First Thoughts on BBC's Merlin

[ever_maedhros]

credit shadowtraveller

I like the costumes (especially the dresses) and the cast (Morgana and Gwen are darling!) and the scenery. But the stories . . . well, they're kinda underwhelming. (Don't get me started on how I'm still wondering WHY Merlin has to be as young as Arthur.) I just finished the episode introducing Lancelot. And now it seems every episode goes


An Evil Sorceror makes lethal mischief.
UTHER: MAGIC IS EVILLLLLLL!!! Also, anything that comes close to threatening my son, even if it's a parchment that gives him a paper cut, MUST DIE!!!
ARTHUR: Father, will you stop treating me like I'm Nemo or something?
MERLIN: Oh, no, an evil sorcerer is making lethal mischief, I must use magic secretly to help!
HOWEVER, the use of secret magic just makes an innocent victim look guilty of . . .
UTHER: MAGIC!!! EVIL, EVIL MAGIC!!!
And the innocent victim gets locked up in the dungeon.
MERLIN: Chained underground dragon that nobody knows about! Tell me how to solve magic with . . . magic!
DRAGON: I can't tell you straight, since that would be easy, so have a cryptic message to mull over for bit.
MERLIN engages in more shenanigans, figures out the meaning of the cryptic message, and eventually saves the day in the nick of time. With magic.


credit bluemymind58

That said . . . I can still see why this show has such a dedicated fanbase, and can probably predict I'm on the point of joining in. I really, really adore Morgana, and Guinevere is definitely vying for second place. :)


Also . . . Lancelot in this universe is STUNNING.



credit bluemymind58

Comments

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

Ooo, that's another show on my To-Be-Watched List, mostly for the sake of Eva Green. Does it mostly keep to the legend, or does it go crazy on its own path?

[emeraldarrows.livejournal.com]

I totally second this! Starz Camelot is the best tv version ever, imo, and falls just behind The Mists Of Avalon as my favorite adaptation ever. (:

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

Hooo, boy. You just jumped Camelot close to the top of my list. :D

[emeraldarrows.livejournal.com]

Yay, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! (:

It has my absolute favorite Merlin, ever.

[originalripper.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the authurian legends but it does have a bald-headed merlin and it does a little bit with the magic and stuff

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

Okay. I haven't really read a whole lot on Arthurian legend, either. Just The Once and Future King.

[originalripper.livejournal.com]

I'm about to go to the library today and I might find an arthurian legend for me to read including another Jane Auten novel