i don't think a show has ever used the word "destiny" so often

[thirty2flavors]

I think by episode five it is safe to say that I am not dazzled. That's alright, I didn't really expect to be -- I will probably keep wathing anyway because otherwise I don't know what christycorr and sweetcherrytree are talking about and clearly my ability to jump in and start hijacking conversations is highly important. Some thoughts in no particular order:

-The themesong/opening narration/photoshop montage at the begining IS SO HILARIOUS. I just about died during the first episode, and then when it was like "and JOHN HURT as the voice of the dragon" I did die.

-I'm totally apathetic towards ships, as usual. I know everyone ships Arthur/Merlin like burning but I don't care beyond the lulz. I do find the Gwen/Arthur flirtation really awkward, and the Gwen/Lancelot stuff that just happened was also really awkward. I don't particularly dislike Gwen, but her flirting is always so painful. I was definitely getting a pretty strong Lancelot/Merlin vibe, and I just realized Lancelot reminds me of Caspian which is why I was so amused by him. Huh.

-Morgana irritates me. Luckily she does jack all so I don't have to dael with her much, but every time she comes in and bats her eyelashes and failflirts with Arthur I am just like stfuuuuu. Actress is pretty, though, I'm jealous of her hair.

-lol Eve Myles

-lol Lady Christina

-Merlin's brief moment of teenage OMG U DONT CARE ABOUT ME angst in this episode was really bizarre and misplaced. Gaius tries to stop Merlin from getting his ass kicked at every turn and Merlin constantly ignores him. I think it is decidedly unfair to suddenly claim that Gaius does not care.

-Speaking of, Merlin's plans are consistently Scooby Doo worthy. "Let's just pretend you're the son of this dude! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?"

-That episode where Arthur rock-climbs with the help of Merlin's friendly glowy ball thing was hysterical.

-Every single thing Uther does is hysterical. I don't know if this is left-over lulz from when I watched Buffy as a kid, because Giles is literally like the only thing I remember from that show, or if it's just because he's ridiculous. I love that every episode includes some variant of "I THINK IT'S MAGIC, UTHER" "NO SHUT YOUR FACE". Maybe it's lupus.

-I like Arthur. I'd hit it.

-Oh, is the "magic" language Old English, or does it just sound an awful lot like Old English?

-I don't know virtually anything about fashion of the time period and from what I undesrstand it's not like this show gives a shit about fashion of the time period, so are Morgana's dresses legit? They look like something I could go buy at the store right now. Her bare shoulders feel very scandalous. But like I said, my knowledge of this stuff is zilch.

-The special effects are hilarious, and I watch Doctor Who. Also, every time Merlin's eyes glow I am SO AMUSED.

In conclusion, my response is a resounding "meh". Given that I have more than a week until my next exam, though, it's something to do. At least until someone uploads the missing episodes of Flight of the Conchords season 2.

Comments

[christycorr]

Re: Lancelot/Merlin—yeah, you're definitely not alone there.

Re: destiny, yeah, the slash_dragon does love to abuse it.

Like I've said before, the show is not all that dazzling—it's the fandom that got to me. But I know you're easily bored, so eh.

[isaysquee.livejournal.com]

Ahahha... your review amuses me. My friends are hyperactive in the fandom... and while I think Arthur and Merlin are cuties... um, that's really all I think. Plus I like Richard Wilson; I think he's awesomes.

Yeah... Merlin was my first encounter with Lady Christina... which was why I was like "oh, god... not her..." when they cast her in DW. B/c I didn't think she was that strong of an actor... still don't. O_o

Um. Yes, the females of the show are... sadly... I don't know, shunted or something. I don't really remember what the girls did... except for Gwen = shy, and Morgana = spoiled brat.

That said, the cast commentaries are hilarious, and I think you should totally watch those. :P

[afterthree.livejournal.com]

Re: Morgana's outfits:

No. Not even at all. Not even a try that missed. Just.... no.

In fact, none of the costuming is really period at all. I'm not sure they've even decided what "period" they're in. I think they've decided they're a sort of out-of-time fable-type show.

[bazcat89.livejournal.com]

Wow, all the Gwens in one place.

Who does Eve Myles play?

[goldy-dollar.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha. I think you just reminded me of all the reasons why I love the show.

I think that you need to give the Arthur/Merlin thing some time. It wasn't until episode 9 or something when Merlin's mother was all "HE REALLY LIKES YOU :D" and Merlin was all "No, he's just pretending to be nice, Mum, he doesn't like the REAL ME." For real. It was pretty awesome. Let me know when you get to that point.

[kirrea.livejournal.com]

Bradley James is bloody gorgeous. Totally my new celebrity crush, but none of my Sydney friends see it. They are obviously delusional.

I'm really meh about the show too, but at around episode 7 the script starts getting funny. I like that they don't take themselves seriously; at one point the Dragon's like "it may surprise you, Merlin, but my knowledge of your life is not universal" and I lol-ed so hard.

I concur about Morgana's annoyingness, and Gwen awkwardness and Utherness idiotness etc etc

[birdseyeview.livejournal.com]

Your tag made me laugh so hard.

[theepiccek.livejournal.com]

Merlin's plans are consistently Scooby Doo worthy. I have never thought of it like that. HOW TRUE.

I'm two ep's in and i find it sweet and funny and another great BBC show but i do not love it like I do Dr Who or Robin Hood

[hysteriagalore.livejournal.com]

I am thrilled you find the opening as hilarious as I do. There's just something about it, like their intention was "LOOK AT THIS GODDAMN COOL SHOW, IT HAS DRAGONS AND WIZARDS AND SHIT" but settled for "Oh, Harry Potter in the Dark Ages. Neat."

LOL SHIPS. I think you have to care about the characters to find ships, although I did start liking Morgana/Arthur in a sibling way at the end of the series :|

I so approve of watching Merlin for the pretty. Bradley James is gorgeous.

ALSO: OMG wait until the finale. *cringes* D:

[wild-sibyl.livejournal.com]

I tried to watch Merlin, but then the Dragon started talking and I was like HOLD THE PHONE I think I have already seen this... and it turns out I have.



And then I got bored after Gwen died... so I stopped watching it. But I still kind of want to know what happens because I am nosy.

[inksplotched.livejournal.com]

I agree with all of this, except I don't think I ever made it past episode three.