Angel's message

EPaws Lorna...oh yes, they most certainly are. I am sure the tweets are flying and that is a very good thing. If even 25% of the vocal are around, that is a hell of a lot of clout from a quarter they never anticipated. That is a very, very good thing. Jazzie...I truly hope there is a really,really good reason and that she is okay. I do. I do.

HumbleQueen Maybe we won't know the reason. Maybe, just maybe, it's okay. Good out of bad sometimes. I didn't join twitter or anything, so I didn't do it, but I think it's nice of all those who tweeted about it. It has to have been an encouragement to her. I want to be honest with you guys. I'm finding it hard to process that this was a deliberate shunning. Maybe I'm being guilty of putting the best connotation on this thing and maybe it's because I've not been around as long as everybody else, but I can't see that they would do that. I still hold up hope that there is an underlying reason for Angel not attending these last two times. She's been to these events in the past and done well. She seemed okay at Kapow in April though I thought she was a little nervous that day. Who knows who's said what to whom that this decision was made. Who's to know that there's some reason that this isn't a good time for her to attend for her own reasons (or the show in general) that she doesn't want to say at this time. Maybe TPTB have even talked to her about this. Just putting that out there. I've looked at lots of vids of filming lately and she seems accepted and loved by her fellow cast and crew members, producers, etc. They're investing a lot into her character for the coming year. She seems quite happy, except for that finger thing whatever that was. What will upset me a lot is if the same thing happens that I'm told happened last year that she was excluded from the promos. That would be very discouraging to all of us. I love Angel a lot and I guess I don't want her to be upset or anything so I'm trying to be positive about what's happening for her professionally, personally, and every other way. I'm thinking this might be the best Merlin year for her so far, so I don't want that to get lost in the shuffle. It would really affect my enjoyment of the show to tell the truth.

EPaws Moi aussi, HQ.

HumbleQueen Oh boy, Stace. Now you're really trying to trip me up. And I get an angry face no less. Where's a scared face emoticon?

EPaws NEED.TO.KNOW.WHY. Really that simple. Is she ill? Indisposed?Otherwise creatively busy? Oh there has been quite the stink about this, possibly more than the idiot faction can imagine. This is not about BBC and the other members of the cast. Never has been. This is about feeding stupidity and possible shortsightedness of a distribution arm. Unless... there is something that we are not being told on a personal level that might not mitigate travel at this time....LOL! Now wouldn't that just be shits and giggles.

Itasmallworld I glad that Angel is aware that there are fan who are really disappointed to not see her at CC and will miss her presence. However, this tweet while nice gesture smell to much like coverup. If she busy why not state it along with her regret. This statement is entirely too vague and since it a statement you can't question it. I can only hope that there promos of Angel and her character she plays Gwen.

san819 The fan base attending in San Diego will be predominately Caucasian but it also skews young and not bigoted at all. So if some are suggesting that Angel is being hidden because she is black...may be true...but don't put it on the fans in San Diego! Personally it feels as if she is being hidden by the very same people who surely realized she was bi-racial (and understood the dynamics) when they cast her and if true it's sickening.

EPaws Oh I put this all in the short term thinking hands of the distribution company not BBC. All of it.

HumbleQueen Agree, san819. That's the last thing I would expect of fans in San Diego. No problem at all there. @itasmallworld: Indeed, she was vague at the reason which would make us think that she's not wanting to say what that is. So we have to assume she doesn't intend to give a reason, whatever that means to her. It would have been easy to have given one even if it was a lie. I know, Stacey. It would all be settled if they told us why, since there is so much unrest about it. I hope all will forgive me for being stubborn. I don't think she's being hidden and I don't think it's racial. They took a chance yes with the casting and it's paid off. It has worked. Popularity increases with each season and here in the US people started coming on board last year big time. Nobody could miss Arwen last year and the show's popularity continued to grow. It's obvious next year will have major Arwen implications and interviews indicate a big year for Gwen. Why hide that in San Diego? It doesn't make sense. The people who attend won't realize there is a person of color playing a lead part if they don't see her there? I hope we're not saying she hasn't been a good presence when she has been in attendance in the past. Forgive a stubborn old lady and go easy on me, lol. We have a habit here in America to blame everything we think is negative towards a person of color as racial. It seems to be the going thing these days; I don't want to go on and on about it but it's a fact. Of course, it's always possible that it's that, but I want to give room for it to be something else. I still think it's possible that even if it wasn't her decision, the decision was based on something legitimate. I also think it's possible that there are complexities regarding Angel's situation that she'd rather not get into. As many have said, the good thing is that she has to have been given a boost by what's happened and I'm happy for her for that.

daenerys Angel's comic con absences are not the real issue (for me anyway) it is just a symptom of a bigger problem. I woke up to 7 seconds of a new look at Merlin. Not even a nanosecond of those was dedicated to Gwen. ALL the younger cast featured. Even Lancelot gets some play. Friggin' Lancelot who pops up once per season. But no Gwen. Just saying... Anyway, if there is any hurt to be caused by these incessant exclusions it will be towards Angel. So I hope she is indeed encouraged by the knowledge that she IS loved and missed by many.

EPaws Well said ladies. I agree with you all on this matter. For God's sake, Shine has created a doll for our beloved Gaius...where is Gwen's oh...haven't made one. Oh fascinating...hmmmm what is wrong with this picture? Be aware, I do not begrudge my darling, Mr. Wilson his dollikins....just making a point. Again, all related to Shine...not the production company.

HumbleQueen I thought I ought to come back once more after what Zoe said. Like I've said, I'm late with all this and the words Zoe used "incessant exclusions" hit home with me. If it's not just comic con absences, and I'm hearing from others that there have been other things in the past, then perhaps I'm wrong. I sooo hope I'm not, but I've been feeling a bit sad now that I'm getting a fuller picture. I'm just extremely disappointed that they would do that to her in this day and age. One big encouragement I'm seeing is the love and concern pouring out for Angel at this place. Again, I'm glad for those who spoke up and sent the tweets. I hope we can do more in the future to let her know she too has a fanbase who loves her. Because I've said so much, I just wanted everybody to know I'm rethinking it...

daenerys Nanna, I don't know why it happens, so please don't let my bitter rants sway you. All I know for sure is that there have been too many occasions where I'll see something related to Merlin promotion and my first thought is: where is Angel? If her absence was a rare occurrence I would just appreciate it for what it was and move right along but it's frequency just makes every time feel like a slap in the face. On a happier note I am trying to take a page out of Angel's book. She appears to be the sort to not let negativity sour her attitude. She rises above it. Great to see.

EPaws What Zoe said.

HumbleQueen It's not that I'm being swayed, Zoe, but that I'm hearing from various places that this seems to be a frequent issue when it comes to promotional things. So I too have to question what's happening and who it is somewhere in the decision making on these things who may have some kind of problem with the Gwen character? Again, I'm not saying it's racial, but I'm sad to say it doesn't look good and I guess people aren't overreacting to be concerned. You know what I hope? In the long run all of this is going to work to Angel's good for the future of the show. I like what you said, Zoe. Let's all rise above it and not let is sour us. Let's be more determined to support Gwen and Arwen. BTW, Zoe. You didn't sound bitter at all. Just being rational IMO.

daenerys Awww. Thanks Nanna. Yes. I see only good things coming up for Arwen & Gwen. I find solace in that.

san819 Not to be a Debbie Downer but as a fan...I think we should continue to tweet our disappointment maybe even start some kind of petition. It's just not acceptable for her to be treated like she is invisible. I pray that she didn't actually have to suffer the humiliation of actually tweeting that b.s. response. What normal young lady would want to miss out on a trip to San Diego with her friends unless she had a serious family issue or was doing another project? Any Ideas about getting our what...500 strong membership to tweet daily and start encouraging fans from other sites to do the same would be great. It's amazing to me that she isn't even in the promo and for every character in the series except her to have an action figure...I'd laugh if it wasn't so sad. What's worse is if we continue to watch without someone at Shine or BBC addressing this issue we allow ourselves and Angel and to be exploited.

chngeyuratitude I am sad, miffed, and still a little upset that we are not seeing Angel at the SDCC this year, so unless the reasons Angel's not going are personal such as death threats, pregnancy, someone in the family's ill, marriage in the family or she is getting married, anything else doesn’t really cut it with me. What I really get upset about are the young children in this WORLD (BBC, producers, & Shine promotes the fact they are showing in 150 countries) who would love to see all four of their heroes together, Bradley/Arthur, Colin/Merlin, Katie/Morgana and Angel/Gwen (although I probably wouldn't count Morgana as my hero)and not only children but us as well. Merlin supposedly prides itself on being a family show, how can it be if you exclude Gwen from the family, both on screen and off. If you ask parents who they would like to have their daughters to be like from the show, I think most of them would say Guinevere (my perception). How can children be inspired if one of the main stars is not doing interviews, or promoting her character, or her character is in the background or not at all in the promotional material, and the fact she still hasn't got an action figure yet. What message is it sending them? I really really hope that for the rest of this year it changes, and I hope this is a big year for Angel and she has more screen time as JJ says. Angel really deserves it. Oh and BTW I love her interviews. I find solace in the fact that can Angel wear a smile even in the face of adversity and she proved that after the little digit incident at Pierrefonds. This woman rocks Sorry for the long post and the rant.

islanda Couldn't agree with chngeyuratitude and others. I would love to see Angel out there as well but as you've all pointed out, its great to see how classy she is and how she is able to hold herself well despite. She rocks!

HumbleQueen Love your comment, chngeyuratitude! Not too long at all. You said it all. Classy lady is right, islanda. san819: what I'd like to do is find a way for all of us to send her some love notes. To her personally. Not sure what else she would want us to do now.

EPaws Here! Here! Well said San819, Change, Islanda! It is actually over 180+ countries these days and growing. I think it disrespectful not to show the OT4 and some twat in senior distribution management needs to be gone! Cause it just takes a couple backwards, motivationally unsound assholes to set the tone for hundreds of others because of their own internal biases that do not reflect the majority. Old school bullshit! Not acceptable.

EPaws Change, I listened as asked but it was ASH and John Capp. I did not hear anyone giggling behind the scenes. What I found interesting throughout the commentary in QoH episode is both men went on and on about differing aspects of the story. John spent all his time praising Katie,Bradley and Colin and ASH spent his time praising Angel...lol...fascinating. Was there anything else you wanted me to note?

BradAngeleyes I think we should bide our time, something will come out. There must be a GOOD reason why Angel won’t be at SDCC and I’m praying it isn’t the ‘R’ word. It had better be a good reason too. Shine/BBC can’t be so stupid as to exclude her, they must be in touch with the fans and what the fans want, so why would they do that. Who knows, maybe Angel herself decided not to go, for her own personal reasons, maybe she doesn’t like flying or hasn’t got a passport LOL!. @chngeyuratitude: who knows, death threats, pregnancy, someone in the family's ill, marriage in the family or she is getting married may even be one of the reasons. We shouldn’t go jumping to conclusions until we know the facts. I’m a rational person but if it transpires that she was excluded because of race, then we can give them hell, and I’ll be first in the line on that one! We can tweet so much that the damned servers crash! LOL! This time next week we’ll probably be saying “ohhh, that’s why she didn’t go”. The truth will out, that’s what I say and patience is a virtue, as the saying goes.

HumbleQueen Agree wholeheartedly, Lorna. Hope we find out one day. May not be right away, you know.

11rod88staff11 5 years later, Im a late comer to the merlin fandom and probably for good reason bc im not sure i could have handled this when it happened. this thread is simultaneously breaking my heart and stressing me out to know the full extent of the complex situation that affected Angel and none of her white cast members... She is the definition of class.... she bounces back always smiles never seems to stay upset for long...if at all and its like what she had before her seems positively enormous. And I feel like speculation can get dangerous but in this case its worth everything to speculate and be fully aware of all the possibilities.... maybe she chose to opt out of these events because they could have been so uniquely stressful to her.... to enter a room that could have been full of people in the audience who might target her and make their attacks highly personal . i hate tobsound negative or put neg worse case scenarios out there but I remember seeing a video of Angel and Colin leaving PF and Angel had two body guards guarding her carefully as she walked through a crowd of people and Colin brought up the rear and the security detail really wasnt focused on him at all and thats when I saw most clearly how complex Angel's physical situation with the fandom really was. And perhaps Angel knew that it might be a risk to her own emotional psychological boundaries to put herself out there in that way... and perhaps we choose our battles and what exactly we put our time and energy towards and comiccon didnt make the cut. that is one possibility and other possibility is everything that was discussed here that these promotional and production companies were racist bigots and this is so painful to consider. And we may never know the true reason... I pray that in addition to fan support, Angel was supported in all other ways that affect her professional career. This year 2017... Angel posted her own statement hashtag on her twitter: #lovemerlinhateracism and i think she was implying a lot more than people are realizing the extent of the hellercoaster she must have been through for 5 plus years of her life that were Merlin. Surely the best and and the worst of times. Pivotal for her career and also.. probably incredibly Isolating because the racist / prejudice outpouring was her own lonely road....