[Smint]

Well, going out shortly, but have watched the episode, so here are the results of my Merlin Bingo (I did a card and everything!)

I'll put it in spoilers for the moment in case it gives anything away

Merlin Bingo Card Series 1 Episode 1

Spoiler

Arthur throws something at or hits Merlin

A stranger arrives in Camelot

Every time Merlin uses magic but Arthur doesn't notice

Uther says sorcerers can't be trusted/they all want to destroy the kingdom

Morgana verbal bitch slaps Uther for his tyrannical ways

The guards fail at guarding

Gaius gives someone a sleeping potion (assuming that's what he gave to Morgana)

Every time Merlin uses magic to save Arthur

Gwen or Morgana scoff at the idea of liking Arthur

Uther says "It is/must be sorcery/magic"

Uther or Arthur have a different crown to the last one they wore

Morgana gets to wear more than one dress an episode

There is shirtlessness

Magic sends someone flying through the air

Every time Gaius, mislead, tells a half-truth, or lies

Gaius says "sossery"

Well, that was pretty good - 15 out of 16

I don't think Gaius actually said the word "sossery" - he said magic, enchantment and gift, but not sossery

And one comment from me:

Spoiler

Why, if Uther hated everything magic, did he have a dragon as his emblem?

[Avi8]

Originally Posted by star89

Spoilers in tags Avi, some of us havn't watched it yet

Oops.

I did resist saying why Merlin was where he was so that that wouldn't spoil it for everyone.

[star89]

Originally Posted by Avi8

Oops.

I did resist saying why Merlin was where he was so that that wouldn't spoil it for everyone.

You do know I was joking don't you?

[MikeAP001]

Originally Posted by Lowri

Mike, I think you should add that your post contains a little speculation. As far as I know, the spin off idea is at the moment wishful thinking that might or might not happen with absolutely no guarantee of a 2014 air date (unlikely in my opinion). If all episodes are shown back to back, one per week starting from today, the final episode of series 5 will be shown on 29th March 2014.

Too late to edit but I think it's not too much of an over step. Besides, that date would be perfect--- IF there are Sequels!

Happy with that bit of hedging? Okay, how's this then:

SPECULATION!!!

TPTB announce the Sequel at the Comic Cons Spring to Mid Summer, casting call beginning in Summer-FAll 2013, from January 2014 to March 30 2014 the writers should have the initial scripts and story line sketched out and the initial stories ready for filming with the initial read through around mid March. Pierrefonds renos would be completed by then, and initial shooting could start in April 2014. The initial block of shows would be done for the 2014 Comic Cons.

And, I'd re-run the last series so that it ends just before Autumn 2014 to rev up interest and assure a good opening night.

I know the BBC isn't interested in things like profits, money or ratings but now that MERLIN is in the hands of ... well, HUMANS who are... that's how a free market capitalist would run things. And, there are plenty of those in other parts of the world.

[Avi8]

Originally Posted by star89

You do know I was joking don't you?

I bloody well hope so!

[Leandra5]

Originally Posted by Smint

Spoiler

Why, if Uther hated everything magic, did he have a dragon as his emblem?

I wondered that too. A symbol of his domination over all things magic, perhaps? Still doesn't really make sense. I wonder, might this be the first Plot Hole of the series...?

[Lowri]

Originally Posted by MikeAP001

Too late to edit but I think it's not too much of an over step. Besides, that date would be perfect--- IF there are Sequels!

Happy with that bit of hedging? Okay, how's this then:

SPECULATION!!!

TPTB announce the Sequel at the Comic Cons Spring to Mid Summer, casting call beginning in Summer-FAll 2013, from January 2014 to March 30 2014 the writers should have the initial scripts and story line sketched out and the initial stories ready for filming with the initial read through around mid March. Pierrefonds renos would be completed by then, and initial shooting could start in April 2014. The initial block of shows would be done for the 2014 Comic Cons.

And, I'd re-run the last series so that it ends just before Autumn 2014 to rev up interest and assure a good opening night.

I know the BBC isn't interested in things like profits, money or ratings but now that MERLIN is in the hands of ... well, HUMANS who are... that's how a free market capitalist would run things. And, there are plenty of those in other parts of the world.

Yes, that would do it!
That sounds like a great plan to me, as long as the writers are very good, the overall tone doesn't change too much (although a bit happier would be nice) and 50% ish of the main characters who were left standing should be there, after all it's more Merlin we want
I know that it's not technically a spin off if everyone is the same but I'm finding it hard to let go, ok?

[Kargo]

All ready! It feels like I'm going back to 2008

[Lowri]

Originally Posted by Leandra5

I wondered that too. A symbol of his domination over all things magic, perhaps? Still doesn't really make sense. I wonder, might this be the first Plot Hole of the series...?

It's an emblem which pops up throughout several fantasy worlds and I generally take it mean strength and power. Although in some cases it can also mean honour and magical ability.
In other cases, I think they use it because it looks pretty. Of course, it is a suitable emblem for the Pendragons. Cadiva (I'm thinking you'll know this), where did that name come from? Is it a coincidence that Pen is the Welsh for head? Was it once Penddraig?

[Kargo]

Ah it was such a different show back then Colin looks so much younger

[Leandra5]

Originally Posted by Smint

Always a possibility!

Right, here's a list of previous suggestions plus a few more I've added - I suggest that for the Bingo, people pick any 16 at random and either cross them off or combine them with the drinking game - or you can make up your own Bingo card!

(In spoilers as the list is long!)

Spoiler

1. The Dragon lies to Merlin
2. Someone talks about the great kingdom Merlin and Arthur will build/says Arthur will create Albion
3. The guards fail at guarding
4. Merlin accidentally discovers someone using magic
5. Merlin asks the dragon for advice but then ignores him
6. Gaius tells Merlin not to do something but Merlin does it anyway
7. Gaius says "soss-ery"
8. Uther says "It is/must be sorcery/magic"
9. Uther says sorcerers can't be trusted/they all want to destroy the kingdom
10. Uther or Arthur have a different crown to the last one they wore
11. Arthur calls Merlin an idiot or incompetent/the worst servant
12. Merlin calls Arthur arrogant or conceited
13. Arthur throws something at or hits Merlin
14. Arthur is knocked out or otherwise rendered unconscious so that Merlin can do magic
15. They make camp
16. There is shirtlessness
17. Every time Merlin uses magic to save Arthur
18. Every time Merlin uses magic but Arthur doesn't notice
19. Every time Gaius, mislead, tells a half-truth, or lies
20. Morgana tells Arthur to do something and he just does it with a bit of a fuss but little persuasion
21. Morgana gets to wear more than one dress an episode
22. Gwen or Morgana scoff at the idea of liking Arthur
23. Gwen is accused of sorcery
24. Morgana verbal bitch slaps Uther for his tyrannical ways
25. Gwen flirts with Merlin and he doesn't notice
26. Gaius gives someone a sleeping potion
27. Inappropriate flirting
28. Everything back to the same as it was at the start
29. Someone lying down/ill
30. A falling object crushes an enemy
31. A stranger arrives in Camelot
32. A ridiculous amount of food is served per person
33. Magic sends someone flying through the air

Great list - rewatching ep 1 is going to be bittersweet, but some of these really made me laugh.

Surely this one ought to count double, given the torrent of salty tears the finale is responsible for on both sides of the ocean: "Someone talks about the great kingdom Merlin and Arthur will build/says Arthur will create Albion".

Also, we might need to add this one to the list:

*Every time a female character turns out to be either a victim or perpetrator of dangerous enchantments.

[The Hedge Witch]

Greetings, I an new to DS but would love to join in the Merlin series 1 discussion.

I was pursuing your thread this morning, and had intended only to lurk, but when I began to read the posts and found myself calling out at the screen ..... "Clotpole was first used in Series 2 - The Curse of Cornelius Sigan" - in the stables" I realised that I really did want to speak out.

So I signed up to DS, got accepted and have prepared a New Zealand sauvignon blanc for the drinking game. .... Cheers

[bgtension]

Morgana is such a pushover

[Kargo]

"The more brutal you are the more enemies you will create" - The words of Morgana right from the off

[bgtension]

It's Gwen from Torchwood

[Kargo]

I forgot Gwen had a crush on Merlin at the start

[CaptainSensible]

<idiot>But "Gwen" should be white! Wah wah wah...</idiot>

Really odd watching this again

[MikeAP001]

Originally Posted by Lowri

Yes, that would do it!
That sounds like a great plan to me, as long as the writers are very good, the overall tone doesn't change too much (although a bit happier would be nice) and 50% ish of the main characters who were left standing should be there, after all it's more Merlin we want
I know that it's not technically a spin off if everyone is the same but I'm finding it hard to let go, ok?

Can't comment... Smint's game had me at my limit once the Great Dragon showed...

[Midnight Moggy]

Do we actually know they are going to show all 5 series or are we just hoping that they will?

[Natarhi]

Originally Posted by MrsGeneHunt

Okay, I'm officially sad - I've just written out both lists by hand (Bingo and drinking) ahead of tonight!
And the bottle of Absolut is ready and waiting!!

I love Absolut, especially the raspberry one. Can't drink this week but next week I will be.

And I've got my bingo list ready too. Here's what I got (in spoilers for length):

Spoiler

3. The guards fail at guarding
4. Merlin accidentally discovers someone using magic
6. Gaius tells Merlin not to do something but Merlin does it anyway
8. Uther says "It is/must be sorcery/magic"
9. Uther says sorcerers can't be trusted/they all want to destroy the kingdom
10. Uther or Arthur have a different crown to the last one they wore
11. Arthur calls Merlin an idiot or incompetent/the worst servant
13. Arthur throws something at or hits Merlin
14. Arthur is knocked out or otherwise rendered unconscious so that Merlin can do magic
20. Morgana tells Arthur to do something and he just does it with a bit of a fuss but little persuasion
21. Morgana gets to wear more than one dress an episode
22. Gwen or Morgana scoff at the idea of liking Arthur
24. Morgana verbal bitch slaps Uther for his tyrannical ways
25. Gwen flirts with Merlin and he doesn't notice
31. A stranger arrives in Camelot

Originally Posted by claire2281

I am happy to do the tally for the episodes and keep a record - I have a spreadsheet and everything. There can be graphs! (I am a tech girl)

Well we'll leave that to you then. Can the graph have pretty colours?

Originally Posted by Midnight Moggy

Do we actually know they are going to show all 5 series or are we just hoping that they will?

No we don't know. I very much doubt that they'll do all five. It'll almost certainly be all of series 1, and if we're lucky series 2 as well. I'd be surprised if it continues uninterrupted beyond that, although they may well show them all eventually.

[Natarhi]

Duplicate.

[Natarhi]

Originally Posted by MikeAP001

Can't comment... Smint's game had me at my limit once the Great Dragon showed...

Didn't anyone read my health warning?!? I told you Smint's game is bingo, you're not supposed drink to it, just cross them off. If you've gone and drunk yourself comatose then it's your own fault.

[owlycherries]

Soo who's here then? Natarhi!

Merlin looks so cute and young in the Dragon's Call I've never really appreciated it before, but he's got really nice hair.

I have missed nice Morgana. She used to be so lovely.

Does anyone else find the tent scene really scary I normally have to close my eyes because it really creeps me out, but I kept them open this time

[missyhoneybee]

[/spoiler]
And one comment from me:

Spoiler

Why, if Uther hated everything magic, did he have a dragon as his emblem?

[/quote]

Perhaps to show off and / or remind people that he had defeated them all.

[star89]

Originally Posted by Natarhi

Didn't anyone read my health warning?!? I told you Smint's game is bingo, you're not supposed drink to it, just cross them off. If you've gone and drunk yourself comatose then it's your own fault.

You'l be pleased to know that I A did not drink and B didn't play bingo because I didn't watch it.
I had to hold back a laugh when the Dragon says 'the fate of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy'. Holding back a laugh while saying well that kingdom's doomed

Originally Posted by owlycherries

Soo who's here then? Natarhi!

Merlin looks so cute and young in the Dragon's Call I've never really appreciated it before, but he's got really nice hair.

I have missed nice Morgana. She used to be so lovely.

Does anyone else find the tent scene really scary I normally have to close my eyes because it really creeps me out, but I kept them open this time

I miss nice Morgana so much

Merlin is very cute isn't he and Gwen too. I LOVE series 1

My favourite part is the end. ''You will be rewarded. This merits something quite special. You will be Prince Arthur's man servant.'' Wow!! what a reward