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Author Topic: Merlin series, 2008-2012  (Read 12345 times)

Sir Edward

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Merlin series, 2008-2012
« on: 2013-12-19, 16:40:44 »

So I finally have gotten around to watching "Merlin", now that it's canceled (figures!). It ran for 5 seasons from 2008-2012. Each season was 13 episodes, so it won't take long to get through it.

I'm a little past the half-way mark in season 1. So far my impression is that it's a bit campy, and doesn't take itself too seriously. The visual effects are cheesy. And yet, the show does all of this in a way that gives it some charm, and makes it a fun family-oriented show.

The costuming is amusing. Most of the mail is obviously aluminum, and it looks like they used MRL (or something similar) as a source for a lot of their costuming and props.

The show has an interesting premise. It's using a young cast, telling stories of the Arthurian characters earlier in their lives, before most of the stories we know of them. It rewrites some of it to make the show structure work, while setting up for most of the main stories in the future. For instance, in the show, Uther is still alive, and is the king of Camelot. Arthur is being raised as his prince, with Morgana being Uther's ward. Uther has outlawed all use of magic, and puts magic-users to death when found, so Merlin has to keep his abilities secret. He's taken up a job as Arthur's servant, and gradually they're learning to like each other and work together, after completely disliking each other at first. Gwenivere is the blacksmith's daughter. They're all 20-somethings, not yet realizing their destinies.

It's an interesting take on the stories, which like I said gets cheesy and campy, in a fun sort of way. :)
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Ian

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #1 on: 2013-12-19, 17:38:21 »
Helen and I watched the whole show as it aired.  We really enjoyed it.  Definitely campy, with a little bit of cheese sprinkled on top, but as you said, very charming.
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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #2 on: 2013-12-19, 18:28:35 »
I couldnt get past the first couple of episodes

Sir Wolf

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #3 on: 2013-12-19, 20:09:25 »
i watched it then lost when it was coming on after like season 2 or 3. then never followed it again.

Sir William

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #4 on: 2013-12-19, 20:33:31 »
I caught a few episodes...it was interesting, but not enough to pursue watching it.
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Sir Nate

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #5 on: 2013-12-19, 22:30:44 »
I hate that show.
"You change your name to nate the negative."
"I guess anything other than camelot isnt king arthur material for you"
That movie made so much build up for an all out war.
"But that courtyard stuff was cool"
I hate you.
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Sir Edward

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #6 on: 2014-01-07, 15:00:31 »

I'm past the half-way point in Merlin. I think I'm about 2/3 of the way through Season 3. I think it grows on you after a season or so.

As a kid (or a teen) I would have really loved this. :)
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Sir Nate

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #7 on: 2014-01-07, 20:32:59 »
I watched a bit a while back. But it....
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Sir Edward

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #8 on: 2014-02-06, 02:50:26 »

Finally finished it. The series gets better over time. Considering it starts out as a prequel, it tells a lot more of the Arthurian story than I was expecting. I actually really enjoyed it.
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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #9 on: 2014-02-06, 03:33:32 »
cool.

Sir Nate

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #10 on: 2014-02-06, 05:46:48 »
You know I was about to give that show a chance... Then I began to watch my favorite part in the entire King Arthur tale.
The sword in the stone. The part from merlin.
Wow....
Every version I had loved.
This one had te atmosphere, Arthur pulled it on his third try.
Merlin used goddamn magic to help him pull it.
.......that's it crossed the line!!!!
Forget Arthur growing up with uther!
Forget gwenevere being a made to moregana!
Forget merlin being the same age as Arthur!
It was the sword in the stone scene, Were Arthur needed Merlin's magic, Merlin's magic... Worked hold on a sec... Worked
On the holy sword Excalibur....
I'm eternally scarred.


« Last Edit: 2014-02-06, 05:48:52 by Sir Nate »
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Sir Edward

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #11 on: 2014-02-06, 15:07:48 »

Ah, but that's not what happened, exactly. Merlin's magic stuck it in the stone, and he invented the story of it being only the true king that could draw the sword. So it was Merlin who had to release it. It was all a ruse to build up Arthur's confidence. So it's not that he "helped" Arthur draw the sword, but rather released it at just the right moment to make Arthur believe.

Yes, they changed the context a bit, but that was part of the whole point of the series.
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Sir Nate

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #12 on: 2014-02-06, 15:46:14 »
Look I'm fine with people liking this show, but I can admit it. The show is entertaining. Even if I think it crosses a line, it is still a pretty good show.
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Sir William

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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #13 on: 2014-02-06, 16:01:36 »
I might have to give it another chance, then.
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Re: Merlin series, 2008-2012
« Reply #14 on: 2014-02-06, 23:05:27 »
I might have to give it another chance, then.

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