- No one talks about Merlin Merlin and Arthur talk about practically everything, Merlin and Gwen talk about Arthur, Arthur and Gwen talk about Camelot's future, Merlin and Gaius talk about magic and saving everybody, Merlin and the Dragon talk about destiny and the Once and Future King, but NO ONE TALKS ABOUT MERLIN. It's ridiculous, actually. Someone on twitter pointed out that to them, Merlin is just a servant, and no one talks about servants, which is true, and sad. Yesterday however, watching the last 3 episodes in a row reminded me that to Camelot's eyes Gwen is a servant too, yet she is more talked about than poor Merlin.
- Morgana is turning into a 2-dimensional cackling villain She tries to get either Uther and/or Arthur killed almost every episode, but failed. Even the finale ended with her whisking Morgause off to god knows where, leaving the throne back to Arthur and Uther. She smirks at every, single, thing, it's a wonder only Gwen keeps seeing her smirking and realising something's wrong. And is she really so blinded that she couldn't see there must be someone else in the castle that has magic because he (aka Merlin, you foolish girl) keeps thwarting her plan at every turn, and do you think he'll be able to do so without some magic of his own?
- Arthur needs to wise up to the fact that his man-servant is not as useless as he thought He manages to get into The Perilous Lands with Gwaine's help, he manages to set himself up at the forefront with Arthur almost all the time, and even though he doesn't know how to fight, he manages to still stay relatively safe and unharmed. If he really is as useless as you thought he is, then he would have been killed by the end of the pilot.
- Why does it seem like only Gwaine bothered to let Merlin know he can always count on him? As in, during Arthur's quest - which is really Merlin's quest, but semantics - Gwaine tells Merlin that he's going in search for Arthur to lend his assistance only because Merlin is his friend, not because of Arthur, and the look on Merlin's face... I'm glad he said that, because Merlin doesn't hear it very often that he is being valued as a friend enough.
- Merlin is so isolated, alone and it hurts In the episode where he's trying to let Gilli know that he understood his feelings, he says a line: "It's lonely... to be more powerful than any man you know and have to live like a shadow..." and it's a very touching scene. It also underscores the challenges that Merlin must have gone through to keep his magic a secret, and consequently, keep himself at arm's length with almost everyone. I just feel for him in that scene.
- Arthur and Merlin can't be friends I'm not saying that just to be mean, but it's the truth. Arthur is still treating Merlin like a servant most of the time, and yet in the episode where he became the go-between for Arthur and Gwen they are all referring to each other as their friends. I mean, the affection is there, I can see it, and but I don't think Arthur sees Merlin as a friend, yet, but I'm pretty sure Merlin thinks otherwise. There's also a kind of unspoken line to which they can't cross, an awareness that for all the joking around and Merlin's refusal to treat Arthur properly as a servant should, Arthur IS royalty and can always order Merlin's execution should he accidentally reveal himself, and it shows in their relationship.
- The Fisher-King episode is one of the more satisfying episodes this season Mostly because there's a twist that the quest is supposed to be Merlin's, not Arthur's. And that someone gives something that would actually help (in the last episode) to defeat Morgana, not just pretty or wise words, but something tangible. Also, there's a little development with Gwaine and Merlin's friendship in the episode, and it's different from Merlin and Arthur's. There is no undercurrent
Aaaand I have to stop here to admire Jared's physique in those shirtless photos by the beach. Damn, those pictures are the mother lode :)
- Location:bed
- Mood:
awake - Music:silence
S1 Blanket Rewind
Right, so the highlights of this first season:
- Arthur and Merlin's relationship. It was not really smooth-going at first, but by the end of the season you can see the dynamics change a little as they become closer to friends rather than that of a prince-servant one. Arthur can still be a prick though haha. I know in the episode of the poisoned chalice he risked his life to get the flower to cure Merlin, but I think it was more out of gratitude and debt than an actual fondness.
- The dragon Kilgarrah. Voiced by John Hurt, he's such a delight, especially when he laughs. I always joined in when he laughed, for whatever reason. It's contagious.
- The laughable special effects. These improved in season 2, but during the first season they were really bad. When Arthur wanted to kill this mythical (read: CGI-ed) creature I can see his sword stabbing into nothingness, but the creature still bellowed like it had been stabbed or hurt in some way.
- Uther Penndragon. I think he's the most complex character in the series. I hate him for the majority of the time, but for the rest of it I can see his love for both Arthur and Morgana, and his strive to do the right thing for the people. He's the king, he's not there to make popular decisions, he's there to make the right ones for the majority of Camelot.
- The capes and cowls. I generally like the costumes for the show, but oh I love those capes that have cowls with them that the characters would wear whenever they went out/riding/to hide their faces.They are gorgeous,especially the velvety-looking ones. But I'm not sure if they're practical, because most of them touch the ground when they were worn, and won't they get dirty, sweeping through the forest like that? God knows what they might sweep along their wake.
- Lack of a main story arc. Apart from trying to hide his magic from Uther, I can see no main story arc. It's not bad per se, because sometimes main story arcs can distract you, and so far it has crippled the show in any way.
- The castle is really easy to get into/escape from. Sometimes I think that there are no need for guards because they rarely stop people from coming in or going out anyway, and when they did, it's usually the wrong person.
S2 Blanket Rewind
- Gwen's hair. In S1, I was a bit obsessed with Gwen's hair. She had in up in a rather loose bun, with trails of it hanging down like curtains by the side of her face. I just wanted to sweep her hair all up, because it looks messier than it really is, and also I thought it might show her great facial bone structure. But in S2 she wore them in a half ponytail, and it looks so much better. And in the second episode she threaded little flowers - can't see it that well, but I think that's what they are - into her hair, and it looks absolutely wonderful
- Lancelot! He actually appeared first in S1, but I must confess that particular episode is one of the most boring ones for me, don't ask why because I don't know. But I did notice how dishy he was, and he got even dishier when he appeared for the second time in this season. I know he's the one that came in between Arthur and Gwen, and I guess you need a gorgeous person both in body and heart to be able to match Arthur and to lure Gwen away.
- The most disgusting episode: Beauty and the Beast. Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew. And GAG Not a big fan of fart jokes, and this one has them in spades. And the troll eat horse dung! And Uther slept with her!
- Merlin falling in love and finding his father. Both episodes are heartstrings-tugging. In both episodes Merlin was so sad in the aftermath, and he was weeping, and it seemed so unfair that he only got to know them for a short amount of time - and as viewers we got less than an episode with them - before they're dead. There was this scene when we see Merlin kissing her and a tear fell from his eye. It rather moved me, again I don't know why. And the scene when he was trying to tell Balinor that he was his son. I was biting my lips at that, anxious.
- Arthur and Gwen's relationship. I'll be honest, it moves too fast for it to be believable. Gwen had a bit of a crush on Merlin in the first half of S1, but by the end of the season you can see the first buds of their relationship starting to blossom. I would have liked it to be developed more in depth rather than throwing it out there. But they are cute together. The chemistry is there.
- Morgana being so gullible. I don't understand why she chose to believe all the strangers instead of Uther or Gaius. Yes, you just found out you have magic, yes, you formed a special bond with Mordred the druid boy because you both have magic, yes, Uther had been lying to you about magic from day 1, yes, you're probably misunderstood, because you have magic and only a 'servant' knows about it, and you feel that no one understands you except for other people who have magic. But seriously woman, stop and use your brains for a bit. You also blamed everyone but yourself. Guess nurture wins this round. Or was it nature, because that's what Uther did as well?
- Where's the whole 'lesson learnt' thing for Merlin in The Witchfinder episode? Because he used magic carelessly, the witchfinder came, Gaius was arrested and tortured and almost burnt at the stake, and a whole lot of incidents could be avoided had Merlin just look around him before he made that smoke turn its shape into a horse. There should be an admonition from Gaius, and he should be apologizing profusely, but maybe it's just me. LOL Although Gaius scolding Uther was a delight, because it's about time and that man needed someone to stop him from going witchhunt-crazy.
- Arthur and Morgana's relationship/Merlin and Morgana's relationship. I wish they'd expand on these relationships, because at the moment Morgana is like the convenient scapegoat for everything. Plus, Merlin did kno about Morgana having magic, and it wasn't spoken of until the second-to-last episode, which is a waste. AndArthur and Morgana are practically siblings, so that relationship isn't explored.
There might be some points I'm forgetting, Generally, it's not totally excellent but the acting's rather solid but the script can be silly at times, and occasionally the actors overact/underact, but it's a pleasant show to marathon. But now it's on to S3!
- Location:bed
- Mood: awake
- Music:silence
But I'm sleepy, so I just thought, let me post this, so that people will poke and prod me to do it (if you are inclined to do so) and I can get it done faster. :)
Night people!
- Location:bed
- Mood:
sleepy - Music:something crashing
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1){kind=small}
hells_half_acre because this meme sounds like a good way to do some introspection on Supernatural during the hiatus.( This way to the answers to life's questions.. LOL )
- Location:library
- Mood:
bouncy - Music:Impossible - Shontelle
( Spoilers for Supernatural 7x18 obviously... )
In other news, I got a twitter reply from Tom Hiddleston!!!! Argh!! *jumps around in glee* I don't know how to screencap the tweet though :( Can anyone help me out in that aspect??
- Location:bed
- Mood: bouncy
- Music:What Makes You Beautiful - 1D (keeps playing in my head)
So I went to a friend's house yesterday, and it was raining cats and dogs while I was there, and I told her we should watch a movie while it was raining. We ended up with I Am Number Four, because I've never watched it, and I've always liked looking at Dianna Agron's face in Glee, so I thought, why not?
( I would think I don't have to warn for spoilers... )
- Location:bed
- Mood: sleepy
- Music:silence
But hopefully everything will be on track after this. Crossing my fingers.
And for those who have seen me whine, complain, or generally be boring on twitter, hopefully all the inane chatter will come to an end too. :)
In the meantime, an RL friend suggested I start writing again. I might just take her advice.
- Location:bed
- Mood:
hopeful - Music:silence
It's scary. I got to watch the vid of it, and although the cameras were respectfully turned away as the medics were working on him, the other images of the spectators and the other players waiting for better news are not much better.
Good news is, he's reported to be stable. Thank God. I don't want him to become another Marc-Vivien Foe.
- Location:home in bed
- Mood:
shocked - Music:a minute of silence
This is NOT acceptable. Why has Singapore signed this agreement, I have no excuse, except perhaps to follow the 'cool' guys. Singapore in itself has a very restricted viewing, even more so when the shows are shown in cable, because the company caters to the neighbouring countries as well, and censorship is so scissor-happy they usually cut the bloody episode into nearly half, leaving the viewers to wonder what the hell is going on in between.
In Singapore, there is really NOTHING exciting happening, so the usual pastime for Singaporeans is either eating or going to the cinema. We are still fueling the entertainment industry, we are still buying the DVDs or the merchandise or the franchise, and for the real fans, we actually view the shows when they finally arrive on our shores. Repeatedly. For the love of God, we are giving you more publicity than you can buy for your own money, and this is how you want to return the appreciation?
Originally posted by
electricdruid at The fiasco continues
ACTA in a Nutshell –
What is ACTA? ACTA is the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. A new intellectual property enforcement treaty being negotiated by the United States, the European Community, Switzerland, and Japan, with Australia, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Mexico, Jordan, Morocco, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada recently announcing that they will join in as well.
Why should you care about ACTA? Initial reports indicate that the treaty will have a very broad scope and will involve new tools targeting “Internet distribution and information technology.”
What is the goal of ACTA? Reportedly the goal is to create new legal standards of intellectual property enforcement, as well as increased international cooperation, an example of which would be an increase in information sharing between signatory countries’ law enforcement agencies.
Essential ACTA Resources -
- Read more about ACTA here: ACTA Fact Sheet
- Read the authentic version of the ACTA text as of 15 April 2011, as finalized by participating countries here: ACTA Finalized Text
- Follow the history of the treaty’s formation here: ACTA history
- Read letters from U.S. Senator Ron Wyden wherein he challenges the constitutionality of ACTA: Letter 1 | Letter 2 | Read the Administration’s Response to Wyden’s First Letter here: Response
- Watch a short informative video on ACTA: ACTA Video
- Watch a lulzy video on ACTA: Lulzy Video
Say NO to ACTA. It is essential to spread awareness and get the word out on ACTA.
Via Tumblr- Location:bed
- Mood:
aggravated - Music:Sherlock's theme song
This will still be slightly incoherent, because I can never really write down my reviews logically.Wait, these are not even reviews really, more like impressions? Squees? LOL
( Spoilers obviously, for the episode... and general squee-ness... )
Ah, there are so many things going through my mind, but I shall stop here. Maybe in another post when I do a re-watch.
- Location:library
- Mood: bouncy
- Music:Sherlock!
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