Board Thread:(Re)Writing "Merlin"/@comment-5674726-20150818201631/@comment-37001937-20190121224534

"I don't think that they needed to go into huge detail but it was a cop-out to have everybody okay with it, just as it was a cop-out to have the problem of Arthur not being able to marry a servant vanish when the time came for it to vanish. Short of Merlin using his magic to force a change of heart on the nobility, they should have had a problem with it."

I think what Machairodus tried to say was that the writers were trying to re-tell the legend with a modern twist by having the nobles, the court, and the knights not care about knighthoods being bestowed on commoners and the King marrying a servant girl. This is only my interpretation of his comment, and I wouldn't want to put words in their mouth.

Throughout the show, Uther shows very little regard for servants and commoners, despite his two children asking for compassion on his part. This show was always about Arthur breaking social status barriers, hence his best friend being his man-servant, his most trusted Knights commoners and his wife a former servant.

From a writing point of view, the views of the other Knights of the Round Table and other members of the court were never acknowledged. The only one with any lines is the librarian, who agrees with Gwen about the refugee situation. From what is portrayed in show, as well as from the Knights' interactions with Arthur, it's implied that they think he is a worthy king, and they trust his decisions. I do agree that is mediocre writing, but the audience is meant to just accept this.

The only nobles to voice concerns about commoners being knights, and the prospect of Arthur marrying a servant are Uther and Agravaine. The former was an elitist tyrant, and the latter was only expressing thoughts not even based on his own agenda. Gwen proved that she knew about the dealings of the people of the lower town, and that she could speak on behalf of the people of Camelot in their hour of need.

As far as I can recall, Arthur's decision to marry Gwen only bothers Morgana. His courtship, betrothal, and eventual marriage, despite Gwen's apparent betrayal, are seen as a personal choice. I don't see the validity of the Knights or the court opining in this when they don't bother to when Arthur decides to behead a king and start a war, or when he decides that the best way to make peace is to give up chunks of land as amends.