SummaryPutting a new spin on the story of the infamous sorcerer Merlin, this BBC series shows the dramatic outcomes of living in a time of myth and magic. Set in the Kingdom of Camelot, the story follows young Merlin's dangerous journey as he, a young prince Arthur and other characters come face to face with legendary and fantastical characte...
SummaryPutting a new spin on the story of the infamous sorcerer Merlin, this BBC series shows the dramatic outcomes of living in a time of myth and magic. Set in the Kingdom of Camelot, the story follows young Merlin's dangerous journey as he, a young prince Arthur and other characters come face to face with legendary and fantastical characte...
While it starts out slow and admittedly cheesy, by the third episode my interest was definitely piqued, and as the show went on I found it was not only good, but one of the best fantasy shows I've ever seen. The actors are charismatic, the banter hilarious, and even if the season 1 cgi was lacking, the plot and character more than made up for it.
Merlin is one of my favourite shows due to the solid writing, beautiful costumes, and the chemistry between the cast members. This show may not necessarily be remembered for having the best plot, but its greatness lies in the development of the bond between Merlin and Arthur, and the way in which each season offers an improvement over its predecessor. It is also pleasing that Merlin manages to adhere to the legend of King Arthur whilst remaining unique in its own right.
It's just that Merlin is clearly shopping for tricks in the bargain bin, and like the song says, the new Camelot's shining moments are all too brief, indeed.
It takes the stuff of legend and imagination and makes it dry and commonplace. You look forward not to the next exciting chapter, but for the whole enterprise to go "poof" and disappear.
Who the hell writes these critic reviews and why are they still in the list? "The actors look British"? It's a British show. Arthur is a British legend.
Anyway.
In true style of the BBC, Merlin is a quality show, with a great story, great acting, and all its cash poured into story, setting and immersion, rather than bigger explosions and hi-poly dragons. Also in BBC style, Merlin is a new take on the legend, not a re-pouring of the story on a screen.
Excellent writing, with non-predictable story, that keeps the viewer guessing, likable characters with a realistic growth, with Arthur slowly growing from a prat prince to King Arthur, Merlin from a young and naive wizard to a more confident and capable wizard, all characters are well played.
This show is a great story played by good actors and well put to screen. If you want to be immersed in the legend of Arthur, this is a great show. If you want big explosions, look somewhere else.
The only thing I found a bit lacking is the ending. It feels a bit rushed, honestly, all crammed in. The last 2 episodes should have been 3 or 4.
Still, a great show, with a good progression, and a storytelling style that pushes the characters' plight not by emotional displays and close up shots, but by carrying the viewer through the events the character experienced, letting you pick your own side, and understand why they turn, or remain loyal, rather than let you face a closed decision by the writers.
Few shows get the viewer so immersed in the story. It is hard to watch the series and not appreciate how hard is it for Merlin to remain hidden, and why he has to do so.
This show is cheesy, under budgeted, and averagely acted, but I'm loving every minute of it. It proves extremely entertaining and I know that it will only get better. I highly recommend this show.
It's ok show but a bit redundant about things. They took a enjoyable tale and messed with it until it was turned around and just nothing like the tale. Some episodes are funny, others try to be funny but to no avail. Most of the time episode themes are repeated in a later episodes and keep being repeated, just slightly tweaked which makes it boring to continue watching after a while. You also can almost predict what is going to happen in most episodes which makes you want to hurry it along and they drag out the whole Merlin not telling Arthur hes a wizard thing way to long. They should have had that happen the beginning of the second season or end of the first.
Merlin was not shown on our network so I was just able to complete it
I must disagree with all "knowing" critics the BBC gave us a wonderful look into
Another world and time then DESTROYED it with the ending
The view of the melodramatic of kill them in the end was not what you had anticipated
Throughout the adventure - The sword was forged by a Dragon and Arthur could have been
Spared at the end of the Dragons life (there were plenty of liberties taken in this) and a
More positive one should have happened.
Sorry BBC but you ruined it !!