'n stuff

[rurounihime]

Dear Merlin writers,

Please to be moving SOMEONE'S plot forward sometime soon. Preferably before I decide the show's not worth the time it takes to watch it anymore. All this circling and and circling back to the exact same place is starting to get dull.

~A concerned fan

Comments

[mishaphappens.livejournal.com]

Is it the Morgana plot? Because I agree! I think I said to someone that if they did this for another season, I'm going to choke a bitch.

I can't believe it's almost over. And then we have to wait practically another year for another 13 episodes. How is that fair?

[rurounihime.livejournal.com]

Actually, I would literally like any of the plots to be moved along. So far, Gaius' plotline has been good. Otherwise, I just feel this sense of "been there, done that".

[fresica.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I'm about... four weeks behind? five? because of exactly this. I'm so tired of going around in circles! I miss the good ol' days of S1, where characters did things like grow and learn, and story lines went places. Is it sad that I now mostly watch out of loyalty to the actors...?

[rurounihime.livejournal.com]

Is it sad that I now mostly watch out of loyalty to the actors...?

I am getting to that point myself, and I hate that I can see it coming. *backs away from it and prays for more plot*

[cornmouse.livejournal.com]

As much as I love this show*, it's not difficult to see why it's nearly gotten canned a million times over. :|

* "and by "love this show" I mean less "this show" and more Arthur/Merlin >.>!!!

[rurounihime.livejournal.com]

As an avid A/M shipper, I understand completely. And I am still being pleasantly surprised ep after ep over how much I love Gwen. And the guest stars! That's love, right there. But jeez.

[hold-onhope.livejournal.com]

Co-signed.

It's sad, too, because S1 and lots of last season were just amazing, and doing awesome things with the legend and the fans were making awesome fic/art for it, and now it's like... mehhh. Nobody cares anymore. SAD.

[rurounihime.livejournal.com]

Oh, I do hope it's not gotten that bad yet... O.o

[glorafin.livejournal.com]

I've never seen a show with such lousy writing. They have good characters, played by actors for which spectators have a great deal of love but each episode seems to have been written with no regard whatsoever to the others.

Character development is almost noexistent and plots seem to be undistinguishable as if a big reset button is pushed every week. It's incredibly frustrating, and strangely a lot of people seem completely oblivious of it.

[rurounihime.livejournal.com]

I feel like... because it's a show meant for the younger age set, they feel like they don't have to work toward high standards. And that's incredibly annoying.

[biffes.livejournal.com]

I want evil Morgana to come out of her closet or Merlin reveal his magic or the king to die, whatever. But no more smirks from Morgana please...

[rurounihime.livejournal.com]

She has smirkitis, that's for sure. Basically at this point, I just want Merlin to show Morgause and Morgana that he's a BAMFy magic dude and make them cower in fear.

[spidermoth.livejournal.com]

It almost seems like the writers think that if they move the story along too quickly they'll run into parts of the legend which require them to hit the ending before they're ready, and there goes the cash cow. Unfortunately, this stagnation of storyline is doing that for them anyway. I say let it roll! There's plenty of backstory to explore before we get to the major betrayals of legend, and things get really dark. For now, at the very least, can we get back to Arthur actually growing, and becoming the King he must be! Gah! This season has him in worse prattishness, entitlement, insensitivity, and boorishness than season one! "Dear writers, there are ways for Arthur to treat Merlin which show a reluctant yet affectionate loyalty while still retaining his dignity. Read some fanfic if you need to see how its done." In this season I've spent a significant amount of time wondering why Merlin IS loyal and considers Arthur a friend. o.0

Also, another thought on writer's agenda.....

It's seemed obvious from the start that the writers were slash-friendly and not averse to heavy hints of Arthur/Merlin. I mean, they've been almost open about it in interviews and such. WTF happened this season? Sudden pressure from the Beeb? Freak-out about setting up the Arthur/Gwen arc when the chemistry is sizzling between the boys, and as exciting as folding socks between Bradley and Angel? It's almost as if they're trying to wrench any positive attention away from the interaction of Arthur and Merlin and dump it willy-nilly somewhere, ANYWHERE, else. (although, if they DO want the A/M fangirls to be distracted, Merlin/Gwain is not a bad try! ~_^) Here's some signage for the bulletin board in the writers lounge..... THE STORY IS ABOUT ARTHUR BECOMING THE COMPASSIONATE, BELOVED KING OF LEGEND THROUGH THE FRIENDSHIP AND TUTELAGE OF MERLIN! ITS OK FOR THEM TO BE FRIENDS!


For a long time I've assumed that the series would end at Uther's death and Arthur's coronation, which culminates in the return of magic to Camelot. Or maybe up through Arthur marrying Gwen and establishing the round table and, la la la.... everyone's happy in the pretty kingdom. At least I think those are logical places to end considering the tone of the show so far, unless the producers actually think they could get underwriting for the full arc of the legend. I don't really see how they could do that and still keep the campy humor and style of the show. But, hey.... what do I know? ;P At any rate, in the meantime, there are so many ways to keep the (non-slash) Arthur/Merlin arc moving forward without spinning wheels. Let them work Arthur and Merlin through Morgana's revealed treachery and the break between Gwen and Morgana (I haven't seen this week's ep--did that happen?). Show us Mordred's journey, and what Morgause's agenda stems from, and what those things foreshadow to the future of Arthur's reign. Introduce more knights of legend and let us see how Merlin helps Arthur relate to them as equals and become the great democratic leader. REVEAL MERLIN'S MAGIC! Geez, idk..... Just do something more than have Arthur prank Merlin, and treat him like he's worthless. THIS DOES NOT WORK ANY LONGER! It's frustrating because, with all it's anachronistic flaws and heavy-handedness, this show could be soooooo good.

OK I'll stop now..... Obviously you've struck a nerve. :/ I'll be needing some palliatives.... *goes off to read fanfic which gets it right*

[rurounihime.livejournal.com]

It almost seems like the writers think that if they move the story along too quickly they'll run into parts of the legend which require them to hit the ending before they're ready, and there goes the cash cow.

Interesting! I hadn't considered it like that. Someone ought to remind them that, when fanficcing a well-known set of canon stories, MAKING STUFF UP IS OKAY. Really.

WTF happened this season? Sudden pressure from the Beeb?

It might be an all or nothing situational outlook, you know? Because obviously, people's relationships and emotions can't be complicated or anything. There's no such thing as loving two people at once or loving and hating someone at the same time (for the record, I think family are the only people you can love and hate simultaneously, FYI Morgana and Arthur scene-writers). This same kind of thing happened in CSI. First few seasons, the UST and playfulness between Nick and Greg was ON FIRE. Literally in some episodes, hahaha. And then suddenly there came a season where it was like the characters were strangers. They barely spoke, they hardly ever did a case together... It was like the writers were going "Mayday! Mayday! Homoerotic undertone alert! Correct course!" It was ridiculous. Because now they're back to buddies again.

I definitely wouldn't mind a change of tack: a few eps where the other side is given a little bit of background, and perhaps starring roles. But if they're going for the black-n-white evil vs good deal, then we can kiss that approach goodbye.