I think it's time we talk about Arthur and Merlin's relationship. Arthur and Merlin are frequently referred to as 'two halves of the same whole' and 'two sides of the same coin'. These stamens imply equality.
Because Merlin and Arthur's relationship isn't equal. At all.
It can't be equal when one half is literally 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 to the other. When one half stands at the top of the pyramid that is their society and the other is at the lowest of the low. When one half is putting in all the work and carrying the other half. When one half is directly responsible for opressing the other half. When one half is giving and giving and receiving very little in return. It can't be equal when one half is treating the other like shit. Put all of that together and you get about as far from two equals as possible.
And yes, Arthur does treat Merlin like shit. Idk how else you would describe the constant hitting, throwing metal and heavy objects,the neverending insults, using him as stepping stool,the disregard for Merlin's warnings and opinions and the overworking— bec if there is one thing the fandom agrees on is that Merlin's list of duties is absolutely outrageous. Just to name a few. Don't try to argue that.
The thing is, Arthur adores Merlin. I think that's pretty self evident—he would be willing to lay down his life for Merlin's in a heartbeat. Simultaneously,he cannot seem to treat Merlin with basic decency in their day to day life. Furthermore,he doesn't see Merlin as someone 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 of dignity or said basic decency. Arthur 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘺 believes that Merlin - as a servant - is beneath him. He believes that Merlin exists to serve another. Him. He can't comprehend that Merlin is a person with an equally (probably more) complex life and mind. It's why he's so shocked whenever Merlin does something 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 of the 'just a servant' box Arthur has stuck him in. And while he's capable of noticing when something 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 is upsetting Merlin (the infamous "I haven't seen you smile in three days" for example) he can't seem to notice when 𝗵𝗲'𝘀 the one doing it. Which happens very often( where is that one post that said the Pendragon family trait was guilt deflection. I think it was right on the money.) because he doesn't 𝘴𝘦𝘦 anything wrong with what he's doing. Arthur is good at the dramatic rescues,but he falls very short when it comes to everyday caring.
The friendship is there,but it is unbalanced. It exists entirely on Arthur's terms. It is a "privilege" that he can revoke at any time. He sets all the boundaries. He decides everything. And Merlin is expected to shut up and deal with it because what else can he do?
And you know what? I was fine with this. Because I thought it would be part of Arthur's development. I thought that on Arthur's way to become a better person and a better king—he would also become a better 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 . That he would realise one way or another that that is no way to treat someone much less someone you cares about,that it's 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨. It's cruel,and then he would fix it. I was 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦 with the terrible treatment and the complete lack of regard for Merlin as a person because I figured it would 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦. Would improve.
Even if their relationship doesn't become equal in status. It would become equal in respect. In affection. In trust.
Imagine my surprise when it... doesn't. Arthur doesn't change. Arthur's treatment of Merlin doesn't change. Doesn't get better.
All the way in seasons 4 and 5,
Arthur is 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 overworking Merlin despite the obvious exhaustion and second job.
He's still dismissing Merlin's warnings and opinions —even though Merlin is 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 proven right.
He's still using Merlin as target practice, something the show in the 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦 had Merlin put a stop to because it was dangerous and cruel(that scene in 4.09 when possessed elyan literally beats Merlin into the ground? Awful. They were just okay with that??).
He never stops with the insults.
He wants Merlin to humiliate Himself Infront of a foreign court for shits and giggles( I 𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦 the scene where Arthur forces Merlin to perform for queen annis. And want to strangle everyone in it actually,except Merlin https://www.tumblr.com/gabstriessomethingnew/795035113204449280/since-legit-one-person-asked-the-problem-i-have?source=share. This Wonderful meta goes into it in detail ).
He's threatening Merlin with 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘭𝘦 for speaking about Gwen and agravaine.
He's still hitting Merlin and insisting it's horseplay
He's making Merlin drink a portion First to see if he dies???!!!
Arthur ends the series just as terrible of a friend and employer as he was in the beginning.
And I think a part of that is that a lot of Arthur's worst behaviours are established as okay. Or worse,𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆. And thus,the narrative never requires him to outgrow them or realise they're wrong.
And no sorry,I don't find Arthur throwing 𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘴 at Merlin—things that could legitimately injure him ,funny. I don't find him using Merlin as a 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘭 funny. I don't find throwing a bucket of dirty water on his head or rubbing a dirty rag into his face funny.I don't find the idle threats that turn not so idle when you realise that Arthur has that power funny. I don't find the constant degrading and demeaning funny. I don't find the continuous dismissal of Merlin's warnings even though he's 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 right,funny. I don't find the overworking funny. I don't find the manhandling even though Merlin makes it clear on numerous occasions that he doesn't like that funny. I don't find Merlin being "punished" by being put in the stocks funny.
I can see why these scenes would be funny individually. I have laughed at a few of these! But put them in the greater context,and they lose that humour for me very quickly.this is not normal "banter".
Merlin going through the horrors, trying to fulfil the prophecy, trying to protect Camelot and Arthur, trying to bring about the golden age, trying to protect Gaius,all while living in a place where he would be 𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘥 for he is,just to have to deal with Arthur being a dick on top of it isn't funny. At all.
And before you say " the banter is mutual.Merlin gives as good as he gets." he really really doesn't. He 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 . The power imbalance doesn't allow that. Merlin cannot overwork Arthur. Can't throw Arthur in the stocks whenever he wants. And Merlin doesn't throw anything at him. I'm fairly certain that the only time Merlin even throws a punch at Arthur after episode 1 is when Gaius is sentenced to death in the witch Finder. And Merlin insults Arthur yes but he uplifts Arthur just as often!!!
That's another difference. Merlin knows when to back down. When Arthur genuinely needs support and gives it. Arthur can't seem to show Merlin any genuine appreciation unless they're in a life or death situation.
I'm sorry but if 𝘢𝘭𝘭 you're hearing from someone is insults. If you're hearing them in both jest and seriousness. That grates. You start wondering if that's what they actually think. It's not healthy.
And yk it's always giving "boys will be boys" or "he only hits you because he likes you"
And ykw I have a love hate relationship with fics where Arthur starts treating Merlin better after the magic reveal(because Merlin does deserve better) but also...WHY??
Why does Merlin 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 to reveal that he's an insanely powerful sorcerer and that he's saved Camelot's ass no less then three dozen times to be deserving of basic respect? Respect that Arthur had no problem giving other people he likes alot less.
Why does Merlin need to offer 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 than what he already has?
Because that's what it boils down to— Merlin needing to be more than '𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 a servant'.
Arthur's major classism issue is never really resolved. Every 'commoner' that proves themselves to be 'more' he just elevates to a higher station.—gwen to queen,the guys to knights(which makes the fact that he never ends up promoting 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯 to advisor or something even though he pretty firmly occupies that role in seasons 4 and 5 very telling,but I digress). Arthur never learns that someone can be 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 a servant and still be deserving of respect and dignity. He never actually stops treating them as lesser. The writers just do this trick where he never interacts with another one aside from Gwen and Merlin.
Besides,Even to Arthur's very limited knowledge—he 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 Merlin has done so much for him. As far as Arthur knows,this is the guy who has stuck by him through thick and thin. Has stayed outside his door all night after uther's death. Has put up with all his crap. Has offered invaluable advice. Has riden out with him to fight a 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 for God's sake. Has accompanied him through every excursion that a servant has absolutely no business being on with no weapon,no armour,and no complaint.
That last bit always annoyed me because obviously 𝘸𝘦 know that Merlin has no need for armour or a sword and he's probably safer than everyone else combined but 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘳 doesn't know that. You would think that after a 'servant of two masters' at the latest he'd realise that maybe, just maybe he should tell Merlin to stay behind or teach him a bit of swordfighting or give him some protection. Literally anything. It just struck me as... particularly careless on Arthur's part. More proof as to how Merlin just doesn't really r𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 to Arthur as a person.
Actually that brings to me the infamous
I always thought you were the bravest man I ever met,guess I was wrong"
I've seen it edited and gifted to high hell always with the next line cropped out. Can't imagine why.
For reference,I 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗲 the last two episodes of BBC Merlin. They are completely nonsensical. For me the show ends at episode 11. The tone shift from ep 11 to 12 is so jarring I thought I skipped a season or something. The show utterly destroys the story it's been telling for 50 something episode up until the point. 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 that happens in them makes a lick of sense. I hate it I hate them I hated every minute.
Now that that's out of that way let's talk about this scene and why I hate it too.
We've established that Arthur never genuinely compliments merlin unless one or both of them are actively dying. But this line isn't a compliment to just be given as a token of appreciation. It's said to be taken away immediately afterwards.
It is textbook guilt tripping. It is manipulation one o one. It is a strong contender for the 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵 thing Arthur has ever said to Merlin—and trust me he has a long list of those.
And the thing is...this reaction isn't OOC. It makes sense.
Arthur,for the umpteenth time in his s̶o̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶ short life, thinks he's facing imminent death. And a small comfort is that he believes,like always,that his best friend will be with him every step of the way. And he's not only disappointed, he's also scared. Arthur is lashing out because he feels that Merlin is "abandoning"him,so to speak. And he's also jealous Merlin can just "run away" but Arthur can't.
But that's kind of my point, apparently the prize for being loyal and a good friend is that you get taken for granted. Because Merlin going with Arthur on all those missions is no where in his job description.When Merlin went the extra mile,it became expected of him. Arthur has grown to expect having Merlin by his side through every dangerous foe. He feels 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘥 to it now.
And obviously, Merlin was planning to go help,but even if he wasn't. Why does that matter?
Merlin cannot say,for what is perhaps the first time in the 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦 they've known each other "I'm sorry I can't go with you to this extremely dangerous place" can't draw the line at what might be the most dangerous opponent they've faced yet, without being met with 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴.
Without being gutted exactly where Arthur knows it will hurt.
And Arthur thinks he's going to die. He thinks those will be his last words to Merlin,just to add insult to injury.
It is... profoundly cruel. In one line, Arthur is back to the entitled,bratty prince we meet at the beginning of the story. And that's so fucking disappointing to see in the 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 episode of the show.
Where is the growth? Where is the part where Arthur was supposed to get better?
This would have been a wonderful time to show Arthur's growth. He could be disappointed yes,but also relieved. That Merlin is staying behind. That even if Arthur dies,one of the most important people in life will be safe. But no we can't have that now can we?
And whenever I see Arthur's behaviour discussed,it is 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 about how much 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 he could be. How much he lets Merlin get away with.
And yeah,I agree. Arthur could be worse...and HE COULD ALSO BE WAY BETTER.
Arthur gets so many brownie points for not being the absolute worst,that they neglect to mention that he 𝘪𝘴,is still pretty bad.
Not being the worst ≠ being good.
I don't understand why Arthur is held to one standard and not the other.
In conclusion, Arthur was a shitty boss,a shitty person,and a shittier friend and Merlin deserved so much better. Thank you for coming to my TEDtalk.
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