my thoughts on the news

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

'official' thoughts

As I'm sure you've already read elsewhere, the news has finally broken that we are currently watching the last ever episodes of our beloved show. The BBC announced overnight that the fifth series of Merlin will be the last. It will end with a ‘spectacular’ two-part finale just before Christmas. You can read the full BBC press release here.

For anyone kind enough to wonder, please let me assure you that Merlin Locations will be around for a long while yet! There’s still so many locations to visit, so very many episodes to rewatch, and so many friends to stay in touch with… Not to mention a whole heap of Arthurian Locations we can visit, too! ♥

personal thoughts

Well, I have rather mixed feeling about this, it’s true.

This is the first time I’ve really been involved in the fandom for a ‘live’ show, a show that’s being made while we watch – sometimes literally while we watch! – and that’s been one heck of an exciting experience. It will be very sad to see the show and the ‘live’ experience come to an end. But then, this in no way means the end of the Merlin fandom itself, and I plan to be around for years yet. There’s so much Merlin!loving yet to be done, let alone following our beloved cast, crew and creatives on to whatever stories they bless us with next.

I have to say that I admire the creators for having a five-year plan and sticking to it. In my opinion, too many other shows have kept going and going, until finally it ends not with a bang but a whimper. I think going out on a high is almost always the thing to do. And (perhaps speaking as a fellow writer) I think sticking with the original conception of the five-year story they wanted to tell isn’t a bad thing.

Many of us will be left with disappointments, and many of us would have told the whole story in different ways, let alone ended it differently. But my firm belief is that this version of Arthur and Merlin’s story belonged with the creators, and they have told it according to their own vision. They can’t have done so badly with that, if we love it so. Perhaps I’m speaking as a writer again here, but there are so many versions of this story out there already, and so many more waiting to be told… and the only ‘perfect’ telling for each of us is the one we tell ourselves.

It’s been an awesome four years. When I first tuned in to watch Arthur and Merlin as ‘two hot young things’ way back in September 2008, I had no idea that I would fall so deeply in love with these wonderful actors – some of the best actors around, both young and old – with the cinematography and direction, and indeed with the filming locations!

But most importantly, I didn’t guess at how many wonderful friends I would make. I think the cast and crew have found that, too, as well as we fans. It’s been a very friendly show. And that’s perhaps the best way that Merlin will live on and on for years yet. In the friendships.

I’m loving you all…

Comments

[chayiana.livejournal.com]

This is so very well said! Still in tears, but I'm feeling much better now. Thanks so much! *hugs*

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}} So very glad to have shared - and still be sharing - the Merlin!love with you. ♥

[chayiana.livejournal.com]

And it's NOT gonna end soon! ♥

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

Amen to that, my dear! ♥

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

LOL! Yes, we will always have Merlin with us, in one form or another. :-)

Thank you for the overlay!love, hon. I hope to be doing some more soon... It's been far too long since I manged to go on a Locations Trip. :-( I miss it so!

[oriane-34w4.livejournal.com]

Very well said, lots of fond memories but every thing has to come to an end.

It's better to stop this way instead of getting the news that series has been axed, so it looks more that they've chosen the right time to stop.

Thanks for all you've shared with us.

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my sweet. Yes, indeed, everything must come to an end, and sometimes I honestly feel it's better to do that sooner rather than later. Though these past few weeks have been rather heart-wrenching (and heaven knows how I'll feel on Christmas Eve!) I still believe it's best to finish it off in line with their original intentions. As you say, it means doing it on their own terms, rather than them having the rug pulled out from under their feet at a later date.

Thank you as well for sharing the Merlin!love with us. Long may we all continue to do so! ♥

[kathyh]

You've just taken the words right out of my mouth (or off my typewriter keys *g*). It's been a blast but if they feel it's the right time to end the show then it should end. Doesn't stop me from being sad about it, but also happy for all the great times we've had.

Thank you so much for Merlin Locations. Finding out about the locations has been one of the highlights of the show for me ♥

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

Yes, it seems we are of similar bent here! I am sad, too, and my heart has been wrenched this way and that in recent weeks - but as you say, it's better they end it on their own terms, and the fact that it is ending doesn't take away anything that we've loved over the years or the memories we have created.

And I have to say that last night's episode paradoxically cheered me up somewhat. It was a relief to see Gaius more engaged and content again - he'd seemed so forlorn in recent times, and I hate to think of him feeling useless or lacking hope. Also, they're handling the storyline better than even optimistic little me had hoped! But I realise this is just me wittering on about my own personal responses, so feel free to disagree or ignore as suits you, sir. ;-)

I'm so glad you've enjoyed Merlin Locations, and I hope you will long continue to do so. It's brought me much joy, and many wonderful friends - and to think when I started, I assumed it would be just a tiny little arcane niche that hardly anyone would care about. I'm so glad you cared, hon. ♥

[chaosmaka.livejournal.com]

Thank you! ♥

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs you tight}}}

[jhava.livejournal.com]

This is pretty much exactly how I feel. The joy of having been able to participate in such an active fandom and the experiences that we've shared will always be with me. I'll probably be crying at the end, but once it's over, I'll enjoy rewatching many of the older episodes. And here's hoping fanfic will keep the love alive for many years to come :).

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

I so totally agree with all you say here! It's been so very wonderful to be part of this, and to feel at times so close to what's being crafted for our entertainment. I'm sure I'll be crying tomorrow, too, no matter how it ends - but I'm also so very grateful for all that Merlin has brought me. As you say, there's so many awesome episodes to rewatch, and the fan fic - like any part of the Arthurian tales - should prove neverending!

I'm so very glad to be sharing the Merlin!love with you, hon. ♥

[altocello.livejournal.com]

So very well said, and it was almost like you were reading my mind, though I never would have framed it so cogently. {hugs}

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}} Thank you, my darling, for your kind words. It is such a pleasure to be sharing the Merlin!love with you! Long may we continue to do so. ♥

[altocello.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs back!}}} You are very welcome, and yes, it's a pleasure to share the love! Long may it reign! <3

(also, GUH, your icon! I love the set of his shoulders in that one! And the arms, and the hands, and... <3)

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

LOL! Oh god yes, he was so awesomely hot that day!!! ♥ The photo was by the lovely chaosmaka. ♥

[altocello.livejournal.com]

This is totally my bias speaking, but I happen to think he's hot every day. :D But yes, he's especially fine in that picture, many thanks to chaosmaka for taking it! <3

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

LOL! You must know by now that I think so, too, absolutely. So maybe you'll trust me when I say that the hotness had been turned all the way up to 11 that day. :-) It seemed to me to be the first time (and still the only time I've witnessed) he decided to actually present himself as hot. Generally he presents himself as just an ordinary guy (though of course we don't experience him that way). Even when he was on stage the other day in clinging pink yoga pants, he was otherwise presenting himself as a regular guy. Sometimes I've wondered if he even realises how very very attractive he is. But then surely an actor is more self-aware than that, at least in physical terms.

Well, he wasn't presenting himself as ordinary this time. This time he unleashed the hotness. Not sure why. Maybe he was 'experimenting' as it were, or trying it out. (I didn't mind being a guinea pig.) The backstage photos certainly don't show it.

And pretty much everyone there recognised it. When he first arrived, there was the usual excitement in the audience at being In The Presence - and then there was this ripple of 'guh' as we all took in the hotness. I myself spontaneously burst out 'oh my God Oh My GOD!', and my legs kicked out in front of me as if they knew a good thing when they saw it and wanted to be under it. I glimpsed Katie grinning happily at our response; she knew what was going on.

You've seen the photos, so you've seen the kitten-licked hair and the form-fitting clothes. The beautiful smiles and comfortably happy demeanour. But there was something else going on that day, too, and I can't explain it any other way than that for once he'd let his hotness shine through.

Forgive the long reply, but I just got all nostalgic for a wonderful experience. And, as a talented observer and drawer of people, I can only wish you'd been there to take in the full effect.

[altocello.livejournal.com]

I love long replies! :D I wish I had been there too, and I wouldn't' have minded AT ALL to be a guinea pig for him practicing being as hot as I know he is. And it would have resulted in art, no question!

I would love to write you a long reply in return, but it's very late, and I will have to limit myself to saying that I wish he'd turn the hotness on more often. :D I think he probably, even though he's an actor and relies on his looks, does suffer a bit of a crisis in, not self esteem, but self view; you have to admit, it's a unique set of features he has, and I'm sure he went through an extremely awkward phase, but talk about gosling to swan. But I'm also sure a lot of the 'regular guy' act is camouflage to help maintain his privacy. Apparently he's pretty good at it, because you don't see internet evidence of fans all over London and Cardiff melting into puddles all the time, so they must be clueless to The Presence, lol. Maybe he did it that day to see if he could get everyone to swoon over him the way people seem to swoon over Bradley? You have to admit, the show really downplayed his attractiveness and played up Bradley's (not inconsiderable) charms.

And, wow, that ended up being long. Suffice it to say, I would love to see Colin being hot in person. And it would be the cherry on the cake to get to do it with you. <3

[babydracky.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with your so Positive Attitude ma petite puce!
More than the show in itself I'll remember that it took me back to my love of Arthuriana and made me write so many stories and that thanks to the show I met so many wonderful people, that I met you and will never let you go!;)
*HUGS TIGHT*

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

Oh my darling, I am also so grateful to this show for bringing me wonderful you and your friendship. {{{hugs}}} And like you, the show also renewed my love of all things Arthurian, and somehow I don't think it will ever fade again. I have loved reading your stories, and I hope you will go on to write many more, especially about your beloved Mordred. ♥

[babydracky.livejournal.com]

HUGS YOU SO VERY THIGHT ON THIS CHRISTMAS DAY*

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

I'm hugging you too, my darling girl! I'm so sorry I've been such a rubbish friend lately. I'm so sorry. I know you understand about being horribly busy, but it still makes me feel rather pathetic.

But, you know... I always have time to hug my BabyD! ♥

[babydracky.livejournal.com]

Don't you worry about that, ma petit puce. You are a wonderful friend and I do love you and always will♥

[isildaar.livejournal.com]

"this in no way means the end of the Merlin fandom itself, and I plan to be around for years yet"

It's so good to hear that from you, because I've never loved any show as much as Merlin, and I feel this love will never fade.
I've never met any of you (who knows, maybe one day...), nor the Merlin stars, and I've never been to Pierrefonds or Wales, still I have the sentimental feeling that this unique show binds us some way.

I'm very much looking forward to see our brilliant young cast on other projects, in other roles. Living outside the UK, I don't think I will ever watch them perform on stage, but I'm sure I'll be up to date thanks to the lovely fandom. And hopefully they will appear on screen very soon and very often.

Meanwhile - not gonna lie - I don't want to give up hope that one day they will think it would be good fun to reprise their roles for some bigscreen adventure, or that Shine can come up with an amazing idea for a spin-off and get them back for a few months every year. It was a silver lining to hear that they are considering this. Well, my addiction to the show doesn't let me give up entirely.

[merlocmod.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your lovely comment. I am delighted to know that you feel you are part of the Merlin Family, despite being at a distance. As you say, this has been a unique show, and I feel as you do that it binds us together. Long may we share the Merlin!love. ♥

Like you, I am so looking forward to what our wonderful cast bless us with next. They are all such lovely and talented people, I am sure there are many riches to come. I am also keen to see what Dale films: he creates such beauty and emotion!

Maybe one day we will indeed have a film or a spin-off series to enjoy. I have no idea what that will end up being like, but to be frank I think it will benefit from being something of a fresh start. Here's hoping that something eventuates, and in the meantime, there is pretty much the certainty of other wonderful things in which to watch our beloved cast.

Thank you again!