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

[msantimacassar.livejournal.com]

As much as I love Merlin and the entire cast, I will be the first to admit that the writing is absolutely AWFUL! A-W-F-U-L. And I would gleefully punch any number of the writers if I met them in the street. That said, I really adore the cast and basically watch it for their faces. Their extremely attractive, adorable faces. Seriously. And some heart-breaking shipping. And their glorious faces. Did I mention that? :P There are my reasons. ;) Fabulous gifs! What ep are you on, btw?

[originalripper.livejournal.com]

I've seen this version of Merlin all over tumblr but never actually seen it-I'm more of the Starz show Camelot with Jamie Campbell Bower and Eva Green

[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