I first saw the TV show, Camelot on a youtube ad and it intrigued me, so I decided that since it premiers on Stars that I would watch it (or record it) and see how it is.
Anyone else watching it?
Summary story for those who don't know:
In the wake of King Uther?s sudden death, chaos threatens to engulf Britain. When the sorcerer Merlin has visions of a dark future, he installs the young and impetuous Arthur, Uther?s unknown son and heir, who has been raised from birth as a commoner. But Arthur?s cold and ambitious half-sister Morgan will fight him to the bitter end, summoning unnatural forces to claim the crown in this epic battle for control.
trailer:
Apparenty the preview buzz has been good:
Anyone else watching it?
Summary story for those who don't know:
In the wake of King Uther?s sudden death, chaos threatens to engulf Britain. When the sorcerer Merlin has visions of a dark future, he installs the young and impetuous Arthur, Uther?s unknown son and heir, who has been raised from birth as a commoner. But Arthur?s cold and ambitious half-sister Morgan will fight him to the bitter end, summoning unnatural forces to claim the crown in this epic battle for control.
trailer:
Apparenty the preview buzz has been good:
While most critical response will come after the official April 1, 2011, two-hour premiere, advance "buzz" has been positive, as evidenced by the comments of Maureen Ryan, who writes the "Stay Tuned" column for TVSquad.com.[26] Writing on February 25, 2011, she lists "five good reasons" to be intrigued by this "new version of the saga of Merlin, Morgan, and Arthur," including:
The head writer, Chris Chibnall.
The excellent cast.
"It's Camelot for grownups."
Its approach to magic. Ryan quotes Fiennes, who notes that "magic actually presents a danger to those who use it.... We're ...slightly introducing this idea that there is an immense cost; that if you dabble in this, that you will be physically, mentally, and spiritually drained, and it's really not for the faint-hearted."
The show will give us "something to watch until the fantasy epic Game of Thrones premieres on HBO on April 17.... we've got Merlin and Arthur to keep us company until then, and possibly beyond.[26]
Critics other than Ryan are also comparing the series to the upcoming HBO series, Game of Thrones.[27] Critic James Hibberd refers to both shows as "swords 'n' sorcery epics," with a "quest for the kingship as the central storyline" -- but adds the comment that there is no reason to choose one over the other, implying that viewers might be able to enjoy both.[27] Hibberd adds the one-word description, "fleshy," to describe the new Starz show.[27] One website used the phrase, "Starz makes Camelot sexy again."[28]
At least one writer wrote about his concerns with any self-described "modern" adaptation of the Arthurian legends,[29] but critical reaction following the February 25, 2011, screening of the first episode was largely positive, including the following remarks:
Camelot shows promise mostly thanks to Green's emotionally charged performance as the vengeful sorceress whose only interests are achieving her perceived rightful place as queen of the land. After watching Homecoming it's hard not to keep watching with promises of Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake, Tamsin Egerton as Guinevere, Joseph Fiennes using his Merlin powers, and the beginnings of The Knights of the Round Table yet to come.[30]
Additionally, a critic for the Daily Inquirer wrote, "I watched the sneak preview and it looks like Starz has another hit on their hands,"[31] and a New York Times article has called the series "An Arthur worthy of the modern ages."[9]
The head writer, Chris Chibnall.
The excellent cast.
"It's Camelot for grownups."
Its approach to magic. Ryan quotes Fiennes, who notes that "magic actually presents a danger to those who use it.... We're ...slightly introducing this idea that there is an immense cost; that if you dabble in this, that you will be physically, mentally, and spiritually drained, and it's really not for the faint-hearted."
The show will give us "something to watch until the fantasy epic Game of Thrones premieres on HBO on April 17.... we've got Merlin and Arthur to keep us company until then, and possibly beyond.[26]
Critics other than Ryan are also comparing the series to the upcoming HBO series, Game of Thrones.[27] Critic James Hibberd refers to both shows as "swords 'n' sorcery epics," with a "quest for the kingship as the central storyline" -- but adds the comment that there is no reason to choose one over the other, implying that viewers might be able to enjoy both.[27] Hibberd adds the one-word description, "fleshy," to describe the new Starz show.[27] One website used the phrase, "Starz makes Camelot sexy again."[28]
At least one writer wrote about his concerns with any self-described "modern" adaptation of the Arthurian legends,[29] but critical reaction following the February 25, 2011, screening of the first episode was largely positive, including the following remarks:
Camelot shows promise mostly thanks to Green's emotionally charged performance as the vengeful sorceress whose only interests are achieving her perceived rightful place as queen of the land. After watching Homecoming it's hard not to keep watching with promises of Excalibur, the Lady of the Lake, Tamsin Egerton as Guinevere, Joseph Fiennes using his Merlin powers, and the beginnings of The Knights of the Round Table yet to come.[30]
Additionally, a critic for the Daily Inquirer wrote, "I watched the sneak preview and it looks like Starz has another hit on their hands,"[31] and a New York Times article has called the series "An Arthur worthy of the modern ages."[9]
