I haven't seen many adaptations of this legend to the big screen (which, I'm sure, there will be quite a few) but I like that, this time, they focus more on Merlin as the protagonist, a young wizard with tremendous potential rather than a powerful old wizard. This TV show tells us how Merlin and Arthur meet when they were young and how their fates are more connected than they realize.
Here, Arthur will not pull the sword out of a rock (although I still have hopes), but he's already prince and heir to the throne. Contrary to what we always imagine, Arthur is arrogant, impolite and a presumptuous, typical of a young nobleman who has always had everything at his fingertips. Interesting to see what events ended up polishing the future King of Camelot, turning him into the kind, fair and brave man that the legend tells us.
Magic will play an important role in this TV show, as King Uther banned its use because he believed it to be evil and cruel (we learn his reasons by the end of the first season), not taking into account that it's impossible to fight magic with mortal and mundane means, especially when his kingdom is in danger. So how will our Merlin, whose magic is his strongest virtue, be able to save Arthur from the countless threats to his life? Watching him manage to always protect his arrogant friend is most comical, especially since most of the time he doesn't get the credit he deserves.
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I still haven't finished deciding if the choice in adding more fantasy to the legend was correct or not, but so far I don't dislike it. Also, the idea that Merlin was meant to protect Arthur with his power from birth is interesting, plus we'll get a chance to see popular mystical beasts in most episodes.
Of course, we'll have several references to the legend, one of them being the presence of Guinevere, a recurring character for being the servant of Morgana, Uther's pupil, and who hates the prince's arrogance. Ironically, for now, she can't stand him but, as we know from the stories, it is she who will be King Arthur's future wife. We also get a small glimpse of the love triangle, as Lancelot makes a small appearance, King Arthur's future right-hand man, who I expect in the coming seasons to become more involved in the story. The creators of the TV show even included Mordred who, from what the dragon could tell us, will be the reason behind Arthur's death.
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The special effects didn't age well compared to today's, I guess back in 2008 this was considered more than acceptable. But to be honest, there's something about the old special effects and the way they designed the beasts that lends a certain special nostalgia to the show and I like it. I always get mesmerized in every scene where the dragon Kilgharrah appears, advising Merlin in his dilemmas, because of his voice and design that gives the creature a mysterious and interesting nature.
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I just finished the first season of five, so I'm only telling you about what I know so far. After finishing my first round of college tests, I have no doubt I'll be back to Merlin. I wonder if the show will take on a deeper, darker side as it progresses (so far it's very family friendly).
S P A N I S H
No he visto muchas adaptaciones de esta leyenda a la gran pantalla (que, de seguro, habrá bastantes) pero me gusta que, en esta ocasión, se enfoquen más en Merlin como protagonista, un joven mago con tremendo potencial en vez de un viejo hechicero poderoso. Esta serie de televisión nos cuenta cómo Merlin y Arturo se conocen cuando eran jóvenes y cómo el destino de ambos está más conectado de lo que imaginan.
Aquí, Arturo no sacará la espada de una roca (aunque aún tengo esperanzas), sino que ya es príncipe y heredero al trono. Contrario a lo que siempre nos imaginamos, Arturo es arrogante, descortés y un presuntuoso, típico de un joven noble que siempre lo ha tenido todo a su mano. Será interesante ver qué eventos terminaron por pulir al futuro Rey de Camelot, convirtiéndolo en el hombre amable, justo y valiente que nos cuenta la leyenda.
En esta serie la magia jugará un papel importante, pues el Rey Uther prohibió su uso por creerla malvada y cruel (sus razones las conocemos terminando la primera temporada), no teniendo en cuenta que es imposible combatir la magia con medios mortales y mundanos, en especial, cuando su reino se ve en peligro. Entonces, ¿cómo nuestro Merlin, cuya magia es su virtud más fuerte, podrá salvar a Arturo de las incontables amenazas que atentan contra su vida? Verlo ingeniarselas para siempre proteger a su arrogante amigo es de lo más cómico, sobre todo porque la mayoría de las veces no recibe el crédito que merece.
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Aún no termino de decidir si la decisión en agregarle más fantasía a la leyenda fue correcta o no, pero hasta ahora no me desagrada. La idea de que Merlin estaba destinado a proteger a Arturo con su poder desde que nació es interesante, además de que tendremos la oportunidad de ver populares bestias místicas en la mayoría de los episodios.
Obviamente tendremos varias referencias a la leyenda, una de ellas siendo la presencia de Guinevere, un personaje recurrente por ser la sirviente de Morgana, la pupila de Uther, y que detesta la arrogancia del príncipe. Es irónico que, por ahora, no lo soporte pero, como sabemos por los cuentos, es ella quien será la futura esposa del Rey Arturo. También tendremos un pequeño vistazo al triángulo amoroso, pues Lancelot hace una pequeña aparición, la futura mano derecha del Rey Arturo, que espero que en las próximas temporadas se involucre más en la historia. Incluso los creadores de la serie incluyeron a Mordred que, por lo que nos pudo decir el dragón, será la razón detrás de la muerte de Arturo.
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Los efectos especiales dejan mucho que desear en comparación con los de hoy en día, pero imagino que por allá en el 2008 esto se consideraba más que aceptable. Para ser honesta, hay algo en los antiguos efectos especiales y la forma en cómo diseñaron a las bestias que le otorga cierta nostalgia especial a la serie y me gusta. Siempre quedo hipnotizada en cada escena en la que aparece el dragón Kilgharrah, que aconseja a Merlin en sus dilemas, por su voz y diseño que le otorga a la criatura un carácter misterioso e interesante.
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Apenas terminé la primera temporada de cinco que salieron al aire, así que les hablo únicamente de lo que sé hasta ahora. Luego de terminar mi primera ronda de exámenes de la universidad, no tengo duda de que volveré a terminarlo. Me pregunto si la serie tomará un lado más profundo y oscuro a medida que avanza (hasta ahora es muy family friendly).
F u e n t e s / S o u r c e s
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I have never seen this one, because it is aimed at a younger audience, more fantasy. Now, I have seen several adaptations of King Arthur in movies, some better than others. There was even a series that caught my attention, I think it was called Camelot (I don't remember the name), but it only had one season, it was cancelled.
I haven't seen many adaptations, there's one in particular I want to see but I don't remember the name either hahaha When I finish Merlin, I'll watch the one you told me about, it'll be quick because it only has a single season. Thanks for passing by<3
I'm a big fan of this series, even if I hated the ending. I won't spoil it at all, just know that the ending is very polarizing. Try to enjoy the series leading up to it, by itself, in case you're one of those that ends up disliking the ending.
All that said, definitely worth finishing, and I'm glad you've enjoyed the first 5 seasons :D
!1UP
Now I'm freaking out because of what you told me about the ending hahahaha I'm quite enjoying this second season, I love all the comedy and the characters. I'll take your advice just in case hahahah. Thanks for your comment!
Great! Thanks for passing by<3