The Last Voyage of the Demeter — a Review.

6th October, 2023: the Introduction.

 

As I write this … ?

I’ve not — officially — made up my mind about what I’m going to watch.

I have — as I do, every day — started dinner.

And yes: it’s Friday, so it’s fish and chips.

Frankly, I’ll be eating that whilst watching an old friend’s Judge Dredd video.

Then … ?

Watching a movie.

Hopefully?

It’ll be a little lighter than the last long-form drama I saw.

~≈🧛🏿‍♂️≈~

Merlin Series 5: Arthur’s Bane, Part 2

You know, I knew there was a reason to what Merlin series 5.

I mean, beyond the fact that Katie McGrath is a stunningly gorgeous woman.

Yes, maybe I’d better rephrase that, shouldn’t I … ?   It’s starting to sound like I’m going to murder the President, doesn’t it … ?

Hmmm … 

Cue Mitt Romney … !

No, let’s leave that right there, shall we?   Yes, I think that’s a very good idea … 

At any rate … ?

I’ve just — literally —  finished watching this week’s episode of Merlin — Arthur’s Bane Part 2 — and have to admit to being VERY impressed with the way it’s concluded the Series 5 opener.

Let me try and summarize, if I can.

Carrying on from where Part 1 finished, Part 2 sees Arthur and Merlin escaping from the slave-traders who captured them: and making their way to to Morgana’s base, the Castle Of Ismìr.

Partly to try and find out what Morgana’s up to.

But mostly to rescue Arthur’s men from Morgana’s mines.

 ~~~~~

Also on the way … ?

We also find out that in the years since Series 4 ended, Morgana — along with Aithusa, the young dragon we saw with her — had been trapped and held captive,

Seemingly at the bottom of some description of empty well.

That’s had it’s effects.

As, in conversation with Mordred, Morgana seems more than a touch angry, lashing out, a couple of times in tonight’s episode.

Morgana is ALSO killed.

Apparently.

And apparently by Mordred: who is knighted by Arthur and asked to join the Round Table.

Hmmm … 

Do you get the feeling that’s going to end in tears* … ?

~~~~~

Now … 

Did I enjoy tonight’s episode … ?

By crikey, yes … !

It nicely rounds off the opening story, and sets things up for the rest of the season: by showing us Gwen’s toughness and brains in the role of Queen, putting both Morgana — and the (probably fatally) stunted Aithusaº — into play for a big climax.

And ALSO puts Mordred right into the heart of Camelot, for a big finish.

Can I be frank … ?

Series Five is looking good.

*        Now, I’ve a feeling that Dr Kevin’s reading this post: just so you know, Kevin, I’ve not read everything Arthurian … but some of my friends have, and — from what I’ve picked up from both them and Wikipedia — the series manages to keep fairly close to the various sources.   And, as I recall, Mordred — as a youngster, back in Series 1 (or possibly 2) — was informally adopted.   By Morgana, just in case you’d read the Wikipedia entry that says they’re related … 

º        There’s a nice scene where Colin Morgan as Merlin, encounters Aithusa: and realises that it may not be able to fly … and cannot, as the adult Dragon voiced by John Hurt can, talk.

Merlin Series 5, Episode 1: Arthur’s Bane Part 1

King Arthur (Bradley James)

The Round Table

The Euchnar (Josette Simon)

 Phew … !

 I THINK I’m going to have to do some SERIOUS labelling, I really am.

Just so I know who I’m talking about … !

Trust me, you wouldn’t believe how long captioning a bunch of photos can take … !

And, yes, before you ask …

I’m talking about the bunch of photos I’ve got in this post.

~~~~~

As any one who’s followed me for a while now can tell you, I’ve usually only got time for two series on TV, at the moment.

Dr Who has been one of them, obviously: which, frankly, is something I’ve grown up on, for most of my life.

And Merlin.

And I’m thinking the two series are a real study in contrast at the moment.

~~~~~

Firstly, though, let me tell you a little something about tonight’s opening episode, Arthur’s Bane: Part 1.

Morgana (Katie McGrath)

Merlin (Colin Morgan)

Arthur’s Bane: Part 1 sees our regular cast — Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath et al — opening this series.

Ruadan (Liam Cunningham)

Guineve (Angel Coulby)

And in this opening episode, Katie McGrath’s Morgana is joined by Liam Cunningham as Ruadan: who’s supported by fellow newcomer, Sophie Rundle as Ruadan daughter, Sefa.

With the plot of the episode, itself, following Arthur’s attempts to rescue his men from Morgana: who’s using as much slave labour as she can to find what she calls the Euchnar, or Key To All Knowledge.

Little suspecting that what she thinks is a key is actually a rather shy creature dwelling in the caves under her castle.

There’s more … 

Coming across the last survivor of a massacred druid village, Merlin is given a warning by the dying seer.

That Arthur will soon face , in battle.

Of course, by the end of this part, we find out what we’ve suspected, now, since the start of Series 1.

Sefa (Sophie Rundle)

Sir Gwaine (Eoin Macken)

That Arthur’s Bane … 

Is a now grown Mordred … 

Mordred (Alexander Vlahos)

Sir Elyan (Adetomiwa Edun)

Personally … ?

I’m thinking Merlin’s fifth series could go to all sort’s of directions.

~~~~~

Gaius (Richard Wilson)

Sir Leon (Rupert Young)

Now, I said about contrasts, didn’t I … ?

Yes, I did.

You see, I can’t help but compare Arthur’s Bane Part 1 with The Asylum of The Dalek:and think that both Asylum … and this year’s Dr Who isn’t comparing well.

Granted, we’ve not seen ALL of Dr Who’s seventh series, as yet.

And, granted, the Matt Smith/Steven Moffat led series is up against an established series (effectively) that’s been going with it’s current cast for five years, against New Who’s (effective) 3 year run.

Equally, we also know that Dr Who can and will keep going: against the fact the Merlin, as a series, will have to end.

Going by those original sources, Arthur gets killed by Mordred, and buried on Saint Michael’s Mount.

But on the strength of this opening episode … ?

Arthur — and Merlin — is in far healthier shape.

Outcasts Episode: Am I Bothered, Though … ?

You know, I’ve GOT to confess that, right now … ?

Right now, I definitely need a new kettle.

The one I’ve GOT has gone for a Burton.

The net immediate result … ?

Is the cuppa that’s sitting next to me … ?

Is one I made the hard way.

With two level spoonfuls of sugar, a teabag, a mug, a spoon …

And a small milk-pan to boil the water with.

An ambidextrous milk-pan, I should add.

I’m left handed.

Having a milk-pan you can pour with either hand is both as rare as rocking-horse poo.

And something I treasure!

But let me get to the meat of the post, if I may … ?

Yes, I think I may …

»»•««

You see, getting back from my Mum’s, after having Sunday dinner … ?

I caught what’s been my usual Sunday TV shows, for the past few weeks.

And … ?

To be as blunt as I try to aim to be, here, I’m thinking that Being Human has shown itself to be the far better effort, in my humble opinion*.

The whole of series three of Being Human has …

Especially when you compare it with the other piece of genre fiction that the BBC has been showing us, over the past few weeks.

Outcasts.

Hmmm …

Outcasts …

Tonight’s finale shows us Julius Berger’s attempts to take over Forthaven, seemingly the only human city on Carpathia.

Against the backdrop of a resurgent C23 virus.

One that seems to have originated from the native aliens on Carpathia, the beings that President Tate and co have dubbed the “Host Force”.

»»•««

Now, I’ve got to admit …

I’m …

Well, I’m none to sure how I feel about episode 8 of Outcasts.

You see, I’m thinking 8 is a definite improvement on most of the preceding episodes, I am.

It polishes things off, nicely.

But also sets up things for a second series.

Being frank, here, I’m not convinced that it deserves one.

As I’ve said, a couple of episodes — 5, 7 and 8 — have been fairly good, compared to the rest of this first season.

But having seen episodes 1 and 2, I also can appreciate exactly why many people weren’t afraid to quietly — if not necessarily publicly — say they were disappointed.

Bless him, Outcasts Adrian definitely left me a couple of good comments, expressing his dissatisfaction.

I’m thinking, here, if Outcasts and Being Human one of the movies I and the gang watched, frankly it wouldn’t be getting much in the way of stars.

Season 3 of Being Human … ?

Would be getting “GO GET NOW”: ★★★★

Series 1 of Outcasts, on the other hand … ?

A series that had interesting ideas and characters, but such iffily executed ones … ?

“Nice, but forgettable” ★☆☆☆

And add my hopes that the BBC don’t commission a second series.

I think they’d be wasting license-fee payers money.

Actor	Role
Liam Cunningham	Richard Tate
Hermione Norris	Stella Isen
Daniel Mays	Cass Cromwell
Amy Manson	Fleur Morgan
Ashley Walters	Jack Holt
Eric Mabius	Julius Berger
Langley Kirkwood	Rudi
Michael Legge	Tipper Malone
Jeanne Kietzmann	Lily Isen
Moshidi Motshegwa	Dr Desta

Director	Jamie Payne
Producer	Radford Neville
Writer	Ben Richards

* Is it me, or is “In My Humble Opinion” the silliest phrase … ? I mean, when was the last time any of us had a “humble” opinion? Seriously … ?

Outcasts Episode 7: That’s a BIT better …

Actually, before you say anything, I believe I’m right on this.

Episode 7 of Outcasts … ?

Certainly ranks as one of the better efforts from the series.

Possibly on a par — quality-wise — with episode 5.

And without as many holes as episode 6.

Tonight’s episode … ?

Well …

After giving us the usual reprise of the first six, sees ‘President’ Tate arrive at his office, to be confronted by what appear’s to be himself.

It isn’t, of course.

The entity soon reveals itself to be some form of life, apparently native to Carpathia.

One that warned humans on the planet were doomed: just like the last batch.

And the presence of which sees Richard ordering Stella to investigate a method of communicating with the aliens.

And trying to get in touch with the ACs, both to warn them about it. And to see if they can help.

»»•««

That’s not the only storyline in tonight’s episode.

The other … ?

Sees Cass and Fleur investigating the case of a missing woman: Carla Shapiro, played by Claire Keelan.

With Cass and Fleur becoming increasingly close, what Cass hasn’t told Fleur is that he’s spent the night …

In bed with the missing woman.

Seemingly … ?

There’s plenty Cass hasn’t told Fleur.

Including about the dossier that Carla has found in Cass’ cupboards: ones that look seriously official.

»»•««

Now, granted, episode 7 is a much better effort than we’ve seen outside of episode 5.

Or episode 4, come to that matter.

Far better paced and scripted.

But I still feel that Kudos and the BBC could have done a lot better with Outcasts, so far.

After all, Episode 7 is a good episode in a series that’s showing itself to be very erratic in terms of its overall quality.

It’s a stand-out in a poor series.

Rather than a good episode in a great series.

Actor	Role
Liam Cunningham	Richard Tate
Hermione Norris	Stella Isen
Daniel Mays	Cass Cromwell
Amy Manson	Fleur Morgan
Ashley Walters	Jack Holt
Eric Mabius	Julius Berger
Langley Kirkwood	Rudi
Michael Legge	Tipper Malone
Jeanne Kietzmann	Lily Isen
Claire Keelan	Carla Shapiro
Adrian Bower	James Shapiro
Heather Middleton	Dylan
Brett Williams	Robertson
Rory Acton-Burnell	PAS Officer Ferguson

Director	Jamie Payne
Producer	Radford Neville
Writer	David Farr