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Post by Bogatan on Oct 4, 2010 17:50:43 GMT
I'm a few episodes behind, but quite enjoying the new series. Character developement has been been a highlight of the show, though Gwen is still feeling lightweight.
Smallville I also enjoy and am quite looking forward to rewatching from the start once the show finishes next year.
At 200 plus episodes it would be quite daunting for a new viewer. I'd like someone to put together a shorted playlist minus all the episodes the don't contribute to the overall story. It has an awful lot of filler as I remember it. Mind plenty of them are fun.
Andy
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Post by Hero on Oct 4, 2010 20:52:50 GMT
Merlin really feels like it has a massive budget pumped into it as well. Even if you can't engage with the story, it is still a great spectacle whichs puts some Hollywood stuff to shame.
The other thing I like about the show is the guest stars. Last year Charles Dance showed up as a magician interrogater and that was pretty cool ..
Morganna really must make her move soon. I can't picture her sustaining the cherade of being the kings faithful ward for the rest of the 3rd season.
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Post by Hero on Oct 10, 2010 17:33:04 GMT
Another great episode this weekend. I figured it may have been cancelled in favour of Commonwealth Games coverage, but gladly it did'nt.
Morganna's turn has taken a newer and more interesting path. Arthur is now as much a target as Uther.
Was that a future peak at Merlin in the Crystal Cave? Things are getting really good.
More Great Dragon always a good thing too.
===KEN
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Oct 11, 2010 6:08:14 GMT
Morganna's turn has taken a newer and more interesting path. Those with prior experience of Arthurian legends won't have been surprised by that - she's been Uther's secret daughter / Arthur's half-sister in every version I've ever read. I'm just glad the series is staying true on important points like that. But how are they going to handle the subsequent incest on a pre-watershed show so that Mordred can be conceived, that's what I want to know! Martin |
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Post by blueshift on Oct 11, 2010 7:17:57 GMT
Morganna's turn has taken a newer and more interesting path. Those with prior experience of Arthurian legends won't have been surprised by that - she's been Uther's secret daughter / Arthur's half-sister in every version I've ever read. I'm just glad the series is staying true on important points like that. But how are they going to handle the subsequent incest on a pre-watershed show so that Mordred can be conceived, that's what I want to know! Martin They've already introduced Mordred as a young Druid boy I believe. |
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Post by Gav on Oct 11, 2010 10:42:57 GMT
Yup. My missus is a huge Merlin fan, and was saying how they introduced Mordred as a lil' druid boy. The mind boggles!
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Post by legios on Oct 11, 2010 11:51:58 GMT
They can always use the excuse with Mordred of pointing to the Welsh tradition, where he isn't a significant figure and is in fact simply one of those listed as having died at the same battle as Arthur (without any indication of which side he was on).....
Karl
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Post by Hero on Oct 11, 2010 15:42:00 GMT
Mordred was indeed a druid boy, but that does'nt mean he was 'the' Mordred. He could be a namesake perhaps.
===KEN
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Post by Hero on Oct 17, 2010 23:46:07 GMT
Good little filler ep this week with nothing too special going on except for Arthur standing up for himself a bit more.
===KEN
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Post by blueshift on Oct 18, 2010 8:31:30 GMT
Whilst this weeks episode was decent enough, I feel like I have seen it before. Last season in fact!!
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Post by Hero on Oct 19, 2010 19:31:17 GMT
Like when a troll tried to sieze control of Camelot by marrying Uther?
===KEN
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Post by Bogatan on Oct 19, 2010 22:50:02 GMT
And take away the wedding element last weeks episode was another posession episode. Thats my only real problem with the show, it does feel repetative. Other shows some how make the same old plots feel new and interesting, too often Merlin doesn't. thankfully it does have a story arc to keep my attention.
Andy
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Post by Hero on Oct 20, 2010 7:54:53 GMT
Posession episodes are a Smallville cliche the Merlin writers should avoid.
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Oct 30, 2010 14:53:17 GMT
Hmmm. Tonight Arthur goes on a quest in search of the 'golden trident', which is apparently kept by the 'Fisher King'. Sorry, the golden what? It sounds like in a fit of secularism the BBC have replaced the Holy Grail (which is kept safe by the Fisher King in all other versions of the legend) with a golden trident. Oh dear. Still, I'll give it a go. It may yet be a decent episode. And I suppose I would also have complained if it _had_ been the Holy Grail, since only Perceval and Galahad ever prove themselves worthy of succeeding in that quest.
Martin
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Post by Hero on Oct 31, 2010 17:09:08 GMT
That was an awesome 'quest' episode. I think the trident idea worked in that... It was'nt the real prize Looks like Gaius is in trouble next week. ===KEN |
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Oct 31, 2010 17:15:39 GMT
That was an awesome 'quest' episode. If they had to fit it into a single episode, I guess it was OK, but because it was so short it didn't feel like they travelled much distance to get there. It felt like they just went over a hill into the next valley and were there. If they'd taken several episodes over it, it would feel like more of an actual quest. Also, I was a bit let down by the three things needed to complete the quest being Courage, Magic and Strength. In the Grail quest, the requirement for success was Virtue. It would have been nice if the thing required of Arthur to become a great king wasn't Courage, but rather Goodness. Then again, he ended up looking a bit thick in the end. He didn't even clock to the fact that the dwarf basically told him that Merlin equated to Magic. But never mind. I know, I'm hard to please. But at least I'm still watching.  Martin |
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Post by Hero on Nov 1, 2010 22:08:00 GMT
That was an awesome 'quest' episode. If they had to fit it into a single episode, I guess it was OK, but because it was so short it didn't feel like they travelled much distance to get there. It felt like they just went over a hill into the next valley and were there. If they'd taken several episodes over it, it would feel like more of an actual quest. Arthur did go away for a night which kind of gave the impression beyond location shots that he did go far(ish). The conversation between Arthur and Merlin journeying back with Arthur saying something like: "Remember, you haven't seen me for 'days'" is a bit muddled as to how long they set off for. If Arthur really had gone for 'days', the evil braclet would have sapped him empty. Which of the 'Justice League' Round Nights have been on Merlin now? I hope Warwick comes back again. ===KEN |
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Nov 2, 2010 7:25:38 GMT
Which of the 'Justice League' Round Nights have been on Merlin now? Not sure. I have a feeling they have been a bit naughty and used the names of legendary knights at various points for one-off characters or even redshirts who get killed off. There is no single definitive list of Knights of the Round Table, but usually you would expect all the following to be notable by their presence: - Lancelot (contender for title of best fighter) - Galahad (Lancelot's son) - Perceval - Tristram/Tristan (the other contender for title of best fighter) - Bedivere - Kay - Mordred (Arthur's son by either Morgause or Morgana, both of them his half-sisters) - Gawain and his brothers Agravaine, Gaheris and Gareth (all half-brothers of Mordred) And there are dozens of second-tier knights to fill however many other seats need filling. Martin |
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Post by blueshift on Nov 2, 2010 7:27:01 GMT
Which of the 'Justice League' Round Nights have been on Merlin now? Not sure. I have a feeling they have been a bit naughty and used the names of legendary knights at various points for one-off characters or even redshirts who get killed off. I've gotta say, it is a bit annoying that they introduce another knight only to have them BANISHED FOREVER FROM CAMELOT by the end of the episode |
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Post by blueshift on Nov 6, 2010 23:36:23 GMT
Merlin: The show with only one plot!
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Nov 7, 2010 7:52:06 GMT
Merlin: The show with only one plot! So it seems, sadly. But I did like: "What makes you think punching me on the arm's going to make me feel better?" "It works with the knights." "Yes, but the knights are thick." "I'm a knight." (Silence.) Martin |
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Post by blueshift on Nov 7, 2010 8:06:51 GMT
Oh yes, don't get me wrong it was a great episode once more. Just... THAT SAME PLOT AAAARGH  |
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Post by Hero on Nov 7, 2010 21:10:26 GMT
Next weeks looks to be a lot better. Morganna and Gwen making up for this weeks absense look to be very involved in the next instalment.
That Manticore creature was well nasty!
===KEN
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Post by blueshift on Nov 15, 2010 9:51:18 GMT
I was a bit disappointed by this week's episode actually. It had a lot more potential than it ended up with.
Next week is another 'SOMEONE USES MAGIC TO CHEAT AT A TOURNAMENT' one!
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Post by Hero on Nov 15, 2010 10:04:39 GMT
I quite liked having an ep that used the cast regulars within Camelot and without the guest star garnish.
The Future Merlin tease was a great idea.
I do wonder though why 'The Sorcerer' was thrown in jail to await the stake as Gwen's replacement when the soldiers pretty much had the stake ready for baking someone.
I think Gaius is Richard Wilson's best role ever. I no longer think of him as Victor Meldrew in a wig.
===KEN
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Post by Bogatan on Nov 15, 2010 16:25:27 GMT
So how many plots does Merlin use?
The only ones I can think of are:
*Main characters or friend/lover/family member of main character is possessed or enchanted in some way.
*Use of magic to cheat during a tournement.
*Evil magic user comes along and causes a cast member to be accused of witch craft.
*Quest to find something or rescue some one.
There must be some that stray from those formula but right now I can't think of one.
Andy
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Post by Hero on Nov 20, 2010 13:03:48 GMT
We do have a Smallville thread on here too, Bogatan.  I don't think any drastic change to the formula will be made until one of the main cast makes an exit or an important character from the legend is introduced as a series regular. The Great Dragon is gone, but is however recurring and still in the picture. ===KEN |
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Nov 20, 2010 20:41:29 GMT
Well, today's episode was OK. And next week, something a bit more like the Holy Grail?
Martin
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Post by Hero on Nov 21, 2010 18:46:38 GMT
Hehe. The cup of life.
I think this is possibly a two part finale.
===KEN
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Post by blueshift on Nov 21, 2010 18:50:56 GMT
Hehe. The cup of life. I think this is possibly a two part finale. ===KEN The Kup of life! |
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