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)

[leupagus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm digging it - thank goodness someone kind has uploaded most of the episodes, so I can watch them all in a row next weekend. So far, I love Morgana mostly for the way that she verbally bitch-slaps Uther. I'm hoping that continues.

JFlan is... well, I like watching him act, but yeah, that guy makes some interesting "choices." I think the moment my heart died a little, though, was when I found out he was a Republican.

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

So far, I love Morgana mostly for the way that she verbally bitch-slaps Uther. I'm hoping that continues.

Ooh, no worries. It defintely does. :)


Yeah, that was a little disappointing. But kind of funny, too. He's just...an enigma wrapped in a mystery with weird hair and odd political leanings.

[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)

[sovietkitsch.livejournal.com]

No, I actually just downloaded them. But NOW they are saved on my computer. And a bunch were saved on my old comp, before it died.

Keira ♥

[merelyn.livejournal.com]

Haha, fine. I guess I believe you.

ALSO WHY DOES GCHAT FAIL SO MUCH?

[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*

[krazykipper.livejournal.com]

*drools*

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

[leupagus.livejournal.com]

He is also usually wrapped in plaid.

I'm starting to get into the fandom, and I will have to look to you to recommend stories with lots of Morgana (so far, I'm on the good ship Merlin/Arthur, but honestly, anyone could be shagging anyone and I'd be happy. I nominate orgy!) because she's got the most interesting storyline, I think. Because the actual plotline of Morgana is already so wildly off (she's Arthur's sister in most legends, isn't she? A by-blow, or he's a by-blow, or something) that she could literally do anything. Arthur will become king, Merlin will become bearded and more wise-cracking, Gwen will change her name slightly (spoiler alert!), but Morgana doesn't have that kind of destiny. Either that, or maybe she's a bit like a Lex-from-Smallville; the intrigue will be from watching her fall. I dunno. But she's fun to watch!

And btw, *do* you have any recs? *bats eyelashes hopefully*

[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.)

[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.

[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*

♥

[sovietkitsch.livejournal.com]

*hearts back*

We can all share the Keira love!

[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.)

[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]

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.)