TV Review: The BCC’s Merlin – Episodes 1-3

The BBC has been on something of a roll recently with their re-imagined takes on old British tales. First there was a darker, younger, and grungier Robin Hood, and now the King Arthurian legend Merlin gets a makeover with a younger cast and more modern sensibilities. As with Robin Hood, Merlin has been given a contemporary spin, complete with morals and ideas that would seem to not fit very well with what we know of Arthur and his times. Then again, this is a TV series made in 2008 (and recently re-aired on NBC in the States in 2009), so those points are somewhat moot. Taken on its face, what’s the verdict on the BBC’s Merlin? Let’s put it this way: I gave it three episodes and came away hopelessly bored.

The truth is, Merlin really should have captivated me. I’m a sucker for anything related to the Arthurian legend, but there’s just not a whole lot here to get excited about. As far as I can tell, the characters Merlin and Arthur have been recast as either teenagers or 20-somethings, with Colin Morgan as the wizard and Bradley James as the king in waiting. Merlin, we’re told, was born with great gifts, and can use magic as easy as other people breathe. Unfortunately for him, he’s just arrived in the kingdom of Camelot, ruled with an iron fist by King Uther Pendragon (played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Anthony Head), who has outlawed magic of any type 20 years ago. Merlin is made aware of this rule on his first day in Camelot, when he witnesses the public beheading of a sorcerer.

Merlin, we learn, has been sent to Camelot by his mother to work with the court physician Gaius (Richard Wilson), who is a bit of a former wizard himself, though he has given up that life since, well, he’d rather keep his head and all. When he learns that Merlin is a gifted wizard, Gaius cautious the boy to keep his powers undetected, less he lose his head. Merlin reluctantly agrees, though whines about it quite often. (All the time, actually.) Soon, Merlin bumps into the future king of Camelot, Arthur, who we learn is something of a dick. He’s the brash, sword-first type, and isn’t above bullying people for a chuckle. Needless to say, the two doesn’t get along at all, made worst when Merlin discovers the last great Dragon of the realm held captive under Uther’s castle, who informs the wizard-in-hiding that he is destined to aid Arthur to greatness. Oops.

As mentioned, Merlin should really have been a good TV series, but I’m afraid the show isn’t going to develop many Stateside fans after its two-hour premiere on NBC last night. There are enough Harry Potter moments to keep the kids entertained, but for the demanding viewer, Merlin falls well short of being must-see TV. The cast is reasonably decent, if not extraordinary, and lead Colin Morgan is certainly charming enough. Bradley James does well as Arthur, and seems to fit the part to a T. Unfortunately the women don’t fare quite as well. Irish lass Katie McGrath plays Morgana, Uther’s ward, as one of those anachronistic free-spirits infused with grrrl power. Angel Coulby plays her maid, Gwen. Yes, the Guinevere of legend has been re-envisioned as Gwen, an ordinary, lowly servant played by a plain looking actress who just happens to be black. That last part seems to have no real point except to declare the show’s nod to political correctness.

The first episode tracks Merlin’s arrival in Camelot, his verbal and physical clashes with Arthur, and his discovery of the last, great Dragon held under Uther’s castle. The second episode has Merlin becoming Arthur’s manservant, which I suppose supplies some mild comedy, though the plot, involving a Knight who is using a magic shield to cheat during Camelot’s annual fighting tournament, is rather silly. The point seems to be that the Knight is cheating with his magic shield, though to be honest, he doesn’t really do it all that often, and the first time he cheats, I don’t see the point, as he had his opponent down and mostly defeated already. In any case, the third episode finds Arthur and Merlin tracking down a ridiculous looking monster that is poisoning Camelot’s water supply. The episode also introduces Michelle Ryan (formerly of ABC’s aborted reboot of the bionic woman) playing the first season’s recurring villain, the sorceress Nimueh.

Merlin had potential, but lacks the kind of excellent writing that might have given it a chance as a mid-season show in the States. When you’re fronting a show with mostly unknown talent and very un-American pedigree (though admittedly, the show’s main themes of freedom, self-identity, and self worth are all very American), there needs to be something else for the audience to grapple onto. Merlin just doesn’t have it. And yes, I am even willing to overlook the incredibly fake monster from the third episode. There is about 3 minutes of “action” that looked as if it was directed by a 5-year old, and forced me to stare in horror as Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana “fought” Nimueh’s evil creature. I have seen better action choreography from my dad’s home videos.

Produced/created by Johnny Capps, Julian Jones, Jake Michie
CAST: John Hurt … The Dragon
Colin Morgan … Merlin
Bradley James … Arthur
Anthony Head … Uther Pendragon
Richard Wilson … Gaius
Katie McGrath … Morgana
Angel Coulby … Gwen