New TV Show: Merlin

Thorin · June 29, 2009, 02:14:09 PM

Has anyone else been watching Merlin? It's on Sunday nights, and they're showing two episodes back-to-back. From what I hear, there's only thirteen episodes so far.

I found that it looked too modern, but I can't really explain why. However, by the second episode I was reluctantly drawn in and after four episodes I'm now looking forward to the next installment.

It's more of a low-magic D&D version of Camelot than the Arthurian legends I learned about, and that probably put me off for a bit as well. I found the lighting perceptibly and disturbingly bright when rooms are supposedly lit by candle or firepit. And the British modern-day slang doesn't really fit, either.

Still, for some reason it has drawn me in.

Melbosa · July 03, 2009, 07:38:56 PM

I tried to watch it but didn't get hooked at all

The one I am hooked on now is Lie to Me, thanks to my parents recent visit.

Mr. Analog · July 06, 2009, 09:43:09 PM

"Tele-Vision"?

Darren Dirt · July 07, 2009, 01:11:26 AM

Quote from: Melbosa on July 03, 2009, 07:38:56 PM
The one I am hooked on now is Lie to Me, thanks to my parents recent visit.

...surprised you didn't include a link to the other thread (in which was mentioned the Real Life inspiration for the series).

Edit: not really surprised, since it was one of those rare cases where I "hijacked" a thread:
http://forums.righteouswrath.com/index.php/topic,7005.msg45264.html#msg45264

neat stuff, I didn't mention it back then but one of these "Wizards" has a blog: http://www.eyesforlies.com/QA.htm fascinating stuff... maybe you can do it too?

Mr. Analog · July 07, 2009, 07:40:27 AM

The more I read the more I think I should check this out.

Melbosa · July 07, 2009, 08:18:40 AM

Quote from: Mr. Analog on July 07, 2009, 07:40:27 AM
The more I read the more I think I should check this out.

Which? Merlin or Lie to Me?

Guys at work are into the Merlin. I might have to try it out I guess.

Thorin · July 07, 2009, 10:56:03 AM

I watched Lie To Me last night. I've been watching a similar show called The Mentalist; in The Mentalist the main character is not a professor but naturally gifted at reading people and he happens to work for the CBI (California Bureau of Investigations).

I like The Mentalist better because it's not quite as concerned with trying to seem real. In these shows there's always artistic license taken with the real science, mostly because the directors don't care about getting the real science right as much as they care about drawing in the audience. Trying hard to seem "real" and then failing just sticks in my craw, I guess.

Melbosa · July 07, 2009, 11:31:59 AM

Quote from: Thorin on July 07, 2009, 10:56:03 AM
I like The Mentalist better because it's not quite as concerned with trying to seem real. In these shows there's always artistic license taken with the real science, mostly because the directors don't care about getting the real science right as much as they care about drawing in the audience. Trying hard to seem "real" and then failing just sticks in my craw, I guess.

So you're not a CSI fan then. As they do the same thing.

Thorin · July 07, 2009, 01:07:07 PM

Err, CSI gets nowhere close to trying to be "real".

I find The Mentalist similar to CSI, with high drama and everything. I find Lie To Me too focused on the art of reading faces, with not enough drama to make it interesting.

Lazybones · July 07, 2009, 02:02:10 PM

I like the Mentalist, especially when he is wrong.

Mr. Analog · July 07, 2009, 09:15:12 PM

Merlin of course!

Lazybones · August 25, 2009, 10:03:44 PM

13 episodes that is all so far

CG isn't great but I kind of like the show.

Thorin · August 26, 2009, 01:01:41 PM

Quote from: Thorin on July 07, 2009, 01:07:07 PM
Err, CSI gets nowhere close to trying to be "real".

I find The Mentalist similar to CSI, with high drama and everything. I find Lie To Me too focused on the art of reading faces, with not enough drama to make it interesting.

And now I must say that Lie To Me has Grown On Me. Funny, the things that bugged me don't bug me anymore.

Melbosa · August 27, 2009, 08:16:45 AM

Quote from: Thorin on August 26, 2009, 01:01:41 PM
Quote from: Thorin on July 07, 2009, 01:07:07 PM
Err, CSI gets nowhere close to trying to be "real".

I find The Mentalist similar to CSI, with high drama and everything. I find Lie To Me too focused on the art of reading faces, with not enough drama to make it interesting.

And now I must say that Lie To Me has Grown On Me. Funny, the things that bugged me don't bug me anymore.

I also gave Merlin a full swing watch. Its OK... nothing hugely special, but not a terrible waste of time.

I new show that Maria and I are hooked on now is Leverage. I think with this show, it is about the character interactions and kwerks each Thief has. Now in its second season, I think this one might stick around a bit.

And if you guys haven't checked out Eureka, I strongly urge you to - fits the peeps here so well. And I've found a second show with very similar writing and feel, called Warehouse 13.