"Camelot" or "Came-a-lot"

[The Sevenshot Kid]

Excusing the bad pun, have any of you been keeping up with Starz new series (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eb-EBdwRtk) based on the legend of King Arthur? If you haven't, it's pretty much what you would expect from the same channel that brought you Spartacus: Blood and Sand. That means a lot of violence and even more sex.

The show's only three episodes in but so far I'm not really feeling it. The show seems to lack the heart that made Spartacus such a great show. The cast is fantastic and the whole production seems to be really great but it has a weak point. The show's Arthur is bit of a dick. And I'm not the kind who judges someone based on their looks, but the guy just doesn't have the kingly look that you would expect from King Arthur.

The show certainly has promise. What do you guys think about it?

[walkertexasdruid]

I think it is pretty cool so far.

[Jagos]

Excusing the bad pun, have any of you been keeping up with Starz new series (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eb-EBdwRtk) based on the legend of King Arthur? If you haven't, it's pretty much what you would expect from the same channel that brought you Spartacus: Blood and Sand. That means a lot of violence and even more sex.

The show's only three episodes in but so far I'm not really feeling it. The show seems to lack the heart that made Spartacus such a great show. The cast is fantastic and the whole production seems to be really great but it has a weak point. The show's Arthur is bit of a dick. And I'm not the kind who judges someone based on their looks, but the guy just doesn't have the kingly look that you would expect from King Arthur.

The show certainly has promise. What do you guys think about it?

I think it's taking some time to get the show going and there's not as much wit in the dialogue that "ye olde English" had in Spartacus. I want to like Arthur, but there's really something holding it back since I saw the first episode.

I would probably say it went all too fast in introducing the characters, especially if you're familiar with the legend. Hell, all the good stuff happened in the first 15 minutes of the damned thing (Morgana ----> poisoned king ----> she's Queen Bitch of the world)

Maybe about 10 minutes of their past lives and how she was in that nunnery could have given me some much needed background on her. And Arthur's characterization was severely lacking in just that first episode.

All in all, just too damn fast to process.

[The Sevenshot Kid]

I think it's taking some time to get the show going and there's not as much wit in the dialogue that "ye olde English" had in Spartacus. I want to like Arthur, but there's really something holding it back since I saw the first episode.
[...]
All in all, just too damn fast to process.

I agree on Arthur. He doesn't have the sense of humility or loyalty that we're used to. Maybe he'll develop it as the series goes on but it's not looking good for him so far.

And I totally agree on the pacing. Things that should be addressed in more detail are going way too fast and a lot of the results don't feel earned because of it. Seriously, the death of King Lot was way too early, not providing the emotional pay-off it should have, and it leaves the series without a direct threat that it desperately needs. And Arthur and Kay seem to be holding up a little too well considering the events of the first two episodes.

[Magus]

You know I had all kinds of bad shit to talk about Spartacus: Blood and Sand but then they made Spartacus: Gods of the Arena as a miniseries which was probably one of the best shows I've watched in a long time, so I think Starz still has it in them to wow me.

Yes, the series isn't as good as Gods of the Arena. Yes, it's kind of slow. Yes, for some reason Arthur is stealing Guinevere from Lancelot instead of the other way around (presuming Leontes is supposed to be Lancelot...did King Arthur pull a King David to get Guinevere in the original folktales? Can't remember anything too crazy other than sleeping with Morgan...)

BUT

This series is infinitely better than that godawful Merlin show. Plus it has Joseph Fiennes, he's like the best Merlin since uh...Sam Neill? Okay, the best Merlin ever then.

[Fifthfiend]

What sevenshot you are fifteen or some shit

Who the fuck is letting you watch Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Titties and Dicks and Intestines and Pee and Castrated Dick-Stumps

[Fifthfiend]

I mean don't get me wrong Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Titties and Dicks and Intestines and Pee and Castrated Dick-Stumps, largely because LUCY LAWLESS, but seriously what is wrong with your parents, they are totally warping your young mind with their neglect and lackadaisical standards.

edit:

You know I had all kinds of bad shit to talk about Spartacus: Blood and Sand but then they made Spartacus: Gods of the Arena as a miniseries which was probably one of the best shows I've watched in a long time, so I think Starz still has it in them to wow me.

Gods of the Arena was kind of like Spartacus: But This One Is With A Different Spartacus And Also This Spartacus Is Kind Of Just A Douche

[The Sevenshot Kid]

I mean don't get me wrong Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Titties and Dicks and Intestines and Pee and Castrated Dick-Stumps, largely because LUCY LAWLESS, but seriously what is wrong with your parents, they are totally warping your young mind with their neglect and lackadaisical standards.

My parents aren't neglectful. They just understand that I've already been exposed towards a lot of the things shown in the series. Sex? A quick google search away. Violence? Video games and action movies have done the job.

Plus, it's a good show. If it were just straight up sex and violence without a worthwhile story then neither me nor my parents would watch it.

[Magus]

The blood and gore effects in Gods of the Arena were way better, plus it actually genuinely surprised with some of its twists.

But yeah Gannicus is sort of a douche, but at least we know he might come back again. You can't say the same of most of the other characters.

[Magic_Marker]

I love the reimagining of Merlin. The way he goes around with the smirk on his face like he's the only one who knows anything.

Arthur is reminding me too much of Anakin. He wants to be a great king, but really he's a bit of a dick. Probably the lowest character on the list.

Morgan is kick ass. I love her character.

Lot was great while he lasted. I really enjoyed hating him, but like you said, the plot is moving a bit fast. I'd like him to be a credible threat longer than he was.

[walkertexasdruid]

I think that arther is closer to the way uther was, hopefully he improves as the show goes along. It is interesting that so far I am cheering for morgan to succeed in whatever twisted endeavour she is attempting.

[The Sevenshot Kid]

I love the reimagining of Merlin. The way he goes around with the smirk on his face like he's the only one who knows anything.

Arthur is reminding me too much of Anakin. He wants to be a great king, but really he's a bit of a dick. Probably the lowest character on the list.

Morgan is kick ass. I love her character.

Lot was great while he lasted. I really enjoyed hating him, but like you said, the plot is moving a bit fast. I'd like him to be a credible threat longer than he was.

I agree with pretty much everything you've just said. Merlin is so far the most interesting character. I love his whole "I can do this but why should I?" attitude when it comes to magic.

So far, Gawain seems like a pretty cool character. He's definitely gonna help form Arthur into a better man. I thought his response to Kay about why he wanted to learn Latin was spot on.

[Magus]

Morgan Le Fay and Mordred were always the most interesting characters in Arthurian stuff. Because they are the villains! Heroes are usually pretty boring.

Except Merlin in this one because he has more of the antihero vibe going.

[walkertexasdruid]

Unfortunately, it is going to be a long time before Mordred comes on the scene. I hope Arthur becomes more of a leader. So far Merlin and Kay are running things with the king as their figurehead.

[The Sevenshot Kid]

Last night's episode totally saved the series for me. I was about ready to give up on the series but lo and behold they whipped out a little gem with Merlin's side story during the episode. The use of the titular "Lady of the Lake" was really inventive and interesting. I was happy to see the name Caliburn paid homage to and the origin of the name Excalibur was rather poignant. And I'm absolutely loving the whole magic as an addiction with Merlin as a junkie on the verge of a serious relapse thing.

The main plot was nothing special. Arthur's still a dick, Leontes gets picked on for no good reason, and Gawain was stirring the pot enough to at least keep me interested in their story.

[Jagos]

The blood and gore effects in Gods of the Arena were way better, plus it actually genuinely surprised with some of its twists.

But yeah Gannicus is sort of a douche, but at least we know he might come back again. You can't say the same of most of the other characters.

*ahem* Might?

Look at the wikipedia on Gannicus for details to my rebuttal. That's the spoiler warning there.

[Magus]

Well history isn't really much of a spoiler! But yeah I assumed such a thing was going to occur, and history is on my side apparently.

As for Merlin, holy crap. No wonder the dude never does any magic. He definitely seems like a cursed character. He can't seem to control the visions and so has to follow through with destiny, no matter how many people are harmed on the way. Because "the king must have his sword".

[Jagos]

Power of plot anyone? :p