NBC's Merlin

[Ginny]

Did anyone watch 'Merlin' on NBC Sunday night? I thought it was fantastic. Some of my fellow Arthurian buffs have been miffed over the changes to the legend and I'm curious to see what others think. I agree completely with this article, about the legend growing stale;

http://thetorchonline.com/2009/05/13...-a-good-thing/

NBC’s MERLIN Gets the Camelot Story Really Wrong — But Maybe That’s a Good Thing

What’s this? A full-fledged swords-and-sorcery fantasy series on broadcast network television? Have we seen that since The Charmings in 1988? (And I’m not sure that campy, short-lived ABC sitcom even counts.)

It might be an indication of just how desperate NBC is for a hit that the network is willing to take a chance on swords and sorcery, with Merlin, a British import that tells the story of Merlin and Arthur and Camelot “before they were legends,” premiering Sunday, June 21st at 8/7c.

Before-they-were-legends stories — basically, the Smallville treatment — can, of course, be hit or miss, especially when the story in question is as well-known and endlessly-rehashed as that of Camelot. And Merlin has departed dramatically from the traditional telling of the story: Merlin is younger, the same age as Arthur; Camelot pre-dates the would-be king; Morgana is a “good guy”; and Lancelot shows up about ten years early.

Then again, maybe all this isn’t such a bad thing. Despite the never-ending parade of faithful, earnest Arthurian retellings, how long has it been since we’ve had a truly interesting one — one that was worth retelling? Since The Mists of Avalon?

Let’s face it: Camelot has gone stale. If any story deserves to be shaken up, it might be this one.


In Britain, where the first thirteen episodes of Merlin aired last fall, the show has been a critical and popular hit. NBC too liked what it saw, committing to a partnership with the BBC early in the production (no doubt increasing the budget and improving the production values for finicky U.S. sensibilities).

Meanwhile, the online buzz from the U.K. has been positive — though NBC seems to have done a pretty good job of geoblocking online postings of the show’s episodes, to preserve some sense of mysery, and to protect their investment.

Two aspects of this retelling seem unambiguously positive. One is the color-blind casting of Guinevere, or Gwen, played by Angel Coulby. How nice to get a break from the all-white, all-the-time Arthur stories.

In addition, the role of Uther is played by none other than Buffy: The Vampire Slayer’s beloved Giles, Anthony Stewart Head.

Will Merlin work? We’ll know soon enough if this will be the summer that made Camelot cool again.

Can't wait to see all 13 episodes! And as a side note, I also found it intriguing they debuted it on June 21st, Solstice.

[Toonami Tom]

I watched the first two episodes. I thought it was good. I thought the story from episode 1 with the Witch would carry over to episode 2, but oh well. The snake shield in episode 2 was cool. I look forward to watching episode 3.

Arthur is arrogant and mean, but I don't think that's going to change for a while, lol.

[Raph's Girl]

All 13 eps have aired in the UK (heck the first season is on DVD) and I've seen em all. Love the series. I was a bit leary about it at first cuz of all the changes....but I grew to love it and totally can't wait for season 2.

Arthur changes his attitude within a couple eps...don't worry. I didn't like him at first either. I think Guinivier is my favorite. Morgen is also cool.

[BubblyShell22]

Yes, I saw this on Sunday, and I loved it. I'm going to watch the rest of the series. Of course, I originally was only going to watch it to see the preview of the sixth HP movie and then be done with it. However, I really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing the next two episodes.

[Ginny]

Originally Posted by Raph's Girl

All 13 eps have aired in the UK (heck the first season is on DVD) and I've seen em all. Love the series. I was a bit leary about it at first cuz of all the changes....but I grew to love it and totally can't wait for season 2.

Arthur changes his attitude within a couple eps...don't worry. I didn't like him at first either. I think Guinivier is my favorite. Morgen is also cool.

I hope they keep it going on NBC also and don't just air a few episodes. I'm hoping they'll air season 2 when it premiers as well. But I have a feeling they'll end up scrapping it.

I really like the show. My one friend who pretty much thinks the only 'accurate' version is 'Mists of Avalon' even liked it.

[Hero]

Merlin is bloomin awesome. Can't wait for season 2 to air on the BBC soon.

===HERO

[Raph's Girl]

Originally Posted by Ginny

I really like the show. My one friend who pretty much thinks the only 'accurate' version is 'Mists of Avalon' even liked it.

The movie version of Mists of Avalon is actually pretty bad. One of the cases when the book is 10 times better than the movie. There's ALOT of stuff in the book that wasn't put in the movie...namely the 2nd Merlin. And that actually pissed me off.

[saiyan_monkey]

Its not to bad at all. My miss gets right into those kind of programms so I normally have to watch if I have nothing else to do. Im looking forward to Arthers dad dying and them getting on with the story of Merlin and Arther.

I think its been playing in NZ for at least 6 weeks, this week meaning tomorrow its about Gwens problems from Uther (if thats spelt right) and Morgana's revenge (maybe someone knows where this country is at from that).

I think Gwen to me is the biggest change in the story and dont know how or if they plan on playing the right story of her and Arther.

[Raph's Girl]

Originally Posted by saiyan Monkey

I think Gwen to me is the biggest change in the story and dont know how or if they plan on playing the right story of her and Arther.

Spoiler:

Eh I actually like Gwen with Merlin (which is where they're headed). Morgen can be with Arthur since they're not biologically related.

BTW.. the series is filmed partially in France...the castle is Chateau de Pierrefonds. Leo De Caprio's Man In The Iron Mask, a movie called Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Gawain and the Green Knight and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Ark were also filmed there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_de_Pierrefonds

The interior is Penshurst Place near London:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penshurst_Place The Other Boleyn Girl and The Princess Bride were filmed there

[saiyan_monkey]

How did you find that out?

[Ginny]

Originally Posted by Raph's Girl

The movie version of Mists of Avalon is actually pretty bad. One of the cases when the book is 10 times better than the movie. There's ALOT of stuff in the book that wasn't put in the movie...namely the 2nd Merlin. And that actually pissed me off.

Oh, I know what you mean. I was immensely disappointed with 'Mists'. As awesome as the book is, is as bad as the movie is. Although, some of the casting was pretty good, but it is just too bad they messed with the characters like they did.

I am LOVING 'Merlin' though. I just hope NBC doesn't screw us over on seeing the entire series.