More on “Merlin”

It is doubtful if there are not more famous names in all of fantasy tales than Arthur and Merlin. For both immediately conjure up images of castles, maidens, swords, dragons and magic. It is the stuff legends are made of. NBC’s attempt to launch a television series based on the life and adventures Merlin may not have the filthy lucre behind it like” Harry Potter” films, but it is an honest attempt to portray a classic tale of two young men destined for greatness.

WHAT WORKED:

I found the scenes were realistic as the cobblestones are dirty, the clothes while glamorous are coarse, and the furnishings are sparse. But the real draw for the series is the enchanting characters — for Merlin is a bit bumbling, but root-worthy; Arthur is arrogant, but with a soft-side; Gwenevere is wholesome and insightful; and Morgana is beautiful and aloof. Spot dead-on casting alone brings this otherwise stale story to life with charming and appealing young actors that are well-matched for their roles. They portray characters that you want to spend time with every week. And that is the secret of television: is it worth your time? In “Merlin’s” case, the answer is a resounding, “yes!” — if you love dragons, castles, beautiful maidens, magic potions, and a goofy young man who will one day be the greatest magician of all time.

Idyllically back-dropped by the majestic mountains of New Zealand (substituting for England of long-ago), the forests and mists beckon alluringly. The castle is pristine, but surrounded by the drudgery of everyday life, such as a noisy, cluttered marketplace, rough and tough guardsmen, animals milling about, and young ruffians causing meddlesome trouble. It is in this world that Merlin seeks to be both anonymous (for those who practice magic are promptly beheaded) and special all at once. After all, why should he have to live an ordinary life when he was born with the ability to wield magic?! I found Merlin’s small attempts to make his servant-like existence more tolerable with magic both hysterical and envious. But the challenge of masking how gifted he is can be a burden for a young man with ambitions and who desires to feel equal to those he sees as peers. But, like any superhero, he must remain in hiding for fear of dire consequences. Fortunately, there is humor and levity to offset the difficulties of hiding in plain sight.

I was also drawn to the bickering camaraderie of Merlin and Arthur and the tentative flirtations between the Arthur and Morgana and Merlin and Gwenevere. Being on the cusp of adulthood, they dance around their attractions lightly and it only added another fun level of comedy as they tried to live up to the expectations and responsibilities of their stations in life.

Another fun aspect was, during the first episode, an exquisite guest appearance by Eve Myles (of “Torchwood” fame) which nearly stole the entire first episode as she played an evil witch masquerading as Lady Helen in order to avenge the death of her son. Her powerful serenade was ferocious — and only Merlin could withstand the magic within it and save the day. Never shall I forget the magnificence of her arms outstretched and singing her bewitching song of death. The visual imagery was stunning. It was perhaps in that moment that I realized that all the money in the world cannot buy better effects than an actor who can captivate an audience with a song.

Also making a delightful appearance was Anthony Stewart Head (of “Buffy” fame) as Uther Pendragon, Arthur’s father. His precise enunciation and forceful presence was carefully balanced against Uther’s obvious pride in his son, who he was pushing towards wearing the crown. The temptation to over-act in such an iconic role was resisted and the restrained performance resonated louder than raising his voice could have.

It was then simply delicious that John Hurt was the voice of the Dragon. His voice alone sent warm-chills down my spine. This is where “Merlin” outshone itself, the dragon was awesome to behold. Seeing it for the first time, I thought this was a place I could call “home.” After all, who would not want their own fabulous dragon?!

Clearly, as I am the type of person who loves a good fairy-tale, I will be tuning in each week during this limited special presentation of “Merlin” and hope that you will too.

WHAT DIDN’T WORK:

In the 2nd episode, there was too much emphasis on the long, drawn-out sword play during the tournament. Television viewers do not tune-in to watch battle scenes or swordplay. They watch because they are drawn to the characters and want to see how the characters interact together in different situations. So the attempt to bedazzle with grand sword maneuvers was exhausting. I was much more impressed when Arthur lost his sword and was forced to take a spare sword from Morgana in order to defeat his opponent. That small interplay was much more interesting to watch than the entire preceding 15 minutes of battle during the tournament. Life is after all remembered for its moments that capture our hearts. Aim for the heart and you will succeed every time.

GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE:

Episode 1 “The Dragon’s Call” was written by Julian Jones; and episode 2 “Valiant” was written by Howard Overman. Both were directed by James Hawes and starred: Colin Moran, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Richard Wilson, and Anthony Stewart Head. “Merlin” airs Sundays on NBC.