Merlin (BBC version) Spoilers abound

[Acolyte Of Bli'l'ab]

Being British myself, I just don't get who recent British fantasy and sci-fi shows are appealing too. The standard is complete garbage. I've seen better live action kids TV during the 90s than shows like Merlin, Robbin Hood, Primeval, etc.

I understand that it actually finds a market upon export to the US though. Probably largely because of the success the new Dr. Who and Torchwood. Which are both of the same poor standard as far as I'm concerned.

It truly boggles my mind that this stuff isn't on at 4pm in the afternoon or Saturday mornings.

You're not alone. I completely agree, especially with the standards being poor. Merlin definitly reminds me of the same goofy cheese as robin hood/dr who/torchwood/primeval ect.

As for kids tv, I guess ill stick with reruns of Knightmare

I really wish someone in the UK would make a serious fantasy or sci-fi drama. Sick of this kiddy crap...

I'm making a show called Mist Forging, but its certainly not aimed at commercial audiences. But if you want something with hard science, lovecraftian horror and a 40kish style - you might like this. If you're interested, ill happily PM the concept work iv done for it over to you.

[Coutelier]

Anything is better than that King Arthur movie... perhaps if they hadn't claimed it to be the 'true story' of King Arthur and then filled it with more inaccuracies than a historian can shake his pen at I would have found it more bearable.

As for BBC's Merlin... I always imagined Merlin to be much older than Arthur. Still, I'll wait and see how the story progresses.

The best Arthur movie, as everyone knows, was 'Merlin and the Sword' You know if you take all the D's out of Edward Woodwards name he'd be called Ewar Woowar.

[crazymitchell]

I really enjoy this show. Its one of only a few shows that I watch with my family

[Reefgirl]

Being British myself, I just don't get who recent British fantasy and sci-fi shows are appealing too. The standard is complete garbage. I've seen better live action kids TV during the 90s than shows like Merlin, Robbin Hood, Primeval, etc.

I understand that it actually finds a market upon export to the US though. Probably largely because of the success the new Dr. Who and Torchwood. Which are both of the same poor standard as far as I'm concerned.

It truly boggles my mind that this stuff isn't on at 4pm in the afternoon or Saturday mornings.

I really wish someone in the UK would make a serious fantasy or sci-fi drama. Sick of this kiddy crap...

Well don't watch it then. Even Robin Hood is better than the substandard shows that are imported from the US, for kids and adults, you can't honestly say that Atlantis and BSG are better than Dr Who and Torchwood?

I really enjoy this show. Its one of only a few shows that I watch with my family

Me too, some of it is a bit far fetched like how light the castle is, even at night, how clean every one is (apart from Merlin after being pelted with rotten tomatoes) and how everyone is treated as an equal, but I can forgive the historical lapses for fifty minutes of watchable telly.

Robin of Sherwood was a lot better in it's plots and action and it's portrayal of mythology and the soundtrack just rocked.

[jenks]

Well don't watch it then. Even Robin Hood is better than the substandard shows that are imported from the US, for kids and adults, you can't honestly say that Atlantis and BSG are better than Dr Who and Torchwood?

Atlantis and BSG are in a league above Dr Who and Torchwood, I don't even know how anyone could compare the two seriously. As for Robin Hood, words can't even describe how bad it is, as a Briton, I feel embarrassed of it by association. How the BBC or anyone can consider that quality entertainment is beyond me. The BBC series that can compete with it's American counterparts in terms of quality is Spooks.

[Reefgirl]

Atlantis and BSG are in a league above Dr Who and Torchwood, I don't even know how anyone could compare the two seriously.

Are we watching the same shows??

[Madeleine]

Atlantis and BSG are in a league above Dr Who and Torchwood, I don't even know how anyone could compare the two seriously.

Don't you? quality is subjective, of course, but surely the fact that DW wins Hugos and stuff should give you an inkling of how people manage to compare the two. (And frequently, to find the SG shows lacking.)

But as to Merlin, it's not supposed to be intellectual, or earth-shattering, or the next epoch in the history of television. It's supposed to be good FAMILY entertainment, for a UK audience (that will perhaps sell overseas and nice if it does) but ultimately all that will matter is whether the UK family after-supper audience bites.

[Reefgirl]

Don't you? quality is objective, of course, but surely the fact that DW wins Hugos and stuff should give you an inkling of how people manage to compare the two. (And frequently, to find the SG shows lacking.)

But as to Merlin, it's not supposed to be intellectual, or earth-shattering, or the next epoch in the history of television. It's supposed to be good FAMILY entertainment, for a UK audience (that will perhaps sell overseas and nice if it does)but ultimately all that will matter is whether the UK family after-supper audience bites.

Or the pre/post Strictly watchers who can't be bothered to switch off the telly

Another unofficial Green for you Mads

[jenks]

Don't you? quality is objective, of course,

You mean subjective?

but surely the fact that DW wins Hugos and stuff should give you an inkling of how people manage to compare the two. (And frequently, to find the SG shows lacking.)

Never heard of them. Dr Who is a children's TV show, a successful one no doubt, but that's still all it is. I don't see how you can compare such a cheap and tacky show like that to the likes of Stargate or BSG, it's a joke by comparison, one of those 'it's so bad it's good' type shows.

But as to Merlin, it's not supposed to be intellectual, or earth-shattering, or the next epoch in the history of television. It's supposed to be good FAMILY entertainment, for a UK audience (that will perhaps sell overseas and nice if it does)but ultimately all that will matter is whether the UK family after-supper audience bites.

By that logic reality shows are the very peak of TV viewing.

[Madeleine]

You mean subjective?

Yes indeed

Never heard of them.

Probably because Atlantis and SG1 don't tend to win them - though I'm pretty sure BSG has been nominated more than once. But they're pretty much the Oscars of the SF world.

Dr Who is a children's TV show, a successful one no doubt, but that's still all it is. I don't see how you can compare such a cheap and tacky show to the likes of Stargate or BSG, it's a joke by comparison, one of those 'it's so bad it's good' type shows.

I compare them by, well, comparing them. I don't see how anyone can not see how comparing can be done

By that logic reality shows are the very peak of TV viewing.

Eh? What? who's talking about reality shows or peaks? Can we talk about Merlin please? It's supposed to be fun, and magical, and suitable for family viewing, and it'll either succeed or fail on each of those points, but it's not really anything like a reality show

If you don't like it, though, fine

[Pitry]

You mean subjective?



Never heard of them. Dr Who is a children's TV show, a successful one no doubt, but that's still all it is. I don't see how you can compare such a cheap and tacky show like that to the likes of Stargate or BSG, it's a joke by comparison, one of those 'it's so bad it's good' type shows.



By that logic reality shows are the very peak of TV viewing.

Personally, and at the age of 24, I find DW to be more mature, dealing with a lot of materials in much more depth and with a lot more thought put into it than either SG or BSG.
And it really isn't either tacky or cheap, io looks fantastic.

[jenks]

We'll have to agree to disagree then. For me the special effects are poor, and would be ripped to pieces if they appeared in SG or BSG, David Tennant over acts to cringe worthy levels, and the sets looks like they were built for a primary school play, but each to their own.

[Madeleine]

We'll have to agree to disagree then. For me ... David Tennant over acts to cringe worthy levels

Sure, it's horses for courses and all that

(But David Tennant isn't even IN Merlin )

[Pitry]

(But David Tennant isn't even IN Merlin )

A shame, really. I'm sure they can give him a guest role as Sir Gawain or something!

Speaking of actors, I've stated it in the past, but Colin Morgan is a joy to watch.

[Reefgirl]

He is really good