Merlin Episode 5: (The Once and Future) Lancelot

[crabby_lioness]

There are over one hundred characters in the full-blown Arthurian Legends.  In my opinion the most difficult by far to write well is Lancelot.  If Arthur and Merlin are the foundation, then Lancelot is the keystone.  His strengths and virtues bind together the soaring arch of Arthurian Chivalry, and his weaknesses bring it crashing down.  So it is

Comments

[feilongfan]

> If Lancelot can hear Merlin speaking a spell from that far away through a helmet and over thundering hoofbeats, what makes you think Arthur can't hear the same thing when more lightly encumbered?

But Arthur passed out in that scene, right?

[crabby_lioness]

He's not passed out when Merlin helped him defeat the afanc in Episode 3.

[bwinter]

I'm glad to find someone who liked Lancelot as much as I did :) Throughout this episode, I found myself going, "Oh, that's so him" - and all of him, the chivalry and pride and stubbornness. They nailed him in particular in the last scene where he intervenes between Arthur and Uther, because that's the guy for whom the ideals, and his king, are more important than his own dream and place in life.

(And they had him on a cart, during his fight with Arthur. The show wins me just for that little touch.)

[crabby_lioness]

I'm not that fond of Lancelot the character, but I found this episode the best portrayal of him I've seen other than White's version.

This show wins on so many levels for the fight scenes. I'm halfway expecting full blown swashbuckling before it's over with.

[bwinter]

I wouldn't put it past them ;) Though on a certain level, they also win for not going for the uber-flashy swashbuckling - they're conscious of the limitations of armour and heavy swords, and that is worth glee in itself.

Merlin: Like the goofy puppy who runs head-on into a door and you still think he's adorable.

[crabby_lioness]

I can't help thinking the reenactors must be enjoying it for the fight scenes alone. They deserve a lot of credit for making it look real, and for people coming back from a fight looking like they've been put through a wringer.

[slashweaver]

Just a very quick note to say how much I'm enjoying reading your careful, useful and provocative thoughts on the Merlin episodes. I may not always entirely agree with you, but you make me think, and I love that!

I am friending you so I don't miss anything. :-)

[crabby_lioness]

Thank you. :-)

[slashweaver]

Do you have a book recommendation for me...? I am wanting to catch up on Arthuriana now, and in my dreams I see a lovely big tome giving a good detailed overview of the legends - not necessarily through to the present day - and perhaps some consideration of where/how they could have fit into actual history.

I used to be so into Arthurian legend in my teens and early 20s, but eventually got bored with it and gave up. Gosh, that was 20 years ago now! Back in those days, I was into fiction, so really all my 'knowledge' comes from novels and films. These days I'm far more into non-fiction, and Serious Research. But I don't know where to start.

Thank you in any case! Your posts are Serious Research in their own right. :-)

[crabby_lioness]

Not really, sorry. Most of my knowledge is that old as well, and my university was very Old School back then. None of this subtextural analysis for them, thank-you-very-much. The best thing I've read on it recently was an essay in Ronald Hutton's _Witches, Druids And King Arthur_ http://www.amazon.com/Witches-Druids-Arthur-Ronald-Hutton/dp/185285555X/ which examined the trends in Arthurian research in the 20th Century, but that's just one essay out of the book.

Sarcasticchick might be able to help you. http://sarcasticbabble.livejournal.com/ I know she'd read a lot on Arthur. I'm really more of a Robin Hood fan, but the latest rendition of that isn't worth watching sober.

[stealingpennies]

I'm really enjoying these episode reviews. I think because I've seen the whole series it's hard to recapture how I felt episode by episode so it's nice to see how the characters/stories are viewed by someone coming to them fresh, for the first time.

Personally, I hold to the view tht Arthur does know about the magic and has decided to keep quiet as the best option. I feel sure, however, that the producers will sacrifice continuity and sense for 'big drama' if it suits them next season.

It's interesting how much of the 'history' has been incorporated amongst the crack.

[crabby_lioness]

In my younger days I would have watched it all in one lump, but these days I enjoy taking my time with it. Or maybe that's just the children wearing may out. ;)

It's interesting how much of the 'history' has been incorporated amongst the crack.

All together now, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down...."

[cometotheedge]

I find it really interesting that you describe this ep as having no grace to it (compared to Poisoned Chalice) because I had a similar reaction. This one I think strives for a mythical feel - the dialogue in particular is more consciously 'Arthurian' than the first four eps. Whereas ep4 keeps the show's own unique appeal - the characters behaving as teenagers actually do - but at the same time creates moments straight out of the traditional myth. Specifically Arthur and Nimueh's encounter in the forest, which is full on Burne-Jones/La Belle-Dame-Sans-Merci. It's an interesting illustration of the effect different writers bring to a show.

As for looking forward to ep6...you're into a run now that lasts pretty much till the end of the series - every single ep brings something awesome :D

[crabby_lioness]

This series is the candy for the babies. It needs to slip right in nice and easy. "Here, you'll like this. Liked it? Want more? Here's Howard Pyle. Want more than that? Here's Mallory...."

[cometotheedge]

exactly. Ray Harryhausen's Jason of the Argonauts had much more to do with my reading Classics at uni than any other translation of Greek myth. See also Adam & the Ants videos on my love of costume drama ;)