Merlin S5 | 05.03 - CultBox/CultFix: spoiler-free reviews + SpoilerTV: updated teasers
CultBox: 'Merlin': 05.03 spoiler-free review [★★★★☆]
[click to read]'Merlin': 'The Death Song of Uther Pendragon' spoiler-free review
Following the trailers, the title and the promotional pictures, it will come as no surprise to anyone that a familiar face returns to Merlin this week.
Following the multi-threaded action adventure that opened the series, this feels like a distinct gear change towards something more intimate. Like Series 4’s ‘A Herald of a New Age', which also came from the pen of Misfits creator Howard Overman, this is really a tale of personal dilemma.
Coping with a threat that he has brought upon Camelot, Arthur is forced to defend his decisions, as well as the marked differences between his style of kingship and that of his late father.
During the celebrations of his ascension to the throne, Arthur is moody and introspective, confiding in only Merlin. The young King willingly embraces a gift of the Old Religion, yet at the same time clearly still seeks the approval of his father and grieves his loss.
With a preoccupied Arthur, poor Merlin seems to be on the rough end of some exchanges as their relationship slides back towards the fractious. Regardless, he remains supportive and a source of wise counsel, irrepressibly undercutting the tension with humour and some barefaced cheek.
With wider story concerns set aside, there is a strong focus on the core cast and a threat that comes from inside Camelot. Despite the eventful closing moments of ‘Arthur’s Bane’, the round table’s new face is barely seen.
Returning guest star Anthony Head is well served by the story and gives his all, letting Uther Pendragon lose none of his intimidating power. This is not the broken man of early Series 4 by any means! His ghostly pallor is well achieved and director Justin Molotnikov provides excellent poltergeist-style stunts, spills and thrills, employing pretty much every trick in the book as Camelot becomes a highly dangerous place to be.
There are some fantastic moments for both Colin Morgan and Bradley James, as both get to demonstrate their emotional acting chops in a dramatic finale. As much as we enjoy some entertaining moments, with a spooky torch lit chase around the corridors of the darkened castle, this is a story that shines a light on the qualities of loyalty and self-confidence. If perhaps short on Arthurian revelation, it serves as a good opportunity to look at how far both Camelot and Arthur have come with Merlin’s aid.
Airs at 8.25pm on Saturday 20th October 2012 on BBC One.
★★★★☆
CultFix: Merlin: 05.03 Advance Review [9/10]
[click to read]Merlin: The Death Song of Uther Pendragon Advance Review
Prepare for scares in the third episode of Merlin’s fifth series, The Death Song of Uther Pendragon.
During a trip out in the woods Arthur ends up saving an frail old women who is about to be sentenced to death. She repays his kindness by giving him an item which has the power to open a door to the spirit world. On the anniversary of the King’s coronation and his father’s death, Arthur finds the temptation too powerful to resist and hopes to see Uther one last time. Needless to say, the reunion doesn’t quite go to plan and all hell breaks loose in Castle Camelot.
After the more cinematic, multi-stranded opening two-parter, Merlin returns to more traditional standalone instalment. In many ways this episode feels like a coda to last year’s Series 4 episode, The Wicked Day (also written by Howard Overman), with Arthur once again dabbling with dark magic to see his father.
This episode is really all about Merlin, Arthur and Uther and, as such, the other cast members are side-lined. There’s no evil scheming from Morgana, the Camelot Knights including Mordred are barely in it, and Gwen is back to being a rather unfortunate victim. That’s not a criticism though as it gives Colin Morgan, Bradley James and Anthony Head a chance to dominate the screen with some very strong performances. In particular, James does some of his best work on the show.
It’s nice to see Head return after being such a prominent cast member for three-and-a-bit years. He puts in a suitably cold and menacing turn here, much more in line with how he was portrayed back in his early years on the show. Uther is horrible to his son in their reunion scenes bringing Arthur literally to tears. The scenes he shares with Arthur and Merlin are easily the highlights of the episode. Another moment with Merlin late on will have fans cheering as the warlock shows no fear standing up to the former King.
There’s an air of tension throughout this episode and it’s genuinely scary in places. Younger viewers will probably want a cushion to hand. While several horror tropes are checked off, the episode’s creepiest moments are often what you don’t see.
That’s not to say the episode isn’t without its moments of humour though. There’s a healthy supply of the trademark banter between Merlin and Arthur to break up the scares. This time though you can tell there’s warmth to their “horseplay,” as they put it. In some ways it feels like this episode is paving the way for the eventual magic reveal. Arthur goes makes it clear that he is not his father several times and there’s a rather close call…
All in all, this is a great episode. The cinematic scope may have dialled back a bit, but it makes for a more contained and creepier tale.
9/10
SpoilerTV: Merlin - Episode 5.03 - Dialogue Teasers [UPDATE 2]
[click to read]Merlin - Episode 5.03 - The Death Song of Uther Pendragon - Dialogue Teasers [UPDATE 2]
“It holds powerful magic, you must keep it safe” Gaius to Arthur
“He’s always like this at the anniversary of his coronation” Elyan to Mordred
“I’m getting a very bad feeling about this place” Merlin to Arthur
“I want the table repaired before the next council meeting” Arthur to Merlin
“These things take time, if they are to be done properly” Merlin to Arthur
“So, if I don’t die you’ll take yours? Merlin to Arthur
“I’ll, ummm, leave you to your poetry then my lord” Leon to Arthur
“It counts for nothing if you don’t believe in yourself” Merlin to Arthur
“How can a serving girl understand what it means to be Queen” Uther to Arthur
“You have magic?” Uther to Merlin
Trailer Teaser:
“I have no one else to turn to but you Arthur”
[click to read]'Merlin': 'The Death Song of Uther Pendragon' spoiler-free review
Following the trailers, the title and the promotional pictures, it will come as no surprise to anyone that a familiar face returns to Merlin this week.
Following the multi-threaded action adventure that opened the series, this feels like a distinct gear change towards something more intimate. Like Series 4’s ‘A Herald of a New Age', which also came from the pen of Misfits creator Howard Overman, this is really a tale of personal dilemma.
Coping with a threat that he has brought upon Camelot, Arthur is forced to defend his decisions, as well as the marked differences between his style of kingship and that of his late father.
During the celebrations of his ascension to the throne, Arthur is moody and introspective, confiding in only Merlin. The young King willingly embraces a gift of the Old Religion, yet at the same time clearly still seeks the approval of his father and grieves his loss.
With a preoccupied Arthur, poor Merlin seems to be on the rough end of some exchanges as their relationship slides back towards the fractious. Regardless, he remains supportive and a source of wise counsel, irrepressibly undercutting the tension with humour and some barefaced cheek.
With wider story concerns set aside, there is a strong focus on the core cast and a threat that comes from inside Camelot. Despite the eventful closing moments of ‘Arthur’s Bane’, the round table’s new face is barely seen.
Returning guest star Anthony Head is well served by the story and gives his all, letting Uther Pendragon lose none of his intimidating power. This is not the broken man of early Series 4 by any means! His ghostly pallor is well achieved and director Justin Molotnikov provides excellent poltergeist-style stunts, spills and thrills, employing pretty much every trick in the book as Camelot becomes a highly dangerous place to be.
There are some fantastic moments for both Colin Morgan and Bradley James, as both get to demonstrate their emotional acting chops in a dramatic finale. As much as we enjoy some entertaining moments, with a spooky torch lit chase around the corridors of the darkened castle, this is a story that shines a light on the qualities of loyalty and self-confidence. If perhaps short on Arthurian revelation, it serves as a good opportunity to look at how far both Camelot and Arthur have come with Merlin’s aid.
Airs at 8.25pm on Saturday 20th October 2012 on BBC One.
★★★★☆
CultFix: Merlin: 05.03 Advance Review [9/10]
[click to read]Merlin: The Death Song of Uther Pendragon Advance Review
Prepare for scares in the third episode of Merlin’s fifth series, The Death Song of Uther Pendragon.
During a trip out in the woods Arthur ends up saving an frail old women who is about to be sentenced to death. She repays his kindness by giving him an item which has the power to open a door to the spirit world. On the anniversary of the King’s coronation and his father’s death, Arthur finds the temptation too powerful to resist and hopes to see Uther one last time. Needless to say, the reunion doesn’t quite go to plan and all hell breaks loose in Castle Camelot.
After the more cinematic, multi-stranded opening two-parter, Merlin returns to more traditional standalone instalment. In many ways this episode feels like a coda to last year’s Series 4 episode, The Wicked Day (also written by Howard Overman), with Arthur once again dabbling with dark magic to see his father.
This episode is really all about Merlin, Arthur and Uther and, as such, the other cast members are side-lined. There’s no evil scheming from Morgana, the Camelot Knights including Mordred are barely in it, and Gwen is back to being a rather unfortunate victim. That’s not a criticism though as it gives Colin Morgan, Bradley James and Anthony Head a chance to dominate the screen with some very strong performances. In particular, James does some of his best work on the show.
It’s nice to see Head return after being such a prominent cast member for three-and-a-bit years. He puts in a suitably cold and menacing turn here, much more in line with how he was portrayed back in his early years on the show. Uther is horrible to his son in their reunion scenes bringing Arthur literally to tears. The scenes he shares with Arthur and Merlin are easily the highlights of the episode. Another moment with Merlin late on will have fans cheering as the warlock shows no fear standing up to the former King.
There’s an air of tension throughout this episode and it’s genuinely scary in places. Younger viewers will probably want a cushion to hand. While several horror tropes are checked off, the episode’s creepiest moments are often what you don’t see.
That’s not to say the episode isn’t without its moments of humour though. There’s a healthy supply of the trademark banter between Merlin and Arthur to break up the scares. This time though you can tell there’s warmth to their “horseplay,” as they put it. In some ways it feels like this episode is paving the way for the eventual magic reveal. Arthur goes makes it clear that he is not his father several times and there’s a rather close call…
All in all, this is a great episode. The cinematic scope may have dialled back a bit, but it makes for a more contained and creepier tale.
9/10
SpoilerTV: Merlin - Episode 5.03 - Dialogue Teasers [UPDATE 2]
[click to read]Merlin - Episode 5.03 - The Death Song of Uther Pendragon - Dialogue Teasers [UPDATE 2]
“It holds powerful magic, you must keep it safe” Gaius to Arthur
“He’s always like this at the anniversary of his coronation” Elyan to Mordred
“I’m getting a very bad feeling about this place” Merlin to Arthur
“I want the table repaired before the next council meeting” Arthur to Merlin
“These things take time, if they are to be done properly” Merlin to Arthur
“So, if I don’t die you’ll take yours? Merlin to Arthur
“I’ll, ummm, leave you to your poetry then my lord” Leon to Arthur
“It counts for nothing if you don’t believe in yourself” Merlin to Arthur
“How can a serving girl understand what it means to be Queen” Uther to Arthur
“You have magic?” Uther to Merlin
Trailer Teaser:
“I have no one else to turn to but you Arthur”