I'm in.

Apr 03, 2011 01:12



Starz has launched a retelling of Camelot. First impressions:
Authenticity: B )

purefoy, tv, camelot

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marymary April 3 2011, 16:13:11 UTC
:)

I know, right? There's a lot to like. I can adjust to the lack of fidelity to the early stories...my only big fear is that it gets too soapy. I wasn't a big fan of the Arthur/Guinivere meeting. More high school crush than arranged marriage that turns into love, which is what it's supposed to be.

One of the things I like from period pieces is getting a different cultural perspective. Like, you know how the Jane Austen adaptations (as well as the books, of course) show you a whole different set of societal rules? Through the portrayals, you come to understand why Elizabeth or Emma or Mr. Darcy can't just do what makes senese to US, but have to navigate their own society to get what they want.

So what I would rather see is Guinivere's father sending her off to be married for political reasons and then how the characters deal with that. Not "Gosh, do you think she likes me?" You're the King of Fucking England, are you kidding me? You take what you want, or what will solidify your power. You might have ~feelings about that, but please don't stand around kicking rocks. I mean, I'm sort of being unfair because the situation they've set up is more complex than that. I just hope it goes in a good direction.

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tuesday_suit April 3 2011, 16:39:36 UTC
King of Fucking England. That needs to be an icon.

I can adjust to the lack of fidelity to the early stories...my only big fear is that it gets too soapy.

I haven't seen or read many Arthur stories (Mr. Disney's version is about it) so I don't have fidelity problems - which probably makes it easier for me to watch. I've only seen the previews so far - have the first episode downloaded - but I can see where it could get soapy. Hopefully not.

One of the things I like from period pieces is getting a different cultural perspective.

Me too - even Jeeves and Wooster is interesting in this way, though it's more modern (plus Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry are made of awesome).

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marymary April 3 2011, 19:40:12 UTC
Yes! I used to see reruns of J&W all the time but haven't seen an episode in years. I should find it -- it's a good show for cheering yourself up. :)

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tuesday_suit April 3 2011, 23:13:02 UTC
It's one of my all-time favorites. My parents got the VHS tapes from the public library for my sister and I to watch when we were little. Amazon has the complete series for $24, which is worth every penny, in my book.

Speaking of period pieces, there's going to be a new "Upstairs, Downstairs" miniseries on PBS starting next weekend*. There is an article about it in the Times.

*I may or may not have already obtained the BBC version which aired last December. *shifty eyes*

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tuesday_suit April 5 2011, 01:09:16 UTC
I think you would flove Downton Abbey. I watched the first part this morning and was very impressed. Maggie Smith! Hugh Bonneville! Upstairs! Downstairs! It's got everything. Check it out. :-)

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marymary April 5 2011, 01:28:21 UTC
Ooh, really? I do love Maggie Smith. Thanks!

Bonus points if you can imagine why I used this icon.

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tuesday_suit April 5 2011, 03:01:17 UTC
Maggie Smith plays a dowager countess who won't allow electricity in the house. :-)

The icon......his face is familiar. He's......English? /noidea

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marymary April 5 2011, 03:19:00 UTC
I know, total longshot. :)

That's Sean Biggerstaff (insert joke here). He played Oliver Wood in the first few Harry Potter movies. He's adorbs and for some reason I loved the way Professor McGonagall (played by Maggie) said his name.

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tuesday_suit April 5 2011, 03:36:15 UTC
Oh, right! I remember him now! Guy named Biggerstaff playing a character named Wood. How could I forget? :-P

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