Merlin’s legend is basically fantasy, though completely different from Lord of the Rings which creates its own world, it tells a fantastical story set in Medieval Europe, with all the details and background consistent to it. That’s why we’ve been announcing BBC One’s new series, Merlin, as something we’d might enjoy, there was still a shred of hope in our minds that they would do something with an historically accurate background. After watching just four episodes we’ve reached the conclusion that this series shouldn’t even have a place in this blog, as it’s fantasy through and through, and we’re not even talking about the magic. But seeing as we’ve already mentioned it, why not write a small review?
The story starts as Merlin (Colin Morgan) arrives at Camelot, sent by his mother to be Gaius’ (Richard Wilson), the court physician, apprentice. As he’s entering town there’s a beheading taking place, Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head) is having a man punished for wielding magic, something that is strictly forbidden in his kingdom. Right from the start, Merlin learns that he should keep his abilities hidden, for fear of his life, only Gaius knows the truth and makes it his job to help him. On the first episode, Merlin saves Arthur’s (Bradley James) life, earning him a position as his manservant, much to the aggravation of both. And so the adventure begins…
The series is focused on Merlin’s and Arthur’s growing friendship, it’s their destiny to work together even if they don’t know it yet, each episode has a new bad guy and a different case to solve, which helps in not boring us. The story’s continuity is given by the main characters’ relationships with Morgana (Katie McGrath) and Guinevere (Angel Coulby) and the mystery surrounding Uther’s hate for magic that is connected with the appearance of a strange woman named Nimueh (Michelle Ryan).
If we look at this series as complete fantasy, there’re just two things we have to criticise, the characters’ makeup, on the first episode Mary Collins’ (Eve Myles) face seemed to want to fall off at any moment, and the computer animations, such as the CGI dragon and shield serpents, in our opinion they looked too plastic to be real.
Now if we looked at Merlin as a series with a medieval background, there wouldn’t be an end to the list of inaccuracies we’ve found, and to be truthful we stopped looking at the end of the second episode. From wall plates identifying the court physician’s office, that we’re sure were all the hype back then; to Merlin’s neckerchief that made him look more like a western bank robber; to his travelling sleeping bag; to ham sandwiches and wrapped smoked pigeon ones thankfully not using cellophane; to jackets resembling the ones by Mike Davies; to a black Guinevere and an oriental woman showing up at the court ball, we know that we’re in the globalisation era, but come on, there are limits.
If you are looking for adventure and can turn your disbelief system off and just have a good time, Merlin is the series for you, it’s strangely addictive in a Buffy the Vampire Slayer way, with less quality humour but with the same teen feeling you get from a Saturday afternoon comedy. We’re curious to see what the rest of the series has to offer, and we’re asking ourselves if it will get any better. In the meantime, keep the magic secret!
I was not very interested in this series but after this review and those images, I think I’m convinced. Nothing like a good laugh! That ham sandwich is hilarious!!!
Some scenes are hilarious, you should see their shields, they look like they’re made out of cardboard!
I have one complaint though, we don’t have a handsome villain!
LOL And the special effects seem also very…interesting.
*sigh* No handsome villain?! How is it possible?!
Nope, not until now, there’s a female villain though, so I’m crossing my fingers for improvement in that department!
We’ve got Anthony Head though, I almost forgot about him, not a villain but close enough!
I think Merlin is a Great series tv on bbc . I love Colin Morgan . But … When is the second series ?
I’m a self-confessed Merlin fanatic (and darn proud too! ^^) but I wont be compeltely ignorant in the face of blindingly obvious truth. Merlin is rife with hisotrical inaccuracies but this is a message begging you all to give it a go anyway! Some of the CG has annoyed me (especially the vines in the unicorn episode) but bear in mind it’s a new show that was purely made for entertainment, something even I tend to forget when indulging in TV. Inaccuracies are annoying yes, but the show is genuinely wonderful, full of comedy, sweet moments, brilliant action, and annoyingly gorgeous boys who need to snog already! (yeah yeah, I’m a fangirl, sue me!)
A very honest but fair review, I just needed to advertise the greatness of the show a little bit more to satisfy the crazy fangirl screaming inside my brain. ^^
Georgia
I’m a huge fan of the series also and the points outlined in this article regarding the CG effects is quite valid haha, I did imagine the technology to have had better capabilities in producing more realistic and believable effects.
However I will contest the historical inaccuracies part to an extent and say that those criticisms would hold more ground if it was the Director’s intention to accurately portray the historical aspects of the world of Camelot. It was revealed in the behind the scenes special that the setting of this series borrows from several centuries to create a world in its own. The series has proclaimed time and time and again of its unconventional approach to Arthurian legend and what I LOVED about the show was its deviance from cliche medievil shows to provide something different. I’m actually really impressed with Merlin’s outfit, it’s so bad ass!
Yeah I admit that the sandwich was a ridiculous addition, but overall the series does a good job of representing the world of Camelot and its positives definitely outweigh the negatives.
I LOVE this show, can’t wait for the second season.
i love this series. i cant wait for a second season. i think that Prince Arthur Pendragon (Bradley James) is so hott:)
I like this show very much.It seems very authentic as the original is.I’ve seen the movie “Excalibur” many,many times.
The King Arthur and The Knight of the Around Table is my favorite legend.
I’d like to know how can get the photos of the actor James Bradley “The Prince Arthur” to my photo album but,big and better that the ones you had posted.
We watch this series on HBO in Rio de Janeiro,I wondering when is going to be the 2nd season ?