HBO's "Camelot"

[Penner Theologius Pott]

...is there a verdict? A bunch of people have been asking me my
opinion about it on the road, and I sheepishly confess I haven't
caught it yet. Inexcusable, really, particularly as it's on Netflix
instant streaming. I've heard that Merlin is rather dark, but that's
the sum total of what I know about the series.

[John W Kennedy]

Post by Penner Theologius Pott
...is there a verdict? A bunch of people have been asking me my
opinion about it on the road, and I sheepishly confess I haven't
caught it yet. Inexcusable, really, particularly as it's on Netflix
instant streaming. I've heard that Merlin is rather dark, but that's
the sum total of what I know about the series.

Well, the first things you should be aware of are that it is it grew
out of the same development project as the "Merlin" series, and that
that it was not picked up for a second series.

It is certainly an interesting specimen for a collector of versions of
Arthur, and it is competent on its own terms. Some of its alterations
were, I think, unwise; giving Guenevere a first husband seriously
upsets things.

[Penner Theologius Pott]

Post by John W Kennedy
Well, the first things you should be aware of are that it is it grew
out of the same development project as the "Merlin" series, and that
that it was not picked up for a second series.
It is certainly an interesting specimen for a collector of versions of
Arthur, and it is competent on its own terms. Some of its alterations
were, I think, unwise; giving Guenevere a first husband seriously
upsets things.

Interesting -- I wasn't aware that the two shows were related. I guess
they're both doing an "early years" take, but "Merlin" seems so
focused on being light and playful, whereas "Camelot" seems to have
taken the exact opposite tack.

Strange choice on Guinevere. What was the rationale behind it? Looking
forward to catching this when I get back.

-pabl

[John W Kennedy]

Post by Penner Theologius Pott

Post by John W Kennedy
Well, the first things you should be aware of are that it is it grew
out of the same development project as the "Merlin" series, and that
that it was not picked up for a second series.
It is certainly an interesting specimen for a collector of versions of
Arthur, and it is competent on its own terms. Some of its alterations
were, I think, unwise; giving Guenevere a first husband seriously
upsets things.

Interesting -- I wasn't aware that the two shows were related. I guess
they're both doing an "early years" take, but "Merlin" seems so
focused on being light and playful, whereas "Camelot" seems to have
taken the exact opposite tack.
Strange choice on Guinevere. What was the rationale behind it? Looking
forward to catching this when I get back.

...

No stated rationale. My guess is that they wanted to come as close as
they could to suggesting the Uther/Igraine story without interposing a
generation-long gap.

[caspar milquetoast]

Post by Penner Theologius Pott
...is there a verdict? A bunch of people have been asking me my
opinion about it on the road, and I sheepishly confess I haven't
caught it yet. Inexcusable, really, particularly as it's on Netflix
instant streaming. I've heard that Merlin is rather dark, but that's
the sum total of what I know about the series.

Just started here in Australia and like everything HBO do, definitely
worth a look. The usual amounts of HBO nudity and bloodshed, and a
rationalising of some of the medieval romance elements, make for a more
realistic, gritty Arthurian story than the usual plate armour
foolishness we usually see on the screen.

Personally, I wish they'd gone for a sub-Roman version with Arthur as
warlord and none of the de Troyes characters, but there you go.