" it's quite clear in the film that the assembled figures are Arthur's knights" nods
"or maybe he just didn't understand how they could forget about her so quickly- which in fairness, it's not explained very well" nods again.
The ending powerful and beautiful as it is, is not all that solid. It offers many loopholes for Mab. I won't complain
I call the ending invalid. The fairy world lives happily ever after.
That is a nice and neat view on canon.
I take canon as that what in my eyes is true to the spirit of the film. A less defined and far more subjective rule but that is how it works for me. Gutfeeling. How very Ambrosia of me
Newsflash: I now belong to the überly cool group of people who posses the original script book. It is a larger book than I expected and in my eyes is more worth reading than the novels. It is a very interesting book. Though the script is almost identical to the film, where it deviates it still carries the Merlin spirit. Much of the novels didn't feel like this to me.
Where to begin this short description? From what I have already leafed through in the script, I have this to say:
I like how it starts in medias res. They changed that to a chronological flow probably for the story to run smoother and the viewer to be eased into the magic. Still I really like this original set-up.
Why?
- it gives meaning to the griffin scene, a foreshadowing of Mab's character
-telling Arthur everything fits in better
- I like seeing the "a little bird told me" bird, butterfly actually, revealed. -Little things, they matter to me.
- The greatest strength of this scene order: Merlin-Nimue.
Yes, you heard me right. Starting out with her scarred makes their relationship fascinating, much like Frik-Morgan. In my humble opinion these two are a shining couple of romance, they have a place in my top three of best fictional couples.
The Merlin film carries a big message on beauty. Nimue values her beauty so that in the end it almost costs her her true love. To be introduced to our noble hero and see him adore a scarred creature so utterly and devotedly, is much stronger a start.
I can tell I would have loved this scene like that, placed at that point in the film. It messes with the ‘beautiful princess’ formula Nimue’s character suffers from. She is rather traditionally presented to us through Merlin's youthful eyes when he catches his first love crush. We have seen the pretty princess from the beginning a million times.
‘I love’ this brings me to Mab and the priestess scene, adequately discussed in previous messages I have little to add. Our queen is a relatable villain with or without this touching scene present in the end product. Gudrun, the name of the priestess, is one of my personal favourite names of all time.
The first Ambrosia scene: plusside they left out much of the Frik bashing, it made Ambrosia a tad unlikeable and that is not her.
The difference a few sentences can make!
Right after Ambrosia says that Mab cannot love anymore.
Mab: “”You always had a viper’s tongue, Sister Ambrosia, but you always spoke the truth as you saw it. (she glares at Frik) It is a commodity in very short supply in my court. “ After this she leaves Merlin with Ambrosia.
Now we know exactly why Mab left Merlin there. She trusts Ambrosia’s gut even when it has little good to say about Mab herself.
A trust in Ambrosia, a respect even though she changed her religion. Mab's faith in the human ex loyal servant is great enough to accept that.
Mab, this is truly admirable. How dedicated to your followers and magic people you show yourself to be only 10 minutes into your screentime.
Buttered parsnip: best left out. Merlin has plenty of such odd boyish moments already
It is totally him.
Again, Mab's treath “I’ll make you” followed by a gentle "after you have grieved” In my world this proves her the protagonist.
Depressed old fired soothsayer had me laughing.
And now this is my biased fangirlyness: Mab put her son to sleep
(this is right before Nimue got burned.) How sweet.
Dragon dies sniff
The tent scene though different from the truly excellent one we have in the film, I find again very impressive.
Letting the weary of life person die. It seems to be a motive with Mab. ‘letting die’ It appears she was far more passive here than in the film, especially before Gudrun and the upmarch of Christianity urged her into action. A most noble motivation that went terribly wrong.
I love this film and writing to bits.
Frik explaining the joke is absent in the script and appears to be a brilliant addition. As were Mab and Frik's victory jubilations.
Mab and Nimue's conversation about Merlin is still as sweet and awkward as can be.
I ADORE Morgan to Mab “If you ever change your faith, it’ll be because you no longer think you’re God…”
This really rubs in how human they perceive her now.
How often this Christian God is mentioned in Mab's own camp. See, 2 pages later Frik says his “May God have mercy on your soul”
She is surrounded by traitors. Yes, by this point we can hardly blame them
From a kind and caring goddess to monstrous Mab, her evolution is even sadder now.
The funny executioner’s scene. Can we keep it in? I am willing to bargain for it as if it is the gravedigger’s scene from Hamlet:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVoh86uV_GAforest cave scene:
4X exclamation marks on Merlin and Nimue taking their clothes off?
Really? I liked that that wasn’t in the film. Abhorrable.
"This is Mab’s work." You acknowledged that only a two sentences before, Merlin. She can probably see you, you know that. So for the love of Puddles (
) keep your clothes on.
scene 322-325 Scene omitted
…I am curious now…
Mordred’s arm around Mab, her cry for vengeance when he dies ‘something about will kill the entire world for his death’… these two... I don’t know. Their relationship is something I like to glance over.
The turning to mist scene conclusion: “I love you … Merlin .. Merlin…
Perhaps she did, despite everything…”
Oh cue sweet tears from the audience.
P 226 “This Merlin is a delectable cocktail of succulent goodies!”
Why yes it is, thank you for pointing this out and phrasing it… this uniquely.