Hey! I’m Clarise. I’m a writer, huge bookworm, and diehard Merlin fan.
In response to the first post: Yes, Arthur does say that, but I have to ask if anyone else does. This is also a sore point of the show for me, especially since Arthur knows so many wonderful and powerful women: Morgana, Gwen, Morgause, Elena, Mithian, Annis, Isolde, and possibly more. It does hurt my feelings as a woman when he says this kind of thing.
Not to justify or atone for these actions, but just to note:
1) This kind of “insult” is historically accurate
2) Arthur never uses it to any of his knights (that I can remember). I raise this point, because that would count as publicly saying this.
3) As far as I can tell, he only uses this sort of “insult” to Merlin, and in real life boys who are good friends actually do tease each other like that (sad but true)
4) Arthur is also respectful to the women he encounters.
Still, this is definitely not OK. I actually don’t think that this reflects sexism on the writers’ part (see the long list of awesome women I made earlier as proof), but rather on Arthur’s. As far as I remember, this name-calling fades away as Arthur’s character develops, which should say something, because Arthur undergoes huge positive character development.
Note: I’m not saying this to justify this misogynistic behaviour, or defend Arthur’s actions. I’m trying to clarify that is a character, and not the series itself, which is at fault. From a writing perspective, Arthur’s faults make him a better character NOT A BETTER PERSON, and give him room to develop.