"Mako Mermaids: An H2O Adventure" Season 2 is OUT!

Netflix has released season 2 of Mako Mermaids! Yes, yes, I know “But Emily you said you didn’t like Mako Mermaids! You even wrote a whole post about it!”. This is true, but I’ve always been holding out that season 2 might go in a different direction and surprise me. Plus…I just can’t resist watching. With so little mermaid content out there, what’s a hardcore mermaid fan to do?

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the second season’s trailer to get you pumped for your Mako Mermaids binge-fest:

Also, check out some of the promotional pictures below:

Will you be watching Mako Mermaids’ second season? *Leaves to watch*

-The Mermaid Guru

Why I didn't like 'Mako Mermaids'...

This is a hard post to write. I don't want to write it. But I didn't like Mako Mermaids.

No H20 fan was more excited about this revamp than I was, trust me. However, as much as I wanted to love this show, it just fell flat. There was no magical feeling, no warm and fuzzy friendships, and no one I could root for (well, except maybe Cam, but then they went and utterly destroyed Cam).

The problems were way too simple. Everything that the characters faced could have been solved with some  old fashion communication. There was way too much anger in the show. Flat characters who had single goals and not much motivation. Like why does Zac go from a nice, chill guy to a raging lunatic obsessed with the potential power of the trident?? Male power-hungry stereotype much? And the girls themselves aren't really even friends. They don't work together and don't care much about each other.

Then, of course, their mermaid powers were all too convenient for the situations. In H20, the girls each only had one ability and they had to figure out how to save each other in so many instances with just those powers and their brains.

There's a lot more I could say, but I'll just leave it at the fact that I didn't like the show. I hear a second season was filmed, but no word on a release date or if Netflix is even interested in picking it up. What did you think of Mako Mermaids. Does it have the potential to improve?

-The Mermaid Guru

'Mako Mermaids' Episode 2 Review: 'Getting Legs'

Today I will be reviewing and reacting to episode two of Mako Mermaids, Getting Legs. Don't forget to leave you're own thoughts in the comments!

Episode 2: Getting Legs

Episode 2, Getting Legs, begins right where we last left off. Nixie, Layla, and Sirena are podless and Zac has to start figuring out his new life as a merman. After some water spillage confirms he's stuck with a tail for the foreseeable future, Zac gets his very first experience successfully hiding his secret from his Dad. Unfortunately, Zac also happens to be a lifeguard in his spare time and this is definitely going to prove keeping the secret that much harder.

I am quite surprised how well Cam seems to be taking everything in. His best friend reveals that he has become a merman and Cam is cool as a cucumber. I'm sure there's drama to come, but for the time being, it's refreshing.

Meanwhile, the mermaids are at Mako Island hatching a plan. They believe if they zap Zac with their powers, his own powers and his tail will disappear for good. There's just one problem: they have tails. However, the three decide to channel the power of Sirena's moon ring to give them legs and it actually ends up working. There are some hilarious moments here that you'd expect, such as the girls needing to find some sort of clothing and learning to properly walk, which were all fun to see played out.

The girls are able to find Zac's house, but unfortunately for them he is at the beach and not at home. While there, some loud music is accidentally turned on and Zac's parents come to investigate. A new mermaid power is revealed when the girls turn invisible to avoid being seen. I'm not sure if I like this power or not...it seems way too easy. That would have come in real handy for the characters of H2O.

Next the girls run into Zac's girlfriend who tells them that he is at the beach on lifesaving duty. The mermaids find him there and--while remaining undetected--Layla attempts to zap Zac with her powers. She's a little too late though because Zac spots a young girl who is drowning in the ocean and runs to her aid. He transforms into a merman (apparently no one sees the tail since he's out in deep water) and pushes her on a flotation raft back to shore.

And now…here comes the drama. Zac’s never saved anyone so swiftly before and he starts to get a bit of an ego, thinking he should do all the lifesaving from here on out. Cam is definitely hurt by this and lashes out about how Zac shouldn't be taking risks and needs to be more careful. I think Cam is shaping up to be a great character. He's sticking by his friend even through the ego trip and somewhat jealous feelings he appears to be experiencing.

We end this episode back at the moon pool with the mermaids wondering why in the world Zac risked showing his tail to save someone. Layla in particular is beginning to change her mind about Zac, saying that she believes he’s “not all bad”. I think there might be the hint of a future crush brewing here, which would definitely be interesting to see, since Zac already has a girlfriend and we don’t know if/when Zac will find out about the mermaids.

That wraps things up for Mako Mermaids episode 2, Getting Legs. Let me know what you’re thinking of the show so far too!

-The Mermaid Guru

'Mako Mermaids' Episode 1 Review: 'Outcasts'

Mako Mermaids is finally out, which means you can be sure that I'll be sharing all my thoughts and opinions here on the blog! I'd love to hear your thoughts and reactions as well, so be sure to leave a comment so we can discuss!

EPISODE 1: OUTCASTS

At the start of episode 1 we are introduced to Sirena and Nixie who are two seemingly playful mermaids that are in some sort of training and are put on guard duty while the older mermaids, specifically one named Aquata, participate in a full moon ceremony. When Sirena and Nixie show up late to guard duty, we are then introduced to our third main mermaid, Layla, a perfectionist who likes to be in charge. 

Meanwhile, our two leading land boys (Cam and Zac) are headed to Mako Island. On a scene side note, I'm loving that the show is using the same music from H2O, it helps give everything a familiar vibe. 

So Sirena and Nixie decide to get a little mischievous by helping the boys catch some fish and the two head for shore on Mako to camp the night, which is a big mistake on the mermaids' part--especially during a full moon. They convene at the moon pool and we get to see some great banter between the three of them. Layla and Nixie both have extremely confident personalities, but have very different approaches to getting things done. At this point of the show I would say Layla is a lot like Emma of H2O, Nixie like Rikki, and Sirena like Cleo, though they are definitely not trying to be carbon copies of the originals.

The moon pool is also noticeably different from how we left it in H2O. I believe Mako Mermaids is not supposed to be a sequel, prequel, or really at all exist in the H2O universe, but is merely a different take on the story of mermaids and Mako Island. I don't think fans should be trying too hard to place the time frame here, because I don't think it's meant to be placeable.

While Zac is out finishing his "nature business", he stumbles upon a cave that was opened by the power of the full moon. Of course, he winds up exploring the place, and finds a mysterious glowing trident on the cave's wall. When he touches it, the floor of the cave drops him down into the moon pool, where Sirena, Layla, and Nixie are waiting. How Zac fell into the moon pool is a complete mystery to them and the mermaids resort to leaving him, unconscious, on Mako's beach.

The next morning Zac's memories of the night's events are fuzzy at best and the mermaids are in trouble with the pod. If Zac changed at all because of the moon pool, we're told that bad things are in store for all the mermaids. The moment of truth comes when Nixie, Sirena, and Layla watch Zac back on land to see how he was affected. Zac is revealed to have the power to manipulate water, but that's not all. After trying to show Cam his new found talent, Zac falls into the water and gets another huge surprise. Unfortunately for the mermaids, Zac has become...a MERMAN!

This is really the moment I was waiting for. I was dying for there to be a merman in H2O, but sadly it never happened. Mako Mermaids was really the answer to everything I had been missing and it's definitely delivering so far.

Another important scene comes right after the big merman reveal. Nixie, Layla, and Sirena must face punishment for the outcome of the last full moon's events and it's pretty horrible news. The mermaid pod is leaving Mako Island and our three mermaids have been cast out of the pod. The mermaids say their goodbyes to Aquata, who then gives Sirena (they're sisters) her moon ring. It's a pretty intense scene, taking the emotion to a level that I don't think H2O ever had and once again proving that this series can stand (or swim) on it's own.

What I don't understand is why in the world Aquata would leave her younger sister in favor of staying with the pod. This was unrealistic to me. I would never abandon my sister merely for friends or responsibilities.

In an unusual plot twist, Cam learns about Zac's merman development right away. The more I think about it though, this makes sense. I think guys are a bit more rash in similar situations, Zac probably wasn't thinking about the possible disadvantages or consequences of revealing his new secret to someone else. I like this, because while he still will undoubtedly be hiding his secret from people, Zac will have someone to talk to about being a merman from the get go.

The episode ends with Nixie, Sirena, and Layla at the moon pool determined to fix their situation.

Overall, this was a great first episode and I can tell that Mako Mermaids is not just a gimmicky reinvention of H2O: Just Add Water, which I was afraid might happen. I have to admit, my fears are pretty much now disbanded! Definitely looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds from here.

-The Mermaid Guru

VIDEO: Watch the Full 'Mako Mermaids' Music Intro

Netflix recently uploaded the full Mako Mermaids theme to their YouTube channel--have a look and listen! It's very different from the original H2O theme that many of us are used too, but I think it's just as catchy!

'Mako Mermaids' Premieres on Netflix and Network Ten!

Just in case you've been living under a hermit crab shell and haven't heard, Mako Mermaids: An H2O Adventure, has released on Netflix and premiered in Australia on Network Ten!

If you're an Aussie and missed the television debut, the first episode is now on Network Ten's website (note: this video will ONLY work for those in Australia).

I will be blogging some of my reviews/reactions to episodes starting this Monday. Be on the lookout for that and let me know what you think of the show!

-The Mermaid Guru

Chai Romruen Talks Landing his Role on 'Mako Mermaids'

Chai Romruen, who plays Zac in the soon to be released Mako Mermaids, talked with The Nambucca Guardian about the show and playing a merman. I'm more excited to see Mako Mermaids than I can ever really explain. I loved H2O and even though I'm sad it's over, I could not be more thrilled that the spin-off is featuring a merman. Mer books, movies, and TV are pretty rare alone, but the fact that this show will feature a merman is even rarer. I'm counting on Zac to be the best thing since Disney Channel's original movie character Cody in The Thirteenth Year. Chai shared a scan of the article on his Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook pages today, but it's a bit hard to read so I have written up some of the highlights.

On the auditioning process:

"It was an emotional roller coaster. I was so hopeful and had to do two days of final auditions with 10 other people who all had TV experience. I felt like a nobody and I started to get really nervous."

When Chai learned he got the part:

"I ran outside in the rain and just lay on the ground...it was amazing. It was the moment I realized you really can do what you want in life. Then I called my mum straight away to tell her."

What his mom had to say about Chai landing the role:

"As far as landing his first role as a merman, it is so fitting. When we lived in Thailand when he was young...if he was ever out of sight you could be sure to find him in the sea pretending to be a fish."

Chai also mentions that wearing the merman tail felt like "flying underwater". Don't forget that Mako Mermaids premieres on Netflix and on Network Ten July 26th! Will you be watching?

-The Mermaid Guru

VIDEO: 'Mako Mermaids' Sneak Peek Clip and Promo

The premiere date of the H2O: Just Add Water spin-off show Mako Mermaids is getting closer! After an official press release, we know that the first 13 episodes will be released on Netflix July 26th.

Check out the promo below, which confirms that in Australia, Mako Mermaids will also be premiering the first episode July 26th on television (Network Ten, 4 pm).



This clip from the first episode was also recently released. It features the entire main cast, which includes Zac, his best friend, and the three mermaids.



I really can't wait to finally see how the show turns out!

-The Mermaid Guru

'H2O' Spin-Off 'Mako Mermaids' is Coming to Netflix in July!

VERY exciting news today! H2O fans have been waiting to hear word of when the series spin-off Mako Mermaids would be premiering on television. For H2O: Just Add Water, the show was first released in Australia and then shown in the U.S. and other countries at a later (sometimes much later) date. However, this will not be the case for Mako Mermaids as Netflix has announced today that the show's first 13 episodes will be released for instant video on July 26th!

Here's the press release from PRNewsWire:

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), today announced  "Mako Mermaids," a new adventure from the creators of global hit teen series "H2O - Just Add Water" is splashing down on July 26 exclusively on Netflix, the world's leading Internet TV Network.

"Mako Mermaids" revisits an enchanting world of magic and adventure introduced in "H2O – Just Add Water," a long-running Australian series from Jonathan M. Shiff Productions that has captured the imagination of young audiences in over 120 countries and has become a huge favorite of Netflix members in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland and the Nordics. 

"We are thrilled to be the exclusive home of 'Mako Mermaids' in all Netflix territories," said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Ted Sarandos. "'H2O' hit an amazing chord with teens around the world who love the clever mixture of action, comedy and romance that Jonathan Shiff and his talented team have created."  

"Netflix is the perfect home for 'Mako Mermaids'," said Shiff who produced the 26 episode series in association with Screen Australia, Network Ten, ZDF Enterprises and Screen Queensland. "Our fans love to watch the show how and when they want and they often return again and again to enjoy their favorite episodes."

"'Mako Mermaids' will delight the hundreds of millions of fans around the world who have fallen in love with the world created in 'H2O' and we are really pleased to make the series available on such an innovative platform as Netflix," said Fred Burcksen, Executive VP and COO of ZDF Enterprises, who are in charge of international sales of the series and brokered the deal. 

Following on where "H2O – Just Add Water" left off, mischievous teen mermaids Lyla, Nixie and Sirena, guardians of Mako Island, fail to stop 16 year old boy Zac from falling into the sacred Moon Pool and becoming a Merman. Risk being cast out forever, the mermaids must get legs, venture onto land and take back Zac's new powers.

The first thirteen episodes of "Mako Mermaids" will launch in all Netflix territories on July 26 while the thrilling second half of the season will arrive in September.

Unfortunately, I think this probably means that Shiff Productions was not able to find a television distributor (except perhaps in Australia) and that there will most likely be no second season, but we'll see how things go from here.

I might be posting a few re-cap and reaction posts once the series hits Netflix! Are you excited to finally be seeing the show? Source

-The Mermaid Guru

'H2O' Spin-Off 'Mako Mermaids' Premieres First Trailer!

If you are an obsessed H2O: Just Add Water fan like me, then you are probably anticipating the spin-off show, Mako Mermaids! You've also probably been wondering exactly what the new series would look and feel like, but wonder no further, the first real sneak peek has arrived in the form of a first season trailer and WOW it's packed with so many exciting and funny moments! Check it out below:



I am super excited for the character of Zac and finally having a merman around. Compared to 'H2O', the underwater shots look even more incredible and what special effects are included look fantastic. I have to say, there is definitely a cheesy feeling in this, but I feel like once we get past the girls' preliminary "OMG I'm a human and have feet" moments, the show will get better and better.

What do you think--will it live up to the original series? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

-The Mermaid Guru