Pics and a few fandom musings :)

[magog_83]

This is a bit of a multi-purpose post - real life first, then fandom :D

Warning for one series 4 spoiler from kapow.

Since I finished my glompfest yesterday, I have been chilling out a bit today and I treated myself to a trip to Bath and a look round the Museum of Costume. I only live about 20 minutes from the city but I haven't been round the museum for a few years. Anyway we are now allowed to take photos inside so here are a few lovely costumes + me in a crinoline (with no face, EVERY SINGLE PICTURE had my camera in the way - sorry!)

First of all a few shots of my favourite dress, which I've loved since I first went to the museum a good twenty years ago now. It's a silver tissue dress from the 1660s and it's one of the few complete costumes to survive from such an early period.





And here is a court dress from the eighteenth century. I'm guessing they had to go through the doors sideways :D



Some gorgeous regency gowns.





And shoooooooes



And then me in a corset and crinoline. There was a brilliant room where you could try on different historical undergarments. Tragically the Tudor corset was too big for me :( However I really loved this get up, I'm one of those 'pear shape' people so I could totally work this style and no-one would ever know my bottom half is bigger. ;)



Now FANDOM.

I've been catching up on my flist today and reading the reports from Kapow etc. What do people think of the 'one year on' thing being used again for series 4??? I'm not sure how I feel about that AT ALL. It just seems like an excuse for lazy writing and not having to actually show anyone's character progression to me. We just get presented with a fait accompli and have to accept it. Like Morgana suddenly losing all her compassion and good sense. Maybe Arthur and Gwen have got married in the hiatus this time? (God no, I'm joking, please don't let that happen). I haven't seen any other real spoilers for the series from yesterday, unless I missed it somehow?!?

Also, since I have nervewrackingly finished my glompfest (which was meant to be short and ended up being my longest posted fic so far, although the MTM sequel is actually a tiny bit longer), does anyone have any glompfest must reads?? It looks like they're ALL amazing and I intend to read them all, but WHAT TO READ FIRST? ::ANGST::

I'm already half way through the one where Ygraine is Queen and Merlin is Arthur's tutor, that is brilliant so far, such a clever idea and so beautifully written. I've also read planejane's of course, which was PERFECT and nostalgic and romantic (although I have a terrible feeling I didn't reply properly to the second part yet because I read it on my phone. MUST DO THAT).

ETA: I have just read the update for 'Last of the International Playboys' over at the kmm and it's such a great fic but I don't know if I can take the sadness :/ I hate Merlin or Arthur with someone else and the other one suffering and everyone knowing and pitying them but telling them to suck it up. I know it's realistic, but my OTP are kind of sacred with me. Is anyone else reading it? There is supposed to be a happy M/A ending, right?!?

I will leave you with an interesting development discovered this very evening when I went upstairs for my phone charger. I blame mum who knocked their little pot off the shelf and then shoved them back in any old way because they are, and I quote, "only action figures." I know, I was shocked too. But it did provide me with this HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS scene.



Now I know what you're all thinking. Is that really a copy of Shocks for the Chalet School I can see behind them? I can only say, yes it is (and it's a good one so there), but more importantly, I now suspect possible shenanigans on the shelf.

Mini Merlin is still claiming he tripped on a stray paper clip and so did Mini Arthur.

I remain unconvinced.

Comments

[sighnomore.livejournal.com]

so many pretty costumes *__*


Maybe Arthur and Gwen have got married in the hiatus this time? ... now you seriously scared me ._.

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

As I'm waiting to go to the airport, I read your glomp - which was adorable. I'll do a proper review when I get back!

I'm quite concerned about the 1 year jump again. Damn it, I want to see how Arthur deals with Uther and all the lies that he's been telling Arthur. I want to see the progression of what happens. Is Arthur going to be regent? Is Uther going to have a fit about the knights and kissing Gwen? These are important to character development. Plus I wonder why they keep having these jumps. Are they really going to finish off the series next year? It's the only real reason I can see for skipping a year. :(

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I AM SORRY. I know I shouldn't even think of these things, but the thought does lurk occasionally, and they literally have NOWHERE ELSE to take their relationship now. There is just no drama to it at all unless they're brave enough to go with the Lancelot/Guinevere thing.

The costumes were very pretty :D LET THE PRETTY COSTUMES DISTRACT YOU FROM THE WEDDING.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

:D Thank you. ::waves across the Atlantic at you:: I hope this gorgeous weather continues while you're over here :)

I find the one year jump so weird, because some things leap on dramatically with no explanation, but other things show no progress whatsoever. Like Merlin and Arthur themselves who seem to be exactly the same in 3x01, or even Gwen and Arthur who have presumably spent AN ENTIRE YEAR just exchanging the odd 'heated' look :/ The plotting of the show is just a bizarre mix sometimes of inexplicable character developments and plots out of left field, and total stagnation and a refusal to have anything ACTUALLY change (or if it does, it just goes right back the week after). Consistency does not seem to be their strong point!

I think they're going to finish with series 5 and we're getting the magic reveal RIGHT AT THE END. I would love to be wrong about that last bit though.

[darlulu.livejournal.com]

I'm sorta disappointed there's going to be another time jump before S4. For me, it all comes back to the eventual magic reveal because the longer Merlin keeps the secret from Arthur, the worse it'll be imo. It's looking like in the end (provided we get a reveal either in the last two seconds of S4's finale or more likely some time over the course of the final series) it'll have been about 5-6 years of Merlin lying to Arthur and that just seems a bit excessive. I'm also wary of what the time jump will mean for Arthur/Gwen. I worry it will mean more Drama and Angst and OMG Obstacles That Aren't Actually Obstacles for them which sucks 'cause that translates to more airtime. I was so hoping their relationship would fade into the background a bit more in the next series and keep the lukewarm blahness to a minimum.

Anyway, here are a few of my favorite glomp_fest recs so far -

Laundry Letters

Things Fall Apart

Absence, Self from Self

Universal Language

Intended

[darlulu.livejournal.com]

Oops forgot one -

The Secret Life of Daydreams :)

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I think if they did a magical reveal at the very end and didn't have any plans about continuing it in some way - as a special or a movie or something - Shine would have fans storming at the gates!

I was thinking they might have a magical reveal the end of this year as a cliff-hanger.

[solanyxe.livejournal.com]

You look good in the historical type of undergarment! :D

The 18th century dress - it's a pity it doesn't have a stomacher.
It looks like something from the middle of the 18th century, but it could be from as late as the early seventies of the century. But the pannier is so awfully large, it's probably closer to the fifties. Then again, it's a court (formal) dress, so it could be of a later date. Wargh!
Was an estimate of the decade given?


"What do people think of the 'one year on' thing being used again for series 4???"
WHAT? I didn't even know. Time to go back to denial my happy place?

LOL at Merlin and Arthur in the last picture. *saves the photo*
I remained unconvinced too.
And I was actually thinking, 'Is that Madame Bovary I can see behind them?' XD

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Thank you for all the recs!!! I am beginning with Laundry Letters :)

I completely agree with you regarding the time that has passed. We're up to about 4 years already and Arthur seems to be treating Merlin the same as he did in the beginning of series one a lot of the time. In turn, Merlin is STILL lying to him and as you say, by the time he does tell him or Arthur finds out, the lie will have gone on for so long :(

I'm also wary of what the time jump will mean for Arthur/Gwen.

I KNOOOOW. I think they have flogged that dead horse as far as they can at this point. All I foresee for series 4 is more 'Gwen in Peril' so Arthur can prove how he only cares about her, some more OMG WE CAN NEVER BE crap, maybe a bit of jealous!Gwen thrown in for good measure and not enough Gwen/Lancelot by far. Basically rinse, repeat. I wanted them to fade into the background too. Yes, because I don't enjoy that storyline at all, but also because I just don't see what it adds to the show now. Arthur's love is pure and true. Gwen is pure and true. OMG THEY CAN'T BE. But we all know they will be when Arthur is King because Morgana saw it and all of the magical visions in the show come true. So there is just no interest there. I don't care about the endless angsting over a relationship that we all know is heading straight to Disneyland. I want to see MERLIN, and adventures, and Arthur and Merlin forging Albion.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Argh! I wish I could remember now about the court dress. I think it was later, because the audioguide was stressing how the style reached its zenith in that more exaggerated style as the century went on. There were two different eighteenth century dresses in that style, but that was the clearest picture I had :) I thought it was odd they didn't add some sort of substitute stomacher for it, the silver tissue dress has a chemise underneath that isn't original.

FORGET I SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE YEAR GAP.

I'm sure I was just imagining that anyway. Probably.

Yes, that is Madame Bovary on the shelf :D My book shelves are a very eclectic mix of girl's stories about ponies, school and ballet, and historical novels, Doctor Who, Torchwood, Star Wars and the classics :D

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Wow yes, I think a lot of people would be extremely hacked off!!

I would love a magic reveal cliffhanger :D :D It would ramp up the interest in series 5 AND hopefully mean more than one episode dealing with it and the fall out.

[solanyxe.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. So it's probably from the 1770s, because in 1780s, the tendency was actually to simplify everything (a style Marie Antoinette herself was sporting, so you could say that the trend that bloomed fully during the Napoleonic/Regency period started already before the French revolution). But yeah, I could see some poor women wearing that kind of court dress long after it went out of fashion in less formal situations. But I'm rambling! I'm sorry.

Yes, I think the dress would look better, even if they added a piece that wasn't originally part of it.

---
Forgotten. ;)
Honestly, I don't even know why I'm surprised they decided to go that route. Skip another year. It's like I forget each time what kind of approach the screenwriters had so far. Oh well.
I will not rant, I will not rant, I will not...

---
Isn't that the best mix - all the books you like? :)

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Don't apologise! Historical trivia is NEVER boring to me. I will definitely bow to your greater knowledge on this one :) :) It's not my period at all, I'm good up to about the mid seventeenth century and then it's all extremely vague until the infamous empire line appears.

---
the temptation to rant is strong I know
---

And yes, my bookcases are crazy, but I love them that way ;)

[siptah57.livejournal.com]

First of all, love the dresses. I have always been fascinated with historical clothing. I don't know, it just puts me powerfully in touch with the past. Maybe the cloth is still holding people's energy? It's great when museums have inter-active type exhibits. I went to an armory once where we got to play with swords and daggers and chainmail and helmets. It was so much fun. It's cool that they let people try on different undergarmets, you would definitly be belle of the ball, Scarlett. I think I'm in the minority about the year gap. I thought it was a good idea because it would allow them to advance the story and the age of the characters and perhaps to get us into the meatier parts of the myths. It's just that they dropped the ball so badly the last time they did it, especially with Morgana, now I'm nervous about it. I guess we'll see. Perhaps they have learned a little about how NOT to do it this time? *hopes* :-) p.s. Tripped on a paperclip? Riight.

[solanyxe.livejournal.com]

Oh, I can definitely see it as a court dress in 1770s, but it does strike me as too wide for the next two decades, even for such a formal occasion.

You're really too kind. I don't know that much, but I find it interesting, so I may have spent too much time watching paintings of the period, photos of dresses and furniture, and reading all kinds of unimportant trivia.
---
At least I have company. ;)
---
The best kind of crazy!

[capricornucopia.livejournal.com]

That is a beautiful dress! And the shoes! Wow, they're really pretty. I had no idea. I guess I've never really seen proper shoes, as in the movies they're all covered up with the dresses that ladies have to walk sideways through doorways in. XD I like the picture of you in your dress! I am jealous you got to try it on. ;)

IDK what to think about another year thing. I agree, it seems like such a waste of character development and it's such a shame that they could tell the story properly, but they're deliberately missing out on it. AGAIN. Argh!

My face was completely O: when I saw the picture of Mini Merlin and Mini Arthur. Shocking!

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

There's something about personal items like clothing that have survived from so long ago :) I saw Elizabeth I's christening gown at Sudeley Castle and it was so amazing to think that nearly 400 years ago she had actually worn that. I have three 16th century coins, and I feel like that about them too, just thinking of all the hands that held them, all the pockets they were in and all the different things they bought.

I get what you mean about the year gap. I've got nothing against it per se. When series 3 rolled around and a year had passed and they were at war, it seemed quite exciting! But then the way they handled it in the end just really disappointed me and I'm dreading more illogical 'off-screen' leaps this time round as well :/ I would love to be proven wrong though!

Mini Merlin points out those paperclips can be very... slippy.

[thisbirdsflown.livejournal.com]

Oh I love those dresses! And the shoes! I wanted to go there so badly when I was in Bath, but we ended up not having time D:

I am really unsure about the time jump. I feel the way you do about it and am quite disappointed to not see what happened directly after Arthur, Merlin & Co. took back Camelot. And, frankly, I would much rather Arthur and Gwen get married in the gap than watch an episode (or two) dedicated to the marriage. I love them both but try as hard as I might I just cannot like them together, the way the writers have written it :/

Not wholly sure how I feel about a darker Merlin, yet. On the one hand \0/ but on the other, I really adore sweet silly Merlin. I'll get over it.

I am terrible. I have read everything on my phone so I have yet to comment (oops) and plan on fixing that immediately. I absolutely adored yours, though! I love your Arthur. I just want to squish his silly self. Will leave a proper comment on it in a moment, but just wanted to tell you I loved it :D A couple glomp fest fics that I really enjoyed (that I didn't see mentioned):

The Great Pretender Isn’t Just the Title of a Platters Song by rotrude (I am such a sucker for "pretending to be married/in a relationship" fics. And it was really lovely!)

And Then They Kiss by giselleslash (so warm and gentle and wonderful)

Leaving Only Bells of Lightning by shes_gone (loved the insecurities and the backdrop of a storm and oh just everything)

Odd Mysteries by lolafeist (I am not always fond of girl!Merlin (it really depends) but this was absolutely wonderful! Very hot to boot.)

Ahahaha I love your mini thems! Oh you read my mind there. I was certainly focusing on Shocks for the Chalet School and not the HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS manner in which they "tripped". (I totally couldn't even find that title for a moment, tbh)

[mordyn4]

That picture makes you look very tall. :D :D :D Tall is good, imo. Anyway, what would happen if you sat down in that thing? Does it fold a bit, or no?

That blue and gold dress looks just like my new scarf! I want to steal it.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

A 'One year later' jump is bit of a worry. I want to see how Arthur copes with semi-comatose Uther - how he manages the diminishment of his powerful father and how he copes with stepping into his shoes, until he recovers.

Those costumes are great. I have a cousin in Bath. Maybe I should go visit *g*

>I remain unconvinced.
I'm not surprised. That 'stray paper clip' excuse is *so* old.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

The shoes were part of their 'behind the scenes' exhibit where they showed some of the stores at the museum not currently on proper display. As well as all those shoes, they had a whole table full of parasols, another of bags and another one of hats - it was fascinating!!

They don't seem very keen on telling the story properly, we only seem to get the proper mythology stuff towards the end of each series :/ I guess we will have to wait and see when some real spoilers come out, kapow was pretty disappointing in that respect.

All I will say about the Mini Thems latest is that I was SCANDALISED. I may have to put them on different shelves ;)

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

And, frankly, I would much rather Arthur and Gwen get married in the gap than watch an episode (or two) dedicated to the marriage.

I'm not sure I would be brave enough to watch that, but I get where you're coming from! I really want less focus on the romance now they've established it, and more on the characters themselves and this grand destiny they're supposed to be part of. Not that I would put a secret wedding past Capps... Where Arthur and Gwen got married in the missing year and are secretly together waiting for Arthur to be King. Other than that, I think it's going to be the big finale to the series, or part of it anyway.

I'm a bit bleh on the dark Merlin part, 'dark' to TPTB seems to involve making Merlin suffer, and I don't want anymore of that :(

Thank you for the recs!!! Much appreciated <3 I like all those writers so I am looking forward to those. I just finished the Queen Ygraine one and I thought that one was brilliant, so much wonderful new fic to read!

Plus I am also a huge sucker for the old 'pretending to be married' trope ;) Fics like Lord Drake's Bequest especially :)

I suppose I can understand your not noticing my Chalet School reading, what with the scandalous scandal playing out RIGHT IN THE CENTRE OF THE PIC. I may have to banish them to separate shelves :D :D

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Actually I didn't even think about sitting down in it! I should have tried, there were a good few benches about. I imagine the front would have swung up and caused me to flash at everyone (except fortunately in this case I still had my jeans on). They must have been so impractical! For all that they look lovely :)

The blue and gold dress was gorgeous, it was one of my favourite Regency ones. So many of them are white, it was nice to see something more colourful there!

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I really really hope it's not going to skip over the fallout from series 3 completely (although if they wanted to take that weird spell off Morgana and have her actually act like herself, I would be fine with that). I guess there will be an element of reset, because there always is, but I hope not too much. If the show never moves on, it risks becoming completely stagnant.

YOU SHOULD VISIT! You can see the Assembly Rooms too, they're in the same building :D Bath is gorgeous this time of year, and they have completely rebuilt the bottom half of the main shopping street :)

via glompfest's friendlist

[disprove.livejournal.com]

The one year on thing displeases me. It didn't do anything last time except give them an excuse for Morgana's sudden change in personality. I'm hoping they do something different with it this time but I doubt they would, really. It just seems lazy.

Maybe Arthur and Gwen have got married in the hiatus this time? (God no, I'm joking, please don't let that happen).

Oh man no, now you've gone and scared me. I share your feelings re: Arthur/Gwen. I find their romance and the Obstacles That Aren't tedious and a waste of screentime and it's even worse now that they're out to everyone and the previous tension has gone out of their relationship.

Re: via glompfest's friendlist

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Hi :D

I seem to have scared everyone with my A/G comment! I should have thought this through better, or maybe added a 'Readers May Find The Following Thought Disturbing' warning beforehand... I really think that given the way they've written the relationship, it doesn't deserve the amount of screentime it seems to be getting. There's not really much internal drama to it (beyond the OMG WE CAN NEVER BE!) because Arthur just fell in love and his feelings have never wavered, AND they're honorable (as in, he wants to marry her and make her his Queen). In turn Gwen is just really kind and honorable too, and Lancelot is mostly out of the picture, so... They're just happy and are planning marriage when Uther is dead?! It's not the most scintillating of plotlines :/

At this point, I kind of resent the screentime it is taking from much bigger issues, like MERLIN AND THE REVEAL, or even just Arthur's leadership, the 'Emrys' thing or all the other elements of the Arthurian legend.

Also, I really hope they're planning to use the year gap thing WELL, and it's not just an excuse to skip over any difficult plotting/characterisation following Morgana's rule and Uther's breakdown. As Keewick was saying above, to me it's just dragging out the length of time Merlin has been keeping his magic secret from Arthur. Not to mention it makes the lack of progression in their friendship seem really weird (it's been what, 4 years now?!).

Re: via glompfest's friendlist

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

ps. I am trying to read what is written on your icon, but I just can't make it out :(

Re: via glompfest's friendlist

[disprove.livejournal.com]

Right, I don't find the pairing offensive or disgusting or anything, I just find them boring. :/ I don't know if it's the chemistry between the actors or the writing or both. Lancelot could've mixed things up a bit but Santiago's got another show so I doubt he'll be hanging out at Camelot next season. That said, I'm not really a fan of love triangles either. And the OMG WE CAN NEVER BE you've mentioned is lame too as they end up together ANYWAY.

At this point, I kind of resent the screentime it is taking from much bigger issues, like MERLIN AND THE REVEAL, or even just Arthur's leadership, the 'Emrys' thing or all the other elements of the Arthurian legend.

*nods nods* I want more legendary powerful!Merlin and noble!Arthur. Perhaps they'll move on with it this coming season? Hope springs eternal and all that.

excuse to skip over any difficult plotting/characterisation following Morgana's rule and Uther's breakdown

Wanna bet they just deal with Uther in offscreenville?

p.s. I can't read the text on my icon either but there's an accompanying wallpaper to it that says we're the heirs to the glimmering world. So I'm guessing it's the same text!

[a8c-sock.livejournal.com]

There's a museum of costume near Bath? *notes that down for next time she's there*

Pretty dresses. Such a shame the colours fade.

I am so annoyed about the year leap AGAIN. Are they trying to age Arthur and Merlin to Bradley and Colin's real ages or something? At this rate their characters will end up older than them.

I suspect nothing will have happened in that year. As it seems nothing happened in the last one aside from Arthur becoming a bit of an idiot and Morgana turning evil randomly.

If Arthur and Gwen have got married...god.

You know half of me wonders if they will do the magicla reveal during a year skip. Just so they don't have to deal with it. *sigh*

I am so behind reading fic. I was going to catch up today. And haven't. So many long and enjoyable looking fics posted at glomp fest it;s hard ot choose.

Awww mini Merlin and Arthur.

Re: via glompfest's friendlist

[siptah57.livejournal.com]

You are so right about the friendship thing. I wonder if since Arthur is now being open about his feelings for Gwen whether he will finally get past the idea of treating Merlin as a servant rather than the close friend that he is. Arthur's best friend really, he ought to know it by now.