
So...who watched Merlin last night? Is it fair or unfair to say that this was a Harry Potter-ish version of the classic tale (or, at the very least, the reason this ran on BBC and now on NBC is because of the success of the Potter books)? It's the younger years of Merlin. What did everyone think of it?















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-22-2009 @ 2:53PM
kinder said...
I'm a Potter fan and I didn't at all see this in a Potter light. I wasn't aware it had shown on BBC first, but had truly thought it must be attached to BBC because of the true British actors (which, btw, I truly appreciated). I, for one, enjoyed the show and the special fx. And, as there were no wands involved, nor a wizard school, a foster child, or an evil wizard, then there is no correlation in my mind to Potter. Shall we now start saying that anything having to do with magic or young wizards has to do with Potter? There are other stories that are similar, but it doesn't mean they're there just because of Potter's popularity. And I do believe Merlin (along with Arthur) came first.
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6-22-2009 @ 3:02PM
mdisloki said...
My girlfriend and I had the chance to see the pilot episode back in september as a part of a test group while we were at Universal Studios. We both loved it and have been eagerly awaiting it's NBC debut. I'm not really sure what the long term arc will be but I think it has some potential.
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6-22-2009 @ 3:30PM
daryl said...
Bull sheet .. total and complete disrespect to the legend that is Camelot
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6-22-2009 @ 3:13PM
Annie said...
I thoroughly enjoyed it. The scenes with the dragon reminded me of "The Crystal Cave".
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6-22-2009 @ 3:19PM
Damir Secki said...
I watched the whole first season on BBC and I loved it... I can't wait for season 2!
I love all about it! Acting, Storyline, Cinematic, Effects, Mask... not to cliche... etc
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6-22-2009 @ 3:31PM
SHADOW said...
I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH, NOW THAT I'M HOOKED I HOPE THE SERIES CONTINUES. I AM A HARRY POTTER FAN BUT I AGREE WITH THE OTHER COMMENT I DON'T SEE HARRY POTTER IN THIS SERIES EITHER. AS THE OTHER PERSON SAID, MERLIN HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME MOST OF THE TIME AS AN OLDER PERSON, IT'S REFRESHING TO SEE HIM AS A TEENAGER. THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ARTHUR IS GREAT.
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6-22-2009 @ 3:46PM
Logan said...
ALL CAPS = FAIL!
6-22-2009 @ 3:45PM
Norman said...
I agree with Daryl. As a story about a young wizard coming of age and learning to use his powers it was fine, but to call it Merlin and then completely rewrite the story wasn't very good.
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6-22-2009 @ 3:53PM
Rachel said...
I watched both episodes last night and I liked it. I hope that it sticks around.
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6-22-2009 @ 3:56PM
R.Weaver said...
I saw the show but it had too many commericals but other wise it was ok
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6-22-2009 @ 4:02PM
Amanda said...
I thought it was great! Interesting characters, kind of fast pace. I see a lot of room for potential to be a great story.
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6-22-2009 @ 4:14PM
Martha said...
I loved, loved, loved it and have never read or seen any Harry Potter. I also love Camelot and don't care that the story has been changed.
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6-22-2009 @ 4:18PM
Monte said...
This was more like a bad re-imagining of Bewitched ... a witch trying to fit it while hiding their powers. There even is an Arthur character, but I have to admit, Paul Lynde would have made a much more interesting prince.
If BBC wants to bring something over, how about Torchwood? ... instead of this drivel.
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6-22-2009 @ 11:41PM
RobynM said...
They kept Torchwood for their own channel - BBCA. They're currently rerunning it on Saturdays as leadup for the 5-night mini-season in late July.
Can't speak on the merits of Merlin, as I haven't watched it yet.
6-23-2009 @ 1:48AM
Carla McDonald said...
It is sad that this generation of children will take this show, as entertaining as it is, as the real story of King Arthur and Merlin. I agree, it is disrespect to Camelot. If they wanted to follow their story line, they should have had names not quite so well known, classically speaking.
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6-25-2009 @ 11:56PM
dan german said...
Good solid light entertainment. Family friendly.
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6-24-2009 @ 1:14PM
Leroy said...
I would imagine that most of those complaining about the story being changed are not aware of just how many times this story has been altered in the last several hundred years. The Arthurian legends are not based on any confirmed historical events, nor is there a single original author of a definitive version. Everyone who tells this story, tells it in their own way for their own purposes (my personal favorites are the Marion Zimmer Bradley novel Mists of Avalon and the John Boorman film Excalibur). Either like it or dislike on it's own merits (I liked it), but give up on all the BS about it being ruined because it doesn't match Camelot or The Sword in the Stone or whatever your personal favorite variation is.
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8-02-2009 @ 5:34PM
Caleb said...
KEEP THIS SHOW......IT IS AMAZING.....I LOVE HARRY POTTER ALSO....BUT THIS WAS REALLY GOOD.........
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8-24-2009 @ 9:26AM
Joanne said...
I love,love,love this series. Please let Merlin and Arthur grow old with us. Television now has a way of getting you hooked on a series and comfortable and then they pull it. This infuriates me. Please let them be a part of our lives for a long time
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