Merlin Chestwatch

[emmzzi]

There has been a great deal of discussion of bare chests in the BBC TV series Merlin, and I was curious as to whether it was truly disproprtionate. hence, proper research!

I haven't done a rewatch since first showing, and as I really enjoy the show (and it is much easier to follow than Who) now seemed like the time. Also, all the real flame fires are very cosy for this time of year!

Later there may be graphs.

episode 1:01
In which Merlin arrives in Camelot, learns King Uther is not keen on magic, picks a fight with Arthur and ends up working for him.

25:48 Merlin removes his shirt so Gaius can tend to his wounds after a fight with Arthur. More back than chestage and purely medicinal. continues until 26:47. (59 seconds)

41:05 first use of word "Manservant." Emmzzi sniggers. Unrelated to purpose of research.

episode 1:02
In which Gaius catches Merlin using magic all the time and is cross, there is a tournament, King Uther is a withholding father, and much misdirection flirting occurs.

1:45 Jambo from Hollyoaks appears. Emmzzi is confused.

11:57 first apprearance of Giant Snake Metaphor.

31:20 Merlin asks cryptic dragon for a straight answer and seems surprised by not getting one.

40:45 Arthur kills someone.

Shirts remain on throughout, even in hospital scenes.

More soon...

Comments

[rionaleonhart]

I approve intensely of this research. Personally, I didn't notice ridiculous amounts of shirtlessness cropping up in Merlin until the fourth series, when suddenly they had a load of muscular knights in the cast, but they're certainly making up for the relatively beshirted first three series now.

[emmzzi.livejournal.com]

valderys has in fact suggested there was much Arthur shirtlessness until current season, when an actor known for shirtlessness may or may not have suggested a redress of the balance to include other shirtless people.

The only way to see if there is correlation for this theory is further study.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

This is very interesting research, and I heartily approve of it.

[emmzzi.livejournal.com]

*nods* I am most of all looking forward to drawing charts.

[katlinel.livejournal.com]

I am even more excited now I know there are going to be chest charts!

[gaspodia.livejournal.com]

It is very noble of you to take on this onerous task on our behalf :) I may have to rewatch certain episodes to verify your findings though :D

[emmzzi.livejournal.com]

I should also do baywatch in the interests of equality, but cannot bring myself to. Maybe you can watch game of thrones for science?

[dyllanne.livejournal.com]

Very worthy research study. Looking forward to the final presentation at an Eastercon.

[emmzzi.livejournal.com]

ooh I am not sure if I am going to make Bradford yet. I do like a nice slide presentation though.

[dyllanne.livejournal.com]

Ahh. Then maybe a more northerly con in the future.....