Merlin is a prime time drama series based on the legend of Camelot. Originally airing on the BBC in 2008, the series premiered in the US in June, 2009 when NBC bought the American broadcast rights. The second season of Merlin ran on the BBC from spring 2009 to September 2009. Filming of a third season began in Wales in April of this year. Camelot is said to be the center of King Arthur Pendragon's realm in Britain although, according to many historians, Camelot was not a real place and has no real basis in history.
King Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is a tyrant who rules Camelot. He banishes magic from his realm and condemns to death anyone who practices it. Merlin (Colin Morgan, Doctor Who) is a man with magical powers who arrives in Camelot during this time. He learns that his future is tied to the young Prince Arthur (Bradley James, Portobello 196). Merlin learns to control his powers and help Prince Arthur with the help of court physician Gaius (Richard Wilson, Demons) and the Great Dragon (John Hurt, Hellboy).
Merlin: The Complete First Season takes place when all the characters are teenagers so it's loaded with lots of typical teenage angst including rebellion against father figures, teen romance, and drama. The characters are, of course, mostly gorgeous and attractive which further leads to the appeal to the younger crowd. This is a great way to draw a new generation into the story of Camelot although if you're looking for historical accuracy you won't find it here.
While Merlin is very entertaining, it doesn't hold true to the standard Arthurian legend at all although it wasn't the producers' intention to stay true to the legend. Merlin should be an old man and well versed in magic use and not a teenager who doesn't do magic very well. They took out the entire incestuous aspect of the legend where Merlin enchants Arthur to look like Morgan's father so that they can be intimate. Uther Pendragon was ambushed and killed when Arthur was just a baby according to legend; however in this movie he's alive and well. Guinevere in the movie is black and definitely wasn't in the legend. There are a number of other inaccuracies but the show is still very entertaining and should serve to interest a whole new audience in learning more about the "real" legend of Arthur.
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Article comments
1 - MerlinFan
"Guinevere in the movie is an African American and definitely wasn't in the legend."
Angel Coulby, the actress that plays Gwen, is British, born in London, England. She isn't African American, that term only applies to Americans.
2 - Sara
Anthony head doesn't play King Arthur Pendragon as mentioned in the article, he plays King Uther Pendragon
3 - Chris
You have so many inaccuracies here that it's freaking hilarious. You should do actual research before you, you know, CRITIC.
4 - Morgana Le Fay
I'm sorry, but your review is so inaccurate it's actually a hilarious read!
In addition to the mistakes mentioned before, the creators have mentioned time and time again that it wasn't their intention to stay true to Arthurian legend, but to re-imagine the characters and stories when they were young.
You really should watch it sometime - I think you'd enjoy it.
5 - Erin
Oh man, no incest? ... Bummer? (*snort*)
Thanks for a hilarious read. It's a bit ridiculous that a reviewer whose criticism revolves around historical (btw, this isn't history, ma'am, it's legend) accuracy would write a review that's like a minefield of inaccuracies and lazy mistakes.
But truly, I did enjoy it. Really funny. Made my morning.
6 - Amy
You, madam, are a joke. try actually watching the show before you post up your ignorant opinions. NONE of this is fact.
7 - Kels
The internet can be your friend, ma'am. Yes, there are historical inaccuracies up the wazoo [I will admit that they make me cringe occasionally] but as an above commenter said, the creators were not so much trying to make a History Channel masterpiece as attempting to give an age-old legend [noun; An unauthentic or non-historical story, esp. one handed down by tradition from early times and popularly regarded as historical] a little face-lift.
8 - Kilgharrah
"I think they could have done the dragon a bit more realistically."
I'm curious, have you seen many dragons in real life? Perhaps you should send The Mill [the special effects company working on Merlin] some photos for future reference.
9 - MerlinFan2
In agreement with the other reviewers here. There are too many inaccuracies in the review for it to be of any value. The Arthurian legend is LEGEND, not history, as the writer seems to believe. Taking license with legend is a creative tradition. It expands and enriches legend, and I think this show does just that. As a fan of the show, I recommend it. It's smart, imaginative, dramatic, and very well acted.
10 - Jordan Richardson
Guinevere in the movie is black and definitely wasn't in the legend.
Not to pile on, but what? Why is changing the race of a character a problem when adapting a legend to a television show?
Perhaps the Amazon product description offers a clue:
"Merlin is a new drama series that updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend for a new audience."
Ah, there it is.
11 - Gwen
African American?
ROFL. Lady, what is wrong with you.
12 - Fortress Guy
We almost feel as though there is less magi in season 4.
Here is our take on season 1 with lots of pics and perhaps a little wit if you are interested.