Some Christmas Goodies...
My Christmas shopping is officially complete! Oh how I love this feeling. I’m totally done and completely guilt-free. All the gifts are wrapped and sitting demurely on my coffee table, ready for pick-up (some wrapped a bit better than others depending on where I bought them and whether the stores provided a gift-wrapping service). And I think I did okay in the budgeting department as well. Do you know a really good place to buy gifts? Second-hand bookshops. All my friends appreciate a good book, and if you know where to look, you can get ones that look brand new. Shhhh!
But below the cut are some Christmas goodies for me (and you), courtesy of various filmmakers.
I stumbled across more promotional pictures from Labyrinth, and wow - this is looking better and better.
Okay, that last one is from Merlin. But as I was looking through the last few Katie McGrath pictures, I got nabbed by a plot bunny. Suddenly I was imagining Morgana as she might have been had she been given the chance to stay under Aglaine’s care with the peaceful druids. There she could have learnt to control her powers, become a benevolent druidess, and one day evolved into a leader in her own right. On hearing that Arthur had assumed the throne after Uther’s death, she would have returned to Camelot with her people to speak on their behalf. I can see it so clearly in my mind’s eye: Morgana standing in the throne room, dressed as she is in the Labyrinth pictures, explaining to Arthur how and why she disappeared all those years ago, and why the druids should be granted their rights and freedom...
Great, now I’ve made myself sad. Knowing that Merlin is (probably) going to end badly for everyone, I’m just going to cling to this fantasy. But take another look at that Morgana/Aglaine picture. Isn’t it just so precious the way she’s mimicking the way he clasps his hands in front of him? I can almost hear her say: “teach me, Obi Wan Kenobi!”
Speaking of the Merlin cast in other (better) roles, there are a number of Dancing on the Edge stills and promotional shots out at this website. Though I’m definitely not one of those who says: “oh, I was born in the wrong era!” (I like healthcare and the right to vote too much for that) I absolutely love the fashion of this period. Just to pull one out at random...
Okay, there was nothing random about choosing this particular pic. You see, I have an embarrassing secret to share. I have a bit of trouble with Role Association. I connect one actor very strongly to a particular character, and find it difficult to separate that character from any other role they might take. For the first few episodes of Downton Abbey I was cringing whenever Anna appeared on the screen, as all I saw and heard was Kate from Robin Hood (I got over it).
So for a good portion of Dancing on the Edge, I’ve no doubt that I’m going to be seeing Guinevere and Mithian instead of Jesse and... whoever Janet plays. Now on the one hand, it may give me a chance to finally see these two actresses/characters interact properly with each other (as their reincarnated versions of their Merlin selves, naturally), though on the other (and seriously, I know how ridiculous this is) I’ll be carrying my interpretation of their dynamic like heavy baggage into this show - namely, that it was hugely important to me that Mithian played second-fiddle to Guinevere. Here, I get the feeling that the opposite will be true, with Angel’s character’s fate spelled out pretty clearly in the trailers, and Janet taking the central love interest role. And that’s not the way it’s supposed to beeeeeeee!
Yup, I’m a nutcase. But that’s what I’ll be thinking going into this. That, and the dread over what’s destined to happen to Jesse. And no that’s not a spoiler; it’s all over the synopsis and trailers. HOWEVER, in other Edge-related news, apparently the writer/director Stephen Poliakoff is releasing a book exploring the behind-the-scenes making of the programme - and look who’s on the cover!
Gasp! I just had a thought. What if Mithian is the one who murders Guinevere?!
And now - Doctor Who (and bonus Miranda!)
First: my Doctor Who history. I have only just caught up with the NuWho series, and apart from being astonished that so much changed in just five seasons (compared to Merlin which is practically in the same place after the same amount of episodes) I finished the sixth season feeling a real buzz at all the ideas and imagination and possibilities that the show gives to its audience. I had my reservations about plenty of things throughout the sixth series - namely that a lot of time was spent on inconsequential things whilst breezing through intensely fraught character moments, though for the most part I enjoyed it.
But for instance, I found it strange that two entire episodes were devoted to investigating the acid factory in order to ascertain that Amy was in fact a “ganger”, only for absolutely no time whatsoever to be spent on the emotional fallout of Melody’s kidnapping. That’s just off the top of my head, but there were tons of gaps in the narrative concerning the complex events surrounding Amy’s initial kidnapping, River’s childhood, and the Silence’s plan, none of which appears on-screen. It’s a downright strange choice when it comes to pacing and character development, and I couldn’t help but feel that I was watching a recap of the series, with only the most exciting parts put on screen. And it’s not that they weren’t exciting, but boy, did they need context!
Still, having caught up entirely with the first episodes of series seven, I’m now primed and ready to get on with the rest of it, having finally found myself in a place where I’m watching the latest episodes along with everyone else. I’m intrigued with what Moffat has planned for the unanswered questions left over from the previous two seasons, and with the mystery surrounding Jenna Louise Coleman’s character. And Vastra and Jenny are back! I loved them the moment I first saw them in A Good Man Goes To War, and I’m glad they’re a) so prominent in the sneak peeks, and b) canon! Plus, bonus Richard E. Grant. I love that guy.
So, I’m a little miffed that I won’t be able to see these shows on Christmas Eve, but I’ll get there in the end.
***
Finally, this Hobbit poster made me laugh:
Twelve dwarfs...and one inexplicably hot guy. Seriously, did Kili get retooled into Aidan Turner because Peter Jackson needed something for the Orlando Bloom fangirls? He doesn’t even have a beard! And yes, I know that Kili was the youngest of the dwarves and therefore might not have a full-grown beard...but still. You have to admit that he sticks out.
***
If I don’t get a chance to post before the 25th, then Merry Christmas! Stay safe on the roads, don’t eat too much turkey, watch out for the Mayan apocalypse, and hope that Merlin isn't too devastating for any young-uns’. Tears at bedtime is bad enough, let alone on Christmas Eve.
But below the cut are some Christmas goodies for me (and you), courtesy of various filmmakers.
I stumbled across more promotional pictures from Labyrinth, and wow - this is looking better and better.
Okay, that last one is from Merlin. But as I was looking through the last few Katie McGrath pictures, I got nabbed by a plot bunny. Suddenly I was imagining Morgana as she might have been had she been given the chance to stay under Aglaine’s care with the peaceful druids. There she could have learnt to control her powers, become a benevolent druidess, and one day evolved into a leader in her own right. On hearing that Arthur had assumed the throne after Uther’s death, she would have returned to Camelot with her people to speak on their behalf. I can see it so clearly in my mind’s eye: Morgana standing in the throne room, dressed as she is in the Labyrinth pictures, explaining to Arthur how and why she disappeared all those years ago, and why the druids should be granted their rights and freedom...
Great, now I’ve made myself sad. Knowing that Merlin is (probably) going to end badly for everyone, I’m just going to cling to this fantasy. But take another look at that Morgana/Aglaine picture. Isn’t it just so precious the way she’s mimicking the way he clasps his hands in front of him? I can almost hear her say: “teach me, Obi Wan Kenobi!”
Speaking of the Merlin cast in other (better) roles, there are a number of Dancing on the Edge stills and promotional shots out at this website. Though I’m definitely not one of those who says: “oh, I was born in the wrong era!” (I like healthcare and the right to vote too much for that) I absolutely love the fashion of this period. Just to pull one out at random...
Okay, there was nothing random about choosing this particular pic. You see, I have an embarrassing secret to share. I have a bit of trouble with Role Association. I connect one actor very strongly to a particular character, and find it difficult to separate that character from any other role they might take. For the first few episodes of Downton Abbey I was cringing whenever Anna appeared on the screen, as all I saw and heard was Kate from Robin Hood (I got over it).
So for a good portion of Dancing on the Edge, I’ve no doubt that I’m going to be seeing Guinevere and Mithian instead of Jesse and... whoever Janet plays. Now on the one hand, it may give me a chance to finally see these two actresses/characters interact properly with each other (as their reincarnated versions of their Merlin selves, naturally), though on the other (and seriously, I know how ridiculous this is) I’ll be carrying my interpretation of their dynamic like heavy baggage into this show - namely, that it was hugely important to me that Mithian played second-fiddle to Guinevere. Here, I get the feeling that the opposite will be true, with Angel’s character’s fate spelled out pretty clearly in the trailers, and Janet taking the central love interest role. And that’s not the way it’s supposed to beeeeeeee!
Yup, I’m a nutcase. But that’s what I’ll be thinking going into this. That, and the dread over what’s destined to happen to Jesse. And no that’s not a spoiler; it’s all over the synopsis and trailers. HOWEVER, in other Edge-related news, apparently the writer/director Stephen Poliakoff is releasing a book exploring the behind-the-scenes making of the programme - and look who’s on the cover!
Gasp! I just had a thought. What if Mithian is the one who murders Guinevere?!
And now - Doctor Who (and bonus Miranda!)
First: my Doctor Who history. I have only just caught up with the NuWho series, and apart from being astonished that so much changed in just five seasons (compared to Merlin which is practically in the same place after the same amount of episodes) I finished the sixth season feeling a real buzz at all the ideas and imagination and possibilities that the show gives to its audience. I had my reservations about plenty of things throughout the sixth series - namely that a lot of time was spent on inconsequential things whilst breezing through intensely fraught character moments, though for the most part I enjoyed it.
But for instance, I found it strange that two entire episodes were devoted to investigating the acid factory in order to ascertain that Amy was in fact a “ganger”, only for absolutely no time whatsoever to be spent on the emotional fallout of Melody’s kidnapping. That’s just off the top of my head, but there were tons of gaps in the narrative concerning the complex events surrounding Amy’s initial kidnapping, River’s childhood, and the Silence’s plan, none of which appears on-screen. It’s a downright strange choice when it comes to pacing and character development, and I couldn’t help but feel that I was watching a recap of the series, with only the most exciting parts put on screen. And it’s not that they weren’t exciting, but boy, did they need context!
Still, having caught up entirely with the first episodes of series seven, I’m now primed and ready to get on with the rest of it, having finally found myself in a place where I’m watching the latest episodes along with everyone else. I’m intrigued with what Moffat has planned for the unanswered questions left over from the previous two seasons, and with the mystery surrounding Jenna Louise Coleman’s character. And Vastra and Jenny are back! I loved them the moment I first saw them in A Good Man Goes To War, and I’m glad they’re a) so prominent in the sneak peeks, and b) canon! Plus, bonus Richard E. Grant. I love that guy.
Click to viewSo, I’m a little miffed that I won’t be able to see these shows on Christmas Eve, but I’ll get there in the end.
***
Finally, this Hobbit poster made me laugh:
Twelve dwarfs...and one inexplicably hot guy. Seriously, did Kili get retooled into Aidan Turner because Peter Jackson needed something for the Orlando Bloom fangirls? He doesn’t even have a beard! And yes, I know that Kili was the youngest of the dwarves and therefore might not have a full-grown beard...but still. You have to admit that he sticks out.
***
If I don’t get a chance to post before the 25th, then Merry Christmas! Stay safe on the roads, don’t eat too much turkey, watch out for the Mayan apocalypse, and hope that Merlin isn't too devastating for any young-uns’. Tears at bedtime is bad enough, let alone on Christmas Eve.