(no subject)

[rivendellrose]

So, I've been on a bit of an Arthurian kick lately. I believe the start of it was the mutterings of Merlin coming back soon (someday? oh, BBC, how you love to tease....), and then nekokoban enabled me by getting me absurdly hooked on the music of Heather Dale, whose 'The Trial of Lancelot' album has pretty much been my near-constant soundtrack for the last few weeks. And then the Boy clinched the deal by leaving Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave on the bookshelf. :P

That last is a bit 'interesting' when, thanks to the BBC Merlin, one can't quite shake the idea that this version of young Merlin is entirely too competent, well-spoken, and, well, functional. Off he goes, inadvertently intimidating or fascinating everyone he encounters! ...And, while I grant you that I'm enjoying the book, I can't help thinking "damn, I think I like Merlin better when he's an adorable little spaz."

So, because of all this, I've been thinking a lot about the ways the BBC version has been twisting my impressions around, and the ways the story will, of necessity, be very different this time around. For one thing, I find myself (entirely against my will) desperately fond of Arthur this time, the little prat. Honestly, I'm desperately fond of all the characters, which... is going to make it damned difficult when, for instance, Lancelot inevitably comes back. Because, unlike just about every other adaptation ever, I like this Lancelot. I mean, I really do. He's adorable! And him and Gwen got on so well! But then Arthur is growing up so fast and he's such a stupid, adorable puppy... and that's going to be bad when that all goes down.

To further complicate the issue, this show is writing it less as a love triangle and more as a love dodecahedron. 1. Gwen definitely has a pre-existing thing for Lancelot, and him for her. 2. Gwen and Arthur are starting to look like something's going to develop between them very soon. 3. There's been indication in the show that Morgana has (or had?) a crush on Arthur that she really doesn't want to admit to. He may or may not reciprocate a little. 4. Gwen had that cute little crush on Merlin at the beginning, before she realized he was absolutely never going to notice her as long as Arthur was around. 5. Merlin's totally in love with Arthur. 6. Arthur might be in love with him, I'm not sure. 7. But I'm pretty sure he's got a man-crush on Lancelot.

I'd really hate to have to graph that, but if I did, I'm sure it would be really messy.

To make matters worse, although I'm of the unpopular fandom opinion that they don't have any sexual interest in each other, I get the feeling Morgana is going to be pissed if/when Gwen gets together with Arthur, because she is insanely possessive, and Gwen is hers. Which is too bad, because if Arthur and Morgana could get over squabbling over their toys, the whole ball of string could probably be solved by the world's biggest (and prettiest!) orgy. :P

Comments

[jfrog78.livejournal.com]

Wow. I mean it more now that I just watched the episode where they go back to Merlin's village and Gwen gives that little speech to Arthur and he perks up with a, "Wait a minute" look on his face at the end of it.

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I love that moment. It's just so perfect. ♥

[jfrog78.livejournal.com]

I just finished the last two episodes! Oh when he was wounded by the questing beast and Gwen tended him and he woke up remembering it all....Priceless! Also omg the rollercoaster on that last episode when I thought Gaius was going to get it in the end! Also the dragon is kind of a jerk now.

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

The way everything in fandom is solved: orgies.

True facts. XD

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Well, you know. We have to keep these vital internet traditions alive. ;)

(And for the record - if we had it to do all over again, I would be pimping for you to use Katie McGrath as the PB for Bella. Look at that face. How perfect would that be? ♥)

[vega-ofthe-lyre.livejournal.com]

I don't have much to add except to say, I am so excited for my class on Arthurian legend next semester. An outlet for my lifelong geekery!

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Auuugh, so jealous!

[velvet-midnight.livejournal.com]

I was never terribly into the Arthurian legends before BBC Merlin, honestly. I mean, I thought it was cool & all that; I read the kid's version when I was younger. But on the whole, I wasn't fascinated by it. But because of the show, I find myself searching for books, stories, anything that isn't fanfiction that deals with the legend on an entirely-readable level (I flipped through Le Morte d'Arthur & I don't think I can read that right now lol), especially in terms of Guinevere & Arthur. I've found that everyone is fascinated by Guinevere & Lancelot, where all I see is how that would kill Arthur. Maybe it really is the actors & how they/the writers portray the characters, but I see Arthur as being a loving husband, albeit one who can't devote all his time to his wife; and, to me, that makes Guinevere/Lancelot very...Desperate Housewives.

But I haven't read the "original" legends, so I can't really say anything, you know?

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

I wasn't overly attached to the originals as a kid/teenager, either, but this time around I'm definitely in love.

If you want a few tastes of the original stuff without having to dig through Malory (which, ha, I myself haven't actually read), I'd highly recommend T.H. White's The Once and Future King, and the relevant part of Bulfinch's Mythology. Bulfinch's is usually available in parts, and I can't remember the name of it, but there's a whole part just on the legends of Camelot. They're meant to be short versions that students can read for the purpose of understanding references in other literature, and I've had good luck with them, but they are not the most exciting writing in the world. Fair warning. On the whole, I'd go for White. :)