Jason KingMerlin
May 3rd 2009 21:45
Category: No Category
I have to say that I have found my new TV show.
Thanks to Channel 10 playing an advert for the TV show every ten minutes for the last month I am pretty confident everyone has heard of this new fabulous BBC production. To me it comes off as an historic Dr Who show and if you liked this show then I think you will like this. I think they may have overdone the ad though and oversold the show - by saying "What Happens with a Great Formula" and throwing the words Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter and then saying what happens when they make it for TV they are trying to promote this as a cross between the two mega franchise films. And to the mildest extent it is correct - but this TV show will not make billions of dollars but I think it will be succesful.
It is more similar to Dr Who in its CGI and action and plot lines and the success of the show lies in the frustration, and I would even go as far to say sexual tension, between the two leads. Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Arthur (Bradley James) are the two leads of the show. Merlin is the greatest magician that ever will exist but at the moment he is young and learning and living in a time when Arthur's father Uther hates anything to do with magic and any person caught doing magic is executed. But Merlin works for Arthur and the show exhibits the same formula every week. Arthur gets in danger and Merlin saves the day. This will work for only so long and eventually Merlin will have to "come out". And I think this is where my personal love for the show has come from. The whole magic thing is a perfect metaphor for being gay. Coming out ='s persecution. And they actually have a great relationship - a straight or gay version of Mulder and Skully. Merlin pretty much declines all passes made to him by females and he is always there for his Arthur. It is actually quite funny once you start thinking that way while watching it. Need some proof - here's some pics.
I have had the pleasure to watch the entire first season and can honestly say I think this could be big. It holds the action, has some great character development and the CGI on the dragon is sensational. If you are missing your Harry Potter and LOTR's then this could be for you. I fail to understand why there has never been a big budget Merlin feature film. It could be HUGE. There will also be a second season based on the UK success of the first season. Embrace the magic people!
Thanks to Channel 10 playing an advert for the TV show every ten minutes for the last month I am pretty confident everyone has heard of this new fabulous BBC production. To me it comes off as an historic Dr Who show and if you liked this show then I think you will like this. I think they may have overdone the ad though and oversold the show - by saying "What Happens with a Great Formula" and throwing the words Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter and then saying what happens when they make it for TV they are trying to promote this as a cross between the two mega franchise films. And to the mildest extent it is correct - but this TV show will not make billions of dollars but I think it will be succesful.
It is more similar to Dr Who in its CGI and action and plot lines and the success of the show lies in the frustration, and I would even go as far to say sexual tension, between the two leads. Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Arthur (Bradley James) are the two leads of the show. Merlin is the greatest magician that ever will exist but at the moment he is young and learning and living in a time when Arthur's father Uther hates anything to do with magic and any person caught doing magic is executed. But Merlin works for Arthur and the show exhibits the same formula every week. Arthur gets in danger and Merlin saves the day. This will work for only so long and eventually Merlin will have to "come out". And I think this is where my personal love for the show has come from. The whole magic thing is a perfect metaphor for being gay. Coming out ='s persecution. And they actually have a great relationship - a straight or gay version of Mulder and Skully. Merlin pretty much declines all passes made to him by females and he is always there for his Arthur. It is actually quite funny once you start thinking that way while watching it. Need some proof - here's some pics.
I have had the pleasure to watch the entire first season and can honestly say I think this could be big. It holds the action, has some great character development and the CGI on the dragon is sensational. If you are missing your Harry Potter and LOTR's then this could be for you. I fail to understand why there has never been a big budget Merlin feature film. It could be HUGE. There will also be a second season based on the UK success of the first season. Embrace the magic people!
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Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Im not going to sit here all day and go through it, but young Merlin would be a great story. Perhaps the king before Uther - or even the king before that? But then they wouldnt be able to use any of the characters that people know. And whats up with Genuivere being a maid servant? Jeez.
Other than that, yeah, the actors did ok, the dragon was good, and its not bad, if I can just get past the fact that they have created a complete fantasy world!
Comment by Jason King
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Uther is a total ass!! I think they have definately candy coated it for entertainment value - but they regularly have characters from his true storyline come into it. In about the middle of the season you get to meet a young druid boy that Merlin and Arthur have to decide whether to save or not as the dragon informs them when the druid goes up he will be the one to end Arthur's life.
I don't understand the Guen storyline myself - especially since she has such a big crush on Merlin. But maybe Uther's charge will die and this will pave the way for Guen.
I think because of the mediocre budget people will have to get used to its style - but I do find it very interesting.
If you have studied it do you know of any good books to read on Arthur or Merlin - they don't have to be factual - something loosely based would be good but I would love to read something more on it. Some kind of adventure tale.
Thanks heaps for the comments
Comment by Wilson Pon
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Adventure Toes
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Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Aldoth
It's All Geek To Me
Also track down a copy of Once and Future King. It is the classic Arthur book and has a very funny moment when two old Knights meet that had me laughing out loud.
Also The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper (the Seeker movie was VERY loosely based on it.) You will find it in the young adult section but a fantastic read.
There is a place to start.
Comment by The wonderful Peter Yang
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I recogn it would be better, if we have a plot where Uthur and Merline as the two young man, with the story set before Authur was born and Uthur's father as the king.
Comment by Lola Tahlulah
Lola Tahlulah
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I like Peter Yangs idea, thats inspired! Only I dont think the previous king was Uthers father - Uther took power to prevent infighting with the head princes. It was always thought Arthur might not actually be his son (he stole Igraine his wife) so the infighting started again when Uther was old.
As for books.....Theres a set called 'The Merlin Codex' Ive only read the first book where Uther is introduced, it moves on to Arthur legends.
All time Fave, 'Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley. She's a historian, so its very accurate and mostly told from the point of view of the women. One festival day theres an interesting threesome scene with Guinevere, Lancelot and Arthur!
And Bernard Cornwall, trilogy that begins with 'The Winter King'. Told by a soldier, HEAPS of action, awesome set of books.
'The Circle of the Gods' by Victor Canning. Its the most realistic attempt at the legend.
And I also have 'The Romance of King Arthur' which is very old, and supposed to be a reprint of the original bards songs and poems. I havnt read it, the old language can be a bit heavy!
All of these versions are different, but if you pick any one of them then you will see whats 'wrong' with the story line. It is literally a TV thing - cram all the recogniseable characters into a storyline we choose. Like 'Smallville'. I dont know why I expected anything more from TV! Still, it might work.
Comment by Jason King
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Will definately hunt down the others though - that is awesome!
Peter - a couple of people have said that - but being a legend as such I think they can have their take on it. I hate Uthur in this - he is so unreasonable and more of a tyrant than a king. They throw in some historical legend stuff and most people that come into the show were somehow related to the legend. But I do think a lot would be for entertainment value.
Lola - Bummer! Try some of the US cable TV channels - I think it's Hallmark that plays the UK stuff. I also know you can get the series on Ebay from the UK.
Thanks for comments people!!
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Alita Morgan
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Comment by Linh
Celluloid Fun
'Merlin' is one of the best television programmes on commercial TV at the moment.
It almost could have the same cult status as Xena Warrior Princess
Cheers!
Comment by Jason King
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Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Arthur is just scrummylicious, and I am developing a serious crush on Morgana....She's so beautiful! And when her irish accent creeps in I find it so cute!
Comment by Jason King
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Arthur is cute but I have a geeky guy crush on Merlin
Morgana is just beautiful.