MovieChat Forums > Atlantis (2013) Discussion > Spoiled by better shows.

Spoiled by better shows.

posted 10 years ago by lately_81
22 replies | jump to latest

I want to start by saying I really wanted to like this show (was a fan of Merlin, and I love Greek mythology, plus Jack Donnelly is hot to boot) but this show just ain't doing it for me. Television has gotten so good, and certain shows have pushed the boundaries that I think it's having an ill effect on how I'm receiving this show. I know what British programming is capable of and with Greek/fantasy shows (Spartacus, Rome, Xena/Hercules, even Young Hercules with Ryan Gosling) preceding this, I just don't know why this can't be better. Is it really that difficult to put a new spin on established stories? Take a page from Sleepy Hollow, Once Upon a Time, even Grimm; anyone who's read Greek mythology knows it's supposed to be complex, yet with Atlantis, we get a show that is simplistic. I blame the writers, stop giving us diluted plot lines and underdeveloped characters.

[–] mddwbsst 10 years ago

Well no ones going to force you to like it, and if its not doing it for you, its your call. I also like those shows you mentioned, but I like this one as well.

But just a genuine question, what do they mean simplistic plotlines? Okay sure the first season did get a bit repetitive, but I wouldn't call it outright simple, but that was just the first season, they were still finding there footing and now all that has been shifted, the status quo has changed. Also as for the characters, I will admit I feel Pythagoras and Ariadne could do with more development (and perhaps to a lesser extent Jason) but the rest are fine.

[–] lately_81 10 years ago

Well, to be fair to the show, like it's predecessor Merlin, the show is drawing out the whole destiny thing a bit too long now. In doing so, it lessens the stakes a bit because I feel there's no real peril. Every episode seems to end where it began. I don't believe the status quo has changed at all; the characters seem to be in the same place they were in from series one. Now I'm not asking for a full reveal, but the writers could have at least expanded a bit on what this destiny entails or what the stakes are. Are we to believe that Pasiphae is the big bad? Certain plot points being dropped (like what is the significance of having the show start off in modern times when none of that is touched upon). The characters are all rudimentary, everyone is one dimensional and pigeonholed to stereotypes. A lot of show you can tell, story and plot has been mapped out for the entire season (or even run) but for a show of this format, nothing seems to be apparent for me. Perhaps I'm just asking a bit much. No one else has to agree.

[–] larosat 10 years ago

Hercules? HERCULES?????
That was a show for slow 4 year olds. I quit watching the day a cyclops kicked a normal human hundreds of feet away with no ill effects. Xena would jump around like a mad kangaroo. This show is LOTR compared to those two adolescent shows. Be more creative will ya.

[–] lately_81 10 years ago

Yeah but still rang truer to Greek Mythology than this show ever will. Plus characters actually had demons to battle (internal).

[–] Matthyew_AKA_Jasonbronze 10 years ago

I loved Hercules, it was fun and you didn't have to take it seriously but if you knew the legends as many did you could have a great time watching.

[–] dblackman70 10 years ago

I'm not sure if it's actually drawing it out as we're just three episodes in only the second season so it's about soon for really big reveals. The only thing I'm unsure about is Hercules knowing about Jason's secrets before him. We'll have week after week of Hercules knowing and Jason ALMOST finding out. - just like Merlin keeping secrets from Arthur. - until it makes Jason look stupid

[–] mddwbsst 10 years ago

Yeah that is a worry. I hope it doesn't happen.

Still I kind of can't see how that would occur, I mean how is Jason going to find out Pasiphae is his mother? Unless she tells him. Its not like its obvious.

[–] dblackman70 10 years ago

I don't think Jason could ever guess that she was his mother. Hercules would have to tell him to stop him hurting her or something or Pasiphae would have to have a 'Darth Vader / Luke' moment

[–] mddwbsst 10 years ago

Hercules would have to tell him to stop him hurting her or something or Pasiphae would have to have a 'Darth Vader / Luke' moment

And that's probably how it will go. I imagine Jason will find out perhaps shortly before or after he begins assembling the Argonauts, so perhaps third season? Now the only question is which would be better?

[–] lately_81 10 years ago

Did I miss where it was reveal that the show's Jason is the same Jason of the Argonauts?

[–] mddwbsst 10 years ago

Season two premier, among the visions we see of Jason's future, one of the includes the Argo, clearly in sail through what looks like hostile waters, plus Jason's also confirmed to have a destiny that intertwines with Hercules and Atlanta's (both Argonauts in the myths) so I'm willing to say he is.

[–] morag-clark29 10 years ago

How can Pasiphae be Jason's mother when he is from the future/our world?
Unless she is from there too ?

[–] mddwbsst 10 years ago

Because he's not (as it was stated in the first episode and again in the finale) he was born in Atlantis, but his father took him to the other world while still an infant, its later revealed he did this to avoid Pasiphae's corruption and megalomania.

Jason is native to Atlantis, hence why he doesn't mind the fact he can never go back to his previous life, this is home.

[–] lately_81 10 years ago

Not to diminish on your points, but being native to a place doesn't necessarily means you have a innate connection to it. I was born in the US, but have been living here since I was 3 years old. I don't feel like the place I was born in is home; it would never feel that way to me. If anything, I would delegate the place where you grew up in as your home. Now if Jason actually grew up in Atlantis and the writers somehow manage to suggest that his memories of his times here were wiped, then I'd be to in sync with your reasoning.

[–] ToHelenBackAgain 10 years ago

Not to diminish on your points, but being native to a place doesn't necessarily means you have a innate connection to it.

No, but on the show, Jason has that. He almost instantly feels he's at home in Atlantis.

"Breadsticks. For the mouth part of your face."

[–] Ray_BLOODY_Purchase 10 years ago

Which can be explained as Atlanti-verse people all seeming to have an inate connection to the magic, supernatural, and holiness of the world; traits that do not exist in this universe.

::in the room with no doors, a faceless boy playing with makeup...
I love him from this mirror...::

[–] morag-clark29 10 years ago

Aha - I had forgotten that, many thanks !

[–] mddwbsst 10 years ago

No problem, it happens.

[–] mariam-s-ibrahim 10 years ago

Question.. what IS the point of making Jason come from our world to their world to begin with? Do you think it will lead to something in the very end? Because till now it seems.. weird.. His father could've just taken him to some other land in ancient greece far from Atlanta and he somehow journeyed back to look for him when he disappeared.. as simple as that.. what's the significance of him being from present day earth...?

[–] ToHelenBackAgain 10 years ago

Do you think it will lead to something in the very end?

I think that was surely the initial plan. The show may not get to it, now...

http://seriable.com/atlantis-cancelled-2-seasons-bbc-one/

We will get the remainder of this season, so we'll see, maybe Jason's origins will be addressed.

"Who am I? Charles Fredric Andrus?"

[–] NickanthonyPT 10 years ago

I dont think they knew the show was getting cancelled when they wrote the last 7 eps...so i doubt they will tie up those loose ends

[–] ToHelenBackAgain 10 years ago

We'll see.

Addendum, now that I'm at a better computer: I'm wondering if the reason there's no date yet for the remaining episodes might be that they need some work before airing, for this very reason. BBC says they'll finish out the season, but not when. Maybe some editing is being done or something.

"Who am I? Charles Fredric Andrus?"