Merlin

Today we look at an older, but dear to my heart show: Merlin (2008).

The british TV series follows the adventures of young Merlin, played by Colin Morgan, and Arthur, Bradley James, as they face off against monsters, bandits, evil sorcerers, mythical creatures, foreign kingdoms, and overall try to save the world at least once a week.

What I love about the series is how well the characters and story are established and developed. Though we also get some cheesy comical/awkward moments. While it’s not as glossy as some other shows, with average CGI and effects, it features elaborate physical sets and costumes as well as nice action and combat choreography.

The acting is good too, featuring Katie McGrath as Morgana, Angel Coulby as Guinevere, Anthony S. Head as Uther Pendragon, and overall a solid cast of main and supporting characters with most of the young actors showing much promise.

A definite must see for those who fancy fantasy, magic, medieval stuff and authentic settings and costumes. I’d put it among the list of shows I’ve truly enjoyed, and if all that hasn’t sold you on the idea, I have only one final thing to say:

John Hurt as the Dragon.

But let’s take a look at episode one The Dragon’s Call.

Beware, spoilers ahead.

The series open with young Merlin travelling to the big city while John Hurt narrates the opening, foreshadowing the story and establishing Merlin and Camelot.

We are immediately told, and shown, that the boy is quite talented at magic, the only twist being the king has outlawed it and all sorcerers are prosecuted with death. A fact demonstrated with a public execution that Merlin witnesses as he enters Camelot. Suddenly, the awe of the city isn’t as bright for poor Merlin who must now conceal his gift or face judgement.

As the series progress, we learn more about Uther’s involvement with magic, sorcerers and the reasons behind his visceral hatred towards it.

But back to the episode at hand. Merlin has been sent by his mother to work under Gaius, the king’s physician, in hopes to establish a life for himself. The boy, however, is so bad at concealing his magic, he reveals it immediately when Gaius plummets from the terrace of his bookshelves.

Luckily, the old physician, and former mage, isn’t interested in turning in the boy. Instead, he agrees to guide him along and help him control and conceal his gift.

Next we meet Morgana, the king’s ward, a frail young woman who has no stomach for public executions. While an interesting character with solid progression and development, I found her the most annoying too. She spends most of the series perpetually constipated or teary faced as she struggles with both internal and external issues. Her place within the castle, Uther’s patronage, her own magical and seer gifts that give her increasingly hellish nightmares and migraines. She might have been a better heroine if someone actually told her what was happening to her, and she didn’t spend a dozen of episodes mood swinging, pondering and panicking about it. Overall, she’s a decent girl, only misguided and confused, which leads her down a perplexing and dark road.

So Uther is having a feast, celebrating the anniversary of magic being banished from his kingdom. He has arranged for a legendary minstrel, Lady Helen, played by Eve Myles from Torchwood, to sing for him at the party. But the mother of the man he executed naturally isn’t too happy with the deed and takes over the identity of Helen to seek revenge.

Meanwhile, an eerie voice is calling to Merlin in his sleep and Gaius tests the boy to determine the nature of his magic. But we don’t have time for that, because we are due to meet prince Arthur MacDouchebag, who isn’t being very nice to his page during combat practice.

Merlin can’t stand by, of course, so unaware of Arthur’s princeness, he gets into a fight with him and ends up in jail, and then the stocks.

Something that will keep happening through the series.

In his cell, the voice calls stronger, and Merlin realises it’s not just a dream. But again, no time for that, we need to meet Gwen, Morgana’s maid. Who I think might be a troll because she praises and then encourages him to stand up to Arthur.

After this, at dinner, Gaius tells Merlin about the dragon imprisoned under the castle, and the young mage suspects it is the origin of the voice.

But it’s time to meet Arthur again, who seems to have found a new chew toy in Merlin. Gwen’s encouragements, and Merlin’s own bite, lead him to stand up to the prince again, which leads to a fight/chase scene through the city market. Naturally, the wizard boy isn’t too good at martial arts, but with the use of petty slapstick magic tricks, he bests the prince, for a while.

Gaius isn’t happy, lecturing Merlin about the right use of magic. This is a big theme through the series, the use and abuse of power both magical and political. How it can corrupt and how it takes a very strong character and willpower to do the right thing. We also glimpse at another theme, people’s identity struggles. Who they are, why they are born a certain way, and how to be who they are despite all odds and obstacles.

The next night, guided by the voice, Merlin wanders the castle’s corridors, descending deeper and deeper into the foundations until he discovers the chasm where the dragon is kept.

The dragon, no doubt having his own agenda, reveals to Merlin that he holds a great destiny and power, Merlin is also one of the last people alive who can communicate with dragons. The great Dragon gives Merlin his purpose: babysitting Arthur, something the young mage isn’t too happy about.

In the morning, Gaius sends Merlin to Morgana and an awkward, semi forced ‘romantic’ scene ensues. Long story short, she’s pretty, he’s young.

While all that is happening, fake Lady Helen is slowly moving her pieces towards checkmate.

But it’s time again, for another semi awkward scene to establish the possible romantic square. Fortunately, while the writers flirt with the idea, they don’t weave in too many geometric figures.

The night of the party comes, and fake Lady Helen is to sing her deadly song. In minutes, everyone is enchanted asleep as she makes her way towards Arthur. Everyone but Merlin, that is. In a flick of a chandelier, he puts an end to her show, saves the prince and is rewarded with the great honour of being Arthur’s man servant.

I watched Merlin for its rich story. It wasn’t always brilliant, with its low and high moments, but overall the writers weaved in some elaborate and grand ideas, and the makers did their best to pull them off.

Just the first episode packed more substance than I could cover. I didn’t get at all into Uther’s stubbornness, or Arthur’s issues, not even Gaius struggles to ‘parent’. Overall, the series is intriguing, the characters well rounded, and the plotline solid. While the finale caused much fan outrage, and I admit sizzled instead of burning bright, the show is worth giving a watch.