The Musketeers

Ever since Merlin concluded, there has been a gap in my schedule for frequently ridiculous, hilariously ahistorical yet surprisingly touching drama with nice costumes, lots of sword fighting and attractive men who take their shirts off frequently. When I saw the casting for The Musketeers, I was hopeful that it could fill the Merlin-shaped hole in my heart. After watching the first episode, I am hopeful. Especially about the shirts. (Santiago Cabrera just seems to get prettier with every passing year. Or maybe it's the hat.)

While there are no dragons, it strikes a similar tone. It's not an historically accurate or especially faithful adaptation, but what it lacks in plausibility it makes up in fun. Porthos fights a duel with a fork! D'Artagnan keeps telling everyone his name! Peter Capaldi Cardinal Richelieu is entertainingly evil! Everyone has great boots! (Especially the Cardinal.) Not a swash remains unbuckled.

The only thing that really annoyed me was ( spoilers. )