New BBC show "Merlin"

[Feathers]

Somewhat disappointed by the start of this weeks episode.

Overall it was good but something about the animation of the opening sequence (Lancelot against the Griffin) slipped a little and the live action looked horribly out of place against the CGI background.

Maybe it was just me, of course, but it seems a shame.

Meds, did you see it?

[Trekkygeek]

Well It's been on for 9 episodes now and on the whole I'm really enjoying it. Okay so it's light and frothy and won't win any prizes for its complexity but I do like it and most of the actors are what make it enjoyable. Antony Head as Uther is great and Colin Morgan is pretty watchable as a young Merlin. My favourite though Is Richard Wilson as Gauis. Most of the UK bunch will know him for one role in particular so it's refreshing to see him do something different.

My one big sour point? It's just too clean. Everyones hair is just so and there's no mud to be seen anywhere. I mean, come on, this is supposed to be the middle ages and everyone looks like they had a bath before they came on set. That, in my opinion is very lazy thinking by the BBC.

But on the whole, If you guys in the States get the chance to view it on BBC America, and you like your mythology light and frothy, then do watch it. I think it's better than Robin Hood, another recent offering for Saturday evenings.

P.S. Meds, you're right, Arthur is an irritating little scrote. I just want to slap his little baby face with a wet kipper.

[Rico]

I'm definitely up for watching it when it shows up over here.  Is there a lot of magic and swordplay?

[Feathers]

I'm definitely up for watching it when it shows up over here.  Is there a lot of magic and swordplay?

Hmmm. Not sure how to answer that since I guess there's the potential for a small spoiler here. It is, however, a spoiler of a basic premise of the show rather than a specific plot point so I'll go with it.

Swordplay is certainly present in enough quantity - particularly this week - but magic less so since in this version of the reality magic is a forbidden art. There always is some of course.

Richard Wilson is brilliant BTW. It's nice to see him carry off something completely different so very well.

[Trekkygeek]

I'm definitely up for watching it when it shows up over here.  Is there a lot of magic and swordplay?

Hmmm. Not sure how to answer that since I guess there's the potential for a small spoiler here. It is, however, a spoiler of a basic premise of the show rather than a specific plot point so I'll go with it.

Swordplay is certainly present in enough quantity - particularly this week - but magic less so since in this version of the reality magic is a forbidden art. There always is some of course.

Richard Wilson is brilliant BTW. It's nice to see him carry off something completely different so very well.

He's the best thing about the show.
I really liked this weeks episode. I don't know about Arthurian legend so not sure about the accuracy.
I also likes the teaser from last week, the one with the little lad. Again not sue about the legend, but he is obviously to play a big part in Merlins life in the future. I take it you know who I mean without spoiling it too much....

[Feathers]

I also likes the teaser from last week, the one with the little lad. Again not sue about the legend, but he is obviously to play a big part in Merlins life in the future. I take it you know who I mean without spoiling it too much....

Oh yes! That was brilliant - when he finally identified himself I nearly fell off the chair. (If that's the bit you mean)

[Trekkygeek]

Yeah, that'll be the one.

[Feathers]

Whether they'll play on it in future episodes of this series or whether it was simply a throw away for the future (and the mythology), I don't know. Somehow I suspect he'll be back but I wouldn't guarantee it will be this series.

Oh, one other thing for Rico, as well as swordplay and magic there seems to be quite a lot of rotten fruit involved in this. We English love to put people in the stocks you know!

[Geekyfanboy]

I haven't watched this yet.. really want to. but here is some news

http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2008/12/17/bbc-renews-merlin/

BBC Renews "Merlin"
December 17, 2008 by Michael Hickerson   || Category: TV

The BBC announced yesterday that "Merlin" has been renewed for a second season.

The series has garnered solid ratings in the UK, averaging an audience of 6.2 million viewers for the first eight episodes, with a 28% average share.   The series airs on Saturday evenings in the UK and is targeted toward a family audience.  It stars Anthony Head, Colin Morgan, Bradley James and Richard Wilson.

The series chronicles the friendship between Arthur and Merlin and is set in the mythical town of Camelot.  It picks up the story just as Arthur becomes king and Merlin is learning about his magical powers.

The series has been sold to 112 markets across the world as well.  Right to air the series in the United States belong to NBC.

It is speculated that NBC may combine the first and second series of the show for broadcast in the U.S.  Each series will run 13 episodes.

It's also speculated that NBC may use this series to fill programming holes that could be created by a SAG strike.

[Feathers]

Good news!

I really enjoyed the first series. It didn't require the heaviest amount of thought ever, but it was solid entertainment. Even my wife watched it!

It moved about the schedule a bit (presumably depending on televised sport?) but was always 7pm (ish) on Saturday - the Doctor Who slot.

[Meds]

I thought it was OK, i still get annoyed with changes to the Arthur/Merlin legend. My own fault, its the reason why i hate Young Sherlock or any films in which are historically inaccurate (eg any Mel Gibson film). Oh by  the way do you know that Merlin is actually the Doctor. Think about it ;)

[M-5]

I'll be glad when it crosses the pond.  It looks like it's going to be good.

[Trekkygeek]

I thought it was OK, i still get annoyed with changes to the Arthur/Merlin legend. My own fault, its the reason why i hate Young Sherlock or any films in which are historically inaccurate (eg any Mel Gibson film). Oh by  the way do you know that Merlin is actually the Doctor. Think about it ;)

You got me there mate. Clues please? Just a teaser?

[X]

I thought it was OK, i still get annoyed with changes to the Arthur/Merlin legend. My own fault, its the reason why i hate Young Sherlock or any films in which are historically inaccurate (eg any Mel Gibson film). Oh by  the way do you know that Merlin is actually the Doctor. Think about it ;)

But that's a sticky topic in and of itself. There are a huge variety of Arthur stories.

The big two are the sword in the stone and the lady of the lake. In one he gets the sword from the stone in another he gets the stone from the lady in the lake. Then in yet another he gets two seperate swords from those two sources. One being Caliburn and the other being Excalibur.

I think I like the show better because I don't know what happens next. they take pieces of the legend and weave something new and entertaining.

Oh! forgot that this was a Brit show. I really didn't see all thirteen episodes hours after they aired. That wouldn't be right now that NBC is considering picking it up for primetime.

[Meds]

. Oh by  the way do you know that Merlin is actually the Doctor. Think about it ;)

You got me there mate. Clues please? Just a teaser?

Wiki can explain better than me. ;)

in response to a distress signal, the Seventh Doctor and Ace materialize the TARDIS near Lake Vortigern in England. The sound of explosions leads the TARDIS crew into the acquaintance of Brigadier Bambera of UNIT, in charge of a nuclear missile convoy. Following from the encounter, the retired Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart is informed of the Doctor's return, and a helicopter is sent to his country home to collect him, against the protests of his wife, Doris.

Later, at the Gore Crow hotel, the Doctor and Ace meet a young woman called Shou Yuing, who shares Ace's love of explosives. Meanwhile, as Bambera stops to examine a blue police telephone box, she is caught in the crossfire between two groups of armoured knights, using both swords and futuristic guns.

The Doctor shows interest in a scabbard, excavated from the battlefield. The scabbard is hot to the Doctor's touch, and the hotel owner's blind wife, Elizabeth, says she can sense it waiting for something, or someone. When the archaeologist Warmsly arrives at the hotel, he dates the scabbard to the 8th century. The Doctor senses that it has been waiting for far longer.

As Ace and Shou Yuing share a talk about explosives, a knight sails through the brewery's roof, making a huge commotion. On investigation, the Doctor, Ace and Shou Yuing find the knight Ancelyn — who wakes, to recognize the Doctor as "Merlin". While the Doctor mulls the portent of this revelation, the party is surrounded by an ominous group of knights.

Bambera faces down their leader, Mordred. He is shocked to see "Merlin", who he believed bound by his mother, Morgaine. Following some vague threats from the Doctor, Mordred's knights retreat. Later, as Mordred begins an arcane ritual, the scabbard in the hotel flies across the room. Morgaine arrives on the scene through a rift in space and time; she proceeds to psychically taunt the Doctor.

The next day, Warmsly shows the Doctor where he uncovered the scabbard. They find a rune, which the Doctor translates to "Dig hole here." On further question, he replies that it is his own handwriting. Using a canister of Nitro-9, Ace blows an opening.

On arrival in Carbury, Lethbridge-Stewart's helicopter is shot down by Morgaine's sorcery. As Morgaine's knights hold a remembrance ceremony for the soldiers of Earth's world wars, Lethbridge-Stewart has a peaceable encounter with Morgaine — though she threatens Lethbridge-Stewart, in the event they should meet again.

The Doctor and Ace enter a chamber under the lake, finding the door keyed to the Doctor's voice. The Doctor tells Ace that this "Merlin" may well be a future version of himself. Presently, they realize that the chamber is part of an organic spaceship. They also find the body of King Arthur. When Ace removes a sword from a plinth, she activates a defence mechanism, unleashing a hostile, glowing entity. In attempt to hide, Ace enters an alcove. A door closes, and the alcove starts to fill with water. As Ace yells for help, the entity knocks the Doctor unconscious.

The Doctor recovers just in time to fiddle with a control panel, and eject Ace from the space ship. As Ancelyn and Warmsly stand at the shore, discussing the Lady of the Lake, Ace emerges, still grasping the sword. Ancelyn identifies it as Excalibur. The Brigadier arrives on-scene, in time to destroy the creature below the lake and rescue the Doctor.

Mordred and Morgaine go to the hotel, to retrieve Excalibur. When Lavel shoots, Morgaine simply catches her bullet with sorcery. Morgaine takes knowledge from Lavel's mind, then turns her body to dust. As she leaves, she pays Mordred's drinking tab by restoring Elizabeth's sight. Meanwhile, UNIT troops are staging an evacuation. The Brigadier shows off some of UNIT's specialized ammunition, and the Doctor inquires about silver bullets.

The Doctor instructs Ace to draw a chalk circle around herself, to protect against Morgaine's sorcery. He then drives off in his old car, Bessie, hoping to halt a battle between Morgaine's knights and the UNIT soldiers. A storm breaks outside the hotel, so Ace and Shou Yuing draw the circle around themselves and Excalibur. A localized night falls. Within the circle, Ace and Shou Yuing start to bicker. Ace nearly leaves the circle, before they realise they are being toyed with.

Just as Mordred and Ancelyn are about to fight, the Doctor intervenes. Mordred, however, reveals that this battle is merely a ruse to lure the Doctor, and that Morgaine has summoned the Destroyer of Worlds. Morgaine appears before Ace and Shou Yuing, and tries to entice them to hand over Excalibur. When they refuse, she unleashes the Destroyer.

The Doctor and the Brigadier capture Mordred, and set off for the hotel. Meanwhile, Morgaine is occupied with Ace's circle. On return, the Doctor finds the hotel in ruins yet Ace and Shou Yuing safe. He is pleased to hear that Ace gave up Excalibur to Morgaine, if doing so protected her. In the debris, the Doctor finds a portal to Morgaine's castle; he, the Brigadier, and Ace enter. On arrival, the Brigadier shoots the Destroyer, to no effect. The Destroyer's return volley sends the Brigadier flying through the window. Ace bursts through the portal, ramming into Morgaine, knocking Excalibur from her grasp.

Morgaine releases the Destroyer's bonds. In the confusion, she scoops up Excalibur and enters the gateway along with Mordred.

Outside, the Doctor readies the Brigadier's revolver and silver bullets — yet the Brigadier knocks him out, retrieves his gun, and faces the Destroyer alone. After some dialog, the Brigadier empties the revolver into the Destroyer's chest. The Doctor wakes to find the castle engulfed in flames. He spots the Brigadier's prostrate form, and begins to mourn his fallen friend — at which point the Brigadier stirs and rises, scuffed but unharmed.

Back at the convoy, Morgaine and Mordred attempt to detonate the nuclear missile. The Doctor confronts Morgaine, insisting that there is no honor to nuclear warfare. She agrees, then asks to fight Arthur in single combat. He tells her of Arthur's death, to her sadness. The Doctor prevents Mordred from killing Ancelyn, and asks Bambera to imprison Mordred and Morgaine.

Back at the Brigadier's house, Doris thumbs her nose at her husband by going for a drive in Bessie with Ace, Shou Yuing, and Bambera, leaving him and the other men to do the gardening and prepare supper.

PS:_ it is implied that Merlin is, or will be, a future incarnation of the Doctor. It is also possible that Merlin is an alternate Doctor from the same parallel universe that Morgaine and the rest of the knights are from.