Merlin (2008 TV series)

 A program that has been entertaining the British television audience from 2008 to 2012 is a fantastic series called “Merlin.” This British-American fantasy drama was developed by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy, and Johnny Capps and was broadcasted on BBC One. The show though having characters, plot sub-plots and a novel approach towards the conventional legendary tales of King Arthur and his magical sorcerer Merlin left a carving impression in the fantasy drama.

☆The Plot and Premise

• “Merlin” is a British television show that is based on the early years of the legendary Kingdom of Camelot; the main character is a young wizard played by Colin Morgan. In contrast to Merlin portrayed as a calm and wise old wizard, this show is about a young man who is still in the process of finding himself and learning that the use of magic is forbidden.

• Merlin’s main task is to hide the fact that he is a wizard and to safeguard Prince Arthur, portrayed by Bradley James, who is to be the best king for Camelot ever. However Arthur does not know about Merlin’s magical powers thus, making Merlin to play the role of a bodyguard and a friend while keeping his magical powers a secret . This duality forms the basis of much of the conflict and many of the arcs of the series.

☆Characters and Performances

• In the series there are many strengths, but one of the most powerful is the character building process. Colin Morgan’s performance of Merlin is really quite brilliant and believable and depicts the character’s growth from a young, inexperienced sorcerer to a mature sorcerer/ advisor. The internal conflicts of Merlin are depicted well by his performance especially on issues to do with loneliness due to the secret he is holding and his loyalty to Arthur.

• Bradley James as Arthur is also noteworthy, he transforms the character from an egocentric and hot-headed prince to a fair and just king. The dynamics between Morgan and James are one of the main foundations of the series as their interactions create both the tender and the funny scenes.

• Angel Coulby as Guinevere (Gwen) is a delight to watch because she plays the character as a determined woman who goes up from low class citizen to become queen of Camelot. Morgana, played by Katie McGrath, is initially an appealing character but ends up becoming the main villain of the series proving McGrath’s acting range. Gaius, Merlin’s teacher, is played by Richard Wilson and Anthony Head portrays King Uther Pendragon and both the actors do full justice to their characters.
  

Top 10 character

1. Morgause  -  Emilia Fox
2. Gwaine -  Eoin Macken
3. Lancelot - Santiago Cabrera
4. Guinevere - Angel Coulby
5. Gaius - Richard Wilson
6. Uther Pendragon - Anthony Head
7. Kilgharrah (Dragon) - Sir John Hurt
8. Morgana - Katie McGrath
9. Arthur Pendragon - Bradley James
10. Merlin -  Colin Morgan

☆Themes and Storytelling

• Thus, the show “Merlin” is an excellent example of the successful attempt to integrate such motifs as destiny, friendship, and the conflict of good against evil into the show’s plot. Thus, the series raises the question of predestination and whether people can change their destiny or not. While Merlin’s motivation to shield Arthur stems from a belief in the prophetic destiny, the series continually poses the question about whether the future is predetermined and unchangeable.

• Friendship serves as the major plot element in the series and the friendship between Merlin and Arthur. Loyalty, trust and respect between them is the backbone of the show and defines how the characters relate with each other. It transforms from the relation of master and servant to friends and thus denotes the fact that color barrier can be broken if people learn to accept and feel for each other.

• The show also addresses issues of morality especially in the area of power and authority. King Uther’s harsh policies against magic make Camelot a place where people are afraid of practicing magic, thus starting the conflict between the followers of the law and the rebels. The show also raises such issues as the morality of Uther’s actions and the effects of the tyrannical authority.

☆Visuals and Production

• What stands out in ‘Merlin’ is that the appearance of the series is rather good, especially given the conditions of the TV shows’ filming at that period. Shot on different locations, the Château de Pierrefonds in France used for the shooting of Camelot’s exterior, the series is presented in a realistic manner that makes the mythological period feel real.

• Magical effects had to be done with CGI and although they were somewhat restricted by the budget it was a creative process to make the viewer believe in magic. The layout of the show, the cast, and equipment also help create a medieval look and feel of the show and Camelot as a character.

☆Cultural Impact and Legacy

• “Merlin” was quite popular when it was still on air and managed to garner a strong following which praised it for its original approach to the Arthurian myths, acting, and narrative. It was not only a United Kingdom phenomenon but was also watched in other countries such as the United States where it was available on different networks and platforms.

• The impact of the series can be noticed in the manner in which it has precipitated the subsequent versions of the Arthurian legend and other fairy television shows. It successfully incorporated comedy, drama and fantasy in its episodes which paved way for other programs that are of the same genre

• Despite being over, the show “Merlin” can still be watched on streaming platforms meaning that people have a chance to immerse themselves in the magic of the Arthurian legend. The values of friendship, loyalty, as well as the battle between the forces of light and darkness still resonate, and therefore, the show’s place is deservedly under the tag of incredible fantasy series.

☆Conclusion

• Thus, the tale of ‘Merlin’ is an obvious example proving that Arthurian legends are still much in demand and people enjoy legends and fairy tales. Due to the idea reconstructing the familiar characters and plots, the brilliant acting, as well as the exploration of the powerful and timely topics, the series has become undoubtedly loved by the audience and firmly entrenched in the tradition of the fantasy genre. For those who come back to watch the series, or for company who decided to watch the series for the first time, “Merlin” gives a thrilling insight of magic and companionship in destiny.