Seriously. The best episode of Merlin EVER! Coherent thoughts shall come later, I'm buzzing with excitement and frustration at the same time, it's insane. But I must say...
This season sucked overall. They completely ruined Morgana and Morgause like you said. That evil smirk was almost like it was intended for kids. EVIL SMIRK, MORGANA, YES! SEE, KIDS, SHE IS EVIL NOW. Blah.
I was simply cheering for Lancelot, Gwaine and Merlin.
Not gonna talk about Gwen. I've never liked her and never will. Angel Coulby really looks like a sweet person, but in my mind Gwen should be a lot tougher and less-Sue-ish, yes. Do not want.
LOL you know what, Merlin is such a shitty show, it's easy to get happy with a couple of colorful scenes and bromance moments. I hope they pick it up again in Season 4, this season was complete shit-fest. (Except for last 2 episodes and every episode Gwaine was in.)
I actually think the show is finally making progress: Arthur is coming into his own, we're seeing the formation of the knights of the round table, etc. Where it's lacking is in its heavy-handed approach to portraying Morgana's descent into evil - I would have loved to see her acting with a bit more subtlety. Letting Uther live, for one thing, was silly.
I'm curious why you think Gwen should be tougher? Going by the Mists of Avalon (not the best source, but still one of the coolest portrayals of the myth, in my opinion) and what I know of the legend, she wasn't the world's bravest little cookie. They've made her a humble servant instead of a humble queen who didn't have much of a purpose save for looking pretty.
I think I was expecting a bit more epicness from everything. The way Arthur goes back and forth with his relationship with Merlin, Morgana or even his father was very annoying for me. He acts like a selfish brat at times then he becomes this noble, amazing king-to-be at other times. Consistency was missing... on everything.
Morgana... Oh Morgana ;__; I weep for her ruined evil schemes.
I'm not very familiar with the myth itself so I might be wrong, but still, idk. It might be because Angel Coulby doesn't exactly fit the humble servant/queen type. She could have been a lot tougher considering her father was a blacksmith. (Prototyping much, I know...)
Maybe it's not Gwen's lack of toughness that irks me about the situation at all but the way then handled the whole Arthur/Gwen thing. Sudden, sloppy, without chemistry etc. etc. She even had more chemistry with Gwaine in those short scenes than she had with Arthur whole season. (Their kisses are extremely beautiful though, I gotta give 'em that.)
I'm too biased to justify my thoughts on Gwen, LOL! I wish they've spent the time they almost wasted on Gwen for Morgana and tuned down that evil smirk thing. My biggest regret. Maybe Katie McGrath isn't a good enough actress for the role. She looks gorgeous, but the way she acted Morgana was pretty stiff.
You might be right. I've developed a strong appreciation for the actors through interviews and behind the scenes footage - Bradley and Colin even took this roadtrip in search of the truth about Arthurian myth and it made me all aww. But you're right about that not translating well on screen. Part of it is the writers' fault, I think, for being so chronically unable to commit to a storyline. Part of it is also the nature of the myth - the version I know had Morgana carrying Arthur's baby (Mordred) - which doesn't always lend itself to a kids' show. They're trying to keep it clean while keeping it serious and they're kind of... failing.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2010-12-05 05:58 pm (UTC)I was simply cheering for Lancelot, Gwaine and Merlin.
Not gonna talk about Gwen. I've never liked her and never will. Angel Coulby really looks like a sweet person, but in my mind Gwen should be a lot tougher and less-Sue-ish, yes. Do not want.
LOL you know what, Merlin is such a shitty show, it's easy to get happy with a couple of colorful scenes and bromance moments. I hope they pick it up again in Season 4, this season was complete shit-fest. (Except for last 2 episodes and every episode Gwaine was in.)
Look at me defending a children's show.
Date: 2010-12-05 06:12 pm (UTC)I'm curious why you think Gwen should be tougher? Going by the Mists of Avalon (not the best source, but still one of the coolest portrayals of the myth, in my opinion) and what I know of the legend, she wasn't the world's bravest little cookie. They've made her a humble servant instead of a humble queen who didn't have much of a purpose save for looking pretty.
Re: Look at me defending a children's show.
Date: 2010-12-05 06:24 pm (UTC)I think I was expecting a bit more epicness from everything. The way Arthur goes back and forth with his relationship with Merlin, Morgana or even his father was very annoying for me. He acts like a selfish brat at times then he becomes this noble, amazing king-to-be at other times. Consistency was missing... on everything.
Morgana... Oh Morgana ;__; I weep for her ruined evil schemes.
I'm not very familiar with the myth itself so I might be wrong, but still, idk. It might be because Angel Coulby doesn't exactly fit the humble servant/queen type. She could have been a lot tougher considering her father was a blacksmith. (Prototyping much, I know...)
Maybe it's not Gwen's lack of toughness that irks me about the situation at all but the way then handled the whole Arthur/Gwen thing. Sudden, sloppy, without chemistry etc. etc. She even had more chemistry with Gwaine in those short scenes than she had with Arthur whole season. (Their kisses are extremely beautiful though, I gotta give 'em that.)
I'm too biased to justify my thoughts on Gwen, LOL! I wish they've spent the time they almost wasted on Gwen for Morgana and tuned down that evil smirk thing. My biggest regret. Maybe Katie McGrath isn't a good enough actress for the role. She looks gorgeous, but the way she acted Morgana was pretty stiff.
Re: Look at me defending a children's show.
Date: 2010-12-05 06:29 pm (UTC)