Tread Perilously -- Merlin: Beauty And The Beast

Tread Perilously's winter request month concludes with an episode of Merlin called "Beauty and the Beast." When a troll sets her sights on the riches of Camelot, she takes a potion to assume the identity of a conventionally beautiful noble in the hopes of securing Uther Pendragon's heart. Gaius suspects her immediately as he treated the aristocrat before for an incurable bone disease. Uther, however, is almost immediately smitten. But his devotion to the long-passed Igraine gives him some pause the troll must counter with more magic. Can Merlin summon up enough of his own to reveal the troll before she and Uther marry? Troll 2 almost immediately makes its way into the conversation. Erik and Justin attempt to separate their own familiarity with Arthurian legend from the one depicted in Merlin. Although barely appearing in this episode, they also highlight Katie McGrath. A Tolkien discussion breaks out, naturally enough. Erik has a difficult time accepting an Uther who genuinely loved Igraine. Justin questions the presence of modern romantic love in medieval stories. The pair try to determine where they have seen guest star Sarah Parish before. Erik suggests a certain Welshman to play Merlin. The Legend of Brave Sir Tristan is retold. The Acolyte gets examined again and the Taster's Choice Saga becomes surprisingly important.