There's something wonderful about BBC programming that I can't quite put my finger on. There's something about it that is campy and heartfelt, dramatic and whimsical, amusing and heartbreaking all at once. Dr. Who, and Sherlock are other BBC programmes I've watched that share this.
Perhaps its because the landscape of the British Isles is so steeped in myth, many of which are whimsical and hilarious as well as dramatic and heartbreaking. Surely that must have something to do with it. Perhaps it's just the kind of humour one develops in a country notable for its rain - not hard or all that much, but often. Maybe it's some combination of all of these. All I know is that they manage to walk this fine line without straying too far in either direction.
It's something that television in North America could learn from, I feel.
In any case, I've started watching Merlin again, and I'm loving it. Despite the issues I have with the twisting of many of the myths of the Arthurian cycle (and I'm thrilled about other things... Making Morgana a ward of Uther was a stroke of genius, in my opinion), the show is campy, fun, and heartfelt enough that I can parcel away my annoyances and just enjoy it.
Also, the CGI is terrible, and the fight scenes against CGI creatures is absolutely awful, and it makes me giggle hysterically.
Weirdly, I also had the title and character for a new story - hopefully a stand alone, this time - while watching the show... Series one, episode seven, in fact. So there's that, as well.
It occurred to me as I was getting my Merlin fix last night after training, that I've actually not ever watched this series to completion. I think I stopped watching part way through series two. I understand that the whole thing ends rather tragically, because that's how the Arthurian myths end, and perhaps I subconsciously wanted to avoid that, so I stopped watching. I'm really rather fond of the characters.
So, if you see me in a couple of weeks, looking weepy, it's probably because I watched the series finale and I'm sad.
Anyway, if you've not watched Merlin, it's available on Netflix now. It's wonderfully silly, and yet still somehow tense and dramatic. I recommend it.
And now I have to write words and stuff. It will hopefully one day become my job.
Ciao!