Product Description
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Set in the mythical city of Camelot, in a time before history
began, this magical adaptation of the Arthurian legend follows
young Merlin's enthralling encounters with the young Prince
Arthur.
The kingdom of Camelot is a realm of legendary beasts and
mysterious peoples. In this dangerous world, magic has been
banned by the ruthless tyrant, Uther Pendragon. Merlin, who was
born with extraordinary magical powers, is taken as an apprentice
to the court physician Gaius and as manservant to the headstrong
Prince Arthur. However, with the practice of magic punishable by
death, Merlin must take care when and where he uses his talents.
The Great Dragon, who lies imprisoned under the castle, informs
Merlin that his gift has a purpose - to aid him in his destiny to
protect Prince Arthur, who will one day lead a great and just
kingdom. But Merlin has already discovered that following his
destiny is not always an easy task.
Whatever the future holds, Merlin, along with Arthur, Morgana and
Gwen, face many great dangers and exciting challenges as
terrifying beasts and ruthless enemies stalk the kingdom of
Camelot...
Episode One: Merlin, a young country boy, arrives at the great
city of Camelot to find a young man at the gallows - the result
of King Uther outlawing magic in his kingdom. As Merlin makes his
way to find Gaius, the Court Physician, he begins to realise that
the world he has entered is full of danger.
Episode Two: Valiant arrives in Camelot intent on winning the
infamous tournament. As a disgruntled Merlin gets to grips
with his arduous duties as Arthur's new servant, he notices the
fighter has an unfair advantage.
Episode Three: As a magical plague takes a deathly grip on
Camelot, Merlin takes pity on Gwen, whose her is dying with
the disease. Evading a curfew, Merlin risks his life to deliver a
magical power to cure her her. However, his pleasure soon
turns to shock as Gwen is arrested for using magic.
Episode Four: Suspecting it is poisoned, Merlin drinks from
Prince Arthur's cup. He falls into a com and can only be saved
from certain death by a flower that grows deep within the forest
of Balor. Arthur is ready to defy the King and embark on the
quest, but is he prepared for the trials and danger he will
encounter?
Episode Five: A great fighter by the name of Lancelot arrives in
Camelot, but despite his bravery and skill, his ambition to be a
knight is thwarted by his low birth - only Arthur and Merlin
appear to recognise his true worth. Meanwhile a terrifying winged
beast approaches Camelot leaving the kingdom in desperate need of
a hero.
Episode Six: When a physician, the red Edwin, saves the dying
Morgana and impresses Uther with his skills he is soon
suping Gaius's position in the court. But soon Merlin and
Gaius make shocking discoveries about this mysterious stranger.
Episode Seven: When Arthur becomes besotted with a mysterious
girl he could lose more than just his heart.
Episode Eight: A young druid boy, on the run in Camelot, is
condemned to death by Uther, but Merlin, Arthur and Morgana feel
compelled to help him.
Episode Nine: A mysterious Black Knight ces his horse in
through a window to challenge the knights of Camelot to single
combat.
Episode Ten: Merlin's village is under attack from a ruthless
group of bandits but can Merlin, Arthur, Morgana and Gwen save
them?
Episode Eleven: When Arthur kills a unicorn - a prize beast - his
knights celebrate, but the prince has inadvertently brought a
curse upon Camelot.
Episode Twelve: When Gwen's her is arrested by Uther for
helping a sorcerer, Morgana reveals a surprising side of her
character.
Episode Thirteen: As Arthur's life hangs in the balance, Merlin
is the only one who can save him - but at what price?
Special Features
* Behind the Scenes
* Cast Video Diaries
* Audio Commentaries
* Wallpapers
* Photo Galleries
.co.uk Review
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The creators of Merlin position their hero as the original Harry
Potter: a headstrong young wizard with mixed feelings about--and
sometimes outright hostility toward--the destiny that's been
thrust upon him. Merlin is a reboot of Arthurian legend, starting
when all the heroes and sorcerous folk were teenagers, bursting
with hormones and wrestling with the powers-that-be, particularly
Arthur's heavy-handed her, Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head, best
known as Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a benevolent
tyrant who's banished magic from Camelot. Merlin (Colin Morgan,
an impish lad with prominent ears) comes to the kingdom with high
hopes and innate magical powers. He's taken under the wing of the
court physician, Gaius (Richard Wilson, One Foot in the Grave),
but additionally becomes the servant of young Arthur (Bradley
James), a handsome and talented fighter who's also a bully and a
snob. Rounding out the main cast are Morgana (Katie McGrath), who
will one day be Merlin's foe but is now Uther's ward, and Gwen
(Angel Coulby), a.k.a. Guinevere, the woman who will one day be
the center of a legendary love triangle--but who is now Morgana's
maid. Clearly, Merlin wants to shake up any preconception about
these stuffy old stories, presenting a multi-ethnic Camelot with
contemporary language and attitudes.
Despite all this, Merlin quickly becomes addictive. The dialogue
and special effects can be cheesy (particularly when the CGI
monsters have to interact with actors), but the cast is charming
and the stories, while a tad formulaic, keep things moving.
Morgan is appropriately dweeby (but also has killer cheeks),
James combines football-quarterback good looks with a hint of
sensitivity, McGrath is luscious and impetuous, and Coulby has
earthy spunk. The heavy lifting, acting-wise, is ably handled by
Head and Wilson. The first season deftly explores the origins of
the pillars of Arthurian mythos, from the Excalibur to a
very dashing (but born of peasant stock) Lancelot to the
mysterious birth of Arthur himself. Add to it all an imprisoned
dragon, voiced by John Hurt (Alien, The Elephant Man) and prone
to cryptic but sometimes helpful advice, and you have an engaging
fantasy series.--Bret Fetzer, .com