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Scifi Bullentin Review-The Diamond of the Day- P1

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Lucerne28 said:
The battlelines are drawn. With Mordred at her side, Morgana makes her strike on all that Arthur holds dear…

There are a lot of spoilers out there regarding these final two episodes of Merlin, and all that I’ll say on the subject of them in this review is that “context is everything”. Brief glimpses can give an entirely wrong impression (look at the fuss over the first of the Star Trek Into Darkness trailers which sent reviewers barking up the wrong tree completely).

If you’ve stuck with Merlin this far – and it doesn’t really matter whether you’re doing it rejoicing at the updated version, or with clenched fists at the wasted potential – then you will want to see this episode. There’s more humour than I anticipated, given the subject matter, and there’s one particular scene between Arthur and Merlin which you really expect to go one way, and then takes a severe left turn.

Colin Morgan has to show a very different side to Merlin in this story: he’s more vulnerable than he’s ever been before, and even some of the skills that Merlin has acquired at his lord’s side seem to desert him just when he may need them most. But he can also rely on the stupidity of others to assist him – one of his enemies makes an incredibly fundamental mistake (think Scott Evil’s complaint in the first Austin Powers movie).

There’s a nice contrast between Bradley James’ Arthur and Katie McGrath’s Morgana: one becomes more regal, more like a monarch as the episode unfolds; the other… not so much.

One major complaint has been thrown at this series ever since the concept was first revealed; maybe – just maybe – that is going to be remedied in the final episode. Personally, I’m more hopeful about that now than I was before seeing this…

Verdict: A good set-up, but everything now rides on the finale. Quite appropriate it airs on Christmas Eve: “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight…” 8/10

Paul Simpson




posted 一年多以前.
 
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Lucerne28 said:
For those who have not seen Austin Powers, here is what wikipedia had to say about Scott Evil's complaint. Although i think we could have already guessed given Morgana's love for convoluted plots instead of going for the jugular. Good thing for us team Camelot fans- Arthur, Gwen, Merlin fans. :-)

Scott Evil
Dr. Evil carries on a strained relationship with his son Scott. Dr. Evil liquidates their therapy group, accusing them of being "insolent". Scott is also known for pointing out Dr. Evil's incompetence and immaturity as well as obvious mistakes and flaws in Dr. Evil's plans. For instance, when Dr. Evil asks why Austin Powers always foils their plans, Scott says "Because you never kill him when you have the chance and you're a big dope". Dr. Evil mocks Scott and ignores his corrections, which often leads to failure.
posted 一年多以前.
 
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lailastar said:
How does one get to see these episodes ahead of time. Anywho, it sounds really exciting, can't wait.
posted 一年多以前.
 
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tongue
HMGwen said:
@ lucerne28 - Dollar bet Dr. Evil is Morgana and Mordred is Scott. He's been on the inside so he would know how Arthur operates and can advise when and where best to strike. But noooo....Morgana sends Eira, her servant (?), in to seduce Gwaine and get intel by way of pillow talk. Gwen, a former and unwilling spy who would know Morgana's tactis, catches Eira and has her executed for espionage.

Cue the ACME anvil; Wil E. Coyote is back. Even trapping Merlin in the cave now sounds ridiculous. And I was worried about how the series would end.

As for the contrast, Arthur will have this battle forge him to become the king of legend and Morgana has her thone meltdown like in the preview because ANOTHER one of her schemes backfires. Why are these sorcerors are siding with Morgana is beyond me. I think they're going to find out too late they backed the wrong horse.
posted 一年多以前.
last edited 一年多以前