Merlin

You shouldn't need to be told to think of someone other than yourself. You are not a child.

For December, I decided to highlight my very favorite episodes, like little Christmas presents from television.

After spending most of season one of Merlin teasing Arthur and Morgana, it seems to have occurred to the writers that they'd better get a move on that whole Arthur and Guinevere thing.

It's a bit complicated getting him there, but using the "prince and the pauper" routine to put Arthur and Gwen in close quarters works really well. Particularly as it prompts Gwen to stand up for herself, an action that would have been hard to pull off believeably in the castle setting. I came away from this episode thinking that they could really be friends and lovers - which is exactly as it should be.

[ Read the whole episode review for Merlin - Once and Future Queen ]

Lancelot and Guinevere

Better character development than last week, primarily because it involved the characters talking to each other instead of just exchanging anguished looks. And I'm buying into the little love triangle they are working on here. Continued good work from Angel Coulby (Guinevere) and Bradley James (Arthur).