Erls
Captain (Junior Grade)
Posts: 251
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:09 pm
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Here is how you view the marketability of a potential TV series or movie series: Through the eyes of someone who knows nothing about the series.
Thus, episode 1 (The Ark)
Begins with the convoy separating from the fleet to flee the Gbaba, and moves to the final naval battle. At one point, we hear comments along the lines of "At least we've given humanity another chance" before Nimue et al die. To make it really captivating, this takes 15 minutes or so to really set people up. Flash forward to Nimue waking up in her cave, learning the truth. This conflict, this battle, draw people in.
This then cuts to Charis, where humanity as it exists today is. Haarhald, Cayleb, et al are introduced and the initial problems facing Charis are made known. Additionally, there is a cut to the plotters (e.g., Hektor) behind Cayleb's planned death. This intrigue further draws people in, in part because Cayleb is shown to be such a great guy.
Cut to Cayleb's hunting expedition, where the story takes off. There is at one point a mini-jump to Nimue's cave, where she (as Merlin) takes off, but it is shown as a race against time (slight change from books, but dramatic!). The mountain lizard, the battle, etc take place with the culmination being Merlin meeting Cayleb.
Such an episode gives nothing away, has plenty of action, and introduces the basic character of Cayleb, Merlin, and Hektor. Going forward, episode two could introduce Merlin to the Charis court, begin to show his knowledge to others, and introduce the COGA within Charis itself. Each episode could build upon the others, with the first look at the actual COGA being through Paitry's father (e.g., it is shown as moral an just).
Additionally, unlike everyone here who knows what is going to happen (like GOT readers did until this past season), the general public would have no idea what is happening. Characters like Ducharin could be made much more sympathetic, while someone like Clyntahn (for TV) could be made into a virtual Adonis-like gorgeous human. If the Wlysns (in the first couple seasons till they die) are visiting brothels while Clyntahn isn't, that introduces intrigue and some greyness. Now, of course, eventually people reveal their true selves, but that is true of everyone. Someone like Norhmahn starts out as a fat, ugly, priviliged manipulator trying to kill Cayleb and ends as a great ally.
In short, there would be a lot of the following: 1- Character growth and change (especially as they are let into the "inner circle"; 2- Intrigue could be created as to whether Charis will survive, and people like Thirsk could lead to divided loyalties among viewers; 3- Large (and small) scale battles that are always popular on TV, and; 4- The exploration of deeper human emotion/religiosity that if done correctly could be both enlightening as well as great tv.
In summation - I don't know if Netflix is capable of such a show. But HBO certainly is, as they have shown by their adaptation of GOT. Sure, it isn't what the hardcore fan wanted. But, it introduces the story to tens of millions of people, many of whom have bought and read the books. And, it would be highly entertaining to see Merlin charging across 3 galleys, swords swinging or Rock Point leading the fleet into near certain doom.
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