New Merlin on BBC
- Thread starter Starkers
- Start date
OK, first episode we have Voldemort, now we have Jubal Early and a recycled plot from season 1 (Arthur enters another jousting contest... and his life is in danger!!!).
Why is this series consistently so frustratingly mediocre? They've got a great premise, a decent cast, a great legend to build on, and a wealth of stories to tell, and yet all we get is derivative episodes that seem to take the 'arcs' round and round in circles.
I wish I could quit Merlin
Why is this series consistently so frustratingly mediocre? They've got a great premise, a decent cast, a great legend to build on, and a wealth of stories to tell, and yet all we get is derivative episodes that seem to take the 'arcs' round and round in circles.
I wish I could quit Merlin
cult these are the exact points I made in my Season 1 review. I've said it some many times I can't tell if I'm repeating myself or not. I don't know why they are slipping in these early stock scripts when there's so many finite Arthurian places to go with these characters. I'll have to catch ep 2 online sometime this week! Arthur came before Potter, and I don't want the show to be dismissed as riding the current kid magic wave. I don't mind jousts or the dragon if they are done right. Right now both so far have been used as plot devices or action and effects excuses. Hey, Arthur wants to join a tourney? Why not have a two or three ep story where he has a rough time getting there. Maybe he meets a shady Malignant on the way, catch up with Lancelot, have Morgana traveling a different road and also be disguised. Some of the episodes end with the chance for players to return, but all is usually resolved. Get serious already. Didn't they make Arthur 21? The show can grow up some.
All that said, I do enjoy it. Such a guilty pleasure!
All that said, I do enjoy it. Such a guilty pleasure!
^ And, like I said last time, the show doesn't have to grow up. It's not trying to be a deep and serious show. It's a lighthearted adventure series like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys or Robin Hood.
If the show "grew up" and became all Darker and Edgier I would lose interest. Just enjoy it for what it is; a fun, entertaining series with a great cast of characters.
If the show "grew up" and became all Darker and Edgier I would lose interest. Just enjoy it for what it is; a fun, entertaining series with a great cast of characters.
Thank you, exactly what I meant. Have some balls writers, do an episode with some bite, that actually advances the story.
I think I'm doing a Temis-with-Stargate. Bitch constantly but watch anyway. 
Thank you, exactly what I meant. Have some balls writers, do an episode with some bite, that actually advances the story.
I'm with you guys, I would like to see some more sophisticated story telling, not necessarily more dark and gritty but some depth given to the story and characters, including the continuity and mythology of it all. Rather than what we seem to be getting now.
I think the show is a lot of fun, and I'd hate for it to lose that sense of fun, but they seem to take a step back for everyone they take forward.
Why? There's not even enough discussion in 2 weeks to justify it really...
Pingfah, yeah, I was glad to see they were maturing his character a bit, but it didn't stick in his attitude towards Merlin in this episode, nevermind in future episodes.
That's true enough. But I suppose he's letting himself be walked over because he's "in hiding". Plus it did seem a lot like a lot of Arthur's "growth" was to impress Gwen anyway.
I actually thought last night's ep was a big improvement on the first. The joust wasn't really important, nor was Adrian Lester's assasin (waste of a good actor I thought) last night's ep was all about Arthur and Gwen, and I thought it did it brilliantly. I'd agree the show does seem to reset itself at the end of each ep, but given that next week they'll take the Morgana arc forwards, and did we see Lancelot in the trailer last week? I think they will get there, they just want to take it slow.
Darker and edgier...yes it'd be nice, and Who has proven it is possible, but Who is a cut above most telly so just because they can pull it off doesn't mean Merlin can.
I loved Merlin's rant, but I wish he wouldn't save Arthur every week, having Arthud defeat a top assasin without help, depsite being wounded, would have helped his character now end.
Darker and edgier...yes it'd be nice, and Who has proven it is possible, but Who is a cut above most telly so just because they can pull it off doesn't mean Merlin can.
I loved Merlin's rant, but I wish he wouldn't save Arthur every week, having Arthud defeat a top assasin without help, depsite being wounded, would have helped his character now end.
I think last week's trailer was for this entire series, so Lancelot will be back later this series.
I liked episode 2 very much. I thought it was mature and well done. I don't think the show need be heavy and melancholy, but as skutter said, sophisticated. Iron out all those kinks and stand out! Last night's episode was definitely a plus. I wish the writers wouldn't reset or refer to earlier experiences only when its convenient. I can't wait to see this love triangle with Lancelot develop now.
Not that it matters much, but if there were easy to find weekly grading threads maybe more would comment. Any ratings overnight yet?
Not that it matters much, but if there were easy to find weekly grading threads maybe more would comment. Any ratings overnight yet?
Lancelot, Mordred and Excalibur will all return.
Merlin's also getting a romance. no prizes for knowing who she'll be...
Merlin's also getting a romance. no prizes for knowing who she'll be...
Remembered to watch this week Bob! Rather enjoyed it. It doesn't seem as vacuous as the first season seemed to me. I'd like to see Merlin standing up for himself a bit more. It's not as though Arthur's going to sack him. Come to think of it ... that wouldn't be a bad plot.
Well he demoted him without a second thought last week...
Oh, I agree - I don't think the show needs to be 'dark' or 'edgy'. Although I like many shows that are quite dark in their approach, I don't think it is a prerequisite for a show to be good. This show can keep it's light hearted, fun approach to Arthurian legend, and still have sophisticated storytelling and character progression. As someone above said, Who manages this well.
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