nyxelestia

So, because it's 2am and I'm about 10,000 words behind on my NaNoWriMo fic, I've decided to further procrastinate by starting a discussion about Episode 208, based on the trailer!

Okay, I don't have a link to just the 208 trailer, so if anyone has one (like, the one from the end of the episode), it would be greatly appreciated.

My particular dissection/analysis/prediction/rambling of the trailer for Episode 208:

So, before we begin the trailer, I wanted to analyze who 'Morgause' is in the legends. She is often named as either Arthur's half-sister, or Morgana (in the form of Morgan Le Fay). Or, she is named as Igraine's sister (in which case, she is also usually named as Morgana's aunt). Now, in the trailer, she's somewhat young and could possibly be their sibling. but we've seen how little that can actually matter (especially when magic is involved). However, she know Arthur's mother, somehow, so I'd guess a friend, and possibly she is Arthur's aunt in this particular case. Somehow, she is very closely related to the family, one way or another. Maybe not by blood - Morgana is Arthur's sister by honor in this TV version of Arthurian legend, and Morgause being a close friend of Igraine's or her sister would certainly be a justifiable reason behind her knowing about Arthur's birth.

The other main thing to know about Morgause is that she is actually the original mother of the character Mordred. In fact, it is only when her character is ever combined with Morgan Le Fay's that Morgana becomes Mordred's mother. We already know that Morgana, while close to Mordred and having already taken on a nurturing role in relation to the boy, is not actually his mother. Do I think Morgause will turn out to be Mordred's mother in this series? Not likely. But, between this reference and the scene in the trailer with her standing at the altar of candles and the crystals, she is deeply involved with magic, somehow.

I'm hoping out that Morgause's character will be a remedy for the show's latest stream of feminism fails from 205 and 206, as Morgause is in chainmail and armor in the first scene we really see her, and she kills a guard using a sword, and it seems to hint at her going up against a knight in the arena, either in a tourney or as a challenge of some kind. As a side note, she is frequently also named as Morgan Le Fay's sister, so perhaps this common bond of feminism between the two will serve in its place.

The next episode will likely be very largely Arthur centric - or at the very least, we will see a dramatic development in Arthur's character. He's going to learn something about his mother, and he's going to go up against his father. On the note of his mother, we can see his loneliness concerning her, as he clearly wants to know all he can about her, and yet has likely run into a midieval equivalent of a firewall concerning her in his life so far. In that sense, he is like any other 'little boy' who just wants to be with his mummy. Flip side, something makes him go up against Uther and attempt to actually fight and/or kill the man. For the obvious reasons, we all suspect this is due to Arthur finding out about the circumstance of his birth. But, be careful - we've been duped before. :D (Though, yes, I admit I will firmly believe Arthur's going to find out about his birth, until I see something otherwise). And even if not, if what he finds out is going to make him go up against Uther, then it has to be BIG.

And, yay for Sir Leon! ^_^ Merlin's concern for Arthur is great, and I think his magic will get a bit of a development in this, too - the cracked old castle in the back ground seemed strangely familiar to a certain character-changing isle's set...:D His character will hopefully also get some attention as he apparently stops Arthur and Uther from killing each other (or at least trying to).

Now comes the hard part - waiting and seeing. :|

Thoughts? And, if any of you have any other (spoiler) material on the episode - interviews, photos, screen caps, sneak previews, ect. - feel free to post! (Though, do remember to include a spoiler warning in the subject line for it!)

ETA: Found two caches of promo pictures of the episode (which is apparently being called The Sins of the Father). I'd go into speculation, but like I said, it's 2am, and I'm going to be doing so much homework and NaNoWriMo writing tomorrow, so frankly, I NEED SLEEP. If I don't get swallowed up by the work the earth, I'll come back to speculate on them.

http://lhwo.hostrator.com/merlin/season2/promo/2008/promo1.htm (actual promo pics)

http://lhwo.hostrator.com/merlin/season2/promo/2014/promo2.htm (some behind-the-scenes stuff)