TV meme, day 3: Favorite New Show (cheating again)

[tardis_stowaway]

Once again, my narrow viewing habits are problematic.  I haven't watched any shows that just started this season.  I guess I could list Moffat-era Doctor Who as a new show, but given all the Team Rusty vs. Team Moff growling that seems to be going on around the interwebs, I want to emphasize the continuity of DW.  Instead, let me discuss a show that's not new, but which I have just started watching this season:  Merlin.  It's new in the world of my brain, okay? 

The best word I can find for Merlin is charming.  It's pretty much impossible not to feel affection for Merlin's goofy smile, Gwen's compassion, Morgana's will, and Arthur's combination of prat-hood and honor.  Plus, the show has Anthony Stewart Head as King Uther!  He might be a  tyrant, but it's impossible not to care about him at least a bit, because it's Giles. As a bonus, the four young members of the main cast are all high-quality eye candy.  Plus, for those who are inclined to look for such things, the slash subtext really doesn't have much sub about it.

  Kickass women in gorgeous costumes!  Huzzah!

Merlin is not groundbreaking television.  In fact, it's usually pretty predictable.  It could make mythological and historical purists break out in hives.  The plots are ridiculous and implausible.  Who give a damn?  The point is the characters' journey as they develop into the people destiny calls them to be, meanwhile teasing each other and screwing up a lot.  Merlin has a sense of humor about itself, but that doesn't stop it from being really earnest, just like an idealistic teenage.  You want to pat the show on its collective head. 

Did I mention that there's a dragon living under the castle, and in one episode there are giant naked mole rats? 

One good introduction is to see it through the eyes of Donna Noble with netgirl_y2k 's Merlin/Doctor Who crossover fic "Donna Noble, King of Camelot."  I read this fic before I saw a single moment of Merlin and still enjoyed it immensely (and it's even better now that I've actually seen the subject of the parody.)  This fic really is kinda what it's like.

Progress Update:
Day 01 - A show that should have never been canceled
Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching
Day 03 - Your favorite new show ( aired this t.v season)
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite t.v show
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite t.v show
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best t.v show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First t.v show obsession
Day 29 - Current t.v show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death

Comments

[mysticalchild_isis]

He might be a tyrant, but it's impossible not to care about him at least a bit, because it's Giles.

Yes indeed. The fact that it is Tony Head brings so much more to the role.