TV and Satellite Week on Merlin (and tiny Radio Times bit)

[magog_83]

Photographs from TV and Satellite Week's short article on Merlin. Spoilers under the cut. And I'm sure everyone knows already, but if you click through on the pics (about 3 times I think), you can see them much bigger!









I'm particularly intrigued by

- No whole slapstick episodes
- 'Later in the series, Merlin gets his biggest chance to lead Arthur towards magic and reveal his secret powers, but things don't go to plan. He has to make decisions that will change the future, and the magical world looks to him for answers.'

Of course, they ALWAYS promise big on Merlin and deliver something a bit smaller so we'll have to wait and see I guess.

And here's the tiny Radio Times write up for episode one...

Comments

[bryonyashley.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing! :) The premises for S4 are really good, crossing my fingers i won't be disappointed.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

FINGERS CROSSED.

I want to love it again, I DO. At the very least I want to love Merlin and Arthur being adorable and having screen time together.

[eviltish.livejournal.com]

I like the idea of a darker show, more grown up. In the past, when they have gone there, it's always been done very well. Interesting that there's no mention of Gwen/Arthur in the pre-series write ups? I do wonder if they realised that they'd quite spectacularly jumped the gun with that in series 2.

I'm actually a lot more excited about this now than I was before,

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

It does seem strange they feature so little in the promotional stuff, especially when it seems clear we're getting a lot of A/G in the show itself this time round (I read on tumblr there are supposedly several Gwen centric eps?). They jumped the gun so far with that, I don't think they could even see the gun in the distance. Now we're left with A/G established grand love affair as the starting off point for all future development, without them ever bothering to show us how on earth they got there in the first place :/

I am excited to see how it all plays out! (the other stuff, I mean, especially Emrys).

[giecast.livejournal.com]

I was a little bit meh about S4 especially since they keep insisting that there will be no magic reveal. But I got excited again when I saw the trailer and read the reports about ep1. I really missed the boys.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I am slightly worried we're getting a magic reveal but that it will go wrong in some way, or just be to Gwen or something. This show will never ever move on in the way it NEEDS to. Even Morgana's 'visions' of Emrys are annoying me. OF COURSE she only sees old!Merlin, GOD FORBID she see anything that doesn't conveniently keep the plot at a standstill with regards to keeping the magic secret /grumps

I do miss the boys though, definitely <3

[venivincere]

Thanks for sharing these!

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

You're welcome :) I dashed to the corner shop this morning just to see if there was any exciting Merlin stuff.

[darlulu.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to hear there'll be no slapstick one-offs this season!

Going into the new series, I still worry that the knights are going to take away from the M/A arc, but various interviews have got me a little hopeful that the overall show itself will be of a higher quality and make for good entertainment all the same. But as you said, we'll just have to wait and see...

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Me too :( It is my biggest worry, especially after all the interviews suggesting that M/A only adventures are a thing of the past. There was already a bit of that last series with Gwaine turning up everywhere. I hope we still get quality M/A. I just worry that with the knights and all the storylines and characters they're dealing with, quality two hander scenes will be devoted to A/G and everything else will be ensemble.

[nefreed.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this!

'Later in the series, Merlin gets his biggest chance to lead Arthur towards magic and reveal his secret powers, but things don't go to plan. He has to make decisions that will change the future, and the magical world looks to him for answers

The regurgitation of plot points. I think we are going to see something like what we saw in 'The sins of the father'. Merlin has the chance, Arthur is being open minded, but in the end he will again be convinced that magic is bad because Merlin will have to lie.

oh show. I am sure I will be as frustrated by this ep as I was by SOTF.

Arthur is never going to like magic until episode 13, series 5. Or not even then, because they are planning a movie, so maybe they will save it for that.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I think you may be right :( Have you seen the new interview merlin-network just linked to??

http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/drama/merlin/interviews/colin-morgan-merlins-not-afraid-to-go-dark/14035

What can you reveal about Merlin in future episodes?
"Something terrible happens in the third episode. It’s not just a blow to his self confidence, but a blow to everything. The future then looks bleak as he’s meant to ensure the future of magic and what happens, what he’s done, leads to the complete opposite."

That sounds a bit ominous. I hope Arthur isn't going to turn into another Uther. ARGH SHOW. WHY?

[nefreed.livejournal.com]

ugh! That's depressing :( Arthur needs to show some development on the magic front. A tiny, little bit will do. Not go backwards.

All I can hope for is that atleast their friendship and bond remains intact this season and that Merlin is more the advisor and Arthur treats him better.

[po-nochka.livejournal.com]

Right, so here comes THE BIGGEST chance Colin kept on talking about and it will again fall through the roof because something magical will REALLY upset Arthur personally and Colin did not know how Arthur will survive that blow. That is NOT funny any more :(.

I'm still looking forward to the season and hoping for A/M moments, but dragging the reaveal really not helping their friendship.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I hope the magical thing is connected to Uther dying :/ I linked (above) to a new interview from What's On TV which seems to suggest something bad like that happening. Why do they recycle their plots so much?? They have loads of legends to choose from, magic and fantasy tropes to use and they keep doing the same thing and refusing to move the plot onwards in a meaningful way :(

I am looking forward to Merlin and Arthur bantering though, I have missed it!

[darcyjausten.livejournal.com]

Why do the producers not realise its Arthur/Merlin thats keeping viewers like me glued to the screen despite the crappy plotlines? Why?! Its like after that first series, the producers have decided with 'Look guys, these characters are NOT gay!' and decided to backtrack on the entire Arthur/Merlin relationship. Or they totally got it wrong and decided what we liked was Arthur being a douche bag and throwing things at Merlin was what its mostly female viewers enjoyed?!

Lol rant over! But I warn you now, I may well be ranting on LJ after saturday night's episode :DD

SPOILERS, SPOILERS

[po-nochka.livejournal.com]

Nope, I think it's too completely separate things actually. Uther will die in episode 3 and Merlin will turn into Dragoon and ofter to revive him ( however they play it, I think that will be the idea). The revival will not work that in effect will change Arthur's attitude towards magic for worse, not better. Arthur will turn his frustration on Merlin and they will fall out for a while ( there was a leak from show cateres ages back that B/C were preparing for a scene in the first block and did not talk to each other, I think that must be it) Arthur will lean towards Agravaine advice after that and Merlin will be struggling to find his place again.

Midseason when Merlin is lost after the rock fall, Arthur will realize how much Merlin means to him after all and later on Merlin will have that BIGGEST chance, but this time around it'll be Gwen & Lancelot who will blow Arthur off his feet and magic will be BAD; BAD; BAD once again.

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

I'm going to wait and see what comes. I tend to be rather upbeat with things and it really helps me to cope when an episode doesn't deliver as much as I want but most shows rarely do. I've never seen a show that was as perfect as what was in my head, even my favorites. So I'll continue to hope for the best!

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I think I've always been someone who goes into things expecting the worst, so I can either not be disappointed OR possibly get a nice surprise! Which is strange, because I take the Pollyanna approach to many things (find something to be glad about, etc). Maybe fandom ruined me for the show by being so fantastic and creating such fleshed out characters.

ps. I just recced your adorable bunny fic to someone! I even braved New Delicious to find it :D

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

You are so sweet. Thanks so much.

[a8c-sock.livejournal.com]

You have reminded me what I was going to do today! Go out and buy TV listings mags in the hope of Merlin articles.

(I might be stealing the weekend mags from work on Saturday)

I'm intrigued by the chance ot lead Arthur towards accepting magic. It needs to happen. ALhtough it sounds like they have come with yet anither reason why we won't get a reveal and I am getting tired and annoyed at that. But if they at least bother to develop it this year.. IDK.

I generally find the Radio Times not too far off the mark (I love how they describe things). It sounds hopeful.

Roll on Saturday.

[po-nochka.livejournal.com]

Hm, you like it, really? That Radio Times sounds really sarcastic to me.

[a8c-sock.livejournal.com]

I do but I think it's sort of the British sense of humour of poking fun things we love. I know I get saracastic about the show but it comes from a genuine place of affection.

We mock because we love kind of thing.

They give similar reviews about 'Doctor Who' 'Downton Abbey' and other big shows. So it's not just Merlin ;-)

[po-nochka.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, I see. Thanks! :) We, Aussies, with English as a second language, like things spelt out ;)

I really look forward to 4.01 & 4.02, but I'm kind of scared of 4.03 now. I do not like Merlin's mistakes. When he makes one things go down badly

[jamie15.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing it :)!

Well, I guess the 'no slapstick episodes' is a good sign. I actually don't mind them that much, once the whole series is out ... but at the time they get broadcast they are VERY annoying to me, because they don't move the plot along AT ALL. :(

Very intrigued by Merlin leading Arthur to magic, too ... hm. Let's cross our fingers for some kind of magic reveal!

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I do enjoy the humour, but with the show going 'dark' and 'serious', they can give you whiplash a bit. The tone feels really off somehow after a super serious epic story to go straight to toilet humour.

I have a feeling the leading Arthur to magic may not pan out the way we hope. I suppose we can only wait and see though!

[tama_abi]

Later in the series, Merlin gets his biggest chance to lead Arthur towards magic and reveal his secret powers, but things don't go to plan.

THAT is actually completely true....

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I guess the speculation is right then, and we're getting another Sins of the Father. I wish this show would stop recycling all of its plotlines!

[tama_abi]

Huh, not at all no... No recycled plotlines at all. This is really brand new, believe me.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

But if they're STILL not having a reveal, and Arthur's still in the dark about everything (grrr), then it's just a new gloss on the same old stuff. Somehow Arthur will end up thinking magic is OMG SO EVIL and probably become Uther Mark II. I wish they didn't stagnate things so much in this show, it drives me crazy!

I shall continue to roll around happily in series one ;)

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

They have such a great cast, they could be daring and have the reveal and then explore how Arthur and Merlin deal with that, what they do with Merlin's power and destiny etc. But I think a lot of people feel like the man in the Guardian article, that the moment you reveal the magic the show ends. As if there's no potential post-reveal! It's mad.

[tama_abi]

Part of it is true, but part of it isn't.

I have to say I'm a bit pissed off by all the fans who are already bashing series 4 before even seeing it. OK there are spoilers, some of which are true. But why don't we wait to have he whole picture before already yelling at the script writers and producers and everyone?! Believe me, you will have reasons to yell at them, but they might not be the ones you are expecting. And you will also have reasons to LOVE them.

However I DO agree that the part of truth in the Guardian article is infuriating. I have reasons to believe he might be wrong, though.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I think for a lot of fans, myself included, it is just a way of dealing with their worries about the upcoming series and the development of characters etc. There are lots of people who are optimistic and excited and treat all the spoilers with enthusiasm, but then again there are people who analyse and critique, even before they see it, and I think that's a normal part of fandom.

Series two and three haven't really given me any reason to be THAT optimistic about this series. The writers and producers clearly have a view of the show and the characters, and for the most part it's not really mine, or what I enjoy about it (I don't like A/G, evil Morgana or even the knights particularly, I watch only for Merlin and Arthur being on screen together). Then again, I don't really watch the show much any more, I'm mostly in it for the fic and the fandom. Me and canon parted ways after series one! :)

[tama_abi]

I understand ^^

However, I can tell you that the episode including this "Later in the series, Merlin gets his biggest chance to lead Arthur towards magic and reveal his secret powers, but things don't go to plan." will probably be very interesting for you, because it has very interesting Arthur/Merlin moment (somehow...).

If you don't care for A/G there are a few episodes you might not want to watch. If you don't care for evil!Morgana and the knights huh... they're pretty much in every episodes, but so is the A/M relationship so... There's still much to love in this series.

It's true series 3 is my favourite one, so I'm happier about series 4 than a series 1 lover might be, but I hope you'll like it a bit anyway ^^
Even if it's only because all the people who worked on it gave it all their hearts, even if they didn't necessarely agree with the script writers...

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I still have a lovely view of Morgana because I fast forwarded through ALL her evil moments in series 3. Morgana was my favourite character after Merlin, so I was so sad to see her change completely and without much explanation (I was hoping for some internal struggle over her evilness at least!). When I feel sad about it, I just go back to series one and watch her being snarky to Arthur <3 And of course I always write her as her series one self in my fic!

For me, I find it very hard to handwave what I see on screen so it's easiest to not watch it. If I watch Arthur and Gwen having romantic moments, it completely kills my Arthur/Merlin muse - and that cannot happen so thank goodness for my remote control.

I don't HATE the knights, I just don't want them taking attention away from Merlin and Arthur being awesome by themselves and having Moments. I have tunnel vision where those two are concerned ;)

ANYWAY, it doesn't really matter what I think of it. I'm sure it will look gorgeous and the general audience will love it. They are not all quite as in love with series one as I am.

[tama_abi]

Haha ok... Well, maybe, don't watch ep. 8 and 9. Others will be good for you I think.
Eps 3 and 12 and 13 especially have awesome A/M plotlines...

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Duly noted ;) I shall spend those two evenings watching M/A fanvids, eating chocolate and writing epic Gwen/Lancelot fic.

[tama_abi]

Your fellow fans who will be watching the episodes will love you even more if you write epic Arthur/Merlin fics! <3

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Maybe I could combine them and have both couples paired off with their true loves ;) Actually in my Jane Eyre I'm writing at the moment, Gwen gets her Lancelot and Merlin (eventually) gets his Arthur.

I will have to make sure I'm on hand with M/A fic and picspams and maybe the Mini Thems, like after episode therapy for M/A shippers!!

[tama_abi]

That's the best actually! I do like Gwen a lot, and I love when her and Lancelot find each other <3

Good idea <3
I'd love to see these, even if I won't be watching the episodes immediately......

[tama_abi]

I mean, if you (and this is not "you" magog it's a general "you") already decided you're gonna hate series 4, just stop watching the show!

There are people who are excited with it and happy about it, whatever its weakness. I am, and I know exactly what to expect of this series.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

If only it were as simple as that ;) The amount of times I've seen people write "IF ONLY I KNEW HOW TO QUIT YOU, SHOW". I get where they're coming from. Even though I only watch the odd episode, I just can't stop myself reading the spoilers and speculating and squeeing over the cast and planning elaborate torture for Johnny Capps (I am kidding about that last of course!). I guess I want to love it again, like I did series one, but it's not that show anymore. But I can't quite quit it either. I do try to keep most of my complaining in my journal though, or the journals of fellow complainers :)

[tama_abi]

That's true, and it's my business if I have so many complainers in my f-list XD

I know the feeling of not being able to quit. *hugs*
ANd fandom is just too addictive!

[blondielox.livejournal.com]

So my phone really did crash on lj and now I can't see what I almost got round to posting. Now I have to try and remember...

Can they please just say that it's Samhain/Halloween in ep 1? It's obvious...

I wish they'd stop teasing us about how Merlin gets the closest he's ever been to revealing his magic. We know it's not going to happen. Stop giving me false hope! Do they even realise how much it hurts us?

[ellabellamj.livejournal.com]

I am looking forward to the 4th series as the gang mature. As long as they keep the Merlin Arthur friendship going and the Arthur and Gwen romance (no Lancelot plz) I will be happy. I do like all the other stuff but really only got more interested in the show following series 2. I could have not even bothered with series 1 to be honest. Saw some fan vids of the show and became hooked like so many others.

series 4?!

[darcyjausten.livejournal.com]

Magog this is how much I love your fics...have found my favourite video yet...sneaky footage of filming of series 4 (its got me all excited about the series now so I hope it doesn't disappoint!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFbtn7Qgf9U&feature=related

and the transcript of what the actors were saying here :D

http://chayiana.livejournal.com/64956.html

Re: series 4?!

[darcyjausten.livejournal.com]

p.s. do you think Arthur's trying to impress Merlin here? ;-)

[sonicbookmark.livejournal.com]

warming the cockles on autumn nights

Well, that's not what I call them, but okay.