Valiant

Merlin Episode Review

In which there are snakes. Magic snakes!

What Happened

Camelot hosts a tournament, which Arthur - being that he's the Prince and all - is expected to win.

Standing in his way is a contestant named Sir Valiant, who is cheating by using a magic shield. The snakes painted on the surface have the alarming habit of coming to life and biting his opponents when no one is looking.

Merlin finds proof of this, but it's his word against Valiant's and nobody believe the servant over the knight. When Gaius revives one of the fallen fighters, Arthur agrees to make a public accusation, but Valiant kills the witness, leaving Arthur looking like a coward without proof.

Arthur faces Valiant in battle the next day, forcing Merlin to use his own magic to awaken the snakes before Valiant is ready. As everyone watches, Arthur defeats the snakes and Valiant and wins the tournament.

The Good

• Good sword fights - no obvious use of that trick where they speed up the film to cover the actors' inabilities.
• Arthur and Merlin's growing friendship. They really have a nice interplay between the actors.
• Quick thinking Morgana to grab Uther's sword for Arthur.

The Bad

• Obviously re-using the dragon fx footage and just changing the dialogue.

The Cliche

• Grand Tournaments
• People who buy magic weapons often turn them on the seller.
• Daddy Issues Galore.
• Morgana trying to make Arthur jealous by flirting with the villain.
• Walking out of the room just long enough to for the witness to get whacked.

What Did I Think?

Nice development on Arthur's character without hammering the issue of how he feels he has to live up to daddy's expectations as a prince. Shows the pressure through his efforts at the tournament and his discussions with Merlin, no whiny lectures.