With Doctor Who paring back production for episodes broadcast in 2009, Saturday nights are up for grabs again in the family adventure drama stakes on BBC1. Robin Hood will be returning in 2009 for third series (with a fourth already strongly hinted at despite the departure of Jonas Armstrong), but for now, it’s down to the BBC Wales/Shine series Merlin to put audiences under its spell between now and Christmas.
The series is a prequel to the legend we’ve seen many times before on film and TV and in books, with young Merlin arriving at a Camelot under the rule of King Uther Pendragon (a gruff Anthony Head). Magic has been outlawed by Uther, the use of which is punishable by death, which is a problem for Merlin as he’s got the power running through him like a river that’s burst its banks.
As the first episode unfolds, Merlin encounters a young and arrogant Prince Arthur, and is told of his destiny to guide the future king to greatness from the great dragon imprisoned deep beneath the castle… We’re also introduced to Guinevere, and Uther’s sister Morgana, along with a Richard Wilson as Merlin’s crotchety mentor Gaius.
And so the scene is set for 13 weeks of adventure, sword fights, sorcery and, no doubt, a little bit of snogging along the way.
But is it any good?
Well, in a nutshell, yes. Merlin is very slick and well paced, the tone nicely pitched towards a varied family audience with the younger viewers firmly in mind. The Dragon’s Call is a solid and enjoyable first episode that sets the scene well, but that’s all it achieves, which is fine for the first week out. We’re getting used to the characters and the look (and very pretty it is too).
The script has a sop to the notion of “magical villain of the week” in amongst the scene setting, and it’s good to see Eve Myles off Torchwood getting out of Cardiff Bay. She’s clearly having fun playing a witch whose son has been offed by Uther for using some hocus pocus. Indeed, somebody getting their head lopped off within five minutes of the start is quite a shock - Uther clearly means business.
But the meat of this episode is introducing us to the characters that, I’m sure the BBC are hoping, will become new heroes for Saturday nights. And certainly in Colin Morgan as Merlin, the producers have found an engaging and likeable young lead. He’s softly spoken and has a charming line in awkwardness that any teenager will relate to. He’s also funny and sweet and makes for a well rounded character early on. Morgan’s turn as Jethro in last season’s Doctor Who episode Midnight shows he can do off-kilter very well, and I hope to see this strangeness coming out in Merlin as things develop.
Less successful for me is Bradley James as Arthur, who is fairly one-dimensional, but I guess that’s the point. He’s supposed to be a bit of an arse at this stage, but the writing will have to start bringing out some likeable qualities as time goes on.
It’s a good start - the climax has a wonderful poetic quality - but Merlin has a tough room from the start, going head-to-head against The X Factor, which has had a few weeks to build up an audience. Merlin provides a good alternative to ITV’s schedule, and should do well, but will it be strong enough to dent Simon Cowell’s ratings?
Time will tell…
Merlin is on BBC1 on Saturday at 7.30pm
There have been two other series about young Merlin. ITV did one in the late 70's called Young Merlin that I remember as being quite good though the production values weren't brilliant being children's TV.
BBC adapted Mary Stewart's "The Crystal Cave" in 80's - good book/not brill adaptation.
This new one is departing from the legends by making Merlin the same age as Arthur - he's usually the previous genration or older. Also since Authur seems to be settled in Uther's court rather than hidden away at a foster family, presumably we aren't getting the "sword in the stone" to prove his inheritance.