“Merlin” is a new 13-part drama series that updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend for a new generation while not loosing the interest of those all-too familiar with the tale of this ancient wizard.
The mythical city of Camelot, in a time before history began; a fantastical realm of legendary beasts and mysterious people; a dangerous world in which magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant, Uther Pendragon.
900 years before Harry Potter, there was Merlin, the original wizard. See how the legend began. Merlin premieres Sunday, June 21st at 8/7C.
Check out these two trailers for the new magical series.
"in a time before history began" "900 years before Harry Potter" ?? (apparently there is no history prior to 1100, sigh, onto my review)
I have seen the first few eps of this. My reaction? Meh. It is an unabashed rewriting of virtually every Arthurian legend. This new and improved, ahem, sorry, "The Legend Began.." with the standard fare of old wise wizards (men magicians) old evil hags and seductive witches (women magicians), talking dragons, an overbearing dad for a king (Tony Head, what have you done!) and a romantic teen triangle. The names are the same, but the identities have been changes to protect the bottom line.
This 'drama' is targeted to the 13 and under crowd. You were warned.
I've also seen this show. The plots are weak and they mess with the Arthurian legend enough to make even the most casual fan of the legends cringe, but I think the characters are written brilliantly (for the most part) and the actors, both the young and old, play their parts really fantastically. It's a good companion to Legend Of The Seeker, which has weak characters but strong plots.
Ugh. Well there's another NBC series going to be canceled after three episodes.
I have not seen it, but it looks like its made for teens and kids maybe? So adults won't like it as much as we would. And as far as it being how it really was? Hello it's a program about a wizard. You know....make believe?
Darcy
I watched the fall run on the BBC at the end of last year and loved it. They do take liberties with the legend but we are talking about a LEGEND that has been re-written and re-told since Monmoth first cobbled together old folk tales about a warrior King and the magical Druid. This allows them to take the tale and morph it...its not set in stone.
The plots are a little basic and the second episode isn't much good but the rest are brilliant. This is just its first series were they are establishing the charactor and story much like Buffy's first series.
See my review from when it aired in the UK.
http://www.televisionzombies.com/2008/10/02/review-merlin-11-%e2%80%9cthe-dragons-call/
I've watched most of the BBC series and while it's not brilliant it's pretty good fun. It's a rewrite of the Merlin we're familiar with--but there's nothing wrong with that. Merlin's mentor is great and the supporting cast is good. It's oriented for a YA audience (like most British sci-fi/fantasy series) but I find that I never outgrow stuff created for the young at heart. The episodes vary in quality but they're all good enough to keep me coming back for more.
Glad to see this type of material coming to NBC--I'll watch it again.
So is this the rebroadcast of the BBC Show or NBC's own copy of the same a la The Office, one successful copy among numerous other failed attempts to copy the BBC.
I like how the BBC does things, I believe we should move to 13-episode run Seasons rather than 26-episode run seasons that NBC decides to cancel because it costs too much or they've lost their nerve halfway through because its not a huge success out of the gate (Knight Rider, Bionic Woman, etc.)
It would be cheaper for networks, and would allow actors to sign onto two different shows each year giving them the diversity of acting they all want.
Hey all this is the BBC version so there will be no US style cancelling after three episodes. This show was written to fill the gap left by Dr Who on Saturday nights for us poor sci fi/Fantasy deprived brits.
The show itself is not bad it’s no Dr who but then what is? it does improve towards the end of the series and as for being upset about a retelling of Merlin, I think you lot should get back on Wikipedia and do a bit more research, he's been rewritten more times than you lot have you lot have written the war (dam you Bonjovi you didn’t get the enigma machine first).
Anyway rant over give it a go it s not bad and will tied you over till the new doctor who Kicks off
I don't think some of you realize this "legend" has been told a zillion different ways since it lifted out of the primordial soup. There is no official story to be ruined. And if you think the Disney version is it you are extremely mistaken.
I've already seen it and it is ok. Better than the Robin Hood that has been on a few series so far (oh please stop holding Richard Armitage's career hostage!). It is geared more for the younger crowd, maybe the 12-17 year old range, but it already has a pretty strong fandom going for it online and seems well liked by all ages. It is a fun show. TV has room for a few more fun shows.
>It’s a good companion to Legend Of The Seeker, which has weak characters but strong plots.
That is kind of funny since I feel the exact opposite about that show. Does anyone watch it for the plot? (save the village, fight Darken McDarkenevil, march through the woods). I thought we were all following Bridget's hair whipping around during battles and the general coolness of Kahlan and Zedd. Huh. Learn a new thing every day.
'It is an unabashed rewriting of virtually every Arthurian legend'. <---- The person who said this on about "Merlin" obviously doesn't know Arthurian Legend very well. lol The thing about "Merlin" is it doesn't follow the legend at all, and it took me awhile to warm up to seeing the world of Camelot turned on it's head. But the cast is talented and the production stunning, so at the end of the day this zany new try deserves a look. Entertainment value A +.
Here I am sitting here with 1 hour into this show and only 15 minutes of actual show ... rest of the time has been commercials!!!! Screw this .... I'll be changing channels. NBC stinks