Merlin Recpost!
Jan. 5th, 2009 10:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
k_puffIt has come to my attention that not everybody on my flist knows about “Merlin”, the BBC show that just finished its first season a few weeks ago. So, I made this introductory/recpost post. ^_^ So, whether you’ve heard of the show and love it or have heard of the show and just don’t know anything about it, everything you need to know to love “Merlin” as much as I do is right here! XD YAYYY
Here’s the rundown: If you love Arhurian legend, if you love great characters with heart and bravery, if you love well-acted and multi-layered antagonists, if you love goofy, adorkable protaganists that beg to be hugged and squee’d over: you should take a good, close look at “Merlin”.
This is the BBC cinema trailer, courtesy of YouTube. I recommend watching this in high-quality, but I don’t think it will embed that way.
Quick Summary
The show follows Merlin and Prince Arthur Pendragon when they were teens – Merlin finds out that it’s his destiny to protect Arthur from harm until he can become king, where he will bring prosperity to Camelot and the rest of Albion. Merlin himself is a blossoming warlock, even though he must practice magic in secret. King Uther Pendragon has banned all magic from the kingdom, believing all of it to be evil; anyone associated with magic is immediately executed, without exception and without trial. Merlin goes undercover as Arthur’s manservant and, aided by the Lady Morgana (the King’s ward), her handmaiden Gueneviere (a.k.a. Gwen), and Gaius (the Court Physician), they fight evil magicians that would harm Camelot.
Characters
Merlin
”No. No way, nope, no. There must be another Arthur, because this one’s an idiot.”
Merlin, is, in a world, ADORKABLE. XD Cheerful, goofy, determined, and full of heart are phrases that describe him so perfectly I don’t really have to type anything else. You’ll often hear him say something along the lines of, “I won’t let this happen” as he strives to keep his friends, and Camelot, from harm. Also, at some points, he reminds me so strongly of David Tennant that I just have to pause the episode and laugh. XD
Arthur
Arthur: I could have you thrown in jail for that.
Merlin: Who do you think you are, the king?
Arthur: No. I’m his SON.
Prince Arthur Pendragon starts out as kind of douchebag, but as Merlin starts to have an affect on him we see that he’s one of those lovable, arrogant douchebags who pretends he’s a bully but really doesn’t have it in him. He’s all squish on the inside, really. <3 A real warrior in battle, though; Arthur has several great swordfighting and monster-battling scenes. Brave, loyal, and just, he has a great love for his friends and his country, and sincerely wants to be a good king.
He is also incredibly hot. *cough*
Merlin and Arthur: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Merlin and Arthur have one of the most epic, fantastic, brilliant bromances ever conceived. The gay factor is palpable to a hilarious extent, and really incredibly goofy and sweet. They’ve repeatedly shown themselves willing to lay down their lives for one another, and have helped each other through more physical, mental, and moral obstacles than I care to name here. Plus, the two actors have chemistry to BURN. And witty banter! ^_^
Arthur and Merlin’s (second) meeting:
Arthur: I’m warning you, I’ve been trained to kill since birth.
Merlin: Oh? And how long have you been training to be a prat?
Arthur: (laughing) You can’t speak to me like that!
Merlin: Oh, sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat… my Lord?
I mean, really, what more could you ask for? A. DOR. ABLE. It’s impossible not to ship them, at least a little. I dare anyone to try.
Morgana
(to King Uther)
“You know, the more brutal you are, the more enemies you’ll create.”
Interesting, what they’ve done with Morgana’s story. She has been adopted by King Uther as his ward, and has grown up with Arthur, developing a brother-sister rapport that is very fun to watch (although I think what the writers were trying to go for was sexual tension…whatevs). Her powers and the foreshadowing of her significance in Arthurian legend develop as the episodes go on. She is brave, snarky, and unwilling to be left behind in a conflict. Overall, BAMF to the extreme. Also looks remarkably like Keira Knightly, with Idina Menzel’s hair and jawline. ^^;;
Gwen
“You don’t look like one of those big, muscle-y type of fellows… No, no, I’m sure you’re stronger than you look! It’s just, um… Arthur’s one of these real rough-tough save-the-world kind of men, and, well… you don’t look like that.” – Gwen
Ranks right up there in the Adorkability Contest. ^_^ As Morgana’s handmaiden, she and Merlin develop a close friendship that is really fun to watch. She has a habit of saying whatever comes to her mind and putting her foot in her mouth, but she’s just as loyal and brave as the rest of them, and willing to do anything for her friends.
King Uther
”I pride myself as a fair and just king. But for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass.”
Um, Anthony Head, anyone? Is that all I have to say? ^_^;; A brilliant actor, he takes a character like King Uther, the king who outlaws all magic out of fear and paranoia and would be *so easy* to vilify, and makes him an interesting and layered individual. He’s really just trying to be a good father and a good king, and honestly just wants to protect his people. He just has his own ideas on how to do that, and they don’t always work. Extremely fascinating, and fun to watch.
Plus, he’s got a badass crown.
Gaius
“Merlin! You never cease to amaze me. The one thing that someone like you should do is keep your head down, and what do you do? You behave like an idiot.”
Once a warlock, but went into hiding and became a renowned scientist and Court Physician; he hasn’t done any magic in about twenty years. However, he recognizes talent when he sees it, and takes Merlin in, adopting him and caring for him like a son. He alternates between encouraging Merlin’s powers and being exasperated by his lack of discretion.
He also has a perpetually raised eyebrow.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
abscondinabox and I are pretty sure it’s stuck that way. However, that does not make it any less hilarious.
Other things
The whole series is shot on-location at this absolutely GORGEOUS castle in France.
DUDE.
There is a big, expensive, CGI dragon voiced by John Hurt (affectionately dubbed The Great Slash Dragon by fandom, since it makes such unabashedly slashy Merlin/Arthur comments as “You are two sides of the same coin” and “One cannot truly hate the half which makes it whole”. LAWLZ.)
The production values of this show are fantastic. The lighting, the COSTUMES OMG. Fwooshy capes on everybody with a fwoosh-factor that you wouldn’t believe, armor complete with chainmail hoodies, swords, boots, flags, the dresses… the costumes are amazing. And the music! It’s so epic and dramatic and…AUGH.
I’m in love with this show. Completely in love. And I will lust after Colin Morgan until the day I die. ♥
All quotes used above are from episode one, so as not to spoil people! ^_^
Here’s the rundown: If you love Arhurian legend, if you love great characters with heart and bravery, if you love well-acted and multi-layered antagonists, if you love goofy, adorkable protaganists that beg to be hugged and squee’d over: you should take a good, close look at “Merlin”.
This is the BBC cinema trailer, courtesy of YouTube. I recommend watching this in high-quality, but I don’t think it will embed that way.
The show follows Merlin and Prince Arthur Pendragon when they were teens – Merlin finds out that it’s his destiny to protect Arthur from harm until he can become king, where he will bring prosperity to Camelot and the rest of Albion. Merlin himself is a blossoming warlock, even though he must practice magic in secret. King Uther Pendragon has banned all magic from the kingdom, believing all of it to be evil; anyone associated with magic is immediately executed, without exception and without trial. Merlin goes undercover as Arthur’s manservant and, aided by the Lady Morgana (the King’s ward), her handmaiden Gueneviere (a.k.a. Gwen), and Gaius (the Court Physician), they fight evil magicians that would harm Camelot.
Characters
Merlin
”No. No way, nope, no. There must be another Arthur, because this one’s an idiot.”
Merlin, is, in a world, ADORKABLE. XD Cheerful, goofy, determined, and full of heart are phrases that describe him so perfectly I don’t really have to type anything else. You’ll often hear him say something along the lines of, “I won’t let this happen” as he strives to keep his friends, and Camelot, from harm. Also, at some points, he reminds me so strongly of David Tennant that I just have to pause the episode and laugh. XD
Arthur
Merlin: Who do you think you are, the king?
Arthur: No. I’m his SON.
Prince Arthur Pendragon starts out as kind of douchebag, but as Merlin starts to have an affect on him we see that he’s one of those lovable, arrogant douchebags who pretends he’s a bully but really doesn’t have it in him. He’s all squish on the inside, really. <3 A real warrior in battle, though; Arthur has several great swordfighting and monster-battling scenes. Brave, loyal, and just, he has a great love for his friends and his country, and sincerely wants to be a good king.
He is also incredibly hot. *cough*
Merlin and Arthur: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Merlin and Arthur have one of the most epic, fantastic, brilliant bromances ever conceived. The gay factor is palpable to a hilarious extent, and really incredibly goofy and sweet. They’ve repeatedly shown themselves willing to lay down their lives for one another, and have helped each other through more physical, mental, and moral obstacles than I care to name here. Plus, the two actors have chemistry to BURN. And witty banter! ^_^
Arthur: I’m warning you, I’ve been trained to kill since birth.
Merlin: Oh? And how long have you been training to be a prat?
Arthur: (laughing) You can’t speak to me like that!
Merlin: Oh, sorry. How long have you been training to be a prat… my Lord?
I mean, really, what more could you ask for? A. DOR. ABLE. It’s impossible not to ship them, at least a little. I dare anyone to try.
Morgana
“You know, the more brutal you are, the more enemies you’ll create.”
Interesting, what they’ve done with Morgana’s story. She has been adopted by King Uther as his ward, and has grown up with Arthur, developing a brother-sister rapport that is very fun to watch (although I think what the writers were trying to go for was sexual tension…whatevs). Her powers and the foreshadowing of her significance in Arthurian legend develop as the episodes go on. She is brave, snarky, and unwilling to be left behind in a conflict. Overall, BAMF to the extreme. Also looks remarkably like Keira Knightly, with Idina Menzel’s hair and jawline. ^^;;
Gwen
“You don’t look like one of those big, muscle-y type of fellows… No, no, I’m sure you’re stronger than you look! It’s just, um… Arthur’s one of these real rough-tough save-the-world kind of men, and, well… you don’t look like that.” – Gwen
Ranks right up there in the Adorkability Contest. ^_^ As Morgana’s handmaiden, she and Merlin develop a close friendship that is really fun to watch. She has a habit of saying whatever comes to her mind and putting her foot in her mouth, but she’s just as loyal and brave as the rest of them, and willing to do anything for her friends.
King Uther
Um, Anthony Head, anyone? Is that all I have to say? ^_^;; A brilliant actor, he takes a character like King Uther, the king who outlaws all magic out of fear and paranoia and would be *so easy* to vilify, and makes him an interesting and layered individual. He’s really just trying to be a good father and a good king, and honestly just wants to protect his people. He just has his own ideas on how to do that, and they don’t always work. Extremely fascinating, and fun to watch.
Plus, he’s got a badass crown.
Gaius
Once a warlock, but went into hiding and became a renowned scientist and Court Physician; he hasn’t done any magic in about twenty years. However, he recognizes talent when he sees it, and takes Merlin in, adopting him and caring for him like a son. He alternates between encouraging Merlin’s powers and being exasperated by his lack of discretion.
He also has a perpetually raised eyebrow.
abscondinabox and I are pretty sure it’s stuck that way. However, that does not make it any less hilarious.
Other things
The whole series is shot on-location at this absolutely GORGEOUS castle in France.
DUDE.
There is a big, expensive, CGI dragon voiced by John Hurt (affectionately dubbed The Great Slash Dragon by fandom, since it makes such unabashedly slashy Merlin/Arthur comments as “You are two sides of the same coin” and “One cannot truly hate the half which makes it whole”. LAWLZ.)
The production values of this show are fantastic. The lighting, the COSTUMES OMG. Fwooshy capes on everybody with a fwoosh-factor that you wouldn’t believe, armor complete with chainmail hoodies, swords, boots, flags, the dresses… the costumes are amazing. And the music! It’s so epic and dramatic and…AUGH.
I’m in love with this show. Completely in love. And I will lust after Colin Morgan until the day I die. ♥
All quotes used above are from episode one, so as not to spoil people! ^_^
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 02:57 am (UTC)