No love for Merlin?

[23skidoo]

Except for a thread back in June called "King Arthur is a huge dick" I can't find any discussions here about this fun BBC series that aired on NBC and CTV over the summer.

I thought it was a lot of fun, with an appealing cast. Sure it plays fast and loose with the legends (a black Guinivere, for example, is a definite twist on tradition), but it's not as if this was an historical documentary! And how can you dislike anything with Tony Head and Richard Wilson?

It was one of the only shows I watched on initial broadcast this summer and I'm looking forward to the inevitable DVD release and, hopefully, season 2. I doubt NBC will pick it up, but seeing as it's a huge hit elsewhere in the world, it's sort of like Doctor Who -- doesn't really matter what the US thinks, the show will continue. There's always DVD.

I was watching a behind-the-scenes show from Australia (it's on YouTube but I don't know if I'm allowed to post links here) and I just decided that if they ever make that Wonder Woman movie I want Katie McGrath (Morgana) to play the role. She can handle herself in action scenes, and the Australia show reveals that off camera she wears big Buddy Holly-style glasses which make her a dead ringer for Lynda Carter as Diana Prince. So that's two criteria out of the way. And there's some glamour pics on the Net that suggest she'd fill out the WW swimsuit nicely....

So anyway, what's the verdict? Am I the only one on this side of the Pond who enjoyed Merlin for what it was intended to be -- a fun fantasy series -- or is it going to join the honored company of many shows that fall into the "Only liked in Britain" category?

Alex

 

[Joy]

I watched the premiere ep(s), but got busy with moving, etc. So, I need to see if I can get caught up on Hulu or something. I liked what I saw, of what I saw.

Joy

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Sorry, it's just too uninspired and too much of a retread of a hundred other shows just like it in the cheapo/cornball sf/f category.

You know what would be awesome? Turn the story over to HBO and have them to a Rome-style approach. Drop-kick the Late Medieval period that the story is always mired in (there's no "right" period for it). Have it be during the Roman Empire or even previous to that. Go way back to the times when Stonehenge was brand new. But make sure the period details are authentic (as much as possible for distant historical periods).

And forget about the "magic." Have the legends about Merlin just be superstition and myth, which he of course is happy to encourage. Just have him be a smart guy who is well educated. Anyone with a smidgen of education would be held in awe by the mud-splattered peasantry. It wouldn't be hard for him to pass himself off as anything he wanted to.

 

[T J]

It's good for what it is... as long as you don't expect it to be Rome, Deadwood or the Sopranos.

 

[Kelthaz]

I love Merlin (and Robin Hood) just the way it is. I love how its proud of it's Anachronism Stew roots. I love the cheesiness. I love the stuff that makes sense and I especially love the stuff that doesn't.

It's a fun show with a great cast and I can't ask for more than that. I wouldn't want more than that.

 

[the Dagman]

I watched it on NBC, or rather Hulu, over the summer. It always seemed that I was doing something else on Sunday nights. So I generally watched it on Hulu on Monday afternoons or sometime on Tuesdays. I liked it on Hulu better, as there were only a single commercial during the breaks in the show. Most people don't like watching shows on their computer, but it makes no difference to me. My computer uses my 40" Samsung as a second monitor and the sound is routed through my amp.

I have read that the BBC has picked up the show for a second series and they are in pre-production preparing for shooting.

 

[M'Sharak]

Except for a thread back in June called "King Arthur is a huge dick" I can't find any discussions here about this fun BBC series that aired on NBC and CTV over the summer.

As I recall, that aired in the UK sometime last year. Going back further, there's a thread about the DVD release:

DVD Release of UK's Merlin...

Also:

What happened to Merlin on NBC?

When is NBC going to air Merlin in the U.S.? *No spoilers*

Merlin on BBC1 (SPOILERS)

Merlin BBC 1 - Coming soon...

BBC1's Merlin (July 28, 2008 - I think this may be the earliest mention.)

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I watched it on NBC, or rather Hulu, over the summer. It always seemed that I was doing something else on Sunday nights. So I generally watched it on Hulu on Monday afternoons or sometime on Tuesdays. I liked it on Hulu better, as there were only a single commercial during the breaks in the show. Most people don't like watching shows on their computer, but it makes no difference to me. My computer uses my 40" Samsung as a second monitor and the sound is routed through my amp.

I have read that the BBC has picked up the show for a second series and they are in pre-production preparing for shooting.

I think shooting should be done and be in post production by now, it's supposed to air in the Autumn.

 

[Deckerd]

I think Bob is specifically asking about Merlin showing in the USA, M'Sharak.

 

[the Dagman]

I watched it on NBC, or rather Hulu, over the summer. It always seemed that I was doing something else on Sunday nights. So I generally watched it on Hulu on Monday afternoons or sometime on Tuesdays. I liked it on Hulu better, as there were only a single commercial during the breaks in the show. Most people don't like watching shows on their computer, but it makes no difference to me. My computer uses my 40" Samsung as a second monitor and the sound is routed through my amp.

I have read that the BBC has picked up the show for a second series and they are in pre-production preparing for shooting.

I think shooting should be done and be in post production by now, it's supposed to air in the Autumn.

Good news.

 

[Starkers]

Watched it on BBC1 when it originally aired and really enjoyed it. It's no Dr Who, not even Preimeval, but it's enjoyable enough, the chemistry between Arthur and Merlin is great, Morganna's turn to the dark side (or even the light side?) is very subtle, and you goot love Anthony Stewart Head's good man doing evil things King!

Looking forward to series 2.

 

[Deckerd]

Can't believe anyone thinks Primeval has any merit whatsoever. Merlin was a bit fluffy but at least the actors could act and the plots didn't look like they were written by a 6 year-old with a box of rubber monsters.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Can't believe anyone thinks Primeval has any merit whatsoever. Merlin was a bit fluffy but at least the actors could act and the plots didn't look like they were written by a 6 year-old with a box of rubber monsters.

I liked Primeval enough, but I'd place Merlin above it in my enjoyment factor.

 

[Deckerd]

I'm trying to be more like Temis

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I'm trying to be more like Temis

And watch shows purely for hot guys?

 

[Deckerd]

More the not liking anything. And the hot guys of course.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

More the not liking anything. And the hot guys of course.

I think ITV try to make shows no one likes anyway.

 

[Mr Light]

I did watch the entire season on NBC but I found it to be very meh. I certainly wouldn't buy the second second, and if it was on NBC, I dunno if I would bother watching it. I kept watching waiting for some big event in the season finale (death of Uther, King Arthur, Arthur learns he's a magician)... but nothing frickin' happened!

 

[Greg Cox]

I really enjoyed the show, and was also surprised by the relative lack of discussion here. The characters were appealing, it frequently looked gorgeous, and had some nice subplots going. The episode that introduced Excalibur and that one where Morganna plotted to kill Uther were particularly strong.

I'm looking forward to the second season.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I really enjoyed the show, and was also surprised by the relative lack of discussion here. The characters were appealing, it frequently looked gorgeous, and had some nice subplots going. The episode that introduced Excalibur and that one where Morganna plotted to kill Uther were particularly strong.

I'm looking forward to the second season.

I think the problem was most of the discussion was in a single thread when it aired in the UK. which just popped up every week, rather than the 1x01, 1x02 style review threads shows usually get. Then it took 6 months to start airing in the US so by that point a lot of people who were interested already saw it.