[Cadiva]

Originally Posted by MikeAP001

Oh, they might. Some shows in the US had as their basis British shows. There's usually a waiting period and then the shows get regenerated with a US spin on things and it'll either sell or not. There was a trial with Dr. Who once but that didn't catch on mostly thanks to the original Dr. Who fans who couldn't adjust. Or they might do a reboot. I think BBC is trying to sell a sci-fi show to be rebooted right called BLADE 7.

Considering they're threatening legal action over CBS's Elementary I think it's quite likely they'd do the same if any other broadcaster or network tried to do a show which resembled the BBC/Shine interpretation of Merlin.

There's a difference when it's the BBC offering one of their shows abroad, ala Life on Mars, Being Human or The Office to be "remade for US viewers", but not if someone else tried to do a version of something they hold the commissioning and design rights copyright on.

[MikeAP001]

Originally Posted by Cadiva

Considering they're threatening legal action over CBS's Elementary I think it's quite likely they'd do the same if any other broadcaster or network tried to do a show which resembled the BBC/Shine interpretation of Merlin.

There's a difference when it's the BBC offering one of their shows abroad, ala Life on Mars, Being Human or The Office to be "remade for US viewers", but not if someone else tried to do a version of something they hold the commissioning and design rights copyright on.

In that, there was no transfer of rights to do the show but if BBC/Shine were to sell and transfer those rights there'd be no problem.

[GBali]

Originally Posted by lil_miss_blonde

I wouldn't get my hopes up for that if i was you, hes still the same old

Spoiler

Uther

And that's why this scene sounds exciting. According to Capps Merlin and

Spoiler

Uther have a conversation they should have had a long time ago. This must be some kind of verbal confrontation.

[Cadiva]

Originally Posted by MikeAP001

In that, there was no transfer of rights to do the show but if BBC/Shine were to sell and transfer those rights there'd be no problem.

Yes, that's what I said:

Originally Posted by Cadiva

There's a difference when it's the BBC offering one of their shows abroad, ala Life on Mars, Being Human or The Office to be "remade for US viewers", but not if someone else tried to do a version of something they hold the commissioning and design rights copyright on.

However, that's a totally different thing to another country picking up the funding to continue making the existing Merlin production, which is what you seemed to be saying with the first comment.

Originally Posted by GBali

And that's why this scene sounds exciting. According to Capps Merlin and

Spoiler

Uther have a conversation they should have had a long time ago. This must be some kind of verbal confrontation.

That's got to be about

Spoiler

Arthur's birth and the part magic played in it surely. Merlin's hopefully going to be asking Uther to justify his behaviour after what he was willing to do.

[Lowri]

Originally Posted by lil_miss_blonde

I wouldn't get my hopes up for that if i was you, hes still the same old

Spoiler

Uther

That's a shame, I liked the sound of Mike's idea!

Spoiler

It says here that the bracelet isn't going to come back. Although whenver I see anything with *honest* after it, I become very suspicious that they're lying!

Originally Posted by Cadiva

I'm pretty sure that's the way they'll do it. As I've said various times on various Merlin threads, the show is influenced by Smallville and that's how it was done. The transformation of Clark Kent into the Superman we all know and love only took place in Series 10 and it was the very final shot

Of course, before that point Clark had variously been helping people anonymously, as the Good Samaritan, Red-Blue Blur and The Blur before adopting the (now infamous) red blue and yelllow Superman persona.

I know exactly what you mean about this being the time before Merlin as we know him, but if we take the Smallville metaphor all the way, it is his status as Sorcerer to the King that would occur in the last episode. Clarks abilities (and therefore Merlin's magic) were revealed to several characters along the way; if Arthur is to Merlin as Lois is to Clark then we should have an entire series of an Arthur in the know with a couple of episodes in which he can tease Merlin because Merlin doesn't know that he knows!

Although this will be difficult to time if the writers don't know how long the show will continue. They might not want to risk pushing back the reveal for a speculated series 7 only for the show to finish before they get the chance. I can't think any of the actors will be happy about that.

[MikeAP001]

Originally Posted by Lowri

That's a shame, I liked the sound of Mike's idea!

It could still happen depending on the direction MERLIN goes. If there is a S06 and S07 and S08 or the three films, then somewhere in there, Uther will change.

Originally Posted by Lowri

I know exactly what you mean about this being the time before Merlin as we know him, but if we take the Smallville metaphor all the way, it is his status as Sorcerer to the King that would occur in the last episode.

Right. That should be the true ending for this story line: MERLIN's adventures from young warlock to sorcerer of Camelot. We're nowhere near that. And, the writers should realize that too.

Originally Posted by Lowri

Although this will be difficult to time if the writers don't know how long the show will continue. They might not want to risk pushing back the reveal for a speculated series 7 only for the show to finish before they get the chance. I can't think any of the actors will be happy about that.

I think this'll depend on how the writers define the term "reveal". Is it when Arthur finds out Merlin's got magic, or is it when Merlin tells Arthur about the magic, or is it both? These could be be entirely separate events that occur at separate times and be completely independent of each other. Assuming no year-long time jumps between ep 01 and 13, the first could occur as early as S05, the second and third could occur at much later times. And, in between, there would be stories to tell.

[lp229]

Smallville may have been the inspiration initially when they designed the show but this doesn't mean that they have to follow its example all the way. I personally, think it would be a mistake to delay Merlin's magic reveal beyond Series 5, as its a theme that has been exhausted. In series 4, we got some really daft excuses for Merlin's actions so that it is a wonder how Arthur actually hasn't found out. I still maintain that the moment in the finale when Arthur was doubting himself, was ideal for Merlin to let his secret out.

The way i see it, depending on how close Mordred will get to Morgana next series, it will be only a matter of time before she finds out. I suspect that, when she does, we will see both trap Merlin so that is magic is revealed to Arthur before he is ready to accept it. This then could lead to Merlin's temporary banishment from Camelot.

[MikeAP001]

Originally Posted by lp229

Smallville may have been the inspiration initially when they designed the show but this doesn't mean that they have to follow its example all the way. I personally, think it would be a mistake to delay Merlin's magic reveal beyond Series 5, as its a theme that has been exhausted. In series 4, we got some really daft excuses for Merlin's actions so that it is a wonder how Arthur actually hasn't found out. I still maintain that the moment in the finale when Arthur was doubting himself, was ideal for Merlin to let his secret out.

The way i see it, depending on how close Mordred will get to Morgana next series, it will be only a matter of time before she finds out. I suspect that, when she does, we will see both trap Merlin so that is magic is revealed to Arthur before he is ready to accept it. This then could lead to Merlin's temporary banishment from Camelot.

That depends on what the writer's want as the reveal. I'd like Arthur to find out about Merlin's secret by episode 9-12 of S05 but not let Merlin know about it. Instead, Arthur waits for Merlin to say so but Merlin doesn't. But, I'm also the one who liked the idea about a snowy scene in Camelot for S05 and we know how that turned out.

BTW, here's a better youtube vid of the Series 5 Trailer from SDCC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotat...&v=7l_pkDB0jeg

The show looks good from what I can see; especially, the snow. And, a blooper reel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_pDa...eature=related

[claire2281]

Originally Posted by lp229

I personally, think it would be a mistake to delay Merlin's magic reveal beyond Series 5, as its a theme that has been exhausted.

What concerns me is that the producers said last year that they didn't see the magic reveal as a big deal nor did they feel under pressure to do it. So either they were trolling terribly or there is a chance they don't intend to do it at all!

Originally Posted by MikeAP001

That depends on what the writer's want as the reveal. I'd like Arthur to find out about Merlin's secret by episode 9-12 of S05 but not let Merlin know about it.

I find it hard to believe that be would realistic. Arthur is, understandably, likely to feel very betrayed by such a long standing and important lie from Merlin. I can hardly see him keeping quiet on it. I mean, we saw how he reacted when he believed Gwen had betrayed him and then after Morgana and Agravaine as well...

[MikeAP001]

Originally Posted by claire2281

...
I find it hard to believe that be would realistic. Arthur is, understandably, likely to feel very betrayed by such a long standing and important lie from Merlin. I can hardly see him keeping quiet on it. I mean, we saw how he reacted when he believed Gwen had betrayed him and then after Morgana and Agravaine as well...

Well, I could see Arthur keeping quiet about it. Let's assume that Mordred or someone else like Morgana or even Uther has gained Arthur's good graces. He/She plants the seed of suspicion that all these years Arthur's been aided by magic. Arthur doesn't believe it but he reflects on things (it'd be great for flash backs to earlier episodes) and he suspects that he has been aided! Eventually, Arthur deduces that the one with magic is: MERLIN. For the next several episodes, he sees to his horror that his suspicions are well founded... But, he keeps quiet because as he's learned in S05 he should keep his friends close but his enemies even closer. At the very least, it's a great twist and turn.

[Lowri]

I think that it is possible that Arthur would just completely lose his cool once he finds out, he tends to act first and think later.
I like the idea of "[keeping] his enemies even closer", there would be some brilliant emotionally charged scenes there with Arthur trying to figure Merlin out. Both actors have shown themselves to be brilliant at that sort of tormented acting.

[Cadiva]

Originally Posted by Lowri

That's a shame, I liked the sound of Mike's idea!

Spoiler

It says here that the bracelet isn't going to come back. Although whenver I see anything with *honest* after it, I become very suspicious that they're lying!

I know exactly what you mean about this being the time before Merlin as we know him, but if we take the Smallville metaphor all the way, it is his status as Sorcerer to the King that would occur in the last episode. Clarks abilities (and therefore Merlin's magic) were revealed to several characters along the way; if Arthur is to Merlin as Lois is to Clark then we should have an entire series of an Arthur in the know with a couple of episodes in which he can tease Merlin because Merlin doesn't know that he knows!

Although this will be difficult to time if the writers don't know how long the show will continue. They might not want to risk pushing back the reveal for a speculated series 7 only for the show to finish before they get the chance. I can't think any of the actors will be happy about that.

Yes, I was meaning the big reveal to all in Camelot as Merlin takes his place as the powerful sorcerer rather than his magic being revealed full stop

Originally Posted by lp229

Smallville may have been the inspiration initially when they designed the show but this doesn't mean that they have to follow its example all the way. I personally, think it would be a mistake to delay Merlin's magic reveal beyond Series 5, as its a theme that has been exhausted. In series 4, we got some really daft excuses for Merlin's actions so that it is a wonder how Arthur actually hasn't found out. I still maintain that the moment in the finale when Arthur was doubting himself, was ideal for Merlin to let his secret out.

The way i see it, depending on how close Mordred will get to Morgana next series, it will be only a matter of time before she finds out. I suspect that, when she does, we will see both trap Merlin so that is magic is revealed to Arthur before he is ready to accept it. This then could lead to Merlin's temporary banishment from Camelot.

As I've said before, I don't care one way or the other whether they reveal Merlin's magic to the "wider" audience, Arthur in particular or to Gwen and/or associated Knights.
I think they've made it pretty clear though that they're not doing the traditional retelling of the Arthurian mythologies and it's possibly going to be disappointing for anyone to expect they're going to have an all powerful Merlin openly in Camelot as Arthur's advisor for any length of time outside perhaps the last episode or two.

Originally Posted by claire2281

What concerns me is that the producers said last year that they didn't see the magic reveal as a big deal nor did they feel under pressure to do it. So either they were trolling terribly or there is a chance they don't intend to do it at all!

I think that's exactly what they feel, they're not trolling in the slightest. They've never hidden the fact that Merlin's magic being out there for all of Camelot to see isn't something that they believe important for the retelling of the Arthurian mythology they're trying to do.

I don't, however, believe the show will end with Arthur never finding out but I'm certainly not expecting there's going to be a big reveal or a long drawn out bunch of episodes showing Arthur getting over Merlin keeping it a secret to be honest.

[GBali]

I still prefer Merlin as the unsung hero.

[Lowri]

I'm someplace in between about the reveal actually. I desperately want Arthur to know and a trusted few such as Gwen and the Knights but I actually don't want the whole of Camelot to know. Part of Merlin's effectiveness as an unsung hero is his anonymity, if the whole of Camelot knew he'd either be closeted up in the Castle on Kingdom business or he'd be constantly harrassed when in the streets to cure this and do that etc.

[Bio Max]

I'm fully for the reveal - it's just daft imo that it's taking so long for it to come out, and we are re-hashing the same type of episode each week (Merlin secretly saves the day) so I want to see a new storyline emerge where he is free to use his powers and see how his relationship with Arthur changes. It's dragging out too long for me, after 4 series of the same stuff I'd love to see it.

[MikeAP001]

Originally Posted by Bio Max

I'm fully for the reveal - it's just daft imo that it's taking so long for it to come out, and we are re-hashing the same type of episode each week (Merlin secretly saves the day) ...

I'm for a reveal too but Merlin as the unsung hero secretly saving the day is what makes him a "masked adventurer," as they called them back in the 1930s-50s serials and comic books: an unknown hero who out of nowhere saves the day unbeknownst to anyone else but the audience. But, there were a lot of times when the hero's friend(s) found out but about the secret identity wouldn't tell the hero. Instead, they kept it secret for instance Pete Ross in the old Superboy Comics, Kato in the Green Hornet Radio shows, and Sancho in the ZORRO TV show, even even if they might not always approve of the actions of the hero like Alfred in the old Batman serial and comics.

Originally Posted by Lowri

... I desperately want Arthur to know and a trusted few such as Gwen and the Knights but I actually don't want the whole of Camelot to know. Part of Merlin's effectiveness as an unsung hero is his anonymity, if the whole of Camelot knew he'd either be closeted up in the Castle on Kingdom business or he'd be constantly harrassed when in the streets to cure this and do that etc.

That's why I'd like to see Arthur discover the secret. He suspects something about Merlin. After all, since S01, Arthur suspected something about Merlin which he reinforced in the other seasons and admitted as such in S04. Arthur confides in Gwen what he suspects. And in time, they find that his suspicions are well-founded as they "fathomed Me(rlin) out." But, like the side-kick best friends from the pulps and serials of old, they don't confront Merlin and wait for him to tell them... which he never does on his own... which would make for a great final scene where Merlin and Arthur confront each other in a seeming duel to the death.

While I agree the younger Arthur would have run Merlin through with his sword on the discovery of the Reveal which is why Merlin couldn't tell him earlier, I'd like to think that an older Arthur who's not so black and white about things--- that is, living by a stringent code of conduct---- especially magic might pause to weigh things out especially since Merlin's been around for almost a decade. He'd want more time to judge what would be the best course to take AND Gwen's now with him to act as his moral compass to curb his initial rage... no matter what she's suffered by magic, she's also benefited from it thanks to Merlin.

And, so for future episodes, the story wouldn't be about the REVEAL but the DECISION as Arthur and Gwen would be faced with the question: What must they do about Merlin for the good of the kingdom?

With skillful story telling, that could last about a half series or more. And, you'd have the seeds for some great scenes on that.

[Lowri]

Just a random little thought I had, don't know if it's still spoilery or not:

Spoiler

I wonder if the "moment of weakness" in which Uther returns is caused by Arthur's indecision over the Reveal?

[MikeAP001]

Originally Posted by Lowri

Just a random little thought I had, don't know if it's still spoilery or not:

Spoiler

I wonder if the "moment of weakness" in which Uther returns is caused by Arthur's indecision over the Reveal?

Wouldn't it be great if it did? I think so. Here's another site with a similar article.

http://www.cultbox.co.uk/news/headli...n-for-series-5

Spoiler

For those not wanting to wait for the load:

"Uther returns in a very unexpected way," Capps said, according to AssignmentX.com, "and returns in Arthur’s life where he’s missing his father and he needs some advice and in a moment of weakness, and he is able to contact Uther."

I could just picture how that entire scene would go. But, I'd really be interested to see how Morgana would react to the news.

I found these. They aren't really spoilery right now except for the other guy from Game of Thrones but here are a couple other things to pique the interest regarding S05 and beyond:

http://www.cultbox.co.uk/features/op...a-continuation

http://www.cultbox.co.uk/news/headli...t-whole-series

http://www.cultbox.co.uk/news/headli...erlin-series-5

http://scifiandtvtalk.typepad.com/sc...-revealed.html

Spoiler

I think the photos I've seen of Julian Glover would make him a good captor for Morgana. Anyone agree?

[Cadiva]

Originally Posted by MikeAP001

Spoiler

I think the photos I've seen of Julian Glover would make him a good captor for Morgana. Anyone agree?

He's a superb actor, it will be interesting to see how they use him.

[GBali]

Originally Posted by Cadiva

He's a superb actor, it will be interesting to see how they use him.

Indeed, one more superb actor in series 5!

Spoiler

I think Julian Glover plays the character talking about the prophecy in the trailer. I don't think he's the captor of Morgana.

[MikeAP001]

Originally Posted by GBali

Indeed, one more superb actor in series 5!

Spoiler

I think Julian Glover plays the character talking about the prophecy in the trailer. I don't think he's the captor of Morgana.

Who knows? In the trailer, I thought it sounded like

Spoiler

Liam Cunningham. But this site, says Glover will be in the first episode of MERLIN:

http://www.julianglover.co.uk/

And, I guess Morgana's captor won't be known until later in S05.

[GBali]

Originally Posted by MikeAP001

Who knows? In the trailer, I thought it sounded like

Spoiler

Liam Cunningham.

I can hear (and see) both of them in the trailer.

[Cadiva]

Originally Posted by GBali

Indeed, one more superb actor in series 5!

Spoiler

I think Julian Glover plays the character talking about the prophecy in the trailer. I don't think he's the captor of Morgana.

Yup, I mentioned that a couple of pages ago when the trailer came out

Originally Posted by Cadiva

It looks like they've got

Spoiler

Roy Dotrice (or possibly Julian Glover, looks like one or the other of them)

as a guest actor as well, he speaking about Arthur's Bane. Seems they're having a bit of a Merlin/Game of Thrones cross over atm

Originally Posted by MikeAP001

Who knows? In the trailer, I thought it sounded like

Spoiler

Liam Cunningham. But this site, says Glover will be in the first episode of MERLIN:

http://www.julianglover.co.uk/

And, I guess Morgana's captor won't be known until later in S05.

He is the person GBali has said. I did mention it when the trailer came out a few pages ago (see above).

[claire2281]

Originally Posted by MikeAP001

Spoiler

For those not wanting to wait for the load:

"Uther returns in a very unexpected way," Capps said, according to AssignmentX.com, "and returns in Arthur’s life where he’s missing his father and he needs some advice and in a moment of weakness, and he is able to contact Uther."

Spoiler

If Arthur uses magic to talk to his father that will be....iffy. I mean, having magic banned yet using it secretly for his own purposes? Sounds a lot like something Uther would do!

[Cadiva]

Originally Posted by claire2281

Spoiler

If Arthur uses magic to talk to his father that will be....iffy. I mean, having magic banned yet using it secretly for his own purposes? Sounds a lot like something Uther would do!

Exactly, I'm expecting it to be more of

Spoiler

a "dream sequence" type appearance where Arthur is able to talk to Uther freely about his fears as he knows his father is dead.

The other alternative, of course, is

Spoiler

that Morgana in her old woman disguise calls Uther back, not as a Lancelot type shade but more as Morgause did with Igraine so that Arthur could talk to her.