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So... anyone else see the first episode? I'm not sure what I think about it. Tony Head seemed to sort of be phoning it in. He seemed bored. At least at the beginning.
It's certainly a new take on Arthur. He reminds me of the high school flashbacks of Oliver Queen on Smallville. What a jerk. Although, I guess if Oliver grew out of it...
And Eve Myles is going to get herself typecast if she keeps doing paranormal roles. But she's so good at it. And I love her accent.
But the interactions between Merlin and Arthur are just priceless. It's definitely got me for at least another episode.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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I'm lost as well. I might remember having heard of the series, but don't know the first thing about it. That is bad for this series and represents a lack of trust by whatever networking is showing it. Don't get too into it, because word of mouth is the only thing that might keep it alive.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Completely different. That was a 1998 miniseries starring Sam Neill as Merlin and was a more traditional take on the Arthur legend. This new series has Merlin and Arthur at about the same age in King Uther's court, and Merlin has to practice his magic in secret.
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I just watched the first episode. I'll try not to get too spoilery...
I thought it was quite fun, although it might drive Arthurian purists mad with changes to the legend. The setting is a modern take on the 14/15 century, very clean and tidy, with lots of pretty stone and ironwork and lovely costumes (I‘d like to think they were going for a Princess Bride look, but I think they probably just didn‘t have the budget to make it more realistic). The dialogue is very modern too - as the show is meant to appeal to kids and is on in a Saturday teatime slot, I think they probably didn't have a choice.
Like Lisa, I was getting a slightly Smallville vibe from where the story looked to be going - kid with secret has a love/hate friendship with the rich kid who wants to find out why he's so darn special - at least that's what it seems like right now.
As far a the characters, the acting seemed solid - I always like to see Richard Wilson getting work, he's not that well known in the US but he’s very good. Tony Head is playing against type here as he's (probably) evil, so that might be why he seemed a bit distant. Eve Myles didn't have that much to do but did it well - interesting to see her do an English accent. The younger cast were good - Merlin is very likable as a teenager with issues, as was Gwinevere who seems slightly geeky. Arthur is a spoilt brat - we‘ll see if he gets any nicer. The posh dragon is CGI and unfortunately comes out rather expressionless.
Overall, I think it has quite a bit of potential and is much better so far than the Robin Hood series the BBC also make, but nowhere near Doctor Who levels of good. I’ll watch it for a few more weeks and see how it goes.
quote:Originally posted by Bella Bee: Eve Myles didn't have that much to do but did it well - interesting to see her do an English accent.
She didn't talk very much, though, and most of what she said came out in an evil hiss. I hadn't noticed that she was doing an English accent. I prefer her Welsh one.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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It's fantasy-Arthur rather than pseudo-historical-Arthur. Which means I can just sit back and enjoy a fresh interpretation on the legend. I may be a purist, but I only get really bothered when an interpretation like this pretends to be history.
I liked it, enough to watch another week, at least. I enjoy the interaction between Arthur and Merlin, and I wonder how they're going to deal with the Arthur/Morgana affair, and all the rest. Enjoyable fluff.
They really do need to work on the dragon's CGI, though.
Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002
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Heh. See, I didn't even know BBC was going to air it. It just popped up in front of me, and I watched it.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Most cable/dish users get BBC. But it matters on the plan, and the service provider. But I'm sure comcast and dish network users get it. (not rcn, unless you get everything)
Posts: 1574 | Registered: May 2008
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quote:Originally posted by Bella Bee: (I‘d like to think they were going for a Princess Bride look, but I think they probably just didn‘t have the budget to make it more realistic).
Considering a "realistic" Camelot probably would have been some 4th or 5th century Dark Ages heap, I say bring on the squeaky-clean fantasy look. Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
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