Camelot (2011) - Ep 1. Review
"Sorry, I was jizzing over the music in this hahaha."
-- Stce
So Camelot is a new 10 Episode series based on the mythical story of King Arthur. The first episode aired Sunday on Channel Four and I've just finished watching it online.
The first episode is a feature length which sets up the initial background and eventual crowing of Arthur Pendragon (Jamie Campbell Bower, Sweeney Todd, Harry Potter). This particular adaption follows traditional view that Arthur was taken by Merlin as a baby and was raised away from the throne with his adopted brother Kay (Peter Mooney). It also portrays Arthur's half sister, Morgan (Casino Royale's bond girl, Eva Green) as a manipulative sorcerer who wants the throne, but their sibling ties lie with Urther rather than Igraine (Claire Forlani, Brandi Spenning in Mallrats). As with pretty much every Arthurian themed television show, Merlin (Joseph Fiennes, brother of Voldemort! Also played William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love) becomes a name, rather than the original meaning, Arch Druid of Britian. It is even indicated that he is immortal. The plot seems to run with undertones that Arthur is a Christian, which confuses the religious obligation that causes the breakdown of his rule in some other adaptations. This hints that religion will not play a standpoint within the story which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Quinevere is of course introduced, played by Tamsin Egerton who interestingly played young Morgan(na) in The Mists of Avalon (2001), one of my favourite Arthurian films. As ever, she is fair and beautiful but the writers of Camelot have taken the classic love triangle on at a different angle. Leontes (there are mixed sources on whether this name was chosen instead of Lancelot or if he will be introduced later) becomes Arthur's champion almost immediately after his crowning. Beforehand, Arthur has already met Quinevere on the beach after the burial of his foster-mother. There is an obvious attraction between them and later Arthur discovers that she is betrothed to Leontes. If he is the Lancelot character, this take these three characters is surprising and intriguing as to how it will end.
The sword in the stone myth was also brought into the plot. I suppose this is the pinical point in so many Arthurian tales of how he obtained the faith of the people. The same victorious reception does not appear in this however, Arthur does not get the sword without some serious injury. It definitely works, the ideal of real struggle rather than the ease of just pulling it from stone. The hint of truth is displayed also, which creates a logical answer to how it was possible.
Overall the casting for the show was done really well. For once, a good looking Arthur. I always found that Lancelot was always obviously more handsome and Arthur was a bit average looking, but JCP is exceptionally hot. The costuming and make up were done well, and the battle scenes were just bloody enough for my liking. :]
I enjoyed the first showing of Camelot and will probably continue to watch it. I tend to be quite anal when it comes to Arthurian myth and Marian Zimmer Bradley's Avalon series has been a foundation for it. Some of the portrayals I do not nessacarily agree with but the story has different angles that so many before it haven't. I definitely recommend watching the first episode if I haven't spoilt it for you enough. :3