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

[emeraldarrows.livejournal.com]

Haha. I'm probably the only person in the world who doesn't think the writing for the early seasons is terrible (hey, I grew up on really cheesy films so I have no taste whatsoever ;) ), but I definitely prefer season 1-3. Hated where they went with 4, and I'm sort of dreading five, tbh. I watch it simply because it's a lot of fun, pretty to look at, and most of the cast is amazing. But as a huge, lifelong fan of Arthurian Legend, SO MUCH of this show makes me wince. Gah.

But,oh yes. *dreamy eyes* Lancelot is fabulous. *stars in eyes* I adore Santiago Cabrera as an actor from other things, and Lancelot has always been my favorite in any adaptation, so together its just perfect. <3

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

I endured cheesier writing (and even worse acting) watching Legend of the Seeker, so I told myself I should give Merlin a better chance. I'm glad I did. :)

What else has Santiago Cabrera been in? Any other period adaptions?

[emeraldarrows.livejournal.com]

He's probably best known for his role in Heroes but I was never especially a fan of the show, but he was excellent in it. And of course he's been in Spanish films (I watch a lot of foreign films). Period dramas, let's see...there's Hemingway & Gellhorn and Cristiada but he has smallish parts.

My absolute favorite with him is the miniseries Empire and if you're willing to overlook historical inaccuracy it's definitely worth it. It's a period drama about Julius Caesar, Octavius, and early Rome, and goodness is it ever amazing. It has gorgeous scenery, filming, acting, and people, and the costumes are to die for. :D Plus baby!Santiago is all sorts of precious, curly-haired love. *g*



He's going to be in two upcoming period dramas, too: a version of Anna Karenina which looks fantastic judging from the trailer (I adored the book but disliked the newest film greatly) and a tv series - The Musketeers which is a version of my childhood obsession The Three Musketeers (and he's even playing my favorite character!). Personally I think he's out to star in everything awesome. ;)

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

He's in a miniseries about one of my favorite periods in Roman history? I. MUST. SEE. THIS. Thank you for all your recommendations, these are going to keep me busy. :D

[emeraldarrows.livejournal.com]

Yay, hope you enjoy (and are willing to overlook the historical innaccuracies which it more than makes up for ;) ). :D

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

Yes, so long as there are enough good points, I can forgive inaccuracies. :)