Merlin S5 | SciFiBulletin: Merlin: Feature: A Fan’s Guide to Having Their Heart Broken

[gealach_ros]

SciFiBulletin: Merlin: Feature: A Fan’s Guide to Having Their Heart Broken
[click to read | even though they claim it to be speculation, better be aware of (possible) spoilers in this article]Merlin: Feature: A Fan’s Guide to Having Their Heart Broken - Or… How to Prepare For Tears & Devastation On Christmas Eve

There has been a lot of speculation and disquiet (to put it mildly) on the internet regarding the direction taken in this final season of Merlin, some of

Comments

[archaeologist_d]

I already need a grief councilor and it's not even Christmas yet. It is just a stupid show but damn, I loved it. And it is breaking my heart to see what they are doing to that lovely little show. Damn the TPTB. I will never watch something of theirs sgain.

[gealach_ros]

It is just a stupid show but it used to be one that made me happy and smile and love it beyond reason. Now I very much feel like the author of the article: My own reaction isn’t even sadness, but weary resignation.

I'll miss the show like hell but right now I'm so damn glad it'll be over in a week because I need a break from the actual show to recover from the huge disappointment S5's been for me. And although I own the first box and the second DVD box is pre-ordered, I can't imagine rewatching S5 in the foreseeable future.

If ever. Maybe instead I'm going to do with S5 what I did with ep 04.09: pretend it didn't happen.

[rocknvaughn]

+1

While there have been moments of brilliance... I don't foresee watching anything other than 5x03 (and maybe 5x01 and x02) again.

[gealach_ros]

There have been a few lovely moments but not enough for me to feel like rewatching entire episodes. Maybe after a while when I don't feel so bitter about how they really rather ruined the show for me this year. Taking my level of 'pissed at TPTB' into consideration, that'll take quite some time, though.

[oriane_34w4]

I hope to be wrong, but this article looks rather accurate to me. If it so, what a Christmas eve to expect!

[gealach_ros]

Some details may turn out differently but overall it looks pretty accurate to me as well.

We'll have an excellent sob!fest next Monday. Huzzah./0\

[oriane_34w4]

We're so well prepared to the worst, maybe we'll going to have a good surprise...(do I sound really convinced when I'm writing that?)

I feel like re-watching the very beginning of the show when it was already full of imperfections but so fresh. I think I've lost that feeling somewhere after series 3. As you said, it used to make me happy, now most of the time it makes me gnash my teeth.

[gealach_ros]

I'd lost that feeling during S3 but found it again in S4.

Still I had next to no expectations for S5 but not even my no!expectations were able to prepare me for a series that mostly consisted of plot!rehashed filler episodes, provided character un-development for everyone and'll bless us with the full force of the most epic doom/gloom brigade in the history of Albion under the Christmas tree.

Honestly, that's not what I signed up for. I signed up for silly boys making heart!eyes at each other with a destiny and all I ever hoped for the show was to end on a high (i.e. in a happy place). :(

[bryonyashley]

This is more or less what i expect from the two-part Merlin series finale :( still i think ...wouldn't that be a very bad move in terms of marketing to disappoint SO much fans all over the world with such a hopeless ending? When people who still have to watch S5 will know how bad it goes will they still be willing to watch the show on the telly or buy DVDs etc? Probably i'm just clutching at straws in hope for a not-so-heartbreaking finale. *sighs*

[gealach_ros]

wouldn't that be a very bad move in terms of marketing to disappoint SO much fans all over the world with such a hopeless ending?
I think TPTB can't imagine how much their gloom/doom ending will disappoint fans, they seem to think they created something truly epic people'll be excited about because it's supposed to give them ~closure.

The sad thing: many S5 media reviews and steady-strong ratings confirm their perception to a rather alarming degree and - apart from the odd comment via Twitter or FB (I doubt they check any of those) - that's the only S5 feedback they're getting.

SDCC was the last time they were available for fan questions but back then no one had seen S5. Not that they ever really cared about what the fans wanted but I guess if that SDCC panel'd take place today they'd be confronted with a crowd of angry/disappointed/annoyed/sad fans. Pretty sure they wouldn't understand why, though.

[po_nochka]

It was the same for 4.09 They were over the moon with it, including the cast, yet all the fans were madly unhappy.

[issy5209]

I'm seem to remember Bradley hating that episode, the others pretty much stuck with company policy, as they are now

[gilli_ann]

From this I now have a new word to describe Merlin the show: Depress-o-rama. Perfect under the circumstances, but I had never imagined it would fit the show and fandom that used to be my happy place on the net, and on TV. :(

I will not be buying the S5 DVDs - voting with my wallet, keeping it closed, is the only feedback that the Js might notice.... if enough people think alike.

[gealach_ros]

Since I own all the DVDs and in order to provide the extras I've (pre-)ordered the boxes but as it is the only thing I'm looking forward to is listening to Bradley's commentaries.

the show and fandom that used to be my happy place on the net, and on TV.
This! :(((((((((((((((((

[gilli_ann]

Bradley's commentaries should be highlights. :)

It's because of Bradley and Colin I'm still hanging in here (in addition to the fandom community spirit, of course). The two of them do seem to have given the increasingly inane, recycled and disappointing plots their all to the bitter end.

[gealach_ros]

I'll have to open the last box in order to provide the DVD extras but I doubt I'll rewatch S5. As it is I'm very much in favour of forgetting S5 ever happened.

[issy5209]

I think TPTB believe that Albion is already united (hence the Sarum episode, which makes no sense because he died) Arthur is king Gwen is queen, but merlin is not the greatest wizard ever, and because his magic is kept secret, how can he be remembered as such. I'm all for him going into self imposed exile, but not without seeing him be the greatest, not a failure, which is where we are heading
*sigh*