To follow in the success of family programmes like Doctor Who, the BBC's Saturday night take on the story of a young Merlin lives up to expectations.
When the teasers for this show first aired, Merlin looked more like a low rent CBBC outing full of prat falls and “hilarious” comedy mishaps, similar to Young Dracula, but if the first episode is anything to go by it’s actually a fairly good 45-minute family drama. A fresh take on a hugely over done tale, this time chronicling the teenage years of the sorcerer who has yet to learn of his fate.
Richard Wilson wearing a Daft Wig
The set up is simple, Merlin (Colin Morgan, in his first lead TV role) is born with magical powers – mainly the ability to slow time and move stuff with his mind - and is sent to Camelot to fine tune them. There he meets a brash Prince Arthur (Bradley James), a servant girl called Guinevere (Angel Coulby) and Gaius (Richard Wilson wearing a daft wig), who acts as a mentor and father figure to the hero.
While the makers have obviously aimed for it to be an Arthurian version of Smallville, it’s more like ‘Merlin: The Potter Years’ as the hero tries to tackle with the pains of growing up whilst coming to grips with his destiny.
Colin Morgan Leads a Cast of mainly Unknowns
Obviously there will be lazy comparisons to the BBC’s redux of Robin Hood but there shouldn’t be as Merlin isn’t as campy or over-the-top as it could have been. The camera work is solid, there are no swooshy sound effects and the music is the usual tense orchestral vibe. It’s more like Doctor Who, whose time slot it occupies, as the focus is on plot and characters rather than quirky camera angles and fleeting references to modern society.
The BBC have also taken a gamble in casting a relatively unknown bunch in the majority of the lead roles but it’s programmes like this that make stars. Chances are Colin Morgan could become as famous as David Tennant given the series continues for another year, which it likely will.
Talking Dragons and a Mean Anthony Headas as King Uther
This first episode, entitled ‘The Dragon’s Call’, focused on introducing the main players and told a short tale of a witch (Eve Myles) trying to get her revenge on King Uther Pendragon (a mean Anthony Head), who had her son beheaded in the opening for using magic. While it was a clichéd outing, it did well in ringing the notion that magic is outlawed in this world, so it will be interesting to how this plays out in future.
Things get a little Dragonheart with the arrival of a low quality computer generated dragon (voiced by John Hurt) which almost ruined what had been a nicely written portion of TV. And judging from the preview there’s plenty more of this to come as the talking dragon will be one of the central arcs for the series. But kids will love these scenes.
Could Merlin be as big as Doctor Who?
Although there’s not enough flash, bang, wallop for the youngsters to enjoy, as Saturday night fodder Merlin is decent enough and if it’s shows like this that are keeping dreary singing and dancing competitions off the screens then all the better.
There’s still another 12 episodes to go, so the story has time to develop slowly and apart from the rubbish looking CGI dragon visually the show’s fairly good. Whether it will be as big as Who remains to be seen but most of those who saw ‘The Dragon’s Call’ should stay along for the long run.
The copyright of the article TV Review – Merlin (BBC One) in British TV is owned by Steven Cookson. Permission to republish TV Review – Merlin (BBC One) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I've just watched this online and, although I'm a great fan of
globalisation (I live in abroad myself), seeing a black Guinevere and even
an oriental girl at the song-recital at the end of the pilot was a BIG
turn-off. Come on, BEEB, this is ancient Britain, not cosmopolitan modern
London! Its almost as silly as all those 1950's movies where any non-white
characters weher played by only white hollywood actors. A Shame.
Sep 22, 2008 6:29 AM
Guest :
By contrast to the above review, I switched it off a little before the
programme finished, with the trite script and narrative devices having
pushed my cringe-tolerance to the metal. Breaking point was the: "If I
can't use magic, I might as well be dead." Or something like that.
More subjectively, Geoffrey of Monmouth's original telling of Arthur's
conception by Uther and Igraine, through Merlin's interventions, is one of
the key planks of this legend for me; its inexplicable excising, and
positioning of Merlin and Arthur as childhood contemporaries, further
neuters the magic in this story.
Acting: ropey, script:
cringing, characterisations: cringing. Real disappointment, I'm afraid.
Sep 22, 2008 7:47 AM
Steven Cookson :
I agree with the point about Merlin and Arthur as childhood contemporaries,
as it has little connection to the original story and is just a little odd.
But as this show is more of a reinterpretation rather than a retelling
inaccuracies like that are to be expected. I'm not saying it's right, it
just happens all the time with screen adaptations.
Yes the
acting is not the best in the world but I wasn't expecting it to be. Like I
said, I'd rather the BBC make more shows like this than Strictly Come
Dancing even if it's not perfect.
Thanks for the comments
though, it's good to get different opinions.
Sep 22, 2008 9:36 AM
Guest :
Well i enjoyed it. I was plesently surprised as i wasn't that into Robin
Hood and i am the Beebs target audience. Yes, the CGI dragon did rather
detract from the moment (why are they never any real dragons flying around
in London?)but i think it was an enjoyable programme and deserves to be
given a chance before everyone makes up their minds.
Sep 23, 2008 3:20 PM
Guest :
My family really enjoyed the first episode and we would really like to know
which song 'Lady Helen' sang before she tried to kill Arthur.
Sep 25, 2008 2:45 AM
Guest :
Enjoyable show. Never mind the comments, just watch!
Sep 26, 2008 2:20 AM
Guest :
Watched online last night, and I will admit it wasn't as bad as thought it
might be, but certainly not as good as it could have been. As a life long
fan of the Arthurian legends (in all their guises) I just have to close my
eyes every now and again and remind myself that this is a FANTASY version
from the same mold as Richard Gere's 'First Knight' - complete with Disney
Palace Camelot and no interest in historical accuracy (armour, costumes,
SANDWICHES!, etc).
The acting was a little stilted from the new
faces, but the episode did introduce a lot of elements and charcaters in a
short space of time, so with more room to develop I think this will
improve. The script, however, did not satisfy me with it's ending - the
denoument over and done with very quickly. This has often been the problem
with the 'monster-of-the-week' stories, a format that Smallville eventually
dumped, so hopefully Merlin will take the same route. If his powers do not
extend beyond 'bullet-time' and telekinesis, then this format will tire
very quickly.
Perhaps, as a first episode, some of these things
will be improved as the story progresses - and unlike the risible
'Bonekickers', I will give this another chance. Agreeing with Steven
Cookson - a watchable re-interpretation that may lead the watchers into
discovering more of the legends themselves, and infinitely preferable to my
TV licence fee paying for another celebrity talent(less) show.
Sep 27, 2008 12:16 AM
Guest :
yes we all like this show ,definetlly will see the next one
Sep 28, 2008 11:11 AM
Guest :
I thought this show was meant to be a comedy like the Office - so there
aren't any obvious jokes.
The witch was the biggest clue. I love
how they switch to speaking tongues when they do magic, David Blaine only
has to say "look carefully" or "did you see it jump" I
wish Merlin had a eye tattoo on one of his hands for protection.
Oct 4, 2008 12:04 PM
Guest :
'I've just watched this online and, although I'm a great fan of
globalisation (I live in abroad myself), seeing a black Guinevere and even
an oriental girl at the song-recital at the end of the pilot was a BIG
turn-off. Come on, BEEB, this is ancient Britain, not cosmopolitan modern
London! Its almost as silly as all those 1950's movies where any non-white
characters weher played by only white hollywood actors. A Shame.'
I agree. Political correctness is a bit redundant in a society that
really would have been, as far as I know, all-white.
Oct 7, 2008 1:13 PM
Kellyflower123 :
I have watched the first three episodes, and I think that they are
brilliant. Admittedly, the CGI Dragon is very unrealistic, but overall, I
think the BBC has done a good job. And for the record, there is nothing
wrong with casting a black Guinevere. If Angel Coulby was the best actress,
then it is right that she got the part.
Oct 16, 2008 2:35 AM
Guest :
The name Guinevere is of Welsh origin, and its meaning is "fair one;
white and smooth, soft". An early form of Jennifer. Go figure on
that one :S Political correctness and token gestures to ethnic minorities
really bite and it ruins perfectly good stories. The BBC are swines for
it. Apart from that, not as bad as Bone Kickers, not as good as Dr
Who. Mediocre would be a good word to use at this point.
Oct 18, 2008 12:35 PM
Guest :
does anyone know the what the song was sung by lady helen - i like the
series but am little puzzled as lady helen is listed as one of pinciple
cast?
Oct 18, 2008 3:27 PM
Guest :
I'm enjoying it more as it goes along but still confused were they intend
to go with the triple gwinevere plot with her loving merlin and arthur and
lancelot jumping in at some future point :S Morgana is an unknown
element too. but that'll probs be for a future series, i'm guessing series
one just covers merlin getting to point of revealing his magic to Arthur
and being accepted. RIchard wilson does steal some scenes, but the
younger actors are getting there, I do like bradley James as arthur and
Colin morgan has promise to. I still find the modern haircuts a bit
distracting but i'm guessing all the actors threatenned strike rather than
wear the richard wilson type wig :)
Oct 20, 2008 2:38 AM
Guest :
I really like Merlin but it does have me slightly confused by all the
differences to the ledgend eg. Morgana is supposed to be evil, called
morgan le fay and Arthur's half sister. Also Arthur is supposed to have
been stolen from his parents as a baby by Merlin then found the sword in
the stone ect. Apart from that it's great I don't at all mind
guinevere being black I really like her she's a great charactor. I think
there should be another girl in it, maybe disguesed as a knight and she
should be a wonderful fighter.
Nov 5, 2008 11:47 PM
Guest :
I have mixed feelings. I really like this as a fantasy, while at the same
time I cannot be blind to the fact that the Arthurian legend was strangely
altered. I like the young actors, their fresh enthusiasm and energy. But I
cannot but agree with the previous comments about Guinevre - the lass is so
cute, has a great smile, but casting a black actress in the role of the
'White' queen(White is the Welsh meaning of her name)seems to be a mistake.
The same as if Hollywood wished Scarlett Johansson to play Queen of Sheba
;) The strange political correctness does not fully apply to the
Celts. Why Uther and Arthur look like genuine Enlishshmen, while most
of the baddies look, sound, or are named with Celtic names? Merlin is
probably the only 'good' one . But he is on the side of the king, trying to
make the prophecy of an united Albion to fulfill. What Albion, anyway? It
is not explained. I have not perceived the word 'Britons' or 'Britain'yet.
I am not British and not Irish myself, so I look from a distance. Despite it, the core of the Arthurian legend is for me that Arthur was a
Briton, fighting foreign invaders of Britain, Saxons among them (but not
only.) So the movie, entertaining as it is, has for me a strange feel of
undermining political agenda - good blonde English, with good black
English, and one friendly Briton, are struggling to overcome the amssive
attack of bad treacherous magical Celts . Funny or not - it is not my
country and should be not my concern...
Nov 11, 2008 11:44 AM
Guest :
We're a French family watching the programme in France thanks to our
satellite dish and we haven't had such good family entertainment on TV for
ages! We like everything. We don't mind the daring adaptations. Thanks
to Steven Cookson, the team and the actors (we appreciate them more and
more after each episode) . We especially loved the last episode," The
beginning of the end" and as it was my birthday, I took it as a
special treat just for myself! We wish French TV would try to produce
creative programmes that children would remember when they are older as
being part of their childhood memories.
Nov 15, 2008 10:54 AM
Guest :
I've just read many comments regarding that Guinevere should not be black.
In my opinion, I think it doesn't really matter if she is black or white,
if she was the best actor, then she deserves the role. Also, the CGI dragon
is fairly bad but this is not too much of a turn off as it only appears for
about half a minute every show. It is much better than BBC's Robin Hood and
I think more shows like this need to be produced - unfortunately for the
BBC, the time lsot Merlin takes is the same as the X Factor.
Dec 5, 2008 10:27 AM
Guest :
I watched the first four episodes and really enjoy the show, unfortunately,
being a minority myself, have to agree with the first comment, you can't do
a show of ancient Britain without keeping it true to the times. I'm not
saying not to use minorities, just keep them honest, I would like to see
them exist in a way that is closer to fact than fiction.
Dec 7, 2008 4:47 PM
Guest :
Yet another terrible 'family' drama from the BBC. Bad acting, terrible
script, weak plot, low budget and, I have to agree with one of the previous
comments: turning Camelot into a multi-cultural haven within the dark ages
setting just doesn't work. Why couldn't they have done another 'Rome'?
Although this was a joint effort with HBO. It seems, for all their faults,
the Americans know what they're doing when it comes to innovative new TV
shows. The BBC are unwilling to put any substantial amount of money into
shows and seem to be employing prepubescent children to write their plots
and scripts.
Dec 13, 2008 9:44 AM
Guest :
I've only got into this series a few episodes ago, so thank goodness for
Iplayer! The budget does not appear to be anywhere as big as Doctor Who,
which perhaps is understandable as the BBC wouldn't want to spend loads of
money on something which might completely flop. I agree the script isn't
brilliant, and the acting can be a bit weak too. But what is there is quite
stunning, I like the castle and the plots have definately grown out over
the weeks. And the acting is not so awful that it detracts from the actual
programme, keeping in mind that these are young actors/actresses. I'm
looking forward to the final episode.
Dec 13, 2008 5:31 PM
Guest :
I've really warmed up to this as something worthwhile to view on Saturday
night. I think the acting, dialogue has become more natural as the series
progressed. Each of the main characters is becoming more three dimensional.
On the issue of a Black actress playing Gwen. I wonder if any of those
saying the role should be played by a Black actress would write in and
complain if Othello, Cleopatra or Aida are played by white actors. Martin
Luther King said it well 'until the colour of our skin is of no more
importance ...' you know the rest. I'm Black an celebrate the development
of all good actors. I hope our appreciation of drama means giving actors
the chance to play many different roles irrespective of race. I am of
Caribbean origin and as a point of information the actress Angela would be
termed fair by many people from Caribbean countries so go figure.
Dec 25, 2008 12:08 AM
Guest :
This show is amazing. It is fast paced, has a great plot and real good
moral lessons. I enjoyed the show more and more as it went on all the way
to the last episode. I don't understand how people take everything so
seriously. If you don't like this interpretation of the legend, geez, you
have a problem, because there are millions of other interpretations out
there, and NO ONE really knows which one is the right one. Apart from that,
people also complain about the acting, and the special effects. As I am a
theater actor myself, I gotta say the actors are amazing. I have yet to see
anyone in this show underact or overact. And the dragon effects don't
bother me a bit, as I am too focused on paying attention to what's going
on. BBC cannot put more money into this as they already have. If you don't
like it, go watch something else. I enjoy it with all my heart! I pray they
continue season after season in THE SAME style!
P.S. I enjoy
the relationship between Merlin and Arthur by the way very much as well!
Jan 12, 2009 6:18 AM
Guest :
This show is a bit off. I don't care how faithful this rendition is to the
original story. They can turn Uther Pedrago into a woman for all I care,
and Id still enjoy the show. The thing that bothers me is the lessons of
skewed morality. We have Merlin who is ready to die for Arthur because
Arthur is his friend. But Arthur isn't a friend to Merlin. He treats him
like a pet. There can be no friendship between serf and master. Then we
have Merlin risking his life to save Uther, who gets himself into trouble
by sentensing everyone to seath for minor infractions. If they save Uther
one more time, Im literally gong to hurl. The man is basically a serial
killer with the power of the law behind him. I can understand Merlin not
killing him, sure, but why is he saving him? The more I watch the more I am
rooting for Nimue. Maybe that is what the writers had in mind.
Jan 13, 2009 7:09 AM
Steven Cookson :
Just a quick note for those wanting to leave comments, as they are
moderated before they are added. There have been some really good points
made by people that can’t be passed because there’s a bit of swearing in
them. I know it’s stupid but for some reason we’re not allowed to pass
anything with bad or abusive language, so if you are going to leave a
comment can you keep it clean please. Thems the rules I’m afraid, if it was
up to me it would be different.
Jan 17, 2009 4:35 PM
Guest :
In that it was compared to our American Smallville, I have to say: all
expectations met. Granted, Merlin's acting brings the plot to life whereas
the campy computer dragon looks better after seeing some of the other
generated characters. Perhaps failing in effects, they get an A for
effort.
Jan 26, 2009 9:19 PM
Guest :
To clear some misconceptions. 1. Aida and the Queen of Sheba are not
Black, their not white either, by they can pass off as one. 2.
Cleopatra is white (she was Greek). 3. Contrary to popular modern
belief, Othello was not black, he was an Arab. Seeing as Shakespeare (nor
anyone in his time) have seen a black person before, but they have heard of
the Moors (the Arab invaders of Spain).
Mar 27, 2009 2:29 AM
Guest :
Angel Coulby acting as Guinevere didn't convincing enough to be a romance
subject of Arthur. Add her skin color, and it'll be more challenging for
her to play White Queen. I even come to a point where I rather see Arthur
in love with Merlin than with Gwen, that boy have more chemistry with
Arthur :p . If only Angel Coulby could radiate attractiveness like Beyonce
in Pink Panther.
Jul 4, 2009 9:04 PM
Guest :
I think it's silly to complain about non-caucasian actors or 'historical'
anacronisms when this is clearly fantasy. Similarly as I am not a fifteen
year old boy, I couldn't care less about lack of action or how bad the CGI
dragon is.
I have other things I'd prefer to complain about.
The stories are predictable. The dialogue is as clever and fresh as last
week's sushi. The actors are either terrible or are phoning it in from
vacation in the psychological equivalent of Tahiti (and can you blame
them?) If I were Mr. Wilson or Mr. Head, I'd want to pretend that I was
somewhere else too.
Jul 5, 2009 6:35 PM
Guest :
Here in Canada the show has been on for the past two weeks, I believe.
It's not wonderful, but I'll probably watch it again tonight. My main
complaint is with the dialogue. I can't imagine the characters speaking in
the style that the writers have penned for them. Also, I agree with
the point about Merlin's role in Arthur's conception. Perhaps I'll
pass on the show and re-read Mary Stewart's books.
Sep 21, 2008
