Merlin
It probably really screws any geek cred I may actually have to admit this, but I was never really into Arthurian legend. I was a voracious reader growing up, and as such read some fantasy along the way, but none of it really stuck. My beloved books were Laura Ingalls Wilder and L.M. Montgomery. My mother fed me the classics, like Emily Bronte (this explains my penchant for overdrama and my deep and abiding love for romance novels) and Upton Sinclair. I didn’t really get into fantasy until college, when I gravitated towards the other geeks and read J.R.R. Tolkien, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, C.S. Lewis (though I never really warmed to Lewis – the Christian themes are a little overt when you’re reading the books at nineteen). I read some Arthurian stuff along the way, but never really dove headfirst into it.
This might explain why I have no real problems with Merlin, the BBC’s latest interpretation of the legend which, frankly, takes the Arthur myth, switches it around, and comes out with something awesome.
Merlin starts off in the reign of King Uther Pendragon, who has ruled for 20 (plus?) years and has banned magic from Camelot for about that long. The Once and Future King is still a prince, and Merlin is teenaged peasant who happens to have powers that no one has seen the likes of before. He comes to Camelot, where he has to hide his magic from all but his guardian, the royal physician Gaius, and promptly meets and gets into a completely unmatched brawl with Arthur. Needless to say, they aren’t terribly thrilled with each other. And when Merlin is informed by the dragon imprisoned beneath the castle that it’s his destiny to protect Arthur? Even less thrilled. When he saves his life and is “rewarded” with the position of Arthur’s manservant? You get the picture.
The dynamic between Arthur and Merlin is what makes the show. They start out snarky and bitchy, and frankly, they stay snarky and bitchy, but you can see them growing closer together through the numerous near-death experiences until several episodes in, you realize they’re two friends who will literally do anything for each other.
The slash practically writes itself. Hell, the slash has been snacking on my brain nonstop since I watched the first series right after Christmas, and shows no sign of letting up anytime soon.
There are problems, of course. If you’re a history geek, like me, you too will wince slightly at the tomatoes, potatoes, sandwiches, and sleeveless gowns that no medieval woman would wear in public, but those are little details. (And technically, the story takes place in “Albion,” which is an old name for Britain, but in this case is technically a complete fantasyland). Let go of the little details, and you have an awesome, engaging series that appeals to multiple generations.
In short? Totally recommend.
Edit: Christ, I sound pretentious…it’s the NyQuil, I swear. Less pompously: Merlin is silly, snarky, has terrible CGI and really great acting (Anthony Stewart Head as Uther Pendragon is the most recognizable, but Bradley James and Colin Morgan are both awesome as Arthur and Merlin. Oh, also for any former or current Heroes fans: Mystery Sock! As Lancelot! It actually works). It’s compelling and damn addicting, and I may never get my soul back. It’ll be on NBC this summer. Watch it.
I’m also likely to pontificate on about my fanfic writing for Merlin, so the two or three of you actually reading this blog should keep that in mind.