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IMHO "Merlin" (1: 6): Hoyay among the over 50 set?
*Deep extended sigh* It looks as if Merlin is yet another one of those shows that has a few terrific episodes ... followed by a complete stinker. Last night's episode, "A Remedy to Cure All Ills," was that stinker. Yet another evil magician, Edwin, attacks Camelot, this time disguised as a healer. Honestly, Uther's "ban" on magic is turning out to be about as successful as the U.S.'s war on drugs. (Except, unlike the war on drugs, Uther's War on Magic also puts the kingdom at a huge disadvantage when it comes to taking on their magic-using enemies!) Anyway, Gaius finds out that Edwin is the son of two sorcerers killed years ago by Uther, and that he's come back to the kingdom to seek his revenge on the king. But Edwin has since also discovered that Merlin is a wizard and threatens to spill the beans to Uther if Gaius tells the king about him. In other words, Gaius must choose: Merlin or King Uther. He chooses Merlin, natch, but honestly, I was pretty bored by the whole episode. It seemed like one contrivance after another. Edwin, who no one has ever met before, insists on attending to Morgana completely alone — and everyone is okay with that? Edwin just happens to discover that Merlin is a magician — despite the fact that this is something that Merlin is supposed to keep totally secret and that will result in his death if he's discovered? And then there's the squandered storyline about Gaius, who, it turns out, is something of a coward. He flees the kingom at the first sign of danger, but does eventually return to "redeem" himself, only to end up being completely useless anyway. It's Merlin who saves the day. How? Because he just happens to be walking by carrying some towels! There also wasn't the slightest bit of hoyay — unless you count those moments between Gaius and Uther. S.A.G.E. members, unite!
Kiss him, you fool! I was also annoyed that it’s the sixth episode, and the women in the cast still have almost nothing to do. Worse, from the preview, I see that next week brings yet another evil witch. So basically all the powerful women in this show are evil? Come on. The show is set in the 9th century — that doesn’t mean it has to reflect that era’s attitudes toward women. Likewise, it’s a tad annoying with so few burn survivors on television, one of the very few has to be evil, hell-bent on revenge. I’m also growing disturbed that Merlin’s magic seems to have no real limits — or, rather, Merlin is exactly as powerful as the episode calls for him to be. On the plus side, it was nice to have the dragon back. And I noticed for the first time what a great nose Colin Morgan has, especially in profile.
What a great nose! Submitted by on Mon, 2009-07-13 16:59. |
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It was a stinker.
Tss, even Prince Valiant
Tss, even Prince Valiant (and I mean the comic strip not the villain in Merlin) did better with female storylines and that started in 1937.
There maybe just one and a half stereotypes for gay men on tv - but if it soothes you, there are only about 3 and a half for us - covering all genres & haircolors :D
And btw the gay guys on reaper are far more interesting than all the female characters (with the exception of the demon-lady who stores away the souls, but I digress)
Seriously - I guess they thought the main audience for Merlin would be boys still in the "I don't like girls, I'm going to marry my best friend"-phase. Which also explains a lot of the ho-yay you want to read into that ;P
The girlies...
By the time you get to the end, you'll see the show has a very complex attitude towards women. Morgana and Nimueh are particularly interesting. I love the finale of this series because it doesn't have easy arguments when it comes to the girls. A lot of superwoman versus everywoman ideas going on, wrapped in a story that partly explores men's oppression of women among a lot of other stuff. It's good TV.
Thank you for mentioning Colin Morgan's nose. It is rather glorious isn't it? Glad I'm not the only one who's noticed.
On the 'over-50 hoyah' comments... I know you've got another 25 years to go before you hit 50, but there's no age limit on hoyah. I'd do the deed with Antony Head and I'm not over 50. I'd probably do Richard Wilson, too, just to see what it was like (yes, I know we totally disagree about sex and this probably makes me a slut, but what the hell).
Your point about no limit on Merlin's magical powers? Spot on. It annoyed me, too and I'm so glad someone else picked up on it. I'd hope the writers address that particular point in the second series, otherwise magic will just become a useful get-out-of-jail-free card every time Merlin has a problem.
That's part of the legend.
Your point about no limit on Merlin's magical powers? Spot on. It annoyed me, too and I'm so glad someone else picked up on it.
Traditionally there aren't a lot of limits on Merlin's power. I've commented in my own reviews that I wonder how much of his goofy innocence is because he knows subconcously that he's the biggest predator around?
The show is a family show
On the original BBC show is was on in our "family hour" and the show was not for gay audiences or ever had any designs on a "gay sensibility". It was basically a "Disney" show for all ages. So - plot holes and all with our own "reality" shows can we be that critical? I really suspect that the show wasn't written for jaded old queens.
But Colin is quite the hottie!
Ummm.. family friendly doesn't mean anti-gay
I can't remember whether it was Graham Norton or John Barrowman who helmed the show before Merlin in the schedule. But either way, Saturday night - the top night in British TV - had an openly gay presenter building up the ratings for some kind of reality show before the drama.
Of course the writers and producers knew, understood and played on the gay sensibility of Merlin. It's a joke that they've understood and used. Funny homo-eroticism has been a staple of British comedy since the 1950s. The gay aspect of this show isn't something the producers, writers and actors have shied away from. They're having fun with it. It's an in-joke and a lot of people are chuckling about it. Viewers in the UK don't have to be gay or gay-friendly to understand the joke of the gay subtext, but they got it \and laughed at it anyway.
The one thing the BBC is not doing is trying to produce a Disney idea. If anything, they're mocking the Disney philosophy.
"Jaded Old Queens"
Can we retire this one? Rather than have a discussion you resort to sniping, and the choice of insult is such an old "Boys in the Band" era chestnut. If you're going to crack on another poster, at least come up with something less retro. The only time I expect to see this description from now on is for an aging Chinese Empress.
Nous Sommes Tous Sauvages.
yes, isoron, we can
Merlin
last of the season? I'm from Northern Ireland and the last episode of the season is like .. episode twelve or thirteen or something? Merlin is currently in it's production of the second season ..
I liked Merlin, I only watched it to support Colin in the beginning 'cos he's from Armagh and went to my school, but it was good so I kept watching.
Did anyone notice that Nimeuh is acted by Michelle Ryan, she acted in the remake of the Bionic Woman, and she used to act Zoe Slater on EastEnders. I love her.
Last weak episode of the