously well. He has some level of respect for him, he trusts and confides in him, he's willing to defend Merlin no matter how terrible his behavior is (or appears), he puts up with Merlin, frankly, being sort of shit at his job, and with Merlin's constant rudeness. He gives Merlin time off to help Gaius/random knights that appear at the castle. He's very much improved from the utterly abusive idiot he was first season, and while sometimes he still has regressions of dumping things on Merlin/throwing things at him/generally being a dick, he also tempers those with genuine affection that's completely inappropriate, considering both of their stations.

Plus, Merlin thinks Arthur hangs the moon and stars, and Arthur's miserable without Merlin, and they are destined to be together forever. Sorry, Gwaine. You're pretty, but you're a flavor of the week. Don't worry. There are many fangirls who will sacrifice their bodies and nether regions to you for comfort.

But hey, if you're into threesomes, Gwaine is totally the top pick for that.

AND SPEAKING OF GAY:



[livejournal.com profile] ras_elased officially have too much fun together. We have a bunch of these started, and are kind of kicking around the idea of a crack fic where the Sassy Gay Friend comes to Camelot. What are you doing, you guys! WHAT, WHAT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING.



There is never not time for a Bradley James' Amazing Face interlude. OH, BRADLEYCAKES. I just love you and your stupid face so much.



I absolutely cannot explain why, but I was convinced that at this point Merlin was going to run into Arthur's arms and they were going to kiss. I think it's because it reminded me of a waiting room in a hospital scene, where Arthur comes out in his scrubs looking exhausted, and Merlin goes "HOW IS (S)HE?" And Arthur goes "(S)HE'S RESTING NOW, BUT (S)HE SHOULD BE FINE", and Gwaine goes "OH THANK GOD" while Merlin rushes to Arthur's arms for a reassuring makeout. I have scolded myself over exactly how stupid this is, but still, I think I've re-watched this episode three times and every time. I expect it to happen. Like, I know it didn't happen last time, but this time, they're totally going to kiss, right?!?!?!?!?

IN CONCLUSION:



I feel this explains everything.


For those of you on my friends-list who don't care about Merlin, I'm sorry. Have some yodeling cats:

[identity profile] dollsome.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
MERLIN + SASSY GAY FRIEND = PERFECT HAPPINESS.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I think Morgana needs Sassy Gay Friend the most to be all GURL WHY ARE YOU TURNING EVIL WHEN YOU CLEARLY HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER IN THE WAY OF FASHION!?!??! YOU'RE A STUPID BITCH.

[identity profile] dollsome.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
You know what, that is the truest thing I have ever heard. LOOK AT YOUR LIFE! LOOK AT YOUR CHOICES!

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
THIS IS MORGAUSE. SHE IS ABOUT TO DESTROY A KINGDOM AND HAVE SOME SAPPHIC AND INCESTUOUS SCENES WITH HER SISTER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF SHE HAD A SASSY GAY FRIEND. (TO TELL HER TO COOL IT WITH THE EYELINER.)

[identity profile] hermette.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
... there's a anti-Arthur movement following Merlin/Gwaine? DNW. I ship it all.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I KNOW! It's all MERLIN CAN DO BETTER and MERLIN SHOULD BECOME AN EMPOWERED WOMAN AND SING SOME ALANIS MORRISETTE AT ARTHUR and A/M IS DEAD ARTHUR IS DEAD TO ME HE CAN GO FUCK GWEN FOR ALL I CARE MERLIN/GWAINE 4 LYFFFFEEEEE I'm just like "...really?"

SIGH. FANDOM.

[identity profile] hermette.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
:sigh:

it's like none of these people were in the HP fandom. You don't have to HATE someone to ship other ships. You can just ship it.

[identity profile] hermette.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
although, yeah, I do wish Arthur would stop throwing shit. :\

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I do too. But we probably just missed the cut scene where he apologized for losing his temper and kissed it all better. And then proceeded to spend the next hour or two with Merlin in bed making it up to him, which explains why Merlin was so chirpy and starry-eyed over Arthur the rest of the episode.

I CAN MAKE ANYTHING BETTER WITH FANFICTION, OH YES I CAN.

[identity profile] hermette.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
well YEAH. That's sort of our job.

[identity profile] sonicbookmark.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm really not a fan of the anti-Arthur sentiment that seems to be behind shipping Merlin/Gwaine

FANDOM, YOU SO CRAZY. I DON'T THINK I WANNA HAVE YO BABY.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-04 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Merlin, apparently, is some sort of battered woman.

...which sound delicious. (HAR HAR OLD JOKE)

[identity profile] sonicbookmark.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
MERLIN IS A WEE DELICATE FLOWER YES. Who could kill Arthur just by blinking if (s)he wanted to.

Though I must admit that I do REALLY VERY MUCH miss the Arthur from season 1 who was already risking his life for Merlin in what? The 3rd episode? ):

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
OH HE WOULD SO DO IT AGAIN. Did you watch this episode? They've just gone from the FRANTIC PASSION to the old married stage where Arthur is all MERLIN I WAS BALANCING THE CHECKBOOK THIS MORNING AND NOTICED THIS BILL. WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT THOSE WILD GIRL'S NIGHTS OUT? AND WHY ARE THERE TWO STRIPPERS? YOU KNOW HOW JEALOUS I GET.

[identity profile] sequinedfairy.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
IF YOU MAKE "SASSY GAY FRIEND COMES TO CAMELOT," I WILL BE FORCED TO GIVE YOU ALL OF MY FUTURE CHILDREN. JUST AS A WARNING.

(please do it please do it omg please do it)

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
omg I SO WILL.

[identity profile] wordsdiminish.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:06 am (UTC)(link)
OKAY GIRL. YOU OWE ME SOME DIGNITY.

I AM NOT EVEN FUCKING MAKING THIS UP, BUT I AM AT BORDERS AND I'M SITTING RIGHT OUTSIDE THE BREAKROOM AND WHEN I SAW "YE OLDE STARFLEET ACADEMY" THE COFFEE I WAS DRINKING WENT SPURTING OUT OF MY MOUTH IN AN IMPRESSIVE WAY ALL OVER MY LAPTOP AND JUST AS MR. HOT BORDERS GUY WAS COMING OUT OF SAID BREAKROOM AND STAAAAARED AT ME.

THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE SECOND TIME THAT I SPIT COFFEE OUT IN FRONT OF HIM BECAUSE I WAS LAUGHING AT SOMEONE BEING HILARIOUS RE: MERLIN. SIGH, MY LIFE.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
BUT AT LEAST YOU SAW MR. HOT BORDERS GUY?

[identity profile] wordsdiminish.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
I DID INDEED.

THOUGH HE'S DONE SOMETHING TO HIS HAIR. HE BUZZED IT OFF. WHY, BRIAN, WHY?!
ext_1175: (Merlin/Arthur 02)

[identity profile] lamardeuse.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
AHAHAHAHAHA I LOVE YOUR WHOLE MERLIN ANALYSIS BECAUSE IT IS TRUE AND RIGHT AND FUCKING HIGH-LARIOUS.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
THAT'S BECAUSE I'M ASTUTE IN THE WAYS OF BOYLOVE.

[identity profile] alexi-lupin.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
THE JAWBONE WAS THE VERY FIRST THING I NOTICED TOO. I was all "OHO HE HAS THE JAWBONE HE MUST BE EVIL!" Commentaries FTW.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
I may or may not need a life. BUT AT LEAST I'M NOT ALONE.

[identity profile] alexi-lupin.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
I wish I had this level of recall for my uni work.

[identity profile] rebeccama.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
Merlin really does have a tunnel vision when it comes to Arthur. Although I can see the fun of writing the friendship angle between Merlin and Gwaine.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
IKR? SUCH A SMITTEN KITTEN.
ext_3167: Happiness is a dragon in formaldehyde  (puppy!knight)

[identity profile] puckling.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 01:16 am (UTC)(link)
Gwaine

Are we really spelling it like that? D:

Also cat yodeling = always apropos.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 01:18 am (UTC)(link)
The show apparently is. DDDDDDDDDD: FAIL SHOW FAIL.

[identity profile] rayslady.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
You know, I'm still kind of in favour of MOdern AU platonic Gawain/Lancelot flatshare fic where Gawain is super wild and crazy and spills egg on the carpet and leaves old filters in the coffee machine and Lancelot hoovers the curtains and runs around yelping about how Gawain's going to get them evicted.
Arthur and Merlin will drop in every so often from their lovenest uptown.
Leon lives in the flat below and every so often beats on the ceiling with a broom.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
I have this fic in the works where Will and Gwaine (UGH WHY SHOW WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME) are co-workers who go get totally wasted every Friday and Merlin is their designated driver who falls helplessly in love with the blond guy in the pub but refuses to make a move because he's supposedly straight. (Will and Gwaine see him with a woman not knowing that it's his ex, Gwen, who is Merlin's co-worker). Somehow Merlin needs to a) meet Arthur and b) learn he's not the majestic Mr. Darcy type Merlin made him up to be but he's sort of in love with him anyway. PLOT IS HARD.

[identity profile] rayslady.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
DO IT, BB. DO IT AND I WILL CHEERLEAD UNTIL MY POM POMS FALL TO PIECES.

[identity profile] chibirhm.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
YES BUT HOW TO HAVE MERLIN MEET HIM AND HOW TO MAKE IT ALL WORKKKKK.

[identity profile] rayslady.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
ARTHUR HELPS HIM BREAK UP A FIGHT ONE NIGHT WHEN GAWAIN GETS TOO DRUNK? OR IS THAT TOO KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR?
ARTHUR'S FRIEND LEON GETS TOO DRUNK ONE NIGHT AND HE NEEDS SOBER MERLIN TO GIVE HIM A RIDE?

[identity profile] ninja-orange.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
THIS IS A FANTASTIC IDEA BB.

[identity profile] ninja-orange.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 03:52 am (UTC)(link)
THISSSSSS. especially if Gawain and Lancelot make out at some point

[identity profile] rayslady.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 09:45 am (UTC)(link)
Lol, but wouldn't the universe implode in on itself if too such essentially identical being collided like that?
I'm not sure. Right now I'm focussing on Leon getting pissy about Gawain's loud music. He appears to be turning into Mr Heckles from Friends...

[identity profile] karmicunderpath.livejournal.com 2010-10-05 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
AHAHA OMG, SASSY GAY FRIEND MERLIN NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

Also, I totally noticed the jaw bone too and laughed...and then went OMG BRADLEY FOUND ITTT.
ext_175410: (merlin OT4)

About that necklace

[identity profile] mamadar.livejournal.com 2010-10-14 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
The first thing I thought of when I saw that necklace on Gwaine was the Pictish symbol known as the crescent and V-rod (http://senchus.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/brudes-symbol/). And here is a necklace (http://www.asgardcrafts.co.uk/celtic_pendants.html) based on that very thing.