‘Merlin’ is a Fun Retelling of Arthurian Legend

This 2008 BBC production gives its own unique twist to the legend of Arthur and Merlin; but the tale of Arthur and his knights has always been mired in myth, and so we really can’t hold it against this show.

The Concept of ‘Merlin’

In this interpretation of the story, Arthur’s father, Uther Pendragon(played by the excellent Anthony Head) is alive and kicking, as the King of Camelot. He is a stern and a wise ruler, his only fault being is his blind hatred of magic. Merlin (played by Colin Morgan in his rise to fame performance) is a young warlock who arrives in Camelot to live in the care of Gaius, the court physician. As magic is outlawed in Camelot, Merlin is forced to live a life of secrecy.

Colin Morgan as Merlin (Photo Credit: IMDB.Com)

The crux of the show lies in beginnings of the friendship between Arthur and Merlin. Merlin, as per the legends, will one day be Arthur’s trusted friend and ally. The show has on its own take on how this friendship comes into being by focusing on the younger years of both men, before Arthur becomes King and Merlin, a powerful mage.

Arthur is a brave, noble lad, already a better person than his father. He has the arrogance that comes with the trappings of being a prince, but some of his persona also comes with the diffidence of knowing that he can never let down his guard with others. His willingness to put his life on the line repeatedly for people he cares about makes him a genuine hero.

Merlin, who is initially put off by Arthur’s entitled ways, learns to respect him for his kind and pure nature. Merlin is employed to be Arthur’s manservant, and this marks the beginning of their inevitable friendship.

Bradley James and Angel Coulby (Photo Credit: IMDB.com)

Another key element of the plot is Merlin’s burgeoning magical powers and his struggles to keep his identity secret. He is not exactly modest; he is a powerful sorcerer, and he knows it. He uses his powers to save Arthur’s life repeatedly and yearns for credit and recognition. His only friend is magical dragon (John Hurt) that is trapped underground by Uther. But can Merlin trust him for his counsel, or does he have another role to play?

Amongst the show’s other characters, the leading ladies stand out. Lady Morgana(played by the willowy Katie McGrath) Uther’s ward is a reluctant witch and is envious of Arthur’s position. Then there is Guinevere (yes, that Guinevere) who is yet to fall in love with Arthur. Angel Coulby’s Guinevere is not a lady of noble birth of the Arthurian legend, but a servant girl. This creates an opportunity for the forbidden love story trope. Angel Coulby does well in her portrayal of the journey of nobody to a strong, wise and independent woman who has the makings of a future queen.

Review

Bradley James and Colin Morgan have excellent on screen chemistry and play off the role of two hot-headed young men very well (as evidenced by the countless memes and videos celebrating their bromance)! Anthony Head brings the grey to Uther’s character, charming in one scene and ruthless in another.

Merlin follows a typical monster-of-the-week format with an overarching theme tied to the retelling of the story of Arthur and Merlin. As the show progresses through the five seasons, we see a parade of magical creatures borrowed from Celtic folktales. Arthurian fans can find joy in the appearances of the famed knights like Lancelot, Gawain, Percival, etc and sorcerers like Mordred and Morgause.

Aesthetically pleasing sets, rich costumes, the sword fights and the above average performances make for good television. There are enough fairytales and slapstick comedy to hold the interest of younger kids; while the more discerning viewers will enjoy the themes exploring friendship, ambition, love and leadership.

This is the kind of television, the entire family can watch together. In times like this, when we are all stuck at home, what else can one ask for?

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