There is a huge debate going on about The Pendragon Cycle and, as arguably its biggest cheerleader since the beginning, I cannot let it go by without weighing in.
I haven't seen this series, but if the wedding scene and the intimate scenes show a loving couple who are married, I wouldn't have a problem with it. After all, the bible does get explicit about love and sex are. The psalms and proverbs are full of them.
New to this series (only a few episodes in), but I appreciate it for what it is.
I was raised Catholic but would not consider myself religious, now. What I care about more is historical realism in period pieces, and what I’ve seen so far is quite within the frame of suspended disbelief.
Obviously, sub-Roman Britain is not a period known for its record keeping - thus, creative solutions are necessary to set the story in its time:
An Atlantis connection to either the Ælfe of the Anglo-Saxon period or the pre-Celtic inhabitants of the island is far-fetched from a historical perspective (Atlantis was likely never anything more than an allegory), but mythology is not written for the mythologists and it fits the mystical qualities of many figures in the Arthurian cycle;
Taliesin has (to my knowledge) no connection to the Arthurian cycle prior to the 10th century and then quite different from his role in the show, but the name is connected to a genuine Welsh bard from the period who has (probably apocryphally) been linked to many of the pivotal events of sub-Roman Britain, including the adoption of Christianity. Given the (at least modern) association between bards and druids, along with the extraordinary talents since attributed to Taliesin, he makes narrative sense as the father of Merlin.
The connection with the raptor, and the use of “the Merlin” in the title is a nice touch, to my mind.
As this was a period of much unrest and uncertainty (both within the Church and in its interrelations with the larger population), I do find myself worrying that the show will lean far too heavily in dismissing the inherent Celtic pagan aspects of the Matter of Britain - but the show has earned the investment of my time, thus far.
As for the consummation scene with Charis and Taliesin, I felt it was tastefully done. Those who take issue with the suggestion of nakedness might do some soul-searching of their own, as they are taking the early steps on the path that leads to stoning any woman who fails to adequately cover her hair in public.
It seems tastefully done and I think Merlin is a result of the union so no big deal. Can't wait to see the series on Amazon Video!
I haven't seen this series, but if the wedding scene and the intimate scenes show a loving couple who are married, I wouldn't have a problem with it. After all, the bible does get explicit about love and sex are. The psalms and proverbs are full of them.
New to this series (only a few episodes in), but I appreciate it for what it is.
I was raised Catholic but would not consider myself religious, now. What I care about more is historical realism in period pieces, and what I’ve seen so far is quite within the frame of suspended disbelief.
Obviously, sub-Roman Britain is not a period known for its record keeping - thus, creative solutions are necessary to set the story in its time:
An Atlantis connection to either the Ælfe of the Anglo-Saxon period or the pre-Celtic inhabitants of the island is far-fetched from a historical perspective (Atlantis was likely never anything more than an allegory), but mythology is not written for the mythologists and it fits the mystical qualities of many figures in the Arthurian cycle;
Taliesin has (to my knowledge) no connection to the Arthurian cycle prior to the 10th century and then quite different from his role in the show, but the name is connected to a genuine Welsh bard from the period who has (probably apocryphally) been linked to many of the pivotal events of sub-Roman Britain, including the adoption of Christianity. Given the (at least modern) association between bards and druids, along with the extraordinary talents since attributed to Taliesin, he makes narrative sense as the father of Merlin.
The connection with the raptor, and the use of “the Merlin” in the title is a nice touch, to my mind.
As this was a period of much unrest and uncertainty (both within the Church and in its interrelations with the larger population), I do find myself worrying that the show will lean far too heavily in dismissing the inherent Celtic pagan aspects of the Matter of Britain - but the show has earned the investment of my time, thus far.
As for the consummation scene with Charis and Taliesin, I felt it was tastefully done. Those who take issue with the suggestion of nakedness might do some soul-searching of their own, as they are taking the early steps on the path that leads to stoning any woman who fails to adequately cover her hair in public.