Merlin Season 2 in the US
- Thread starter JD
- Start date
It was on the BBC website, official. I don't know if its there now, and Hulu is official. I don't watch things unofficial either. Who is that helping? No one. I think they might be smart however to get on the ball with same day streaming releases and on demand options like Netflix and such. More people would know about Merlin then.
Yep, looks like it will be crazy fun.
Direct link to article.That's the spirit!
Anyway, there's no "correct" way to tell Arthurian legend, so the crybabies won't be a problem this time around (though I'm sure there will be battles over someone's favorite interpretation of the story being disrepected.)Just checked - there's only pre-release S1 DVDs at Netflix. I guess they're not smart quite yet.
So is Ireland becoming the new go to place for historical/fantasy dramas now? I know it's not the same country, but A Game of Thrones is filming in Northern Ireland.
Did you watch the iBBC streaming from the US? I've never been able to do that.
Actually, after reading the other articles it really doesn't sound contemporaneity to me anymore. Hirst did talk about Ireland really helping to create a feeling of the Middle Ages (Dark Ages?). He also talked about making history entertaining. I when he was talking about making it contemporary, he just meant making relatable to a contemporary audience.
Tax breaks. Juicy, juicy tax breaks!
He means sex & violence, to appeal to contemporary premium cable audiences. Everyone will wear fancy costumes and try to chop off each others' body parts with big-ass swords.
I was glad to see that Syfy picked up Season 2. I enjoyed watching the first season on NBC . . . and was relieved that Season 2 didn't end up on BBC America like all the other recent British genre shows. (Alas, we don't get BBCA in our basic cable package.)
The hard part is avoiding spoilers for the upcoming seasons!
The hard part is avoiding spoilers for the upcoming seasons!
BBC America is so bipolar. They should be a flagship channel for an entire Brit channel package. Keep your hip drivel on BBCA, but have a retro or classic and historical network for the old school proper stuff.
I know SyFy will have less numbers, but I think more people will find Merlin if its with like programming. With all these repeats on Bravo and USA, too, I'm wondering why NBC didn't do this in the first place? Give it a prime time slot, but promo and repeat the heck out of it on the rest of your networks.
I don't really like all out spoilers, but even if you know your Arthurian history, its neat to see the way Merlin may use or newly use traditional myths in different ways.
If Hirst's isn't contemporary, who's is? I thought someone was doing a 'modern' Arthur? Is that Guy Ritchie? Why is Camelot so popular again? I doubt its from a massive return to teens reading Mallory.
I know SyFy will have less numbers, but I think more people will find Merlin if its with like programming. With all these repeats on Bravo and USA, too, I'm wondering why NBC didn't do this in the first place? Give it a prime time slot, but promo and repeat the heck out of it on the rest of your networks.
I don't really like all out spoilers, but even if you know your Arthurian history, its neat to see the way Merlin may use or newly use traditional myths in different ways.
If Hirst's isn't contemporary, who's is? I thought someone was doing a 'modern' Arthur? Is that Guy Ritchie? Why is Camelot so popular again? I doubt its from a massive return to teens reading Mallory.
Because 300 made money. Plus THE TUDORS, BEOWULF, CLASH OF THE TITANS, etc.
Quasi-historical epics are big again, so it's natural that Hollywood is going to turn to Camelot . . . and Robin Hood . . . and Spartacus . . . .
I don't think anything could have made Merlin work on NBC. It's in a genre that's a tough sell on network TV and programs that don't directly target either kids or adults are a tough fit on American TV anyway.
One of the problems (other than unsympathetic characters) is that this incarnation goes completely off the deep end when it comes to re-interpreting the Merlin and Arthur characters. Merlin is special because he is old, wise, and knowledgeable, so they made their Merlin young, unwise, and ignorant. Arthur is special because he grew up poor and understands how to treat people well, so they made their Arthur a spoiled rich kid who doesn't know who to treat people.
I realize that there isn't any one way to tell the Camelot story, but this interpretation is a bit of a stretch for even the most forgiving of audiences.
I realize that there isn't any one way to tell the Camelot story, but this interpretation is a bit of a stretch for even the most forgiving of audiences.
AT first I didnt' like the first couple eps of Merlin because of the changes you mention. But once they get into their season and quit with the creature of the week simplistic storylines, they actually do character episodes and explain why the people are the way they are and how they change into the legends of which we know. Their take is juvenielle, yes, and msot of the forums online are al screaming little girls who don't know Mordred from Adam, but I like the series, mature conflict eps that are akin to the issues of the myths.
MeanJoePhaser
Admiral
Needs more talking dragon.
Everytime there's a problem, they should go talk to the dragon.
Also, vampires.
Everytime there's a problem, they should go talk to the dragon.
Also, vampires.
Geez, this show is just bad... Extremely bad. I caught the season opener on SyFy, and I just had to turn it off after 40 minutes. Ugh.
Simplistic characters, bizarre Merlin reinterpretation... Nope, I won't watch this again.
Simplistic characters, bizarre Merlin reinterpretation... Nope, I won't watch this again.
The first few episodes of season 2 are kind of bad. For some reason instead of continuing with all the strides made in season one, the producers decided to reset some character development for some supposedly big and special guest star funny episodes. It didn't really work. The last 3 of the season are far better!
Good to know. I'm watching via SyFy. I find it amusing how quickly the writers had Merlin go from 'I'll never let you leave your cage' to 'I promise to set you free' when it comes to the dragon.
I like the Dragon and John Hurt's mix of mocap and vocal performance, but I think they played the creature and his use wrong from the start. Merlin can't periodically just happen to have an awesome agnry and wise Dragon to chat with at any time! I would rather the entire dragon storyline have been done over several two part episodes. I think there should be more of a reccurring cast as well, just to keep the court at Camelot a little heavy. Imagine if some of the storylines in Season 1 were going on at the same time! When you look at some of the serious latter season 2 storylines, you wonder the same thing. The show can be witty and for a youthful audience, but still be really serious, dark, and gritty. I would much rather they arc over more episodes instead of these early funny filler eps.
Wow took me awhile to find this thread! Did everyone quit watching on SyFy? I used mt DVR.
Anyhoo here's my review of Season 2
http://ithinkthereforeireview.blogspot.com/2010/07/merlin-season-2.html
Anyhoo here's my review of Season 2
http://ithinkthereforeireview.blogspot.com/2010/07/merlin-season-2.html