such_heights | (no subject)

Regarding my last post, SyFy have edited down their description such that it now reads:

Gwen's, or Gwynevere's, current situation is a million miles away from her infamous future. She's maidservant to Morgana, a kind mistress, but nonetheless her duties of cleaning, washing, fetching and carrying are far from glamorous. Not that Gwen minds. A job in Uther's court is the best thing she could have ever wished for, taking her away from the humdrum reality of her poor but loving family.

When Merlin arrives in town, Gwen is instantly taken with him - he's kind, thoughtful and has a good heart. The problem is, Merlin's completely oblivious to her affections. As far as he's concerned, she's a great friend. Gwen will have to bide her time and wait for him to notice her...but if he ever does, he might not be the only young buck vying for her affections. Gwen might be poor and simple now but, unbeknownst to all concerned, she is destined to be the Queen of Camelot.

Which is not unproblematic (her 'humdrum poor family'? really?), but it's missing a lot of the really awful stuff from before. Good work, everyone who emailed/tweeted!

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Poor and simple? Simple?

Better, certainly, but not good.

... it's somewhat less actively infuriating? Heh.

Yes, we're down to classism and sexism. The problem is that's a huge improvement.

Still awful but less so!

LET US DANCE

*twirls you!*

... well, considering the reaction I was expecting (i.e. none), I guess it could be considered a step up? At least, they moved up one sub-basement level. :P

SyFy: defying our supremely low expectations! What wonders.

Defintely better but still a pale picture of the actual character

Synopsis should be: "Gwen is awesome, adorable, and made out of sunshine. Everyone loves her within like two seconds. Unless they are kidnappers, in which case they don't count."

The more I think about it, though, the more I'm bothered by "whoo, she's destined to be the Queen of Camelot!" As in... her crowning moment of awesome is defined by marrying a guy? I am hugely pro-marriage, but seriously? Way to hand out agency cards, guys. You could at least balance it out by saying, "Arthur may look like a conceited rich boy now, but he is destined to marry THE GIRL WHO IS MADE OUT OF SUNSHINE."

You could at least balance it out by saying, "Arthur may look like a conceited rich boy now, but he is destined to marry THE GIRL WHO IS MADE OUT OF SUNSHINE."

Seriously, the only reason I care about Arthur is that he loves Gwen, and people who love Gwen are good people!

I like this logic! :D

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That'll be five dollars, thanks! Ten for the deluxe package. (...Look, I'm a broke almost-student. Times are tough. ;P)

Your synopsis wins.

Hi Jo, hi, I love you. :D

Perhaps the English that SyFy writers use does not recognise simple in this context for the insult it is? Perhaps they vaguely remember the cliche poor but simple and don't realise that unpretentious would be a 500% better choice of words, to pick just one example. Am I being too generous?

Anyway, well done all tweeters and commenters for getting them to change it.

It's not great, but it's a hell of a lot better!

(I may have done a little dance.)

Her father was the blacksmith!
Also, this is the fantasy period, everyone is poor compared to modern standards.
Also, Morgana appears to have no ladies-in-waiting, so Gwen fulfils that function as well, and is material to the running of the court.