srin
in
mad_poetics
(no subject)
I bitch about a lot of things to do with Merlin, though I recognize that the vast majority of them basically come down to my personal preferences with regard to the characters and plot, so I'd never complain to anyone actually involved in the show about them. There was one incident involving Arthur and Merlin in 3x04, though, that crossed the line from 'Things I dislike' to 'Things that are seriously Not Ok' in my mind, so I sent a message through the BBC's complaints form. This was mainly in the hope that maybe if enough people complained, the BBC might mention to the writers that the audience doesn't think this stuff is quite as hilarious as they do. I wasn't expecting anything to really come of it, but the BBC do have a policy of responding to complaints, and I thought others might be interested in what they have to say. My comments and the response both contain spoilers through 3x04, so the rest is behind the cut.
Just to be clear, the reply is from the BBC's complaints department, not Shine or anyone directly involved with the show.
What I said:
The friendship between Merlin and Arthur in the programme Merlin has always included a fair amount of insults and rough physical interaction, but I've been increasingly disturbed by the progression of this aspect of their relationship in the third series, culminating in the scene in tonight's (2 October 2010) episode where Arthur throws a metal object at Merlin's head while Merlin's back is turned.
The Arthur we were introduced to in the first episode of the first series was a bully, and much has been made of the character's need to grow and mature in order to become the oft-referenced greatest king Camelot has ever seen. However, in regards to his relationship with Merlin, his servant and loyal friend, he seems to be regressing rather than progressing. I understand that the slap-stick elements in their interactions are intended to be humorous, but I see nothing humorous about a supposedly good and noble man throwing a heavy object at his friend's head while said friend does not even have the opportunity to duck out of the way.
Arthur is supposed to be one of the heroes, yet his routine bullying of Merlin is treated as funny if it is addressed at all. This sends the message that abuse and violence aimed at one's friends is perfectly acceptable so long as it is amusing, which hardly seems an appropriate moral for a family programme. I hope that in the future, you will encourage the writers of Merlin to tone down the abuse, or at least address it in a more serious manner.
What they said:
Dear audience member
Thanks for your contact about ‘Merlin’.
I understand you have concerns with regards to the friendship between Merlin and Arthur and I note your reference to what you feel is bullying and abuse.
Arthur's treatment of Merlin needs to be seen in the context of a series based in a mythical time.
Merlin's role in the court of the tyrant Uther Pendragon, where servants have very low status, is as Arthur's personal servant. As such Merlin is expected to wait on Arthur, do the household chores and generally be at his beck and call. There are times of crisis when they appear more as friends, but Merlin is never allowed to dwell on these moments - though they do enjoy the exchange of friendly banter. The relationship between Arthur and Merlin in the series sometimes reflects that of Shakespeare's clown - often punished and put upon but also able to criticise, tease and give advice to his master.
Arthur is on the journey to becoming king. He is not yet the noble and great king of legend and is still sometimes petulant and overbearing and shares his father's hatred of sorcery. Merlin has many opportunities to address Arthur's behaviour - sometimes by calling Arthur names, but more often by using his Magic to punish Arthur - for example ensuring he trips up and falls into mud in episode 1 and is not cured of having a donkey's voice in the third episode. Arthur's treatment of Merlin is almost always followed by Merlin ensuring that he gets his just deserts, and in a much cleverer way.
We believe that a young audience identifies with Merlin - feel for him when he is unfairly treated and enjoy the moments of one-upmanship which Merlin's magical powers allow him to enjoy.
However, I can assure you that your comments have been fully registered on our audience log. This log is made available to all members of the BBC, including the production team of ‘Merlin’ and senior BBC management.
This ensures that your comments and others we receive are considered across the BBC.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.
Kind Regards
Nicola Maguire
BBC Complaints
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints
In short, their position seems to be that Arthur's treatment of Merlin is totally ok because Merlin's a servant and he gets secret magical revenge on Arthur. Oh, and they aren't actually friends. I can't say I'm surprised, but I am rather disappointed, in particular about the part where they seem to think that Merlin making Arthur keep braying is 'address[ing]' his behaviour. Yes, Arthur will totally learn from random pranks that, as far as he knows, have nothing to do with Merlin or his own actions! Sigh.
Just to be clear, the reply is from the BBC's complaints department, not Shine or anyone directly involved with the show.
What I said:
The friendship between Merlin and Arthur in the programme Merlin has always included a fair amount of insults and rough physical interaction, but I've been increasingly disturbed by the progression of this aspect of their relationship in the third series, culminating in the scene in tonight's (2 October 2010) episode where Arthur throws a metal object at Merlin's head while Merlin's back is turned.
The Arthur we were introduced to in the first episode of the first series was a bully, and much has been made of the character's need to grow and mature in order to become the oft-referenced greatest king Camelot has ever seen. However, in regards to his relationship with Merlin, his servant and loyal friend, he seems to be regressing rather than progressing. I understand that the slap-stick elements in their interactions are intended to be humorous, but I see nothing humorous about a supposedly good and noble man throwing a heavy object at his friend's head while said friend does not even have the opportunity to duck out of the way.
Arthur is supposed to be one of the heroes, yet his routine bullying of Merlin is treated as funny if it is addressed at all. This sends the message that abuse and violence aimed at one's friends is perfectly acceptable so long as it is amusing, which hardly seems an appropriate moral for a family programme. I hope that in the future, you will encourage the writers of Merlin to tone down the abuse, or at least address it in a more serious manner.
What they said:
Dear audience member
Thanks for your contact about ‘Merlin’.
I understand you have concerns with regards to the friendship between Merlin and Arthur and I note your reference to what you feel is bullying and abuse.
Arthur's treatment of Merlin needs to be seen in the context of a series based in a mythical time.
Merlin's role in the court of the tyrant Uther Pendragon, where servants have very low status, is as Arthur's personal servant. As such Merlin is expected to wait on Arthur, do the household chores and generally be at his beck and call. There are times of crisis when they appear more as friends, but Merlin is never allowed to dwell on these moments - though they do enjoy the exchange of friendly banter. The relationship between Arthur and Merlin in the series sometimes reflects that of Shakespeare's clown - often punished and put upon but also able to criticise, tease and give advice to his master.
Arthur is on the journey to becoming king. He is not yet the noble and great king of legend and is still sometimes petulant and overbearing and shares his father's hatred of sorcery. Merlin has many opportunities to address Arthur's behaviour - sometimes by calling Arthur names, but more often by using his Magic to punish Arthur - for example ensuring he trips up and falls into mud in episode 1 and is not cured of having a donkey's voice in the third episode. Arthur's treatment of Merlin is almost always followed by Merlin ensuring that he gets his just deserts, and in a much cleverer way.
We believe that a young audience identifies with Merlin - feel for him when he is unfairly treated and enjoy the moments of one-upmanship which Merlin's magical powers allow him to enjoy.
However, I can assure you that your comments have been fully registered on our audience log. This log is made available to all members of the BBC, including the production team of ‘Merlin’ and senior BBC management.
This ensures that your comments and others we receive are considered across the BBC.
Thanks again for taking the time to contact us.
Kind Regards
Nicola Maguire
BBC Complaints
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints
In short, their position seems to be that Arthur's treatment of Merlin is totally ok because Merlin's a servant and he gets secret magical revenge on Arthur. Oh, and they aren't actually friends. I can't say I'm surprised, but I am rather disappointed, in particular about the part where they seem to think that Merlin making Arthur keep braying is 'address[ing]' his behaviour. Yes, Arthur will totally learn from random pranks that, as far as he knows, have nothing to do with Merlin or his own actions! Sigh.