Consume mass quantities

[darkemeralds]

I've watched every episode of Merlin from 101 to 303 in the last week. Now I'm sad because I have to wait almost a week for another ep.

I've been entirely outside the Merlin fandom (it was pandarus's fantastic The Student Prince that enticed me to actually watch the canon source material), so I don't really know what's being said or thought about it, but I'm loving it.

For one thing: lots of pretty, of course. For another, the primary relationship is so passionate, and the supposedly fated heterosexual pairings so free of chemistry, that it's no damn wonder the show has such a slash fandom following.

But mostly it's Colin Morgan. What a face! He's absolutely gorgeous in a way that no American producer would ever allow to be revealed. He acts uncertain and a bit clumsy and terribly earnest and sincere, and all the while he sort of fools the camera into thinking he's a Calvin Klein model, and it makes him riveting to watch.

So, Merlin. Totally hooked.

Comments

[bluemeridian]

Colin Morgan really is an amazing actor, the kind that still images really don't do justice to.

[darkemeralds]

Yes, indeed. You don't often see such a mobile, expressive face on such a young actor, and it's fascinating to think what he'll become in a few more years. He actually seems to bring an entire range of human emotions to the character, rather than just a few characteristics. Wonderful.

[giandujakiss]

Don't miss rageprufrock's modern AU Drastically Redefining Protocol. It's one of the earliest stories in the fandom and it's brilliant. Astolat has also written several amazing canon-based Merlin fics, including Onfindan and The Crown of the Summer Court. Seperis also has wonderful Merlin fics. (All of these are Merlin/Arthur).

... sorry, I can't help myself.

[darkemeralds]

You have just named three of the best fanwriters I know of. I'm not one bit surprised that people from Smallville have migrated in this particular direction: very similar appeal in the slashy love/hate relationship at the forefront of each show.

I shall proceed to check them out. Thanks!

[tehomet]

The S6 opener of SPN didn't really float my boat, tbh. I await developments hopefully, but it was tosh. I think even Jensen Ackles wasn't that impressed with it, from what I hear.

When Merlin started, I watched the first episode and didn't fall in instant love (not like I did with Sherlock BBC), so I skipped it after that. Recently, I have seen the first episodes of season three and intend to keep watching. I purely started watching it on the grounds that anitac588 reviews each episode as she watches it, and I trust her judgement. Also, it's difficult to resist a show when there's fic in the fandom by authors I want to read. :D

Colin Morgan is the highlight IMHO. The total lack of even a pretence of historical accuracy really makes me kind of nauseous (I get cravings for Robin of Sherwood!), but as a kind of live action slashy cartoon, it totally works for me. Gaius is a snark-laden peach. And I find it endearing, the way it appears to be made with leftover special effects from Doctor Who and on a budget of fifty cents and a carrot.

[darkemeralds]

LOL! Fifty cents, a carrot, and some amazing costumes and that set they've got, yeah.

It was the lack of historical accuracy that kept me away for two seasons, too--I saw a clip somewhere of Merlin and Arthur saying things like, "Yeah, okay, you prat" and said DNW. After three or four episodes I got over that and realized how clever it really is, the way they interlard a wee bit of courtly speech with everyday modern language--just as they interweave Pre-Raphaelite gowns with authentic-looking armor and real clangy swordfighting. It gives the impression of a historical time and a mythic setting, without becoming a slave to it. It's very clever, really.

As to SPN 601: it was utter crap and though my standards aren't high, I couldn't believe they used their lamest writing for a season opener. Very disappointing.

[scribblemoose]

The producers have said that when they created Merlin they specifically didn't want to tie it to a particular period. Myth places it anywhere from 450AD to late medieval, but what they wanted was more of a fantasy setting, where they could pick the things that would work with the storytelling (like the lanugage, as you say). I think they do a great job. :)

(Sorry, will stop spamming your journal now, I just get excited about Merlin!)

[darkemeralds]

Hey, spam away. I'm excited about it too! And since I'm totally new to the fandom, I'm eager to discuss basics that I'm sure longer-term fans have already covered in depth.

[scribblemoose]

Colin Morgan is exceptional in so many ways - not just in Merlin but in everything he does. I can't take my eyes off him when he's on the screen.

It always makes me happy when new people find Merlin and like it. Welcome to the happy-place! ♥

[darkemeralds]

The only other thing I've seen him in was a short sketch with Catherine Tate on some situation comedy, as far as I could tell about an Irish working-class family, in which he plays the gay son. Tate stole that one, so I couldn't really get a read of him.

He's so thoroughly an actor, though, that I wouldn't be surprised to like him in anything he wanted to be in.

I can see that this fandom is going to draw me in.

[scribblemoose]

Check him out in the Doctor Who episode 'Midnight' if you get the chance (see icon!). There's also a trailer for a film called 'Parked' that's due out later this year (I think) - made last January, but it looks great (if heartbreaking!).

Let me know if you want fic recs or anything. *tempt tempt*

[darkemeralds]

Dear GOD, Parked looks wonderful! Of course, the trailer pretty much told the whole story, but still. I'd love to see it.

I must have seen the Who episode you mention--which series/Doctor was it? I'm not good at noticing guest stars unless I already know them.

Rec away! I have a strong preference for podfic, if you know of any good longer stories that have been recorded.

[scribblemoose]

It was series 4, David Tennant (who went to the same drama school as Colin, incidentally.) I think ep. 11?

I'll sort out a recs list for you but as you mention podfic, I'd really, really recommend 'Steam' by New_Kate. It's a steampunk AU, but the characterisation's great and it has allusions to russian literature. The podfic version is by Pennyplainknits but you might also want to give the written version a look over for the lovely art that was done to go with it by Aqualillium.

Any other fic prefs? Oh, and do you like RPS?

[darkemeralds]

I must have seen that ep. I'm not an avid Doctor Who follower, but I might go back and check it out just to see the darling boy and his ears.

I just yesterday downloaded the podfic of Steam! I don't know the author, but I love the reader, and am looking forward to listening to it. I'm a fan of AUs, crossovers, and yes, RPS--though in this fandom, I know absolutely nothing about the real persons in question and might prefer to stick with fic-fic for the time being.

[scribblemoose]

Cool. Have you seen the cast video diaries?

[darkemeralds]

I'm not sure I'm ready for extras yet. My usual arc is to become utterly engrossed in the show itself, to the point of watching each episode at least twice or three times. I like to immerse myself in canon before I burst the illusion bubble with real people.

Eventually, I have a feeling I'll get the DVD set and soak up all the extras.