In between bursts of research industry, my favorite thing to do is to seek out new entertainment. After watching the finale of the Vicar of Dibley for the gazillionth time, I decided to browse through the BBC website to see if there are any interesting television shows to watch.
I found a clip of the Doctor Who Christmas Special that will be shown on Christmas Day. Imagine my delight at seeing David Tennant and David Morrissey both holding a sonic screwdriver while exclaiming “Allons-y!” What’s going on in London, 1851? Are the Davids both Doctors (squeal!!!!!)? Will Morrissey take over when Tennant leaves in 2010? Can I keep myself from going crazy between now and Christmas Day?
I had spent so much effort trying to track down the episodes of Spooks that I forgot to check out BBC’s new fall show. While I seem to love action-fantasy films (Hello! Lord of the Rings!!!), I feel that the genre does not really translate as well in television (except for shows by Joss Whedon). Or should I say it does not translate as well in AMERICAN television. I find that English accents often make up for a lot of flaws in a TV show.
The creators of Merlin have had some artistic license with the Arthurian mythology, which has made the premise of the show all the more interesting. Magic has been forbidden in the land of Albion. King Uther Pendragon will not hesitate to execute those who break the law (we find out later exactly why the king wants to stamp out magic for good) and Merlin has a magical gift that will cost him his life.
In a departure from traditional literature, Merlin is depicted as an earnest, oftentimes bumbling, young man with dark elfin features that would not be out of place in 90210 or Twilight. Though unsure of the extent of his capabilities, Merlin likes to walk on the wild side by using his magic to help people in spite of the danger he brings to himself. In one of these fiascoes, he brings on himself the displeasure of the heir to the throne.
In contrast, Prince Arthur is the golden boy of Camelot, the Nate Archibald of the age of chivalry. He is good-looking, privileged, and just a little bit over the line that separates confidence from arrogance. He, however, has a great sense of duty and responsibility, which he likes to hide under the frat boy exterior.
From the very beginning, it is clear that these two cannot get along, and we are treated to a few popular-kid-hunting-down-the-dork scenes until circumstances bind them to each other. With the help of a philosopher-dragon, Merlin finds to his dismay that his destiny is to use his magic to keep Arthur alive so that they can live long enough to bring peace to the kingdom.
So begins the story of our medieval tag-team as they try to survive calamities like war, disease, witches, warlocks, griffins, ginormous spiders, love, etc.
And so the BBC suckers me into another period dramedy. The style of Merlin is very much like that of Robin Hood, where you have a period setting and a 21st century sensibility (look out for Morgana's halter-top evening gown). The humor in Merlin is very quick, dry, and pop-culture refernce-y -- blink and you’ll miss it (this is where subtitles would do very nicely). Once, Merlin asks Guinevere, a maidservant if she had to choose, would she choose Arthur or Lancelot, the new knight? Guinevere retorts that she would never have to do that, seeing she’s only a maid, then she goes on to lament that she doesn't really know what her "type" is. Of course, everyone knows that the fate of Camelot depends on Guinevere’s choice.
I have to commend the BBC in picking a very talented (and exceptionally pretty) ensemble cast. Except for Anthony Stewart-Head, the main actors in the show are relative unknowns. Especially entertaining when they share the screen are Colin Morgan as the wisecracking geek-chic Merlin and Bradley James as the oft-exasperated Arthur. In a reversal of roles, Merlin is seen to be the more impulsive of the two, while Arthur has to save him by pretending that Merlin is nuts, drunk or in love in order to explain his “outbursts.” Even though his job is to keep Arthur safe, Merlin seems to get Arthur in to trouble again…and again…and again…
I admit it, I am a BBC addict! If only the BBC would make their DVDs more affordable, then I would actually buy them. But alas, fair reader, I will have to resort to other measures.
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