OS Cover Image

OS Cover Image

Saturday 4 December 2010

Advent Calendar Day Five: Merlin Review (5/5)

This one I couldn't have called: the finales of Merlin's first two seasons sucked, so when The Coming of Arthur: Part Two delivered, it proved a welcome surprise! Excalibur, the Round Table and the Lady of the Lake all played huge parts (boasting far more screen-time than we expected) in an unashamedly game-changing episode. Leads Colin Morgan and Angel Coulby took on their darkest story yet as Merlin and Arthur, and each Knight of the Round Table gained new-found depth as the action progressed. Even Katie McGrath's Morgana became more likeable as she took utter control of Camelot and went to strong lengths to keep the citizens in order, although the episode did seem to press the re-set button somewhat as she faded away with Morgause (virtually the same climax to her story in Season 2) to fight another day. There's nothing to deny that nitpicking could come into play: how the heck did Merlin know where that sacred Stone Arthur will one day pull Excalibur out of was, and what was with the Great Dragon suddenly seeming against Merlin? But if I were that pedantic, I wouldn't be watching Merlin- yet I am. It's a brilliant fantasy by the BBC, and Coming: Part 2 was the best episode of the entire series so far! What a nice early Christmas present.

No comments:

Post a Comment