Merlin BBC

For the past several weeks I have been blogging procedural cop show after procedural cop show.. and this is where that trend ends. FINALLY! Today I will be venturing more into the realm of fantasy. Today I want to talk to you guys about the great BBC television show known as Merlin. The show is a completed series that you can watch on Netflix. Now here is why you should watch it.

The Mythology -

We all know the story about King Arthur and the Knights of Camelot, but the show takes on a different spin to the age old tale of Arthur and his triumph over the scots. Just as the name implies the story revolves around the live and times of one young boy named Merlin. This takes a different route than the old story in the fact that Merlin is not some old many with a long scraggly white beard, but instead is fresh faced and limber. The story follows the life and times of Merlin the young warlock and his life dedicated to protecting the pompous prince Arthur and helping him to fulfill destiny. The tale is also spun much more different when it comes to the fact that magic is 100% illegal in the land of Camelot.




The Relationship -

Now the tale of King Arthur is known to mostly revolve around the love triangle between King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and Chief Knight Lancelot. That is not really the main focus really of this version. In Merlin the show puts emphasis on the relationship between Prince Arthur and his man servant Merlin. The relationship between the two is rocky and hilarious when it first begins, neither boys being able to stand the other. Arthur the massive egotistical prat and Merlin is the incompetent 'weak' man servant. The friendship and chemistry between the two is amazing. You get sucked up in it. Merlin would go to the ends of the world for Arthur, he has put his life on the line multiple times to save a man that is ordered to kill him if he was to ever find out about Merlin's secret. Arthur on the other hand would put his title on the line for Merlin, his servant, a man that is viewed as lesser than him in every way imaginable. The boys friendship is unbreakable and amazing to watch over all 5 seasons.




Merlin -

This cutie.. Oh my he is too precious for this world. Merlin is by far the most interesting and goodhearted of all the characters. From his large ears down to his dopey smile Merlin is by far the cutest main character to grace the small screen. His heart is always in the right place, no matter how badly he fucks up when it comes to magic. He is literally that awkward and gawky kid that all you want to do is pinch his keeps and coo at how cute and sweet they are. Merlin is by far the cutie-est.




So in conclusion you should really watch this show. Its hilarious and its a completed series so there you go. No hiatus what-so-ever. WATCH!!

The X-Files

So I have recently looked back and seen a growing theme in the television shows I watch.. I really like my procedural cop shows. I mean you got Supernatural which is the cop show but with supernatural beings, you got Sherlock BBC, you got SVU, and Dexter which is basically a reversal on the procedural cop show. So I decided to not change it up. Here's another procedural cop show for yeah.. but this one's got aliens. So this is why you should watch X-Files.

Play against stereotypes -

When X-Files first came out it was during a time that was trying to reverse the idea of the female character. Dana Scully is not your simpering side character that is in need of a male counterpart to make her strong and in charge of her life. Dana's character is based off of the Silence of the Lamb's FBI agent Clarice Sterling. You also have a reversal in the roles played by Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. Generally the woman would be the believer and the man the skeptic, but due to Mulder having faced extraterrestrial angst in his past is he the firm believer and Scully the skeptic.




ALIENS -

The truth is out there theory is always intriguing. The X-Files is something that brought back the ideas of the Twilight Zone, it was thought provoking and engaging to its viewers. It really makes the viewer's the viewer, 'what if?' The story of X-Files deals with the idea that there is life out there, but it also tries to answer the idea of pre-destination, death, life and so forth. The show is not single mindedly focused, it tries to bring in multiple different avenues to keep the audience interested. But still.. Aliens.





The Creep Factor -

The X-Files is a truly scary show, one that will have you looking through your fingers at times or biting your nails in anticipation. If you like a good scare this is definitely the show for you. It has that creep factor and that idea of 'what the hell is about to happen? I don't know what's about to happen and I really need to know.. Oh god..' sort of mentality. It's actually very thrilling.

This show is worth the watch. It really is I swear. If you even took a look at Supernatural and had even the slightest bit of liking for that then this show is definitely for you.

Dexter

Television is known for its tropes. There is the good always triumphs evil, the bad guy is actually not so bad, the over protective father, the annoying sibling, smart leader like older sibling, the reserved middle sibling, and the wild younger sibling. Tropes are everywhere, some are blatantly awful, others are much more complex and fun to watch. One of the more infamous, my favorite, trope would be the lovable villain (sometimes called the anti hero). We have Loki from the Avengers, we have the Joker from Batman, and we have Dexter from Dexter.

Dexter is one of those shows that is meant to make you love the villain. The entire show is based on the psychopathic tendency of Dexter, though he kills people he is a killer that only kills other killers. So he has a conscious.. sure. But we love him none the less. Now here is why you need to watch it.

Dexter Morgan --

From a young age Dexter was fated to be a killer, he watched his mother's murder (by chainsaw). The character of Dexter, no matter how morbid, is one of fascination and someone that we are always rooting for. From his internal monologues to his god like complex in comparison to all of his colleagues at the Miami Police Department. Even though we are very much aware that Dexter has that bone deep urge to kill, known as his dark passenger, we still root that he will get away with it in the end.



Deborah Morgan --

Deborah Morgan is not a lady, at all. She is not your delicate flower that goes crying to her stronger and older adopted brother Dexter for help. Deborah is a detective working along side her blood special analyst brother. Deborah is the definition of a strong female character, one that isn't afraid to speak her mind and go after what it is she wants. She has a strong moral compass, and she is hilarious. To watch Deborah interact with a rather unemotional Dexter is comedy gold really. I have really found my spirit animal in Deborah.




Teaches You The Code --

The show is a how too to get away with murder. The Code was taught to Dexter by his adopted father after his mother was killed and Dexter was beginning to display homicidal tendency. The Code is  simple, 1.) Never Get Caught and 2.) Never kill an Innocent. Now we are aware that Dexter has had to bend these rules every now and again, but through following the rules are people less likely to care if a murderous dick is dead. This keeps Dexter safe, and it keeps away from pesky questions being asked.




For all of the shows dark themes, there is a lot comedy on the side. It is a really intriguing and addictive storyline. Dexter Morgan is a unique monster to watch develop over the seasons. This is seriously a can't miss series. If you are to take away any show from this blog this would be it. If I haven't sold you on it yet, the show is made by HBO.. so there will be boobs.

Law & Order: SVU

Procedural cop shows.. we have all seen them. There are thousands, well not really, they have infiltrated our lives and have sucked out all the soul (cares really) that we have left. But yet there is still hope left and it comes in the form Law & Order SVU. This show is really great, yes it is a cop show, but it is more than that and here's why.

Olivia Benson -

This women is WCW material. Olivia is what makes the show, without her there would be nothing. She is the strong female leading character that most every show is lacking. Olivia has been through so much and yet she doesn't allow this to define her. She understands that she is there to help and aid her victims. She makes the system seem easy, and she brings light to dark themes that much of society sweeps off to the side. She is very inspiring and amazing to watch.




It's Enlightening -

The show is a look inside what it means when it says special victims. The show looks at the violence against women, and men. The show looks at sexual abuse of minors and others. The show talks about things that many people find unsettlingly to watch. For women it gives us a chance to feel vindicated. The show touches on violence against women and we are finally able to see the inner workings of what someone of these crimes must undergo.

A Source of Solidarity -

The show keeps from rape stigma and it offers a place for rape victims to feel that their story is being vindicated. The show keeps from victim blaming, its sole purpose is to help and better the lives that were affected by such a nasty crime. The show makes it feel as those in a different world Olivia Benson is always looking out for you, and that she will take a stand on your issue when no one else will.






If you are not into a procedural cop show then you honestly haven't seen this show. Now it may follow that obvious formal of all cop shows, but it takes it to another level. It is by the book and isn't as ridiculous and outlandish as all those others. SO WATCH IT!!