#I love the characters of bbc merlin but they were all done so dirty

[whataboutthreateninganass]

“morgana was failed by the writers.” NO. at least our girl GOT a character arc. (albeit one that was ultimately unsatisfactory and not even NEARLY fulfilling its potential)

meanwhile, arthur and merlin had an approximate total of two (2) episodes of character arc.

episode 1 merlin: me no likey the arrogant prince.

episode 1 arthur: me no likey the arrogant peasant.

episode 4 merthur onwards: i will die for you. you are mine. i am yours. you have my solemn promise i will cherish you until my final breath. my every waking hour is devoted to you. there are no lines i will not cross to ensure your protection.

and then they just proved that for 5 seasons.

[morganarchy]

Guys I know it's The Year of Our Lord 2023 and I am still thinking about BBC Merlin that ended in *checks watch* jesus christ 2012 but I was rewatching the series with my partner and we were really enjoying it and I felt very validated that this show I had watched as a teen WAS good actually, but then...

Like why is Season 4 like that? Like why are the last two seasons so garbage? I'm sorry?? Why did we do Morgana like that? Katie McGrath CAN ACT I've SEEN IT why is she DOING IT LIKE THAT??

We still haven't been able to finish season 5 because it is a bit of a slog and they really just flattened several characters, most notably Gwen and Morgana, but others as well. Why is Gwen, who was absolutely a main character in the first three seasons who had a lot of agency suddenly like, a background character who occasionally intervenes but is otherwise there for Arthur's character development?

ALSO WHY is Morgana NOT a good villain?? There are NO STAKES when she's the antagonist of an episode or even a slew of episodes. I think the longest time she's been able to "win" is like...two episodes? Maybe? Morgana should have been like Cersei in terms of threat levels, but she's just not and that's so a) uncharacteristic in terms of her S1-3 characterization and b) NOT GOOD STORY TELLING because your BIGGEST VILLAIN isn't even the most threatening thing they've been up against. Ghost Uther was more dangerous than Living Morgana!

She's a goth paper bag in seasons 4 and 5 and they do a horrible job trying to make us sympathize with her but also fear her (something done much better for villains in GOT or other shows - GOT is just on my mind because of the shared aesthetic - and NOT COUNTING the last few seasons).

Also Merlin?? Hello?? Why has he become the cop? S4-5 Merlin is essentially that cop in all cop shows who has a "gut instinct" that THAT GUY is the bad guy and he'll go against the law to beat his ass up and get him to confess and when Gaius or Arthur or anyone else calls him out he's like "Yeah but I had a /bad feeling/ about them" like BITCH WHY??

I love Mordred's arc, but it's predicated on Merlin being the literal worst and obviously our main characters need to have flaws but Merlin hates Mordred in a very un-Merlin-like way. He used to reject his visions or at least try to change them, but as soon as he sees Mordred killing Arthur or whatever he immediately hates Mordred no matter what Mordred does to show Merlin that he is changed. Old Merlin would have accepted that! Maybe that was a deliberate writing choice in the "I've learned I can't change fate" kind of way, but it plays very poorly on screen.

Anyway this was supposed to be a one paragraph rant about how BBC Merlin did my girl Morgana dirty in later seasons and I just kept remembering things to say so thank you for listening to my TED talk feel free to interact I'd love to talk about it.

[avocadosatlaw]

My TV/Movie Recs

Soooo as much as I talk about ALL my fandoms, I wanted to specifically spotlight the BEST OF THE BEST in my opinion at least in case quarantine has you looking for something new to watch! Also for the movies section, obviously there are so many more but these were the ones that immediately came to mind. (Also I’m still not sure I should have included TVD but I do love it at the end of the day so it’s there)

Short-Running TV Shows (<5 seasons)

BBC Merlin: 5 seasons (You can watch it on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video) Genre: Medieval Fantasy, Arthurian Legend Status: Finished

BBC The Musketeers: 3 seasons (You can watch it on Hulu) Genre: Historical Fiction, roughly based on the books by Alexander Dumas, if you like some good swordfighting and humor, you’ll love it Status: Finished

Daredevil: 3 seasons (Netflix original) Genre: Superhero, dark, gritty, urban action series Status: Finished

The Punisher: 2 seasons (Netflix original, “technically” should be watched after Daredevil S2) Genre: “Superhero”, gritty action, military-esque at times, lots of guns Status: Finished

Stranger Things: 3 seasons (Netflix original) Genre: Supernatural elements, adventure, kind of mystery-ish, kind of horror-esque but not focussed on being scary, you know? Status: Ongoing

Tuca and Bertie: 1 season (Netflix original) Genre: Adult animation, comedy, focus on female friendships Status: Finished

Dollface: 1 season (Hulu original) Genre: Comedy, focus on female friendships Status: Ongoing

Long-Running TV Shows (5< seasons)

New Girl: 7 seasons (You can watch it on Netflix or Hulu) Genre: Comedy, roommate comedy, so many lovable characters and goofy humor Status: Finished

Brooklyn 99: 7 seasons (You can watch it on Hulu) Genre: Workplace comedy, police/cop show, honestly one of the best shows on TV right now Status: Ongoing

Doctor Who (“New Who” aka the 2005 one): 12 seasons (You can watch S1-10 on Amazon Prime video but the two newest seasons aren’t there for some reason) Genre: Sci-Fi and fantasy, time travel done right, quirky and love able Status: Ongoing

Bojack Horseman: 6 seasons (Netflix Original) Genre: Adult animation, comedy, dark humor, but still really deep Status: Finished

The Vampire Diaries: 8 seasons (You can watch it on Netflix) Genre: Paranormal/Supernatural drama/romance adventure, the CW didn’t do this as dirty as some of their other shows Status: Finished

Asian Dramas

Boys over Flowers: 1 season (You can watch it on Netflix) Genre: Korean drama, romantic comedy, high school, rich boy/poor girl Status: Finished

Accidentally in Love: 1 season (Netflix Original) Genre: Chinese drama, romantic comedy, hidden identity, high school Status: Finished

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo: 1 season (Idk where to watch it) Genre: Korean drama, romantic comedy, college, sports Status: Finished

Hwarang: 1 season (idk where to watch it) Genre: Korea drama, historical romance Status: Finished

Descendants of the Sun: 1 season (idk where to watch it) Genre: Korean drama, soldier/doctor, wartime romance Status: Finished

She Was Pretty: 1 season (idk where to watch it) Genre: Korean drama, hidden identity, workplace romance (sort of) Status: Finished

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon: 1 season (You can watch it on Netflix) Genre: Korean drama, romantic comedy, super human strength Status: Finished

Movie Franchises

Star Wars: 3 trilogies and 1 stand-alone film (don’t talk to me about Solo, I don’t include it) (You can watch them on Disney+) Genre: Sci-fi at its finest, at times the older CGI can be spotty but the story and characters are top notch Status: Ongoing

Marvel Cinematic Universe: 23 films (You can watch them on Disney+) Genre: Superhero, action, good times Status: Ongoing

Deadpool: 2 films (Idk where to watch them) Genre: Superhero, action, comedy, adult humor Status: Ongoing (I think)

Indiana Jones: 3 films (okay technically four but we all know how bad the last one was) (I’m pretty sure they’re on Netflix?) Genre: Action and adventure, archaeology with a twist Status: Finished (though apparently we may be getting another one, idk)

National Treasure: 2 films (You can watch them on Disney+) Genre: Action and adventure, some good modern-day historical treasure hunting Status: Finished (though there are rumors circulating that we may be finally getting another one)

Mamma Mia: 2 films (the first one is on Netflix) Genre: Musical, romantic comedy, honestly such a guilty pleasure Status: Finished

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: 2 films (Netflix original) Genre: Romantic comedy, literally so sweet Status: Ongoing

Anne of Green Gables Series (the 1985 ones): I think there’s 3? I always thought there were 2 but recently I found out that I was deceived by my parents (Rentable from GazeboTV) Genre: Idk how to genre sort this, it’s just beautiful Status: Finished

Stand-Alone Films

The Princess Bride: (I don’t think this is on any streaming services) Genre: Fantasy, adventure, romance, comedy, it’s a mixed bag of wonderful

The Edge of Seventeen: (You can watch it on Netflix) Genre: Coming-of-age, comedy, it’s just so good

The Perks of Being a Wallflower: (You can watch it on Netflix) Genre: Coming-of-age, sad but deep

The Chorus: (idk where to watch it) Genre: French language film, about music but not a musical

The Sound of Music (idk where to watch it) Genre: Musical, an older film but honestly if I had to pick my favorite movie of all time this is it

My Fair Lady (idk where to watch it) Genre: Another really old musical that’s extremely near and dear to my heart

Stand-Up Comedy Specials

John Mulaney: New in Town, Comeback Kid, and Kid Gorgeous at Radio City Music Hall

Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King

Jack Whitehall: At Large

Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats

[todefine-istolimit]

It Don’t Run In Our Blood- Chapter 2

AU: Royalty 

Rating: Mature 

Ships: Royality, Loceit, Dukexiety

Warnings: major character death (But not really), sympathetic dark sides

Summary: Roman is a prince in love with Patton, a commoner. Remus is a knight who has fallen in love with his trusted servant Virgil. Logan is the royal adviser who’s Love was lost at sea (But he’s not really dead.  think princess bride here). Now the trouble is navigating laws, love, and social conventions, all while carrying around shiny swords! ((Title from Royals by Lorde))

if you prefer to read it on Ao3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21602698/chapters/51510424

Word count: 1.7k

A/N:  and now some dukexiety idk if anyone here has watched BBC Merlin but like this is high key inspired by that  

Virgil was the manservant of the prince. No not Roman, Prince Remus. This of course came with some difficulties as Prince Remus was a huge fucking dick. 

He was constantly making a mess and didn't even really seem to notice all the things Virgil had done for him. Virgil had saved his life on multiple occasions and Remus sorta didn’t really acknowledge it afterward. Virgil would think he was embarrassed if he believed for even a second the Remus felt shame.

But as many times as Virgil saved his life Remus had saved his. That’s what their whole relationship was like, Virgil cleaned up the mess that Remus made, Remus got him out of trouble for being so disrespectful to nobles. When Virgil listened to Remus rant and rave about whatever the council was doing and threatened to have them tortured in various very bloody way, Remus equally heard out what Virgil had to say about the council and on one occasion had specifically attempted to make reforms to improve the lives of commoners (the council didn’t allow it but the thought was there). It was a strange arrangement but it worked for them.

And as much as they argued and called each other names when it actually mattered they both had to admit they were friends. They would die for each other and Virgil would fight by his side forever. Or for as long as Remus would have him he supposed. 

After all, he wasn’t actually trained in this whole manservant  thing officially. He was always worried he was going to make some grievous error that he didn’t even know he had made and that would be where Remus drew the line and fired him.

Originally Virgil had been the apprentice of the blacksmith in town, but one day when the royal carriage was driving by he happened to be carrying a bag of hammers that and Prince Roman had been shocked by his strength. He stopped the carriage right there in the middle of town to offer Virgil a job a squire to the Knights. Remus had been there but was dozed off in the carriage.

That job had been going well until one day he mouthed off the some of the knights and gotten himself fired. Luckily (or unluckily depending on perspective) Remus had taken a liking to torturing Virgil and hired him back as his manservant. So basically Virgil did his laundry, drew his baths, brought him meals, and bickered with Remus when he needed someone to bicker with. 

The last one was a somewhat unofficial and unspoken duty, but Virgil gladly took it on.

From that point they had grown more comfortable with each other.

“Virgil!” Remus called from the bathroom, “Why is this water so cold?”

Virgil sighed, he stopped where he was making the bed to send a useless glare through the open bathroom door. Remus had been in the bath like ten minutes now, why had it taken him so long to speak up anyway.

“Because  Sire,” Virgil said in his clearly fake respectful voice, “you didn't climb into the water for a full hour after I drew the bath. Next time don’t be a dipshit and you might get a warm bath.”

Remus leaned out of the tub so he could grin maniacally at Virgil, “I could have you thrown in jail for talking to your prince that way!”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Virgil said thinking of what a nice break that might be from work.

“If you like being chained up so much why didn’t you say so? There’s plenty of Knights who would love to tie you up for an evening.”

Virgil’s face felt warm, “That wasn’t what I meant, you bastard!”

“You know you've got quite a mouth on you,” Remus complained.

Virgil blushed at where his mind took that phrase. It wasn't the first time that day that his mind had wandered to the idea of certain activities with the prince. His brain had been doing that more and more lately and Virgil was starting to question why. It was fine it was probably just because of all the sex jokes right? He knew that wasn’t true the moment he thought it. He... he  liked Remus, he was real, no false politeness, no putting on airs, he was honest. And Virgil wasn't sure of much but he was sure that if he was ever in danger Remus would try to save him and Virgil would do the same for him.

“And you know what?” Remus called from the bath, “it's hardly my fault that I didn't climb into the bath right away, you refused to help me climb in. What if I had fallen and hit my head and all my brains came splattering all over the bathroom?”

“What brains?” Virgil muttered to himself.

It was true, though. Virgil had refused to do anything regarding the bath except draw it today because it seemed his mind went off on these less than profession or platonic tangents anytime he saw Remus naked. The answer was obvious, try very hard to not see Remus naked anymore.

“You are the greatest Knight in all the kingdom and the greatest dueler,” Virgil said laying the praise on thick, “I'm sure you can manage.”

“There you go again with that snark, pretty soon I won't deal with it anymore and you'll be out of a job.”

“But if I’m gone who will deflate your head so you don’t float away?” Virgil asked.

A groan rang out from the bathroom, “Why do I let you be such a little shit? Why do I take such sass?” Remus asked rising from the tub, Virgil quickly averted his eyes.

 Virgil finished picking up the clothes that had been scattered around the room, “Because you know that you need me, sire.”

There was a long silence during which Virgil could see out of the corner of his eye that Remus was leaning casually in the bathroom doorway completely naked and drying his hands with the bath towel instead of his body.

“...You're right I do need you,” Remus said with far too much seriousness in his tone, Virgil flicked his eyes over to Remus seeing that his face was somber for once. Strange.

He looked away quickly, but not before Remus saw his glance, and broke into an evil grin.

“But you know what I don't need? I don't need you staring at me naked all the time, if you want something just ask,” He said sounding far too smug.

“I don’t do that!” Virgil snapped. At least not... intentionally? Hhhh this was so stupid why was he thinking this way about his  boss?

“I'm just kidding Virgil, calm down,” Remus said laughing, “Learn to take a joke would ya?”

Virgil breathed a sigh of relief. Dear God, he needed to relax a little, he was going to give himself away just by overreacting.

“Wouldn't be too bad if you  had been staring,” Remus muttered as he strolled behind the changing screen to get dressed.

Virgil made it chirping noise in the back of his throat, “Excuse me?!” 

He misheard. He  must have misheard.

“Nothing, nevermind,” Remus flapped a hand above the screen as if to wave away any concerns Virgil had.

Virgil stood frozen for a few more moments staring at the screen that contained Remus behind it. Had Virgil heard him correctly? No definitely not.

“Virgil, go polish my armor it's all covered with the blood of my enemies. I swear you stand there like your getting paid to be a statue. It’s not enough to look nice you have to do things.”

 Virgil, being a whole idiot, only processed the first half of this statement which is quite lucky for Remus who hadn’t meant to say so much and was simply very bad at keeping secrets.

Virgil merely rolled his eyes, “No, your armour is splattered with the blood of a few rabbits, because you insisted on hunting with a kitchen knife and nothing else. If you had just used a bow this mess wouldn’t have happened.”

“I don't want to hear it. It's not for you to decide who my enemies are. Now go clean my armor.”

“Actually today was supposed to be my day off remember? I’m just here to get you started, then another servant was gonna take over, and I’ll be back in the morning.”

Remus stepped out from behind the screen, still shirtless, and stared at him, “So why are you even here? Go home! Fuck your boyfriend! Have a good day!” 

“Sire I don't have a boyfriend,” Virgil said dully as he dumped the armful of dirty clothes into the hamper.

“Oh did he break up with you because you’re always here, and never have time for him?”

“No... I just  didn't have a boyfriend at all. Don’t know why you thought I did, but I haven't found anyone who's quite right for me. Well I mean- well yeah- whatever you get the point. No one’s even interested in me that way so that’s all that matters.”

Virgil forced himself to not look at Remus knowing that eye contact would be a dead giveaway.

“Oho, but it sounds like you do have your eye on someone…” Remus said wiggling his eyebrows.

Virgil chewed on the inside of his cheek, “Yeah maybe I do, but he wouldn't be interested in me anyway. We’re kind of from different worlds.” Virgil cringed at the cliche.

“So there really is someone?!” Remus seemed surprised for a moment, “I was just being a little shit I didn’t realize you… Right, no problem, go tell him, and if he turns you down we’ll rip out his heart, chop it up into a stew, and we’ll devour in front of the masses.”

“That's- that's really gross, and no, I don't plan on telling him.”

Remus smiled unapologetically, “Alright, alright, fine, I was just trying to make you feel better about your situation since you don't think you can get the man of your dreams.”

“I don’t think so, sire. I know so,” Virgil shrugged, “Have a nice day, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Wait it’s not my brother is it?!” Remus called as Virgil walked out the door. Virgil didn’t answer.

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