Merlin‘s second season has come to Syfy at last. My fellow Clacker Julia Hass and I have both watched Season 2 in its entirety and are stoked about having this new opportunity to discuss Colin Morgan’s blue eyes and Bradley James’s abs. We’ll be posting our dialogues about the episodes each week — and, of course, inviting you to join the conversation by leaving a comment.
So without further ado, let’s have at “The Curse of Cornelius Sigan,” the Season 2 premiere.
Julia: Mackenzie Crook is a guest star Americans will recognize! Maybe! If they’ve watched Pirates of the Caribbean as many times as I have.
Ruby: I think everyone will immediately recognize his face, even if they don’t recognize his name. In addition to the Pirates of the Caribbean series, he was in the original, British version of The Office. He played Gareth Keenan — their Dwight Schrute. So I guess he’s a pretty recognizable star to bring on for the premiere. I know I was excited to see him. His face and voice have so much character — I love the rascally quality he brought to Cedric and was impressed at how he managed to also portray the sorcerer Sigan.
So what did you think of the whole cursed-treasure, sorcerer-possession story?
Julia: As adorable as this show is, and as well-done as a lot of the special effects are, I think what makes it so endearing is that mixed in with all that is the utter seriousness with which they treat a glowing blue heart that looks like it fell off someone’s My Little Pony.
Ruby: Haha! I don’t think special effects are one of this show’s strong points. (The dragon scenes always remind me of that.) But you’re so right about the glow-in-the-dark heart, which we were supposed to believe is a great “jewel” that holds Sigan’s soul. Maybe they ran out of money after paying Mackenzie Crook and had to improvise with something from Toys-R-Us.
But other than that — fun story. We got to see a lot more of Arthur (his body anyway).
Julia: This is the first of many shirtless Arthur episodes this season. Hell-lo there, once and future pecs. I mean, king.
Ruby: Something to look forward to, people! That’s what’s finally going to make Gwen notice him.
Julia: This episode gives us the first hint of an Arthur/Gwen pairing. Look, I know they are eventually going to get together, but I would hate to see Gwen turn from an independent character into someone who exists mainly as a love interest for Arthur (essentially, Merlin With Boobs). I get that the show went “OH CRAP, WE WENT A LITTLE TOO GAY LAST SEASON WITH THE BEACH DATE AND THE UNICORN EPISODE,” but really, heterosexual panic is so House circa 2005.
Ruby: Honestly, I want Arthur and Gwen together. I’ve always loved the Arthurian legends (in their many iterations in literature and film), and what surprised me about this version of Gwenevere is how she’s part of a different social class from Arthur. That’s an interesting twist to the story and makes me look forward even more to seeing how those two finally get together. (And how will Uther and Morgana react to that, when it finally happens?)
Julia: Still, Colin Morgan and Bradley James have ridiculously good romantic — I mean, er, comedic — chemistry (as evidenced by the scene in the stables, which cracked me up, though this may or may not be due to the fact that Bradley James makes the most epically ridiculous faces ever. In the history of mankind).
Ruby: How could he possibly keep a straight face after discovering Merlin asleep in a pile of horse poo? I would be dying. Despite all his berating of Merlin, Arthur derives too much entertainment from Merlin to ever fire him.
Any more thoughts before we wrap up, Julia?
Julia: SERIOUSLY, LET’S DISCUSS COLIN MORGAN’S CHEEKBONES. I WOULD BET THERE ARE SUPERMODELS WHO WOULD MURDER HIM FOR THOSE BAD BOYS.
Ruby: I think that’s the waif look (or is it heroin chic?). Can you tell how little I know about fashion?
Hey, guys, that’s all for this week’s Merlin dialogue. Time to chime in with your comments. Are you a fan of the show? Let us know what you thought of the Season 2 premiere.
Clacked by Ruby T.
on Apr 02, 2010 @ 23:00 EST5EDT
Hang on a second – I read an entire post about Bradley James’ abs and don’t get a PICTURE? Come on, people! If I had known there would be no photographic evidence I wouldn’t have read it in the first place. Except I still would have because I’m Julia’s bestest friend / biggest fan, but that’s not the point!
Sorry about that, Melly! I was trying to work with the promo photos available on the Syfy website, but I guess I could have just taken a screenshot. We’ll make it up to you next time he’s shirtless. ;-)
Thanks for covering Merlin. I look forward to seeing CC keep up with the show. Unfortunately, it wasn’t available on Hulu, so I only caught the first couple minutes which included a shot of BJ’s abs. Sadly, they weren’t as lovely as last season or as tanned and toned as the abs he sported in others shows.
I’m sorry they’re toning down the homoerotica. The actors/writers implied last year they might step it up. But, between Merlin’s dream about Arthur when ill and the implication Arthur would do anything for Arthur, I guess they did have to tone it down. I’m glad that they’re playing up the Gwen-Arthur flirtation, but I miss the Gwen-Merlin connection. On a side note, they never mentioned the name of Gwen’s mother, so I secretly believe she’s hidden nobility/gentry. Also, where does Arthur sleep? I know he has a side room with Arthur, but he also sleeps with his mentor sometimes. So, what happens when he’s in the basement?
Thank you for finally mentioniing Merlin! Why is he never shirtless?! Actually he was once, but that was in series one, and I’m now desperately waiting for series three! Wow, I love his cheekbones, his smile and pretty much everything else about him! I’m twelve years old and fancy a twenty-four year old! Oh dear!
What’s all the fuss about Arthur- what happened to Merlin, the show’s namesake!
I actually like the special effects! Although I concentrate more on Merlin and Morgana than whether the dragon looks real!
Bradley and Colin have ridiculously good comic timing. They should take it on the road when Merlin is finally done.
In the DVD commentaries they were actually counting how many times Bradley had to go shirtless. Oh, my. Cracked me up.