[commentary] Merlin
Sep. 3rd, 2009 11:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sinkwriterMy friend ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
accordingtomel is a big fan of this program, and wanted the people on her friends-list to watch it and let her know what we thought of it, whether or not we liked it. I've spent this past week watching the first twelve episodes (out of thirteen total, for the full season), mulling over these characters and their stories so that I might provide Mel with a decent answer.
Here within are some of my observations.
Merlin commentary: my initial thoughts
"Into every generation a Slayer is born..."
Oh wait, wrong show. Sorry about that.
;D
Let me try this again.
"In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name... Merlin."
These words begin every episode of the show, not unlike how that Slayer quote commenced many episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There's something about starting a program that way, making such a declaration. It immediately lets the viewer know that this is a show about a hero, a brave warrior, and his or her complicated yet grand journey. It elevates the story to 'epic tale' status.
I love that.
As a girl I used to get swept up in tales of the Knights of the Round Table, of fairies and princesses, of magic and myth. I wanted to live in a castle and learn to swordfight and dance with a handsome prince. I wanted to sing in the forest and commune with nature and let down my long hair.
My rich imagination softened and subdued a bit with maturity, life experience and a dash of gleaned cynicism, but -- like wild animals cannot really be tamed -- it can always be stirred up again, given the right inspiration. *wink* After all, what fun is life if you can't let your imagination run free once in a while?
For me, such energy lay dormant for what felt like a very long time, until a former roommate convinced me to come with her to a Renaissance faire in Bristol (*ahem* Wisconsin, not England). Within a year, we were both working at that faire. I spent two glorious summers there, singing with a women's madrigal group called the Consorte Bella Donna. Yes, it was hot and sticky and exhausting -- especially wearing that many layers of skirts and chemise and corset and bodice; oh, the stories I could tell you about that! -- but it was also some of the most magnificent fun I have ever had. To spend the day singing love songs and stories about sailors; dancing around the fairgrounds; performing the silliest, most ridiculous street improv with my girls (our madrigal troupe); and flirting with gallant gentlemen who kissed our hands and attempted to woo us and addressed each of us as "my beautiful lady"... tell me, what is not to love about that?
It is this fun, young spirit, this sense of splendor and energy, which stirs within when I read wonderful novels like Harry Potter or when I see a program such as Merlin.
These epic stories -- of good and evil, of excessive power versus mercy, of truth and justice, chaos and balance, and most especially, of love and loyalty -- seduce me every time. That is one of the reasons I like this show.
(Yes, Mel, you read that right. I like this program. Seriously, how could I not?)
But Merlin is not a stodgy television show about knights and kingdoms to be protected. Its premise seems simple, yet manages to be more complex than that. Just like with Buffy, at its heart Merlin is about a young man who has powers he must learn to master, and a destiny he does not yet fully understand. It's about growing up and accepting responsibility and taking on challenges that most others could not handle. It's about keeping secrets and seeking people one can trust. It's about making tough choices and shouldering the biggest of burdens. It's about all the things that good shows tend to be about: love and loss and loyalty, and generally good people figuring things out as they go along.
What impresses me is that even though it seems like a cute little show, it continues to surprise me.
Just when I think that King Uther will prove to be a stereotypical tyrant, he finds it within himself to apologize to someone, or let his son know that he loves him, or that he's doing the best he can, even when he makes the most terrible, nasty decisions and is often blinded with fear and angry mistrust about the potential evils of magic. He may be overzealous about it, but we are reminded that he feels this way with good reason. History has taught him the ways in which people wield magic with cruelty. That's what keeps him from becoming a stereotype. Depth is written into the role, and portrayed well by Anthony Head. (Delightfully ironic casting choice, too, given that he used to be on another 'epic tale' show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
His son Arthur could be written as a spoiled brat, but again, we are given more, through the writing and through Bradley James’s honorable portrayal of the young man. We are reminded with each episode that this is the character meant to one day become king. There are gorgeous glimpses of how he is different from his father, why he will make a great ruler, and how he is destined to build a grand Camelot that becomes the most epically wonderful place to live.
And Merlin is so adorable, with his dimpled smile and his mischievous eyes... with the skills of the mystical sorcerer he is learning to become, he charms me. I find myself rooting for him. I want him to grow up to become the wizened old man with the staff and the pointy Fantasia hat and the extraordinary magical powers, counseling and protecting his King Arthur. I want the world to be safe for him to practice his magic freely, without the danger of a kingdom-mandated death sentence. I want him to succeed. Again, his character comes wonderfully alive in the hands of the talented actor (Colin Morgan) who plays him.
What also charms me about this show is that it's genuinely funny. That's a huge plus for me. I love the wisecracks between Merlin and Arthur, the pointed looks Gaius gives Merlin when he knows Merlin is lying to him, and the winking jokes that remind the audience who Arthur and Merlin will become. All of that humor makes the characters so enchantingly likeable, I can't help but fall in love with each one of them. (Well, almost all of them. Sorry, Uther. You're a tough one.)
Here's a little taste, something that amused me in the pilot episode:
ARTHUR: I could take you apart with one blow.
MERLIN: I could take you apart with less than that.
ARTHUR: You sure? Here you go, big man. (throws him a mace) Come on, then. I warn you, I've been trained to kill since birth.
MERLIN: Wow, and how long have you been training to be a prat?
ARTHUR: (astonished and a little amused) You can't talk to me like that.
MERLIN: (smiling) Sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat... my Lord?
Heh. Love that.
In addition, it inspires me to go back and find the films and stories from which this show stems. Revisit all those exciting myths and magical mysteries about the famous days of chivalry and honor, those tales of Excalibur, Arthur and Lancelot, Merlin, the Lady in the Lake, the Knights of the Round Table, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Le Morte d’Arthur... on and on, reliving those wonderful legends about all these characters. So fun to read and watch. I love it when programs incite further research! *GRIN*
Most especially, I love the friendships. Over the history of television, most good shows worth watching present at least one remarkable friendship. Whether it's between two FBI partners (like Mulder and Scully on The X-Files), or a United States President and his Chief of Staff (Bartlet and Leo on The West Wing), a pair of journalists (Murphy and Frank on Murphy Brown), or in this case, a prince and his servant... it makes no difference, so long as it's written well. They can fight, they can disagree, they can drive each other insane, they can poke and tease and challenge each other, but at the heart of it, we can see a bond between the characters, a great trust and respect. On this show, we see such friendships lovingly presented between Merlin and Arthur, between Morgana and Gwen, and between Merlin and his mentor Gaius. We even see it between Uther and Gaius, a king and his trusted court physician and old friend. It's really lovely to watch. It adds so much heart to the program.
What all this adds up to is that this show is sweet and charming, and I like it very much. In fact, I have not yet watched the final episode of the season because I don't want it to end. I don't want to be stuck on a cliffhanger, worrying about these characters, hoping for more exciting adventures, waiting for a new season. Then again, I may not be able to resist. It has caught my attention, it has captured my interest.
Yes, Mel, I like Merlin. I look forward to seeing much more of this show, and talking about it with you in detail. Thanks for nudging me (and nudging me and nudging me, hehhh) to watch it. I'm very glad you did. ♥
accordingtomel is a big fan of this program, and wanted the people on her friends-list to watch it and let her know what we thought of it, whether or not we liked it. I've spent this past week watching the first twelve episodes (out of thirteen total, for the full season), mulling over these characters and their stories so that I might provide Mel with a decent answer.Here within are some of my observations.
Merlin commentary: my initial thoughts
"Into every generation a Slayer is born..."
Oh wait, wrong show. Sorry about that.
;D
Let me try this again.
"In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name... Merlin."
These words begin every episode of the show, not unlike how that Slayer quote commenced many episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There's something about starting a program that way, making such a declaration. It immediately lets the viewer know that this is a show about a hero, a brave warrior, and his or her complicated yet grand journey. It elevates the story to 'epic tale' status.
I love that.
As a girl I used to get swept up in tales of the Knights of the Round Table, of fairies and princesses, of magic and myth. I wanted to live in a castle and learn to swordfight and dance with a handsome prince. I wanted to sing in the forest and commune with nature and let down my long hair.
My rich imagination softened and subdued a bit with maturity, life experience and a dash of gleaned cynicism, but -- like wild animals cannot really be tamed -- it can always be stirred up again, given the right inspiration. *wink* After all, what fun is life if you can't let your imagination run free once in a while?
For me, such energy lay dormant for what felt like a very long time, until a former roommate convinced me to come with her to a Renaissance faire in Bristol (*ahem* Wisconsin, not England). Within a year, we were both working at that faire. I spent two glorious summers there, singing with a women's madrigal group called the Consorte Bella Donna. Yes, it was hot and sticky and exhausting -- especially wearing that many layers of skirts and chemise and corset and bodice; oh, the stories I could tell you about that! -- but it was also some of the most magnificent fun I have ever had. To spend the day singing love songs and stories about sailors; dancing around the fairgrounds; performing the silliest, most ridiculous street improv with my girls (our madrigal troupe); and flirting with gallant gentlemen who kissed our hands and attempted to woo us and addressed each of us as "my beautiful lady"... tell me, what is not to love about that?
It is this fun, young spirit, this sense of splendor and energy, which stirs within when I read wonderful novels like Harry Potter or when I see a program such as Merlin.
These epic stories -- of good and evil, of excessive power versus mercy, of truth and justice, chaos and balance, and most especially, of love and loyalty -- seduce me every time. That is one of the reasons I like this show.
(Yes, Mel, you read that right. I like this program. Seriously, how could I not?)
But Merlin is not a stodgy television show about knights and kingdoms to be protected. Its premise seems simple, yet manages to be more complex than that. Just like with Buffy, at its heart Merlin is about a young man who has powers he must learn to master, and a destiny he does not yet fully understand. It's about growing up and accepting responsibility and taking on challenges that most others could not handle. It's about keeping secrets and seeking people one can trust. It's about making tough choices and shouldering the biggest of burdens. It's about all the things that good shows tend to be about: love and loss and loyalty, and generally good people figuring things out as they go along.
What impresses me is that even though it seems like a cute little show, it continues to surprise me.
Just when I think that King Uther will prove to be a stereotypical tyrant, he finds it within himself to apologize to someone, or let his son know that he loves him, or that he's doing the best he can, even when he makes the most terrible, nasty decisions and is often blinded with fear and angry mistrust about the potential evils of magic. He may be overzealous about it, but we are reminded that he feels this way with good reason. History has taught him the ways in which people wield magic with cruelty. That's what keeps him from becoming a stereotype. Depth is written into the role, and portrayed well by Anthony Head. (Delightfully ironic casting choice, too, given that he used to be on another 'epic tale' show called Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)
His son Arthur could be written as a spoiled brat, but again, we are given more, through the writing and through Bradley James’s honorable portrayal of the young man. We are reminded with each episode that this is the character meant to one day become king. There are gorgeous glimpses of how he is different from his father, why he will make a great ruler, and how he is destined to build a grand Camelot that becomes the most epically wonderful place to live.
And Merlin is so adorable, with his dimpled smile and his mischievous eyes... with the skills of the mystical sorcerer he is learning to become, he charms me. I find myself rooting for him. I want him to grow up to become the wizened old man with the staff and the pointy Fantasia hat and the extraordinary magical powers, counseling and protecting his King Arthur. I want the world to be safe for him to practice his magic freely, without the danger of a kingdom-mandated death sentence. I want him to succeed. Again, his character comes wonderfully alive in the hands of the talented actor (Colin Morgan) who plays him.
What also charms me about this show is that it's genuinely funny. That's a huge plus for me. I love the wisecracks between Merlin and Arthur, the pointed looks Gaius gives Merlin when he knows Merlin is lying to him, and the winking jokes that remind the audience who Arthur and Merlin will become. All of that humor makes the characters so enchantingly likeable, I can't help but fall in love with each one of them. (Well, almost all of them. Sorry, Uther. You're a tough one.)
Here's a little taste, something that amused me in the pilot episode:
ARTHUR: I could take you apart with one blow.
MERLIN: I could take you apart with less than that.
ARTHUR: You sure? Here you go, big man. (throws him a mace) Come on, then. I warn you, I've been trained to kill since birth.
MERLIN: Wow, and how long have you been training to be a prat?
ARTHUR: (astonished and a little amused) You can't talk to me like that.
MERLIN: (smiling) Sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat... my Lord?
Heh. Love that.
In addition, it inspires me to go back and find the films and stories from which this show stems. Revisit all those exciting myths and magical mysteries about the famous days of chivalry and honor, those tales of Excalibur, Arthur and Lancelot, Merlin, the Lady in the Lake, the Knights of the Round Table, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Le Morte d’Arthur... on and on, reliving those wonderful legends about all these characters. So fun to read and watch. I love it when programs incite further research! *GRIN*
Most especially, I love the friendships. Over the history of television, most good shows worth watching present at least one remarkable friendship. Whether it's between two FBI partners (like Mulder and Scully on The X-Files), or a United States President and his Chief of Staff (Bartlet and Leo on The West Wing), a pair of journalists (Murphy and Frank on Murphy Brown), or in this case, a prince and his servant... it makes no difference, so long as it's written well. They can fight, they can disagree, they can drive each other insane, they can poke and tease and challenge each other, but at the heart of it, we can see a bond between the characters, a great trust and respect. On this show, we see such friendships lovingly presented between Merlin and Arthur, between Morgana and Gwen, and between Merlin and his mentor Gaius. We even see it between Uther and Gaius, a king and his trusted court physician and old friend. It's really lovely to watch. It adds so much heart to the program.
What all this adds up to is that this show is sweet and charming, and I like it very much. In fact, I have not yet watched the final episode of the season because I don't want it to end. I don't want to be stuck on a cliffhanger, worrying about these characters, hoping for more exciting adventures, waiting for a new season. Then again, I may not be able to resist. It has caught my attention, it has captured my interest.
Yes, Mel, I like Merlin. I look forward to seeing much more of this show, and talking about it with you in detail. Thanks for nudging me (and nudging me and nudging me, hehhh) to watch it. I'm very glad you did. ♥
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no subject
Date: 2009-09-04 12:58 pm (UTC)Okay, so I need to be coherent here...;)
First of all, that job sounded like it was so much fun!! How cool :D. I have ALWAYS loved that medieval/pioneer times type stuff (even though neither are really related to each other). It's just so awesome!! :)
(As a random side note, every time I hear/read/write the word "medieval" I can't help but think of this Bradley James quote from the video diaries on the Merlin DVD where he's doing an American announcer voice after viewing a hot air balloon in the air. And he's talking about how that's not very medieval. And he goes: "In a world that's medieval...filled with medium sized evil...there is one man..." Ah, I'm such a nerd ;D)
Anyway, YAY!! You like Merlin!!! YAY!! And I love hearing your thoughts about it, because I agree with you hardcore on EVERYTHING!! ;)
Uther actually is likeable in some ways. He is totally a complex character that is hard to like...but also hard to dislike too. Because for all his failings and mistakes and tyrancy, he also has good and love and mostly good intentions inside of him too. Anthony Head is brilliant as Uther. He really is. Because, like you say, he could just play him as a one-dimensional tyrant. But Uther is far from that, and I don't know that he could be portrayed so well and so fully by anyone else!
The thing I love most about Arthur is how much growth you see in him from the beginning of the show to the end of the show. He actually IS a pretty big ass/prat at the beginning. But you slowly start to see how he's maturing and growing up and realizing that he can't just act like a bully and get away with it. Also, I adore the way that they show his love and devotion for the people of Camelot and what he's willing to do for them. Like you say, it just becomes more and more apparent as time goes on that Arthur is going to be a wonderful King.
And slasher or no (which I clearly am...), I think a large part of Arthur's development stems from his relationship with Merlin. Because Merlin, right from the beginning, is like, "Oh, you're a Price? Well that's great. You're also an ass and I'm not going to allow you to treat people like crap." And he continues to treat Arthur like a friend and not like a "prince". He tells him when he's wrong, calls him on crap, addresses him as Arthur even though he should be calling him "sire" or "my lord" or whatever, and generally isn't afraid to speak the truth. Which I think is a totally foreign concept to Arthur, because I suspect that he's likely never found anyone before who liked him for himself, and not just because he was the Prince of Camelot. And really, Merlin is a pretty terrible servant (as Arthur so eloquently points out), but Arthur doesn't fire him. He keeps him around anyway.
(Too long...)
no subject
Date: 2009-09-04 06:32 pm (UTC)I think I would have been sincerely disappointed if you had not been the first person to reply to this post. *GRIN* I'm so glad you saw it. (But don't let me make you late for work! LOL.)
Regarding the ren faire. It really was a ton of fun. Hard work, too, very long hot days and rainy days, but enormous fun. I have many tales of silliness and naughtiness from those summers. In fact, I once had a 'wooing war' with a guy from the fight cast (and the photos to prove it). Heh hehhhh. But that is a story for an entirely different post. ;)
At any rate, it was an inspiring time in my life, and I think I will always love stuff like that. Swordfights and epic adventure tales, knights and fair maidens, all that sort of stuff. Which is why it's no great surprise to me that I like Merlin. Though I was hoping it would turn out to be more than just a 'cute show,' so I'm very glad to find out that it's proven itself to be more than that. :)
I haven't seen any video diaries -- I'll have to look for those. This show isn't out on region 1 DVD sets yet, is it?
Isn't Uther an interesting character? At first, Anthony Head or no Anthony Head, I was afraid he was going to be written as an evil tyrant, one we could see Arthur needed to replace someday soon, and that's about it. I'm so pleased to see the writers gave him more depth than that. There are times when you can easily despise him, when he turns to that kind of cruelty that makes him horrible, but then something twists and he sometimes surprises you, and that makes him not completely hateable. You may never be able to love a character like Uther, but like you say, you don't necessary dislike him every minute, and that's really something. Besides, it's Anthony Head. He's Awesome with a capital A. He's riveting in every scene. So much love for him. :)
Great points re: Arthur! I forgot to go back and clarify some of that when I was writing up my post. He's never a stereotype, thank goodness; he's never the kind of spoiled brat prince that makes you hate him, you know what I mean? But he definitely has his moments of 'princely entitlement,' of being a bit of a bully, of being a hotheaded youth who's not ready to be king just yet. But he also shows aspects that prove he'll get there. Even when he's being an ass, there's also this wonderful layer of maturity that is his own, when he stands up to his father or genuinely asks whether there might be another course of action instead of immediate execution, when (even through his exasperation) he listens to Morgana or Gwen or Merlin or even the people of his kingdom. Like you point out, he genuinely cares about the people of Camelot and that comes through. He's brave and strong and smart -- it's lovely to see how observant he is, even if he doesn't always understand what he's seeing. He knows there's something about Merlin he can't quite explain. He sees when a peasant isn't capable enough to handle battle, and gently gives him another task. He finds ways to express himself that are much more kind and generous than his father's ways. Oh, how I love character development! Great stuff. *GRIN*
More in a bit. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-09-05 12:10 am (UTC)And don't worry - I wasn't late for work. (Well...10 minutes later than I wanted to be there, but I have a super flexible schedule so I can come in when I want to. Still, I mostly try to work 8:30-4:30 if at all possible :))
Ooh! I'd LOVE to hear more of your stories!! And you even have pictures?!?! :D :D Exciting!!! Seriously, I'm such a huge nerd and can't get enough of stuff like that ;)
The video diaries can be found on YouTube. There was a cast video diary, a Colin Morgan video diary, and a Colin and Bradley video diary. If you're interested in my nerdy quote, you can find it here on YouTube. The section with the quote I was referring to starts at around 5:10-ish. Oh goodness, I love Bradley James so much :D. Evil mystical van of doom...*chuckles* ;) And he's got such a great, hearty, genuine laugh. It makes me grin from ear to ear whenever I hear it because it's so real and heart-felt ;)
Anywho, getting back to the Merlin discussion at hand... I agree that Uther is a fascinating character. Like he's not likable, but at the same time, there are some redeemable qualities about him. At times I've wanted to slap him, but then there are times when you can tell that he's a hurting, conflicted man. I just really adore the depth of his character. And of COURSE Anthony Head is a genius!! Great casting job on that one, I'll tell you that ;D
Arthur absolutely is everything you're saying here. He's not a stereotype in the least. He's a fully fleshed out character with some significant flaws and some significantly wonderful strengths. I'll admit that I didn't like him all that much after the first episode. But he quickly grew on me. You're absolutely right that he's kind of pig-headed at times, but he'll still listen to people. He's listened to Merlin and Morgana and Gwen on a number of occasions. Which is where Uther fails. Because with Uther there is absolutely no convincing him otherwise. Bradley just exhudes everything that he needs to in order to portray Arthur well. A young man who is growing and learning and on his way to becoming a great King, with just enough arrogance and humility to make him absolutely endearing.
He knows there's something about Merlin he can't quite explain.
As a random side note, Bradley James is like a super strong believer that Arthur needs to find out about Merlin's magic ASAP. He's brought it up in several interviews and he seems to think that it's important for the Merlin/Arthur relationship. I think it's cute that he's so adament about his character finding out. Anywho, back to discussion...
It's almost incredible to see how far Arthur comes in 13 episodes. You know I've watched season 1 three times through (and some episodes I've seen 4+ times), but every time I still can't get over how much Arthur matures and develops as a character from "The Dragon's Call" to "Le Morte d'Arthur" ;)
(This is probably too long, hahaha!)
no subject
Date: 2009-09-17 05:35 pm (UTC)By the way, I seem to have chattered on quite a bit in responding to this post of yours, so once again I'm going to have to split up my answer into two posts. *sheepish grin*
Part I.
Ooh! I'd LOVE to hear more of your stories!! And you even have pictures?!?!
*laughing hard* I'll have to see if I can get up the nerve to post a few pictures from that time. In fact, there's one in particular that I think you'll find hilarious and saucy. *GRIN* But I confess I've never posted a picture of myself online, so it may take a bit for me to post it. I may need you to teach me how to filter my post so only specific people can see it.
As for stories, well, I think you can tell by now that I've got no issue with writing long posts or expressing myself in that manner, so... eventually I'll write up a few stories about my 'adventures at faire.' Heeeee. They're definitely fun stories. At least, they were for me. :)
The video diaries can be found on YouTube. There was a cast video diary, a Colin Morgan video diary, and a Colin and Bradley video diary. If you're interested in my nerdy quote, you can find it here on YouTube.
Thanks for the link, because apparently the video diary I saw was only a portion, and it wasn't the 'evil van of doooom' portion. LOL. I love seeing behind-the-scenes stuff, watching people rehearse fight scenes or practice wire work, or mess around while they wait for the next shot. It's just fun to me. I wish this would come out on a region 1 DVD so I could purchase it and see all this stuff! (Damn it, Mel. Now you've got me wanting to buy the DVD. *shakes fist at you, laughing*)
P.S. You're right - Bradley has an infectious laugh. *GRIN*
Re: Uther. Every time I want to slap him, I'm reminded of his scathing retort to Morgana in the pilot, how he says something like, "You weren't here twenty years ago. You don't know what it was like." With just those few words, I felt the writers gave Uther some depth, kept him from being a stereotype, because no matter how obsessive and cruel he gets about punishing anyone who uses magic, those two sentences stay with me and give me reason to understand him a little better, to understand just why he gets so hyper-sensitive about it. He saw terrible occurances (including something very personal to his own heart), and that's what gives him justification in his mind that what he's doing is for the greater good, to protect people (and himself, of course) from ever experiencing anything like that again.
I wonder if (before what happened to his wife) Uther had no issue with magic, or if he's always had a prejudice against the use of it. What do you think? Given the little bits and pieces the show has provided, it would seem Uther has known Gaius a very long time. Did he know him back when Gaius was studying (or trying to study) magic? I wonder. It's ironic that Uther had use for magic back when he needed it, seemingly had no problem with it, but when it backfired, then every bit of it became evil to him. Perhaps he didn't think there was anything wrong with it until things went horribly wrong, and then he began to think of it in a completely different way. Just goes to show, you cannot mess with the balance of nature, life and death. Uther using it back then came back to bite him in the ass. ;)
Then again, without it, we wouldn't have Arthur, so... *smiles*
At any rate, I'll be very curious to see how long they go before Arthur finds out the truth about his mother and his own birth. No matter how Uther wants to keep it a secret, I imagine something's got to force that information to the light eventually, don't you? I love the dramatic character possibilities that could stem from that big reveal. :)
Back in a moment!
no subject
Date: 2009-09-17 05:36 pm (UTC)I'll admit that I didn't like him all that much after the first episode. But he quickly grew on me.
I thought he was a pain in the ass, and a bully, but I saw glimmers of possibility in him, even in the pilot. I think what did it for me was how, after he and Merlin had that second fight (the one that took them all over the square), he didn't let the knights take Merlin to the dungeon again. Instead, he had that line about "He's an idiot, but a brave one." I liked that he openly acknowledged admiration for such a trait. It showed to me that he wasn't a complete prat. Heeheheee.
And I really like how we see some of the differences between him and Uther. For example, we rarely if ever see Uther apologize to anyone (which, of course, is why it's so HUGE when he actually apologizes to Morgana); yet, in contrast Arthur often admits when he's wrong, he'll seek someone out to tell them he's sorry for their loss (like with Gwen's father) and offer up whatever he can to help them, and he'll express regrets about the limitations of the current kingdom laws and how he has visions of the kind of Camelot he'd like to live in. I love that. It says so much about his character, the kind of man he is and will become. Very nicely written.
A young man who is growing and learning and on his way to becoming a great King, with just enough arrogance and humility to make him absolutely endearing.
Well said. :)
As a random side note, Bradley James is like a super strong believer that Arthur needs to find out about Merlin's magic ASAP. He's brought it up in several interviews and he seems to think that it's important for the Merlin/Arthur relationship.
Interesting. Has he said why he believes that? Does he think the longer the secret is held, the less likely it is that Arthur will forgive Merlin? That he'll feel betrayed and unable to get past it if it's gone on too long? Or does he think it would be fun for the two of them to share that secret together (and double the risk of Uther finding out)? Or...? I think it would be good for him to find out. I think that's going to be one hell of an interesting episode. I think he's going to be very pissed off, at first. Especially because it puts him in a terrible position. Arthur would definitely have an internal war going on, between what he knows of Merlin as a person versus what he's been taught all his life about how magic is evil and no good can come of it. Plus, there's the added drama of Arthur having to keep something from his own father, knowing how much his father hates magic. Knowing what could happen to Merlin (and possibly himself) if the secret gets out. Great tension added with that. Bradley may be right. Plus, there's only so many times Merlin can get away with doing bits of magic around Arthur before he finally catches him at it. LOL. But I would love to see it happen so that Merlin accidentally has to do magic in front of him. I think that would be more interesting than Merlin simply telling Arthur that he can do magic. What do you think?
(This is probably too long, hahaha!)
Are you kidding? I love discussions like this! I can't tell you how delighted I am to find people who are willing to talk in this way. You're fantastic. *GRIN*
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Date: 2009-09-04 12:59 pm (UTC)They have a super adorable friendship. I just love it!
Also, I think that Merlin begins to grow and mature and find a sense of purpose in his life, which is so important for him. He is pretty reckless with his magic in the beginning. And I think most of it stems from him just having a good heart and wanting to take care of his friends...but it's still super dangerous. I wouldn't necessarily say he gets better at that, though I think his recklessness seems to die down somewhat. It's really awesome to see Merlin struggle with this idea of destiny and how he plays a part in it. And I think there reaches a point too where he's not doing anything because the Great Dragon tells him it's his destiny...but because he actually, genuinely just wants to do it. I mean, I suppose that's somewhat conjecture on my part. But to me, Merlin clearly cares about and respects Arthur and I think that at some point towards the latter half of the season, he reaches a point where he's taking care of Arthur simply because he WANTS to. And it just also happens to be his destiny too :).
Like you, I love the relationship between Merlin and Gaius. It is like the most insanely sweet thing ever. They're like father and son and it's clear how much they adore one another, even in spite of each's failings. They have such a strong rapport and it's clear how far Gaius would be willing to go to take care of/protect Merlin.
I love Morgana and Gwen's friendship too. Gwen is absolutely the only person that Morgana actually is completely genuine with. Like she'll manipulate Arthur and Uther and pretty much whoever else she needs to in order to further whatever agenda she has (I don't mean that in a bad way, necessarily), but with Gwen it's like she couldn't even fathom being anything short of completely loving and genuine. I love that.
And yes...it's nice to see that even Uther has a friend/confidant in Gaius. I suspect that they never had the truly open and honest kind of relationship that Merlin and Arthur have, but it's clear that Uther cares for and trusts Gaius. And I actually like that in spite of everything that Uther does, Gaius still stands up for him...vouches for him...in spite of the fact that he does many things that Gaius doesn't agree with.
What do you think of the girls? Morgana and Gwen? :) And what was your favourite episode? If you have one!
Gah! There's more I want to say but I need to go to work ;). I'M SO HAPPY YOU LIKED THE SHOW THOUGH!!! :D
(And I'm sure you might have possibly noticed me talking about the new season, but it starts this month....;) All you'd need to do is watch "Le Morte d'Arthur" and then you'd be good to go. And it actually isn't really a horrible cliffhanger or anything like that! You should keep watching *nods* ;D)
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Date: 2009-09-04 06:54 pm (UTC)The difference, I think, is that Gaius will pull back when Uther gets too adamant and stubborn about not wanting to hear it; in contrast, Merlin persists when it comes to Arthur. Gaius will capitulate, he'll give in and quietly say, "Yes, of course, sire," and leave him be, probably because he sees that Uther is not in the mood to hear reason. But he doesn't always go back and try again. He figures there's nothing to be done; Uther must figure it out himself. Also, he sees that Uther will do what he's going to do and there's not much Gaius can say to urge him otherwise. In contrast, like you say, Merlin pushes Arthur in ways Gaius would never dare with Uther. I think, because of that, his friendship with Arthur far surpasses the one Gaius has with Uther -- because Merlin dares to be bold and take the risk, if it means getting through to Arthur and doing some good.
At the same time, I do see times when Merlin shows his respect for Arthur through the way he addresses Arthur as the prince. He'll quietly say, "Yes, sire," and "thank you, sire." Because these characters are both so young, they don't often have that conventional, traditional relationship. Just as Merlin will dare to call Arthur a 'prat,' Arthur will in turn tease Merlin about being a dreadful servant and a clumsy 'idiot,' yet it's all in fun, on both their parts. Through their words, even through their teasing, we can feel their respect for each other, their innate trust. Like Merlin tries to explain when Uther comments on their relationship, there is a definite bond between these two characters. It just happens to be unconventional and a bit cheeky. (Heh.) So on those rare occasions when Merlin does call Arthur "sire," you know he's saying it with the utmost respect and that he really means it. It's very effective. :)
Back in a bit. Must have some lunch and apply for more jobs! Gah. I'd rather be talking with you about this. *wink*
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Date: 2009-09-05 12:25 am (UTC)Another thing that I think is a significant difference is that while I definitely think that Uther and Gaius consider one another friends...I think that relationship is still somewhat "loose." As in they're friends, and Uther trusts and confides in Gaius (and vice versa, to an extent), but there's no equality in the relationship and there never has or ever will be. Even though technically there isn't equality in the Merlin/Arthur friendship, in a lot of ways Arthur has made it painfully clear that even though Merlin is his manservant, he views him as a friend and even an equal - even if he doesn't verbalize this. The episode "The Moment of Truth" is the best example of this - when Arthur goes to Ealdor to help Merlin. For no other reason than the fact that he cares about Merlin and wants to help him. Realistically, that's a pretty bold thing for a prince to do - go off and risk his life to help his manservant (never mind the other incidents of this too). So I think there's more a sense of genuine trust and friendship between Merlin and Arthur.
I agree 100% that the use of "idiot" and "prat" actually become more terms of endearment/affection than actual insults ;). It's cute. And yes, I really loved that conversation between Uther and Merlin about Merlin's level of loyalty to Arthur and then Merlin says "You could say we share a bond." I totally "aww-ed" at that part, LOL! It's true though. And I think in a lot of ways, Uther probably envies Arthur of his friendship with Merlin. Or at least he might in theory. Because they have a friendship that's genuine. I suspect that Uther has always kept people at an arm's length. Probably partly because he was King, but I think also after the death of Igraine.
I will say that it did make me happy to learn that Uther had Gaius as a friend and support though. It somehow makes Uther seem more human. Oh! And not sure if you've ever noticed, but I also LOVE Uther's relationship with Morgana. It's actually a super fascinating dynamic too, if you ask me. Morgana, unlike Gaius, can challenge Uther to no end. And sometimes he'll actually listen to her. I would argue that Morgana is the only person in his life that would be able to sway his mind about something. I'm not even entirely convinced that Arthur has that same kind of power over Uther. Though he certainly has some kind of relationship with his father, messed up as it may be.
Gah! I hope you realize that I could take about this for weeks on end. Feel free to end these conversations whenever you get tired of talking with me about this, ROFL ;D
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Date: 2009-09-04 03:28 pm (UTC)Mum likes Gaius the most. I want to hit Uther most of the time, but it's Anthony Head! (Meeting him at a con was one of the highlights of my life, he is a beautiful man in all ways).
The boys are great, I love the underlying heart of Arthur. And I love the girls, they're both gorgeous.
My brother is involved in medieval festivals.
(and I will reply to the 5 things posts, because there's so much I'm nodding at. just things are messy)
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Date: 2009-09-17 04:26 pm (UTC)*waves to you*
*sends you hugs*
You met Anthony Head? That is fantastic. Was he lovely? :) I imagine him being a very nice, gracious man, with good humor.
(And yes, I often want to hit Uthur. LOL. Funny how far we've come from Giles, eh? LOL.)
I just think it's such a fun show. Lately, I've been feeling much more stressed than usual, a bit twitchy, so I've taken to ending my evenings by watching an episode of Merlin. I like the banter between characters, I like Colin's mischievous smile, I like the stories (whether they're accurate to the original legends or not), and it just lightens my mood. A good thing.
How fun that your brother is involved in medieval festivals. It's been at least a couple of years since I've gone to a Ren faire, but I have such fond memories and often crave dressing up in my old billowy skirts and twirling about in the fields at the faire. *GRIN*
(and I will reply to the 5 things posts, because there's so much I'm nodding at. just things are messy)
No worries whatsoever, Kat. I just read your latest post -- it sounds like you've got plenty on your mind. Wow, that poor young girl. What she's been through is terrible, and you and your family are so kind to protect and help her. I'll think positive thoughts for all of you to be safe and healthy.
xoxoo
Merlin
Date: 2009-09-10 03:43 am (UTC)Re: Merlin
Date: 2009-09-17 04:36 pm (UTC)Have you moved from that dreadful place where people were scary and awful? Are you someplace safer, with good neighbors? I hope so!
How's your hand doing? What's next in regard to that? Are you doing some sort of physical therapy or does it require surgery or have to heal for a long while first, in a splint or something, or...? I am thinking all my most positive thoughts for your hand to heal quickly.
In regard to Merlin, absolutely, you should give it a watch! I was just saying above to Kat that I've been in a bit of a mood lately, feeling extra stressed and tense, so sometimes I'll end my night by watching an episode of Merlin. It just puts me in a lighter mood, it's so funny and charming. :)
And I know you're going to write something on this, right?
Episode commentary, you mean? Or fanfic?
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Date: 2009-09-12 04:28 pm (UTC)The most fun I had sewing was with a group I ran with at the SCA. I've kept a pattern for Wench bodice ever since and occasionally I'll still wear it. Oh what that does if your flat chested, nevermind busty! Holds the girls in place really good! Our TV was stolen when we were evicted but we'll get one soon. Between Merlin and Robin Hood, this is so much fun to hear about.
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Date: 2009-09-17 04:43 pm (UTC)Sometimes I wish I could sew. Some of the women (and men, for that matter) at the faire could sew remarkably well and created the most gorgeous costumes. It was impressive!
I've kept a pattern for Wench bodice ever since and occasionally I'll still wear it. Oh what that does if your flat chested, nevermind busty! Holds the girls in place really good!
*laughing heartily* Oh yes, between my corset and my bodice, my bosom was quite a sight to behold. HAHAHAHHAA It's amazing how well such garments hold everything in place and up, up, up. *GRIN* The corset seems to shape my body nicely, too. I think I'd happily wear it in my regular life if it weren't so damn uncomfortable after so many hours in it. LOL.
Our TV was stolen when we were evicted but we'll get one soon. Between Merlin and Robin Hood, this is so much fun to hear about.
Someone stole your TV? What bastards! Sincerely, I hope things are much better for you now that you're away from that horrible place.
P.S. I've not seen the new Robin Hood on BBC; is that a good show? I always liked that story. Back when I was a kid, I loved the idea of Robin Hood. I just found it so interesting. :)