But I always thought I was deep?

[merelyn]

Happy Monday, flist! Merlin 1.12 was pretty and I enjoyed it and am flailing about next week like everyone else. :)

That aside, I have a very serious question for you all. Someone over on merlinxarthur linked to this article on AfterElton.com about Merlin airing on NBC in the U.S. It’s nice that AfterElton has also picked up on the gay (and sad that NBC won’t be airing the episodes anytime soon), but what really jumped out at me was this:


The weakest link in the cast is probably Katie McGrath who plays Morgana. She's almost a perfect clone of Keira Knightley, and like her big screen doppelganger she pouts and poses rather than actually acts.


I was shocked- shocked!- by that. She may not be the best actor on the show (that would probably be Colin I think? YMMV), but I’ve always thought that Katie has done a good job. And to be fair, the author admits that he hasn’t seen all the episodes, so I’m assuming he must have missed out on the ones where Morgana is AWESOME.

Even I have to say that I didn’t really like Morgana in the first episode. The scene with her twirling about in front of her mirror talking to Gwen about dresses has always felt off to me, especially as an introduction to her character. Don’t get me wrong, I love Morgana’s wardrobe (ridiculous fur shrugs, even more ridiculous heels and all). It just made her seem a lot more vapid than the she is, especially since she had nothing much to do that first episode other than wear pretty clothes and have the boys stare at her. (Also, the sleeveless number she ends up wearing was one of those whopping historical inaccuracies that hit me back when I was still bothered by those things. :) Still, she got better and better as the show went on, and by this point I would watch a show that’s just Katie McGrath fiercing her way around Camelot.

The reason why this really bothered me is that (confession!) I don’t like Keira Knightley- sorry sovietkitsch- I know she’s your girlcrush to end all girlcrushes. I’ve seen a lot of her movies actually (also somewhat thanks to sovietkitsch, because there would be no other person who could have convinced me to see Domino in theatres, which was for the record pretty hilarious). She was cute in Bend in Like Beckham, and surprisingly good in Pride and Prejudice, but I really really don’t think she can act. Or rather, maybe she can but her range is…not big.

Anyway, what I’m saying is, that when it comes to actors- Keira in particular, unfortunately- pretty people who can’t act but are inexplicably famous movie stars is one of my BIGGEST PET PEEVES ever. I don’t care how hot you are, if you can’t act your way out of a paper bag you should not be stinking up legitimate movies (obviously craptastic things like HSM and the Flan don’t fall into this category).

It’s been pointed out that I’m an opinionated person, but I really do make an effort not to be snobby. However this is one of those instances where I get disgusted with how shallow Hollywood is- and society by extension for laying out their money to see movies starring Channing Tatum and the like.

SO. The point of this rambling ramble is that I had noted the similarity between Katie and Keira, but I’d personally thought of Katie as the prettier, more talented though less famous one.

HAVE I BEEN WRONG THE WHOLE TIME? HAVE I BEEN LIVING A LIE? DOES KATIE MCGRATH ACTUALLY SUCK AND I WAS TOO BLINDED BY THE PRETTY TO NOTICE? THIS IS VERY DISTRESSING TO ME. D:

PLEASE WEIGH IN FLIST AND TELL ME IF I ACTUALLY AM AS SHALLOW AS AN INFLATABLE KIDDIE POOL.

Comments

[ras-elased.livejournal.com]

LOL. No, I don't think you're living a lie. I was pretty shocked about that statement when I read it, myself. I agree on one thing: I think Katie is Keira's clone, but I think the physical similarity is where it ends. Obviously, whatever lab they grew her in knew how to give her the AWESOME gene. ;)

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU. I AM SO RELIEVED.

[shetiger.livejournal.com]

I was shocked at the Morgana diss, myself, but again, she got more awesome after the first few eps.

I do think she looks a lot like Keira, and I like Keira. But I think she's prettier than Kiera, honestly, and by this point she's pretty distinct from her for me. As to Katie's acting--I think she does a great job. Not perfect, but certainly fine for the role.

(As far as the best actor? I'm personally a little puzzled by the praise that's heaped on Colin from everywhere. I mean, he's definitely Merlin, without a doubt, and his comedy skills are great. But he's the one that sticks out for me for awkward choices and visible acting from time to time. I do love him, but... *shrug*)

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have a feeling whoever wrote it did't get too far into the series. Her whole vibe is very different from Keira IMO.

(I don't know, I wasn't really sure who it would be. I guess no one is going to win the David Hewlett Award For Clearly Being the Best Actor In This Show/EVER. :) I love everyone in the cast on the whole, though they've all had the occasional wrong note. ASH is a bit too scene-chewy for me sometimes. Angel does a good job, though she hasn't been given much in the way of meaty material yet. Actually, in terms of seamlessly embodying his character, it might be Richard Wilson? Hmm.)

[linaerys.livejournal.com]

I wasn't sure about her and thought she looked too much like Kiera Knightley at first, but she's growing on me. I don't think she's the best actor on the show or anything, but at least part of that, I can wank that she's putting on the role of the princess, so sometimes that is going to come off a little fake. She definitely works for me, beyond her beauty.

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not going to put her on the Emmy shortlist or anything (or, uh, it's British equiv that I am too lazy to look up) but she never ever struck me as a GLARING BAD ACTOR OMG. (And yep, you can totally wank her putting on airs as part of her character instead of her performance. :)

[leupagus.livejournal.com]

I've only seen the first ep, and while yes, she does look a bit like Keira Knightley, she *sounds* completely different - which makes her look different to me, if that makes sense. Also, that dress made me laugh. Even though she looks v. pretty.

And did I notice an implication there that Joe Flanigan is not a stellar actor? I am shocked, shocked, I tell you!

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

He, you should watch more, Morgana only gets more awesome! I love her lots and lots. :)

And I have NO IDEA what you're talking about. Joe Flanigan is a credit to his profession in all things.

[sovietkitsch.livejournal.com]

I don't know who this Katie character is, but this post calls for only one thing...

KEIRA PICSPAM!!!!!!!
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira1.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira10.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira11.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira12.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira2.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira3.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira4.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira5.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira6.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira7.jpg)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira8.png)
(http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f79/bougainvillea1/?action=view&current=keira9.jpg)

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

OH IT'S ON. I WILL RETALIATE LATER. (Also, how did you put that together so fast? You have those all saved on your computer, don't you? :P)

[krazykipper.livejournal.com]

*drools*

*hearts you even though I don't know you*

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

TAKE THAT KEIRA. (http://merelyn.livejournal.com/114301.html)

[krazykipper.livejournal.com]

No, I think she's a stronger actress than Colin is. (Not that Colin, bless him is not a lot better since the pilot. As is Bradley James, come to that. I think they're just new).

She's worse at covering her accent (Colin's got that one down), but no, it's not just the shallow.

Though I will admit to a soft spot for Keira Knightley. She may not be the world's greatest actress, but she doesn't seem to think she is either, and is all bouncy and cute in interviews. *pets her*

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Colin is pretty awesome with the accent. And I can sort of handwave Morgana being randomly Irishy, so it's never bothered me much.

Him and Bradley have definitely gotten better since early days. (In terms of slash-vibes and in terms of acting, haha.)

Oh, Keira- I want to like her? She is v. pretty though a little too skinny for me. And sometimes I do enjoy her, I've just never really felt like she's doing more than playing herself. I dunno.

[lovestories.livejournal.com]

I will admit my first reaction was, "AJFKAFJ;LEJF;DA;LFJ;LEAF TAKE THAT BACK, YOU BITCHES" and I still think the statement is ludicrous, but if whoever wrote the article hasn't seen the later episodes I can't actually fault them that much. Because I know I didn't think Katie was all that great until 1x07, where she actually got shit to do and wasn't just lounging around being pretty.

THOUGH I THINK SHE IS TOTALLY HOTTER THAN KEIRA KNIGHTLEY. KEIRA KNIGHTLEY LOOKS LIKE A STICK.









I NEED TO DO A KATIE PICSPAM NOW, OMG.

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

SHE IS HOTTER AND NOT A SWIZZLE-STICK. (PLUS HER BOOBS COULD BEAT KEIRA'S ANY DAY OF THE WEEK)

Yes! Please do a picspam. It looks very promising already. *stares* (I want to do one but I can't until later- stupid work.)

[merihn.livejournal.com]

THOUGH I THINK SHE IS TOTALLY HOTTER THAN KEIRA KNIGHTLEY. KEIRA KNIGHTLEY LOOKS LIKE A STICK.

YES. That is what I was going to say! At least KM has some meat on her bones. And she is totally hotter. Mmm... that picspam is hooooooooooottt. *steals pics*

♥

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

I NEED TO DO A KATIE PICSPAM NOW, OMG.

DONE. (http://merelyn.livejournal.com/114301.html) (ALSO I MIGHT HAVE USED SOME OF YOUR PHOTOS IN IT AS WELL. BECAUSE THEY ARE AWESOME.)

[wordweaver06.livejournal.com]

I actually think she's a pretty good actress. One thing that always bugs me in fictional films is that when a character is supposed to lie to another character, they tend to do it very badly, as though winking to the audience to indicate (even if it's obvious) that they are nervous. One of the things I was struck by with Morgana's character is that she lies very well and smoothly enough that it isn't a stretch for me to believe that the other characters believe her.

I think the best example is in the scene between her and Arthur when Mordrid and Merlin are hiding behind the curtain. She has this initial moment of very apparent, "Oh crap how did I get rid of him," but the moment she figures out what she's going to do the lie is totally believable. She does the same thing with Uther a couple of times as well. I feel like it's an intentional character trait along with her wavering loyalty to Uther, especially given the role the original character plays in the myth.

But then I, too, may be blinded by the pretty. Cause let's face it...she's real pretty. (Even if I don't enjoy all the bizarre furs and excessively long cloaks as much as you do.)

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

YES. That's a great point. Every once in a while Katie hits a few over-the-top notes, but some of that's the writing and overall she's got a lot of presence and makes me believe in her Morgana 100%. (And I kind of love that Morgana is good at manipulating everyone- except Gwen, which Katie has stated is the only person who Morgana would never do that to. ♥ And I wouldn't mind doing whatever she wanted anyway, because yes PRETTY HI.)

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

Also her furs are AWESOME. BLASPHEMY.

[merihn.livejournal.com]

Why yes, I am stalking your posts. *grins*

I wanted to say that there is no chance you're deluded or anything else. Katie mcGrath is definitely Keira Knightley's clone... the clone that got the better looks, the better acting skills... the better everything! At least KM doesn't feel the need to look like a stick. And she's just so sexy, which KK has never managed for me.

♥

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

THANK YOU. Anyone who believes that Katie McGrath > Keira Knightley is welcome to stalk my posts ANYTIME. :)

KK may be pretty, but she just doesn't do it for me.

[circa-eve.livejournal.com]

Morgana definitely had to grow on me. I remember the first thing I thought about her was that she looked like KK. And also that the dress she was wearing went over my I can handwave this historical anachronism away line. BUT I now I think she's awesome, and I think she has a really great handle on her character and where she wants her to go. I feel like she'll only continue to get better (as long as they continue to have stuff for her to do).

As for her compared to KK, I actually don't think KK is a bad actress. Or rather, I think she has the potential to be a not bad actress, but that she's too lazy to actually take some challenging roles, and instead just does stuff in a small range, that plays to her strengths (one major one being of course, her attractiveness). Which is not exactly bad, but it's not all that exciting after a while. I think KK seems like she is more invested in acting as acting, and just plans to look good doing whereas KK seems to be riding on her looks a little too much. /Over psychoanalyzing

And finally, me weighing in on KK's attractiveness: To be fair, although, yes, KM is not as skinny as KK, they are still both pretty skinny. I think KK is attractive, but in a too intentional away that is off-putting. For instance I don't ever see KM doing a photoshoot like that one with the chair.

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

Lookit you actually commenting on my lj! :)

I agree, it did take me a while to warm up to Morgana, at least a few episodes. (Moment of love: when everyone draws their swords at dinner in 1.04 she's all WTH LET ME GET ME KNIFE BITCHES.) I don't think she really had much to do until 1.07, and then in 1.08 she hit the ground running and has been awesome ever since.

I feel like she'll only continue to get better (as long as they continue to have stuff for her to do). Yes! And let's hope this goes for Gwen too. :)

Yeah, as I said, I'm not sure if KK is a bad actress or just plays the same part over and over again for whatever reason. What I do know is that I didn't give a crap about her character in Atonement, and every time I saw her yelling about her freedom in the trailer for The Duchess I made a face of UGH. Something bothers me about her.

Also, you're right, both of them are not normal-person skinny.

[alkhoon.livejournal.com]

Anyway, what I’m saying is, that when it comes to actors- Keira in particular, unfortunately- pretty people who can’t act but are inexplicably famous movie stars is one of my BIGGEST PET PEEVES ever. I don’t care how hot you are, if you can’t act your way out of a paper bag you should not be stinking up legitimate movies (obviously craptastic things like HSM and the Flan don’t fall into this category).

I love you for that because YES I SHARE THAT PET PEEVE.

Everyone seems to be all OMG KEIRA IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND SO TALENTED. Let's cast her in EVERY BLOODY FILM WHEN THERE ARE A THOUSAND OTHER TALENTED LESS KNOWN GIRLS. *grumbles*

I confess, that I didn't like her from the beginning. I thought her of just silly girl who doesn't do a thing except be Pretty and wear Pretty Clothes.

SHE SURE PROVED US WRONG.

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

YES. I don't mean that Keira isn't pretty- she is. SHE SHOULD BE A MODEL. NOT A FAMOUS ACTRESS WHO MAKES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BE IN A MOVIE.

Katie McGrath is as shallow as she is beautiful

[(Anonymous)]

Oh my God. I cannot believe you guys are seriously debating Katie's acting skills...
A comical and, frankly, quite pathetic discussion about something that doesn't exist..
She was never supposed to be an actress in this series, never supposed to be a multi layered character. Just a pretty face with a paper thin layer of goth, that, incidentally, she is enjoying just a little too much.
My name is Rembemthankyoumam - believe you me, I know "shallow".