In jumping around the web, I came across Merlin Series 2 episode recaps. Of course there are many of these floating around out there...but these were completely original and hilarious. They are written by Heather Hogan and posted on The Torch Online (thetorchonline.com).
They are the basic story of each episode, but they are put into facebook! Each character comments, posts status updates, joins groups that all shows the happenings in that episode. It's brilliant! I think the most amusing parts are where characters from other movies/tv series make comments. Miss Hogan has done an amazing job of capturing the humor, undertones, and authenticness of what the characters might just post, if they all were "friends" on facebook!
As the episodes are aired, the recaps are posted the following day, I will add links as they are posted. Be aware that there are spoilers!! So if you haven't watched the episode yet, and you want to be surprised, watch the show first! Enjoy!
As I stated in my last post, there are 2 shows that have quickly moved into my favorites...and for me they can both be watched over and over. The first was Merlin (see previous post for more information).
The second is TNT's Leverage.
This show is somewhat like the modern day Robin Hood. A team of outlaws work to help the average citizen get what was wrongly taken from them.
Timothy Hutton stars as Nate Ford, a fellow that worked to retrieve stolen items so that the insurance company he worked for wouldn't have to pay out the large sums of cash that those items were insured for. Nate went off the deep end a bit, after that same insurance company denied his son a medical treatment, which would have saved his life. Because of this trauma, Nate begins to see the world in a different way. He sees that large corporations care little about the average person, and they also hold all the cards. In Leverage, Nate becomes the mastermind behind an interesting group of con artists (that he used to chase), that have all traded in their naughty ways, to using their conning skills to help those that cannot help themselves.
There is Sophie, the grifter (Gina Bellman). She is an expert at acting, but the stage must be the right one. Put her up on Broadway and she bombs. Put her in an elegant gown trying to get something from the CEO of a multi-million dollar company, she shines.
There is Hardison, the hacker (Aldis Hodge). He is the computer wiz of the show. He is able to hack into any computer or security system that is out there--and if he can't he finds some other way to make it all work. He gets the team all the information they need and gets them where they need to be.
There is Parker, the thief (Beth Riesfraf). She can break into any building without setting off any alarms. She's the odd one of the bunch, and tends to see the world in a different way. She gets her thrills by jumping off buildings, and having lots of money--not to spend, but just to have it.
And last, but not least, there is Eliot, the hitter (Christian Kane). He is able to knock out many large guys within seconds. He doesn't like guns, but will use anything else to neutralize the people that stand in his way to getting what he's after.
This team works their magic each episode by conning their way into situations to help out the average citizen. Each show of Leverage is filled with action and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think the jig is up, there is a twist, and things begin to fall into place. The writers of this show have done an amazing job layering the characters. At first, we see a group of misfit criminals that only care about themselves. Now after two seasons, we are seeing each character beginning to truly care about each other, as well as those they are helping.
The interaction between the characters is one of the best parts of the show. Nate and Sophie are somewhat like the mother and father characters to the other 3--not to mention that there is a story arch that involves the question of will they or won't they get together. The banter between the other three adds an amazing amount of humor. This group of once singular, self serving criminals has become a family.
The show's opening lines sum up what the team's mission is...."The rich and powerful take what they want. We steal it back for you...Sometimes bad guys, make the best good guys. We provide...Leverage."
I started watching Leverage, after the first season had already aired. I'll be honest, I caught myself up before the second season aired because they began filming the show here, in Portland. As I watched the first season, I was intrigued by the storyline and truly amused by the humor that is mixed into the action and mystery. Though I came to see my town on the screen (which is pretty neat to see), I stayed because this show is genuinely a great show!
Leverage airs on TNT. Currently they are showing the first and second seasons at random times. The third season will begin with a 2 hour episode at 9p on Sunday, June 20th.
Here is a promo for the new season:
I do not own or claim ownership of photos and videos in this entry. No disrespect is meant.
There are 2 shows that have really moved their way into my favorites, quickly.
The first is BBC's Merlin.
It starts with a young Merlin (Colin Morgan) arriving in Camelot, only to find himself working as a man servant for Prince Arthur (Bradley James). The two don't get along too well at first, but as the show progresses, they begin to genuinely care for each other, and really get quite an amusing banter going, at times, as their bond (that we know exists later) grows. At this point in Camelot, King Uther (Anthony Head) has banned magic, with punishment of death. So Merlin must keep his growing abilities secret, even from his friends. The only one that knows is Giaus (Richard Wilson), the court physician and Merlin's mentor (well there are characters that find out along the way, but they tend to stick around for just one episode). Though Giaus is a mentor to Merlin, there is a dragon (voiced by John Hurt) that Uther has captured and now lives under the castle. This dragon knows Merlin and Arthur's destiny, and guides Merlin down the path to help Arthur become the great king that we know he will. As the series continues, it becomes more and more difficult for Merlin to conceal his powers from Arthur (since his powers are often what has saved the day). I think that viewers have all speculated how and when his powers will be revealed.
Not only does this series revolve around Merlin and Arthur, but other Arthurian legend characters are a main part of the story. Lady Morgana (Katie McGrath)--who we know turns dark, is King Uther's ward, and like a sister to Arthur. She is kind hearted and caring, in the beginning, but as the series has moved along, we are beginning to see how she could turn quite evil. Even Guinevere--Gwen (Angel Coulby) is in Camelot. She is Lady Morgana's maid. She is sweet, loving, and humble.
Each episode of the series is like a mini movie. There is an evil of some sort that is trying to take over Camelot in some way, and we see how the characters work to stop it, and how Merlin secretly uses his magic to make all well again in Camelot. There are underlying story structures that are really beginning to grow. Not only the relationship between Merlin and Arthur, but we start to see Arthur caring for Gwen (in a lovely episode in the 2nd season). Yet, then Lancelot (Santiago Cabrera) arrives and we see a possible love starting there--oh, the love triangle begins! Too bad Lancelot is a complete gentleman and sees the love Arthur has for Gwen, and decides to leave...at least for now.
There is a lot of foreshadowing in this series--which I think is great! I think the best, I have seen was when Merlin asked Gwen (early on in the series) if she had to chose between Lancelot or Arthur, who would she choose--ironically, she answers with, I will never have to chose, so there's no point in asking, yet, those of us watching know that is just not so. We also learn how Excalibur came to be and how it ended up in the lake. As well as, a foreshadowing to the Lady of the Lake. We also meet Mordred, as a child. If you know the legend, you know that this is the fellow that would be Arthur's downfall.
Merlin is a great show filled with hints of the legends and great new adventures. I love that they intertwine humor, drama, adventure, and action all into the hour long show. With the second season, we have seen characters grow and learn more about how they may get to be the legends that we know them to be. The cast is wonderful and really brings the characters to life. This is a great family show.
The first season aired in the USA on NBC last summer. It has found a new home on SyFy for it's second season which is currently airing Friday nights at 10p. The full second season can be seen online in various places, since it has already aired in the UK. The third season is currently filming in France and Wales.
Here is a funny video of behind the scenes, with Colin Morgan (Merlin) and Bradley James (Arthur)...this makes me laugh every time!!
I do not own or claim ownership of photos and videos in this entry. No disrespect is meant.
