New Fantasy on TV - Merlin - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalwendë · 08-30-2008, 04:15 AM

I don't know quite which bit to put this thread in, but I want to put a link to the trailer for the new BBC Drama Merlin, which NBC in the USA have also bought, because I'm sure this will be of interest to most of us Tolkien fans. There's not always been a lot of fantasy on TV until recently, and there's not really been very much in this vein at all as it's more towards sci-fi - and this promises all kinds of cool things including The Great Dragon

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iPxq3myiQF0

Cool trailer, eh?

Starts in a couple of weeks, in the Doctor Who/Robin Hood slot on BBC1 (series 3 of Robin Hood is due next year, apparently), and a few weeks afterwards, at 8pm on Sundays on NBC in the US. Canadian and Australian TV are also picking it up.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008...bbc.television

Gwathagor · 09-18-2008, 06:53 PM

I'd say it has lots of potential. If we're lucky, it will be better than Robin Hood - which I have found singularly unenchanting.

Lalwendë · 09-19-2008, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

I'd say it has lots of potential. If we're lucky, it will be better than Robin Hood - which I have found singularly unenchanting.

Gwath, are you a young chap? Because I have found, strangely (or perhaps not) that Robin Hood is especially popular with the ladies. Lalaith knows what I'm on about, and exactly why it is probably popular

Gwathagor · 09-19-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Gwath, are you a young chap? Because I have found, strangely (or perhaps not) that Robin Hood is especially popular with the ladies. Lalaith knows what I'm on about, and exactly why it is probably popular

It is as you say. Doubtless, if I were a young lady, I would be quite enthralled by earnest Robin and his band of merry heart-throbs.

Rumil · 09-19-2008, 01:18 PM

Oh no,

plate armour, high medieval pointy-topped castles, surcoats - they don't say Sub-Roman Britain to me, desperately trying for suspension of disbelief...... sorry not happening - maybe I'm beyond help!!

Anyone think Excalibur??

Lalwendë · 09-19-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

It is as you say. Doubtless, if I were a young lady, I would be quite enthralled by earnest Robin and his band of merry heart-throbs.

Or even the villains who you're supposed to find unappealing

Lalaith · 09-19-2008, 04:15 PM

Oh Gwathagor, earnest Robin is singularly unappealing. Couldn't agree more.

(Secret Guy

at t'other Lal.)

Gwathagor · 09-19-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumil

Oh no,

plate armour, high medieval pointy-topped castles, surcoats - they don't say Sub-Roman Britain to me, desperately trying for suspension of disbelief...... sorry not happening - maybe I'm beyond help!!

Anyone think Excalibur??

Interestingly, I just watched First Knight, which was sort of all that - plus Star Trek-style jumpers.

At least, Rumil, they are making no pretenses about the programme's historicity; if they were advertising it as "The Historical Merlin" or "The Man Behind the Myth", then I might cry. Because bad history makes me so, so sad.

davem · 09-20-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumil

Oh no,

plate armour, high medieval pointy-topped castles, surcoats - they don't say Sub-Roman Britain to me, desperately trying for suspension of disbelief...... sorry not happening - maybe I'm beyond help!!

Anyone think Excalibur??

Many, many, many years back the BBC produced a couple of series - a Robin Hood with Martin Potter, & an King Arthur with Andrew Burt - both of which went in for an authentic period look, & which were (as I recall) very pleasing. I know the Robin Hood is out on DVD, but haven't gotten hold of it as yet.

As for this one ... just saw the trailer with Buffy's Giles standing on a balcony in crown & gown. pointing at some woman in the courtyard & crying 'Sieze her!'

I suspect the writing budget has gone on ugly pills for the lead actor.

Mithalwen · 09-23-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Gwath, are you a young chap? Because I have found, strangely (or perhaps not) that Robin Hood is especially popular with the ladies. Lalaith knows what I'm on about, and exactly why it is probably popular

I agree only if we are talking Richard Armitage not that scruffy little oik who plays Robin in his medieavel skater gear.

Anthony Head I still think of as the Gold Blend man but this Merlin got slated in the paper yesterday. I only saw the last 2 minutes but I have to say that AH is an improvement on the wingnut hero

Lalaith · 09-23-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

talking Richard Armitage

Darlink, who did you think we were talking about?

Anyway, I think Merlin suffered from similar issues to PJ's LotR, actually. Looked gorgeous but script was very naff in parts. And also, like the films, had some fab moments. The witch's enchantment song was great.

It was great to hear John Hurt as the Dragon. Which reminds me, if you want true faerie though, of which Tolkien would approve, the Storyteller is where it is at. I re-watched the Three Ravens the other day. Awesome, Jungian stuff.

Gwathagor · 09-23-2008, 04:47 PM

Ah! The Storyteller is a terrific show. Did you see that episode with Sean Bean?

Lalwendë · 09-24-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I agree only if we are talking Richard Armitage not that scruffy little oik who plays Robin in his medieavel skater gear.

Mr Darcy is sooo yesterday, what? We have moved on eh

Anyway. I really was not sure about Merlin at all. It had a faint whiff of Skins with it's sneery teens. But I am going to give it a chance and see how it unfolds. Though I don't know I'll be able to take the next episode seriously as it has Will Mellor out of Two Pints Of Lager in it so I hope he didn't try for a serious role.

Incidentally, that witch was Eve Myles, AKA Gwen from Torchwood.

08-30-2008, 04:15 AM	#1
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	New Fantasy on TV - Merlin I don't know quite which bit to put this thread in, but I want to put a link to the trailer for the new BBC Drama Merlin, which NBC in the USA have also bought, because I'm sure this will be of interest to most of us Tolkien fans. There's not always been a lot of fantasy on TV until recently, and there's not really been very much in this vein at all as it's more towards sci-fi - and this promises all kinds of cool things including The Great Dragon http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iPxq3myiQF0 Cool trailer, eh? Starts in a couple of weeks, in the Doctor Who/Robin Hood slot on BBC1 (series 3 of Robin Hood is due next year, apparently), and a few weeks afterwards, at 8pm on Sundays on NBC in the US. Canadian and Australian TV are also picking it up. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008...bbc.television __________________ Gordon's alive!

09-18-2008, 06:53 PM	#2
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	I'd say it has lots of potential. If we're lucky, it will be better than Robin Hood - which I have found singularly unenchanting. __________________ Stories and songs.

09-19-2008, 01:18 PM	#5
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	Merlin 1420 Oh no, plate armour, high medieval pointy-topped castles, surcoats - they don't say Sub-Roman Britain to me, desperately trying for suspension of disbelief...... sorry not happening - maybe I'm beyond help!! Anyone think Excalibur?? __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

09-19-2008, 04:15 PM	#7
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Oh Gwathagor, earnest Robin is singularly unappealing. Couldn't agree more. (Secret Guy at t'other Lal.) __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

09-23-2008, 04:47 PM	#12
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	Ah! The Storyteller is a terrific show. Did you see that episode with Sean Bean? __________________ Stories and songs.