EPaws Brilliantly said, Lorna. I could not agree more. It is disgusting. Like you, I could care less what your sexual preferences are as an individual, but making this kind of crap up and then expostulating things like this are just well, sorry, words fail me, disgusting. It is totally disrespectful of the individuals in question and points many times to mental illness. This bromance wheeze is also very very much a disguise, quite often, for something else entirely which is equally pathetic. If you have a broad emotional back, you should tumblr this babe. We will all stand behind you. Yes, the term homophobic is often being used as standard phrase like anti-semetic or racist to shut people up when they have valid points to make. No can do. This is not acceptable.

HumbleQueen I will definitely stand behind you if you do, Lorna. Thanks for this article. I haven't personally read or seen much of the obscene stuff, thankfully, but I've heard a lot about it.

leona21 I steer clear of anything Merthur (sadly) just to be on the safe side. Never ever read any fanfic about them even if it states friendship because I am weiry that it is headlined that way to lure you in. There is romance with a sexual nature and there is utter disgusting offensive literature that can turn ones stomach. I find it embarrassing that the actors have even seen this filth or even heard of it. It is not acceptable and I can imagine the actors involved can't wait until their contract is over so they can free themselves from all this shit! Thanks for showing this. Yes, we back you all the way.

RosalynCabenson could not have said it better! Ther is nothing against gay or shipping gay couples. I just remembered when I was 14. I read and wrote a lot of fanfictions with gay couples lol But some things I read really disgusting and too fare gone. That's why I took distance from several fandoms. It's ok as long as you don't go to far and become disrespectful to real people. Some people just over do it and, staling Stacy's words, cross the line.

Nasty_Nat I so agree with you Lorna and of course Stacey. It's not only on tumblr even on youtube. People are making ridiculous videos and even leaving stupid and disgusting comments about "the bromance" thing. It is getting very tiredsome and very old. They even have an issue with not only Arthur/Merlin, but Gwaine/Merlin and even Angel playing Gwen. They are missing the point of that show. Yes, it comes from legend, but with twist. All people in all kind of life can be friends and be loved by whomever. A rich man can be friend to "poor man or woman", even fall in love. The characters are from different worlds/race. But isn't it the world that we live in 2012. It does exist that people can eventually can get along. They need to stop with a that bullshit, stop overanalyzing every single details and just enjoy that the show. THIS IS ART, they knew what they were doing. It,s like creating a painting. people are creative like painters, dancers, storytellers etc have an idea of they want to create before putting it on paper on canvess, after a while it trails and errors they finally create a masterpiece. That is what Merlin is, a masterpiece created by very intelligent and they knew what they were doing without offending people. They just wanted to create something that people would enjoy and understande their TRUE meaning behind it. This is my take on that. Now I'm so over it, they need to get a life and quick.

BradAngeleyes I'll have to think seriously about putting it on Tumblr as the last time I posted a rant about this same thing, there was a tremendous backlash. People were saying I was homophobic blah blah blah. Although I didn't care what they were saying, I did feel angry because I don't say things that I don't mean. If I think something needs to be exposed, then I will expose it, especially if is putting other people at risk, people who I believe are young and vulnerable. I've been around for what seems like 100 years (LOL) and I've seen things and defended people, even at risk to myself, that's just who I am. I remember at school there was a girl whose family were very poor and nobody wanted to hang around with her. She smelled a bit because they probably didn't have proper bathing facilities at home, but you know what, I purposely hung around with her and woebetide anyone who wanted to say anything about it. Nobody dared say anything to me. If a child was being beaten by it's parents in the streets, I'm the one who would go up and say something. I actually had to stop some teenage boys trying to beat up a girl recently, by pretending to be a relative and asking them what they were doing. You know, I'm a bit of a Gwen person really, trying to make sure that things are right and people are treated fairly and not used and abused. Some of the people on Tumblr are using the anonymity to use and abuse and I don't like it. I won't even start on my second rant on Tumblr recently, the Tumblree's friends/followers really laid into me but no worries, I gave as good as I got, in a steady and calm manner. Anyway, I'm ranting again, sorry, let me shut up. Have a good evening/night.

EPaws Beautifully said Natalie. Then again, this is the ARWEN spot. Intelligence reigns here, ladies. Yes Rose, it isn't about homo-erotica, this is disgusting plain and simple.

EPaws Girl. If you want. I will do it. Say the word. I don't give a shit. Quality over quantity any day of the week. I really, really don't care. They don't pay my mortgage and they are not members of my family, extended or otherwise. Oh yeah, I know, re Eoin. Yeah, comparison not. They are grasping at straws. He is Irish. They so have picked a fight with the wrong man. He has a spine lol. Remember that little contretemps between I don't know England and Ireland...yeah...800 years and still to this day, no one has said "UNCLE". Won't be happening in my lifetime or yours, or my son's lol. I am an Uther/Morgana in disguise with a smidge of Arthur, that is part that prevents wholescale murder to take place.

Nasty_Nat Lol, Stacey. WORD.

Bonne-Bell When I first got into this fandom, I used to go on a lot of sites to read fanfics and threads related to the show and boy did I quickly learn how messed up this fandom is. I have no problem with homosexuality or gay fanfiction but please leave the degradation and violence out of it. This isn't about homosexuality. Homosexuality does not equal violence and degradation and if these people can't make the separation then they are the ones who are homophobic. Also it's really funny to me when people in the Merthur fandom accuss people of being homophobic when so many of them make sexist and racist comments about Arwen/Gwen/Angel. To hell with them.

Guinedeer I completely agree. Can't stand Merthuring; it's immature in my opinion. What's wrong with a good strong bromance? Why can't some people grasp the concept that it is a wonderful thing? Having said that, I feel that the writers should shoulder some of the blame. They really play into the whole thing sometimes.They obviously don't realise that the Merthur fanbase isn't as powerful and large as they make out to be, they are just really vocal. I remember Arthur mentioning once that Merlin's bottom must be sore (I can't remember when). Also another time (beginning of 4x12) he roughly grabs Merlin and turns him around. Arthur isn't wearing pants. This even seemed a bit sexual to me and I'm no Merthur tween. All I could think of at the time is that some dirty manips would come out of that scene.

EPaws Yes the writers play to it and have caused this. They are fundamentally to blame and it has sorely backfired.

sportyshuie First of all, Lorna this is a brilliant article and i agree with all said. It's like you peeled everything from my mind and wrote it down coz' this is exactly what i was feeling when i came across some sites where fans were crossing the lines beyond their control! I have seen it on youtube, read fanfics and came across on sites with fanarts. Some of the images, YES IMAGES i saw made me puke!! Because they are obscenely degrading the beautiful friendship Arthur and Merlin has in the series!! And these actions also humiliates the stupendous acting of both Colin and Bradley. These two gives their life performances week in and week out so that viewers like us are entertained so instead of appreciating their effort we have morons who chose to identify their friendship as something else!! And they do it in the form of images!! I appreciate anyone with drawing talent but these idiots are using it for the wrong purpose and person!! If they are sick, then there's nothing we can do bout' it but i suggest they stick their masterpieces on their own walls and gloat after it coz' no one in sane mind will like to have any viewing at all!! These are just images and enough to get you riled up, lets not even get to the fanfics!! Or youtube!! I am not sure if i want to blame the writers or the directors for starting up these sexual tensions. In my opinion, when the series started the directors wanted to show the legendary characters in new light, hence the use of same age for both Arthur and Merlin. I am sure their motive was to highlight the friendship between these two. That's why we have lots of banter between them but unfortunately their motives were captured differently by some insane few out there!! Like it or not, some cute moments between Arthur and Merlin is being diverted into a different route. We the arwen fans here knows how to judge moments like this because we see things positively but the same can't be said for some out there! Finally, these are legendary characters and MUST be treated with respect. Unfortunately, the only respect the cast and crew of Merlin gets is from here ... the arwen spot!! What goes around comes around Lorna, i am sure those morons who starts this mess will pay their price ... somehow!! Be all right and sending you my virtual hug to make you feel better.

atoz55ok I've been sitting here wondering what I could say to support what is being said by all and also without offending. Its not the fact that certain faction's of the fandom want Merlin and Arthur to be together, if that's how you feel about two people then that is how you feel. Its not that fact that there are fanfics written about Merlin & Arthur if that's what you want in your fantasy world then OK, but there are certain factors that these factions should take into account when writing these explicit violent fanfics: 1. These factions claim to be fans of Colin/Bradley - if they were a true fan they would not disrespect the job/career/profession of Colin/Bradley and who they are as human beings, they also shouldn't expect respect in return. 2. There is a fight/recognition/respect in this world to have equality for gays/lesbians/transgender/bisexual/transexual, and when these fanfics are written, to the point of offence, that recognition and respect takes 20 steps back instead of going forward, I'm not saying all fanfics are written by gay people 3. The powers that be can at anytime pull the copyright laws on all fanfic writers/vids/photos that are produced on the internet. 4. There are impressionable young people out there who are struggling with their own sexuality/identity and stories like these do not help at all, I know it's fiction but it's the context. 5. I agree that the show not just the writers but the show itself are making suggestive scenes that feed these factions, so the show needs to take responsibility as well. 6. There are young people out there who are underage they are impressionable and vulnerable, no one knows who's writing these fanfics, they could be anyone, also that little button that says "I am over 18 years of age" doesn't stop anyone, so depending on the country there are certain laws relating to the internet I can put up what laws they relate to, but I won't. Even though everyone thinks that this just relates to Merlin, well no it doesn't, all I'll say is outside influences, and also the cast and crew know about it. I wont leave this up too long, will delete tomorrow

leona21 Bonne-Bell, I agree with your point about the same fandom making sexist and racist comments too. This was not picked up by the article and it would be interesting to know if TPTB are also aware of the racist hate that Angel, in particular, gets. I have also seen on youtube one or two people saying some very slanderous things about Bradley James of which I really do not want to repeat. It just makes me sick how these people are so full of their OWN agenda they cannot see or feel what hurt they may be causing to other human beings.

Melisey Why am I not surprised that some of the Merlin crew is offended by this. A faction of the Merlin fandom is pretty screwed up. It is crazy and I have never seen anything like it. I think it is about time the fandom speaks against it. It is not right. It is disrespecting the people who are working their butts off to give us this show. That is why I love this article and all the comments you guys have made.

EPaws You leave your fabulous comments exactly where they damn well are, Mrs. Riley! They are totally on point! Completely agree. I would also add, that more than half of those Merthurs are in actuality not in the least bit interested in Merthur at all, it is a reactive not so subtle hate campaign geared at denying the actual true pairing. End of discussion. It is very self evident as Leona has mentioned. I would also like to thank Leona, for not mentioning the utter crap being spewed. Waste of emotional bandwidth and undue attention to the mornons. Shushu brill as always my dear. Seriously some need help and it definitely makes those few Merthurs who are normal look incredibly bad.

MikeAP001 Wow! All this time, I was in a cave. I'm from the US and I thought these problems were just there. First, I'm not black or white but Asian... I always thought that Merthur referred to the goals of Merlin and Arthur in creating Albion and the oft-times contrary methods they employed to see it come about. As for the way Arthur and Merlin acted, to me, it seemed like they were acting like older and younger brother and that's what I thought of their 'bromance' meant. I didn't see any homoerotic activity... but I don't read any fanfic either. Still, the writers could quell this by giving Merlin a love interest in Season 5--- perhaps, Freya(?) who would serve as a way to reconnect him with the Druids and the world of Magic or others of his kind. As for Arthur and Gwen? I've never understood the problem there. I can believe that interracial marriages occurred especially among the nobility. Historically, there was Queen Charlotte of England who by all descriptions was black (she had Moorish features) a heritage she passed to her grand daughter Queen Victoria and most of the ruling houses of Europe including a great-great-great (?) granddaughter who sits on the throne of England) while others including her son (Oops it wasn't Lady Diana Spencer, it was the Prince of Wales himself, Charles whose son Prince William stands in line to said throne) claimed to be descended from Asians (Ghengis Khan through his 3rd grandchild Kutyen Khan); and among the Europeans, the Medici Family of Italy, the Royal Family of Liechtenstein and the Royal Family of Portugal had their genealogical trees mixed with branches from other races. As for the diversity found in Merlin? Historically, there's evidence that pre-Moorish settlers were part of the UK's landscape since the time of the Roman-Briton era and perhaps even long before that. So, why can't people suspend belief, by accepting historic facts, for this interpretation of Merlin and enjoy the show?

EPaws Pre-Moorish settlers were part and parcel that is the joke dear, who do you think a goodly portion of those Roman soldiers were? I like someone who knows their history and the correct term Bromance is being used as you use it, not as some select to see it. Welcome. That is a lovely rock you are under. Is there room? Might join you for a visit.

chattawak atoz55ok, I totally agree with your point 5. The way they handled the pairing this season just got me wondering. About those so-called 'fans', do they only think of the actors and how they must feel reading such a piece of shit? Thanks BradAngeleyes. Wish I had better english skills to express myself further on this. So, going to fumbling, stumbling and mumbling all on my own. I'm pissed!!!!!

MikeAP001 Well, Epaws, thanks for the welcome. I don't have any rocks but I do have some tunnels at the Merlin Forum on SyFy.com in the US. I started a few threads. Just look for the ones that read Spoilers. I've been adding to a thread I started about the Symbolism and the Old Religion in Merlin. The Old Religion and Symbolism in the Show are really quite interesting. Feel free to comment if you want or to use any of the information or correct it (gasp!) But, it's all in fun. Warning: there is a bit of fanfic there, one of the posters gave his take on how Merlin would reveal his magic to Arthur. I thought it was pretty good and added my two cents. As for the show, I've watched every episode at least three times including season 4. I still don't get the homoerotic message(s) in the show that people are inferring in their fanfiction. What I saw for the most part in Merlin: verbal, slap stick, screwball, and situation comedies; mixed with melodrama and a plot that followed the Hero Archetype method of story telling. I didn't see anything suggestive of homosexuality and I did not see excessive violence, blood and gore on the show. I found if anything, the editors went out of their way to avoid that: cutting off screen for the actual violent event, leaving the sound and/or showing only the after effect. Personally, it makes a better story for me--- you get to use your imagination to fill in the details provided those details are consistent with the world of Merlin (the Merlin-o-verse). For instance, if Uther or Freya were to get a redemptive storyline so Anthony Head or Laura Donnelly could make guest appearances in the series, then I could see fanfic written about that or off scene exchanges to explain some lapses (as with Morgana's Emrys comment about only one man commanding dragons) or to explain Arthur's belief in series 1 that he was a disappointment and embarassment to Uther. The problem seems to be when the fandom creates events that are inconsistent with the world of Merlin. So, why would people be adding excessive violence and sexual innuendo into their fanfic/drawing/pics when it doesn't seem to be part of the show? My guess: it's basically attention seeking behavior which can be either constructive or destructive. I'll admit I'm likely one of them--- only I choose constructive methods and I don't write or read much fanfic but imagine what should or might have happened to explain lapses--- that way I'm never disappointed in an episode. Unfortunately, some of the "fandom" choose to use destructive methods which gets a lot more attention and has the added effect of hurting people (IF they read it that is).

Uhh_Okay I don't know how to say this without pissing someone off. I am gay. I'm also a Merthur shipper. And a Destiel shipper, a JohnLock shipper, an ArWen shipper (occasionally at least series 4 wise) and a Sterek shipper. And a Stiles/Everyone shipper. There's a lot more than that, but for brevity's sake I'll leave it there. I don't find slash fanfiction, fanart or manips offensive. I'm completely conscious of what it is, and it's target audience, and I find it thoroughly enjoyable regardless. I understand perfectly that it is not an agent of equality, it's not going to repeal DOMA or reduce heteronormativity, it's just a (usually only) fanon relationship. Please bear in mind that slashdoms exist for other fans, not for the actors or anyone else. It's our own little niche in the world, and I would prefer that you didn't degrade it. Incredibly violent stories exist, and depending on context and present themes, can be incredibly offensive (eg. not acknowledging the real damage and pain that goes into an abusive relationship, but glossing over it for the sake of romance. THAT is offensive.) But a story involving graphic violence (accepting it for what it is and portraying it as such) or non-canon-relationships? I don't understand how that's offensive in of itself. I don't think many of you understand what fanfiction is, it's an alternate universe by its very nature. So of course things that won't happen in the canon, occur in fanfiction. Again, it's written solely by fans, for fans and of the fans, and if you're not into it, cool, have a blast. But for those of us that enjoy exploring all of the possibilities and worlds and ideas, please leave it alone. You're not homophobic if you hate fanfiction, but attacking it is still a dick move.

loolymadness It's a difficult thing to talk about, isn't it? But for me it boils down to the fact that this is supposed to be a family show. If you want to write that sort of fanfiction or draw those sorts of violent images, they should have trigger warnings and, if explicit, should be on sites where kids that might be Googling "Merlin" can't get to them. For goodness's sake, they show this on CBBC! And more children have access to the internet than ever. It's exactly the same with Merthur as it would be with any straight pairing, like if Arwen had maybe gone a little smoother and everyone shipped them as much as these two (not a great example but you get what I mean). Nearly every comment I have read has emphasised that it's not the gay content that bothers them, but the violence, and that's the same for me - I am most definitely not homophobic; I know and am close to LGBT people. I ship Merthur, but not in this way; for me, I there was anything between them, it was love. The same way I ship Mergana and Freylin. Personally I think that it's the sites that should be doing the censoring, but NOT by banning. Make it 18+ or whatever, just away from the prying eyes of people who don't want to see violent images, and younger children and teenagers more vulnerable on the internet.

CorcodileSmile Okay, I just have to say this, Uhh_Okay is actually quite right, Fanfiction and Fandoms are created by fans for fans. Fandoms are places where people can put the characters of their choice in a totally different situation, to pair them up with other people, put them into different time zones and worlds. I particularly do not look at images because it's just not something i do, just like i don't read fanfiction about Collin or Bradley because they're not someone i feel the need to place in my fandom world. But in saying this, Collin and Bradley are not the only people to have fanfictions or sectors of fandoms solely related to them. There are fandoms about everything. I also find it offensive that you have stated that teens are getting caught up in the "whirlwind of activity surrounding homosexuality". Why is it a problem to like two characters of a non- canon pairing of the same gender to be together in a fictional world. Would it be a problem to be caught up in a whirlwind of activity surrounding heterosexuality. To place a male and female character of a non canon pairing into a fictional world. There are many people agreeing with you on this, it's just that i don't think you all quite know how a fanfiction site or a fandom works. There are whole websites dedicated to fandoms. The majority of these have ratings and warnings and even comments to let you know what the story contains. However if you don't understand fanfiction terms it is understandable to see how you could misinterpret a reader warning. Now a Bromance, just to clear things up, speaks of a friendly relationship between two male characters, this bromance can be applied to a canon or non canon pairing, it can apply when two characters are in a sexual or romantic relationship or in a platonic relationship where they are solely just best mates. Fandoms, fanfictions and fan drawings are never meant to be offensive to the actor that plays a character or even the character itself. It was written by a fan who, using their imagination, have managed to produce their version of a character or person in a form in which they can alter. I have no problem with real life actors and actresses becoming upset or angry at fandoms made about themselves, however fandoms about the characters they play should not be seen as offensive but rather a success, the show was so popular that the need for fandoms arose. Every person involved in not only Merlin fandoms but fandoms for other shows, books, movies etc. loved watching it, seeing it, reading it, listening to it. There is a simple little request that people involved in various fandoms like to follow, it is a courtesy in a fandom world, if you do not like a particular type of fanfcition or fan image or fandom do not enter it, read it, look at. Do not leave hateful or spiteful comments- these people are called Flamers- constructive criticism is allowed. These fandoms are fan based, made and run, the reason so many people reblog them isn't because its a new trend, it's because they believe the person that has created a tiny little world based off characters or a plot line or story line is because it is good work. People in fandoms don't mean to direspect, but it must be understood that once someone, whether it's a real live person or a fictional charcter, is placed into a fandom they do not stay as the original character or real life person, they become a sole figment of imagination.