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 :cool:

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

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 ;)

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.

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??

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

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

(Secret Guy :Merisu: at t'other Lal.)

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.

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!':rolleyes: I suspect the writing budget has gone on ugly pills for the lead actor.

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 :p

Darlink, who did you think we were talking about? :rolleyes:

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.

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

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. :cool: