Rec: An Overall Merlin S1 review
I just found this review of Merlin S1. The author made a few good points. You can read the complete review here. Here are a few excerpts:
Merlin wouldn’t be any fun, however, if we didn’t like the players. The titular Colin Morgan (Doctor Who) is charming as our teen manservant with a magical secret. He handles the serious conversations with physician Gaius, yet makes room for wit and smiles. Merlin is a pretty laid back and levelheaded kid for such a big destiny. Morgan’s humility and chemistry with his counterparts in some ways make the series. Of course, Merlin wouldn’t be much without Prince Arthur, would he? Bradley James (Portobello 196) also strikes the perfect blend between the jerky, arrogant noble and heartfelt youth learning to be a king. Though both boys have the looks for our modern, pretty standards, James also looks capable as a medieval knight. He fits the armor, fights the good fight, and has plenty of banter for Merlin and the ladies.
I didn’t really think of it in my initial viewing, but online, most of the talk about Merlin is on homosexual subtext between Merlin and Arthur. Although gay aspects in Arthurian tales aren’t unheard of- see or read Mists of Avalon- I think it’s a little strange that people are looking for this in a program touted as wholesome and family oriented. In a few years, if Merlin strengthens and survives into a mature drama like Buffy The Vampire Slayer; then sure, let’s have one of the characters be gay. As for right now, however, the creators don’t seem to be playing into any subtext ala Xena. Yes, there is some dialogue about how much one boy loves the other or has secrets and latent lifestyles, but it seems more like Shaggy and Scooby having the munchies or He-Man’s subtext. Adults will see what they want to see, there’s nothing heavy that might offend youth and family audiences.
Yes, it’s meant to be a family oriented program, but Merlin has the potential for more angst and superior stuff. Where many youthful programs would ignore analysis of romance and friendship, paternal troubles, and death; Merlin presents its more mature material with depth and quality. Unfortunately, some of the possible drama is directly hindered by the series premise. Merlin needs a noble class Gwen and more court personnel for Merlin, Arthur, and Morgana to positively and negatively react with. Maybe they wouldn’t all get along. We know that further down the line, Camelot’s gold tarnishes- use that. I’m not asking for some tawdry soap opera, but internal conflict similar to shows like Buffy can go a long way. Man versus Man, man versus nature, and man versus himself are prime notions for fantasy. We need not get lost in juvenile special effects.