the very present but unspoken tension the day after merlin & gaius’ argument, merlin having to contend with the fact that his word doesn’t count for much because of his station when it was never LIKE that in ealdor, gaius having to admit to merlin than for whatever fondness or tolerance or respect uther may seem to have for him, he 1000% wouldn’t take gaius’ word over a knight’s, either, arthur hearing merlin say he knows what he says doesn’t count for anything and looking upset, believing merlin when he swears he’s telling the truth… the politics of this episode are So Much i love it.













