Comments | crabby_lioness: Merlin Episode 5: (The Once and Future) Lancelot

crabby_lioness

Merlin Episode 5: (The Once and Future) Lancelot

Feb 04, 2009 08:43

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 ( Read more... )

merlin

Comments 27

mossylawn February 4 2009, 21:28:45 UTC

I'm not really a fan of Lancelot, but I do find this version of him much more...digestable than usual. He's got good chemistry (romantic and other) with Gwen, Merlin and Arthur respectively, though I am not exactly looking forward to his return all that much, I still find him quite dull.

crabby_lioness February 4 2009, 21:47:01 UTC

I've read and seen so many bad Lancelots it's an effort not to cringe at his name. This one was decent, but he needed a better script.

mossylawn February 4 2009, 23:24:18 UTC

I know, I made a blatant facepalm while seeing the episode title, I'm happy that it didn't turn out to be a disaster though.

clancy_s February 4 2009, 23:09:54 UTC

I agree wrt the characterisations of Arthur, Lancelot and Merlin - the show does very well with them.

wrt Arthur hearing Merlin casting the spell at the Afanc - one can make a good case for it but I suspect the producers intent is that Arthur doesn't know, which I think is one of the story telling weaknesses.

wrt featuring both the girls: although the show is called "Merlin" IMO it's primarily about Merlin and Arthur with the other 4 regulars being supporting characters. We don't usually get balanced amounts of Gaius and Uther either...

crabby_lioness February 5 2009, 00:53:00 UTC

Since tis is a BBC production, I generally assume a greater level of sophistication than I do with American productions.

betsyli February 5 2009, 05:54:33 UTC

Fantastic analysis, once again.

crabby_lioness February 5 2009, 05:59:13 UTC

Thanks. Just posted #6.

morcalivan February 5 2009, 18:36:11 UTC

Another fantastic review! I just finished reading through them all and I HAVE to go rewatch the episodes now. I will admit I am not very knowledgeable about the legends and pretty much just take the epsiodes at face value, but reading these insights just makes the story take on so much more depth and I think I am falling in love with Merlin all over again. Thank you ^_^

crabby_lioness February 5 2009, 21:00:18 UTC

Thank you for reading. :)