vivdunstan

I am continuing to watch these on ITVX. Though generally in spread out spurts, rather than more steadily.

Tonight I was watching the latter half of "Lord of the Trees", all of "The Enchantment", and starting on the first half of "The Swords of Wayland". All episodes from season 2.

One thing that's striking me a lot is how sanitised it is, both in violence, but also in sexual relations. The fight scenes - heavily signposted by the start of the "fight music" each time - are pantomime like a lot. Older me fast forwards through many of them. They also often go on for a very long time. But they're also rarely too gory (*). Nor is there anything like as much sexual violence or menace as you would expect for the time, and would be shown in a more adult aiming programme. Even Lilith's seduction (of a sort) of Robin is remarkably asexual, especially from Robin. And as for Robin and Marion, well that's minimal too.

Against that mythology is heavily used throughout. And it's often very dark. As are the frequently threatening visuals. I've just got to the start of "The Swords of Wayland" two-parter. The images at the start of riders on horseback and menacing people is very visceral and scary. Not in a light Hammer way. Watching "Lord of the Trees" tonight I wondered what Mary Whitehouse would have made of it all! Checking on Wikipedia it seems that she did have views, and "objected to the [show's] relentless slaughter and blasphemous religious elements". No big surprises there!

Women frequently have very strong roles in the series, which is nice to see. Though not so much Marion, even if her agency improves in season 2 over season 1. But I'm thinking especially of villainesses, such as Lilith and Morgwyn. Though quite what that says, that it's generally the evil women who get the strong female roles, I'm not so sure. To be fair, this is set in medieval times, when things were even more limited than today.

It is a bit exasperating how certain storylines are left unfinished though. I'm thinking in particular of what happened to Gisburne at the end of season 1, the story of Baron de Belleme, and of course, and most sadly, the unfinished storylines after the series was cancelled after season 3.

The guest cast is often astonishing though. I've been marvelling at that throughout. I am looking forward to next season, and Richard O'Brien's repeated appearances. Though I'm less excited about an upcoming major cast change. On plus we will have other great guest stars to enjoy. I am especially looking forward to seeing William Russell.

Anyway yes, very happy rewatching these. A marvellous series, that first aired 40 years ago this year. And still well worth making time for.

* I know that ITVX has cut some of the violence. But I've seen enough of the series on DVD before to remember that even in the original uncut form it's not as violent as you might expect for the time. Very impressive, albeit a bit overlong for me now. But remarkably non "eek!" inducing.

Too sedated from neuro illness to read much at the mo. But started The Children of Hurin by JRR Tolkien. Though skipped opening context/intro. I'm taking it as a story on its own terms, without overbearing Silmarillion-esque trappings that I find off-putting. Liking the epic/myth/tragedy combo.

Note I've tried to read the Silmarillion several times, first as a young teenager, then before I was too very ill, and again more recently. I just find it too much and overwhelming. Far far too much information for me to take on board. And that's why I skipped Christopher Tolkien's opening long and detailed context setting intro for this story, which is in the same vein. I will get what I need from the story itself, or muddle through. So far it is going well, and I am becoming increasingly immersed. Otherwise I don't think I'd have even started.

Rather mixed views about the finale and the programme overall. The finale wasn't as strong as I expected, and also hampered by being very dark (gloomy, poor lighting) for so much. I could barely see what was happening! And I've never been a big fan of the big fight scenes in this series. However I liked Layla becoming a (temporary) avatar, and having more agency. And I was pleased how it left things open for the possibility of more stories. But I really dislike Khonshu. Maybe I'm meant to, but I'd get exasperated whenever he appeared. And Harrow wasn't convincing for me either. This sounds quite moany, but I did enjoy a lot of the series. But the pacing was inconsistent, often either too slow, or as in the finale over too easily. I do intend to go back into the Moon Knight comics though - I have a Marvel Unlimited subscription, so can easily access the old issues on my iPad. I would definitely watch a second series if they made one. But yes I had issues.